Nara’s Toshodaiji is an eighth-century temple founded by the Chinese monk Ganjin, one of the greatest influences on Buddhism in Japan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Toshodaiji is an iconic and historically significant temple. Among its treasures are its golden hall, Ganjin’s preserved living quarters and sacred text, wooden statues over a century old and, more recently, the letter “J” carved into one of the temple’s pillars that symbolizes Julian—some kid from Canada.
The teen, whether bored or just dense, made headlines after he got caught carving his initial into the ancient temple during a trip with his family. Naturally, people were pretty angry.
Not that Japanese tourists aren’t free of making goofs, but it’s always kind of funny (and embarrassing) when you read about foreigners coming to Japan and disrupting the wa (harmony).
That being said, here are five stories of tourists that made headlines in Japan.
1. French Man Throws Hands Over Bento
Charlie, a 23-year-old French national, was stumbling through Tokyo’s Roppongi district when he collided with a young woman carrying a bento. The bump caused her to drop her dinner, and so she demanded Charlie compensate her with a new bento.
At the convenience store, Charlie, apparently shaken by the ¥500 price tag, had second thoughts and made a run for it. The woman, already hungry and annoyed, grabbed his arm to stop him. And, as only a distinguished gentleman from the country of romance could, cocked back and slugged her in the face before fleeing down the street in a running style we can only describe as dastardly.
Video of the incident went viral quickly, and Charlie was arrested a day later. Despite being on video, he claimed, “Since I do not recall [the matter], I do not know [anything about it].” It’s unknown if Charlie was charged, but he’ll at least be remembered forever as the guy with a goofy run ready to ruin his life for ¥500.
2. Danish Artist ‘Leaves His Mark’
Visiting Japan is an experience you never want to forget. It’s understandable when someone takes lots of pictures or buys souvenirs. But, for a tourist from Denmark, that wasn’t enough.
In 2018, the Dane allegedly broke into Myogadani station on Tokyo Metro’s Marunouchi Line after operations and graffitied a train car with his name, hearts and the number 18 (likey for 2018). He was caught on security cameras and detained, while on his way home, at the airport by police. He claimed he did it to “leave a memory” of his visit to Japan.
Funny enough, graffiti and poor excuses aren’t rare in Japan. That same year, two Australians caught graffitiing their names at a Shibuya department store tried to excuse themselves with “We saw graffiti in other parts of the neighborhood, so we thought it was okay to do that in Shibuya.” Some Americans arrested in 2016 also thought, “Shibuya was a town that allowed graffiti.”
3. Australian Woman Scams the Shinkansen
Click here to read more.
- External Link
- https://gaijinpot.com/
16 Comments
Login to comment
TaiwanIsNotChina
I want to know more about the naked tourist incident. Now those restraint devices the police carry make sense.
timeon
If I reember correctly, he had some mental problems, so the police decided to let him go. The British guy.
餓死鬼
The police trying to tackle the guy without looking at his tackle. Many of the onlookers don’t seem too impressed, though the one foreign guy appears to be thoroughly enjoying the show.
shogun36
I remember this video. Pathetic individual.
Not gonna mention anything about his country of origin, but it makes sense.
virusrex
More than embarrassing stories this is a collection of foreign tourist doing (minor) crimes in Japan, feels strange that no anecdote could be found in which the foreigner was not breaking the law.
餓死鬼
Assaulting someone probably isn't so minor.
kohakuebisu
The British guy is a legend and it was only embarrassing for the police and their hilariously inept efforts in trying to catch him. Once in custody, apparently they thought he was Spanish, because he answered questions in English in comedy Spanish, probably something like Manuel in Fawlty Towers.
Him and the guy on the mamachari who photobombed the trainspotters are my favourite "gaijin in Japan" tales.
casadeoctane
From what I remember of the story the guy was Spanish, but everyone just assumed it was a Brit on the piss. Either way must have had significant mental health problems - are we still ok to make fun of that?
ClippetyClop
I’m not averse to a bit of mischief now and again, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and admit that some people are just operating on a different level.
N. Knight
No he was British... And had been on the lash. So the mental issues were temporary and alcohol induced (like many of us on a Saturday night after a game of rugby).
Hot day. He needed a cool down! Funny incident. He didn't hurt anyone or vandalize anything.
He will likely still be making fun of it himself.
kintsugi
Sometimes but too often when a person goes to another country, especially with a strong language difference they just lose their head and freak out in some way. Sometimes a passenger on a plane freaks out and does out-of-character stuff.
NotThe One
During samurai times, those restraining poles had spikes running all along U-shape to snag the perpetrators clothing or to twist for pain-induced compliance.
1glenn
We saw a lot of graffiti on old walls and monuments in Rome. Very disappointing.
Over here I have read a number of stories of people being shot and killed while trying to stop people spraying graffiti.
I think young people are prone to their own sort of mental illness of entitlement. I remember some of the awful things I did as a youngster.......yuck.
gcFd1
The bump caused her to drop her dinner, and so she demanded Charlie compensate her with a new bento.
Not surprised she didn't take responsibility for bumping into the guy.
Hello Kitty 321
The Imperial Palace hasn’t been home home to Japan’s imperial family for centuries, only since 1869.
tamanegi
The police let the naked British man go when they believed he had some "mental problems". I've heard of people suffering from schizophrenia suddenly stripping off in the woods or countryside or skinny dipping like this man did.
A couple of young Brits have been arrested after swimming in the Palace moat since that naked man.