“One thing that really surprised me in Japan was when I went to a burger shop. Not just the burgers themselves, but especially the drinks and fries—I couldn’t believe how tiny the portions were,” said one American visitor.

The biggest shock compared to the U.S. was the size. For many Americans, what’s considered a large size in Japan feels almost the same as a small size back home.

They explained that in Japan, you always have to think of portions as being about one size smaller. “Even at slightly fancier burger shops, the amount of fries and side dishes still feels disappointingly small,” they added.

Japan is often known for selling quirky products, and underwear is no exception—there are plenty of unusual designs that can be quite a surprise.

“I once saw a pair that was shaped like a tengu’s nose—it was some kind of novelty item! I was so shocked, I even bought it as a souvenir for a friend (laughs),” said one American.

These humorous pieces of underwear are often sold at novelty shops, and in this case, the man received a pair with a long tengu nose attached, leaving him amazed at Japan’s sense of humor. There are even vending machines that sell nothing but unusual underwear, which have become unexpectedly popular among some foreign visitors.

For one American, a certain Japanese sweet turned out to be far more impressive than expected.

“Cupcakes and cinnamon rolls are everywhere, and they all have that fluffy texture. But the chewy, mochi-mochi texture was something I experienced for the first time in Japan. Honestly, I think I like Japanese chewy donuts better!” he admitted with a laugh.

In Japan’s convenience stores, shelves are lined with sweets that proudly advertise their mochi-mochi texture. That soft, springy bite has not only captured the hearts of Japanese people but also won over this American visitor.

“I really love Japanese manzai. It’s a style of comedy performed by two people, where one plays the ‘boke’ (the funny, silly character) and the other the ‘tsukkomi’ (the one who corrects or reacts). This kind of two-person routine doesn’t exist in the U.S.—most American comedy is done solo. Both are funny, but they’re completely different,” one American shared.

In Japan, it’s common for two very different personalities to play off each other, pointing out each other’s flaws to make people laugh. In contrast, American stand-up often focuses on joking about social issues or ideas, sometimes in a deliberately edgy way.

“I also watch shows where a group of comedians entertain a guest and make their stories hilarious. Japanese comedy really emphasizes teamwork. Hinadan comedians—comedians arranged on a stepped platform—are absolutely hilarious,” he added.

He even started studying Japanese to better understand Japanese comedy. Since the language used in comedy is fast and full of wordplay, it must have been quite a challenge!