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'I can't believe how different it is!' 5 Weird Things That Shocked a Taiwanese Traveler About Japan

Last updated: 16 May 2023

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), approximately 4.8 million Taiwanese visitors traveled to Japan in 2019. In January 2023, Taiwan ranked as the second-highest source of visitors after South Korea, with many repeat visitors who have developed a fondness for Japan. Taiwanese travelers are known for their appreciation of Japanese culture. So, what aspects of Japan do Taiwanese tourists find surprising?

To explore this, we spoke with a Taiwanese woman from Taipei who has visited Japan five times or more, and asked her about the things that shocked her during her visits. (Please note that the following are her personal opinions.)

A Taiwanese woman, assuming that the natural beauty wouldn't vary much due to the relatively close proximity of Taiwan and Japan, was taken aback by the sheer beauty of the Japanese sea.

"I was amazed by the beauty of the sea when I visited Ishigaki Island in Okinawa! It's unbelievable how different the sea's beauty is compared to Taiwan, even though we're so close. Even in Taiwan, where we have seas in nature-rich areas, they're not as pristine."

The Taiwanese woman was not only impressed by the stunning colors of the sea but also by the absence of litter and the thorough cleanliness maintained. She was greatly surprised by the fact that Japanese people don't litter. While Japan still faces various garbage issues, such as marine debris washing ashore, it's evident that efforts are made to clean up in different regions. Preserving and ensuring the beauty of the sea for as long as possible brings joy to everyone!

A Taiwanese woman walking through Tokyo was incredibly amazed by the way people drove their cars. What made her so surprised?

"In Taiwan, it feels like every driver is in a hurry to get ahead, and the driving can be quite aggressive. It's almost as if they wouldn't hesitate to hit someone. But in Japan, the driving is so calm and considerate, with drivers yielding to each other. It's reassuring for pedestrians as well."

In Japan, pedestrians are given priority, so Japanese drivers exercise caution while driving. On the other hand, in Taiwan, cars seem to take precedence. Even when pedestrians are present, cars continue to approach rapidly, making it necessary to carefully time crossing the pedestrian crosswalks. The Taiwanese woman felt the politeness of the Japanese people through their calm and considerate driving manners.

Rice is found all around the world, with various types such as Thai rice and California rice. Even in Taiwan, they consume Japanese rice, but our respondent was surprised by the difference when they had it in Japan.

"I wonder if it's because of the water or something. We do eat Japanese rice in Taiwan, but it's not as delicious as this! It's so fluffy and chewy... I feel like just eating the rice alone!"

A Taiwanese woman expressed her heartfelt admiration after trying Japanese white rice while enjoying Japanese cuisine in Japan. In Taiwan, it is more common to season and cook rice rather than consume plain white rice, so they rarely experience the true "taste of rice." Although there are Japanese restaurants in Taiwan, she claimed that none of them can surpass the deliciousness of the white rice she had in Japan.

"All of my Taiwanese friends love Japanese rice!"

It seems that they all thoroughly enjoyed it. If Taiwanese friends visit Japan, they would likely be delighted if they were served delicious white rice.

While navigating and seeking assistance, as well as ordering at shops, the Taiwanese individual was delighted by the kindness of Japanese people. However, there was one thing that surprised them greatly.

"I wonder if Japanese people have reservations about speaking English. When I approach them in English, some respond in English, saying they can't speak it, and quickly try to escape. Considering the advancements in various aspects of the country, I was astonished to find that English hasn't fully permeated."

In Taiwan, many people, especially older individuals, can speak some degree of Japanese, while younger people are more likely to have conversational English skills.

"Perhaps Japanese people are shy, leading to hesitancy in speaking," our respondent expressed.

Although it can be challenging to communicate in each other's native languages, they expressed a strong desire to connect with Japanese people in English. Neither being native English speakers, they believe that if they overcome their shyness and engage in conversation, they can surely establish good relationships.

One of the places that people want to visit when they come to Japan is an electronics retail store. They were surprised to find many interesting products that they couldn't immediately figure out how to use.

"Japanese inventions are truly fascinating. For example, there was a head massager shaped like an octopus and a sauna mask that gives you an alien-like face to achieve a smaller face. The appearance is incredibly unique, and at first, I had no idea what they were for."

The Taiwanese woman was amazed not only by the effectiveness of the products but also by the creativity in their designs. She mentioned other items such as a specialized machine for massaging the palms and a low-frequency therapy device with pads for relieving stiffness. These were products she had rarely seen in Taiwan. The variety of unique products on display made her feel like she could spend an entire day just exploring the electronics retail store. It was a fun and exciting experience for her, as there were many items she had never encountered before.

As a Japanese person, it's eye-opening to see the many discoveries and surprises. She also expressed her admiration for the beauty of nature and the enchanting world of powdery snow. It seems that landscapes and customs that may seem ordinary to Japanese people can be sources of astonishment for visitors from overseas. When you visit Taiwan, it might be a great opportunity to travel while experiencing the differences between Japan and Taiwan.

(Images in this article are for illustrative purposes only.)

Written by:

Fujico

Born in Tokyo. Independent writer from 2015. He has studied and worked in North America, and also translates and interprets English and Japanese. He loves the islands of Tokyo and the Izu Islands, and once a month heads to a new island!