It’s been a week since I got back from Japan. Still sitting with the whole thing. Visually? Stunning. Clean streets, serene temples, the kind of aesthetic that burns itself into your brain. But something else came back with me too and it’s not the kind of thing you post on Instagram.
Before the trip, I didn’t just pack bags. I packed prep. I read blogs, watched hours of travel vlogs, practiced Japanese phrases on repeat. I learned what not to do, what not to wear, when to bow, how to say thank you with the correct level of humility and many other etiquettes. I read stories online about Japan’s issues with racism from BIPOC travelers, and experiences were mixed. Overall, most of what I found painted Japan as a near-utopia where people are endlessly kind, strangers go out of their way to help you, and the technology feels like something from the future. So I cautiously hoped for the best.
First red flag: small town in Nagano. I got seated at a round-table with some locals. A minute later, they asked to be moved. Awkward, but fine. Then three white tourists came in. Suddenly the server was all smiles, walking them through the menu like it was a Michelin tasting. My food? Plunked on the table like a passive-aggressive post-it. No words. No eye contact. Just the sound of a plate meeting wood.
At another nearly empty place, an East Asian group got table service. We got handed a buzzer. In Tokyo, at a sushi restaurant, I watched a South Asian group and a Latin American one both get told “takeout only.” Reservation wasn’t the problem as walk-ins after them were seated immediately.
Even asking for directions in general was hit or miss. Some people would look through me. Others walked off mid-sentence. The exclusion is quiet, calculated, and cold. Polite on the surface, but distant enough to remind you that you’re not really welcome. The racism is passive, but it’s there. You see it in the subtle ways your presence is either ignored or avoided. It’s almost as if your experience depends on the skintone.
The pattern was clear by then. Locals walked in to warm greetings. “Irasshaimase!” with all the energy of a welcome home. Us? A faint nod if we were lucky. Leaving was just as awkward. Staff rarely acknowledged us, so we’d turn back, smile, and say “Arigatou gozaimasu” first hoping for even a glance. Most times, nothing. Just silence.
By the end, I felt Japan isn’t really even trying if you don’t fit the ‘ideal tourist’ image. Courtesy becomes selective. Hospitality, conditional. Rules, rigid.
🏠 The Aftermath
Feeling invisible in a country known for its hospitality.
Left with a sense of exclusion and disappointment, despite the beauty of the country.
The impact of subtle racism on my perception of Japan lingered long after I left.
A stark reminder that appearances can be deceiving, even in the most picturesque places.
Acknowledging the mixed emotions of awe and discomfort, a reminder of the complexities beneath the surface.
💭 Emotional Reflection
Reflecting on the contrast between Japan’s exterior beauty and the hidden realities of discrimination.
Understanding the nuances of cultural expectations and the impact of silent exclusion on personal experiences.
Recognizing the complexities of societal pride and selective hospitality within a seemingly perfect facade.
Sharing my experience of subtle racism in Japan—what are your thoughts?
It's disappointing to hear about the discrimination faced in a country known for its hospitality.
Incredible that such experiences can happen in a place many consider a dream destination.
It's a reminder that appearances can often mask underlying issues of discrimination.
Reactions have been varied, highlighting the need to address these issues openly and honestly.
🌱 Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the complexities of cultural experiences and the importance of acknowledging both the beauty and challenges within them.
A poignant reminder that true understanding requires looking beyond the surface and confronting uncomfortable truths.
What do you think?
Would you have left, or stayed and kept trying to make it work? Share your thoughts below 👇
Social Plugin