I visited Nara almost 30 years ago, when tourists were not a problem. In fact, as a tall blonde gringo I WAS the tourist attraction and was followed around by people wanting to take my picture. When my two American friends and I went to the local information center upon arrival, we were quickly adopted and asked if we would each stay one night with a separate family (the kids in each family were studying English and wanted to practice.) My family had two young girls. They lived in a tiny two-story house, where I felt exactly like Alice bulging out of the doors and windows. The family invited neighbors over and had a wonderful party where we laughed and toasted each other with sake. When I left the next morning they gave me gifts, and I in turn gave the mother my gold earrings. Many years later I saw the mother again, in New York City. She was wearing the earrings on a chain around her neck, as she did not have pierced ears.
As for the famous deer of Nara, one ripped my map out of my hands and ate it. Though lost, many people wanted to help me find my way back to where I was staying. Another thing: the crickets in the evening sound completely unlike any insect I've ever heard before. Another planet altogether.
I’m so glad I read this. I’ve been to Japan twice, but not in the last 10 years. And it’s good to know about the over tourism and how it’s impacting locals. We are about to go again.
Reading your exchange has prompted me to make sure I have my iPhone app Japanese translator handy. Not that it would necessarily work in an irate situation. lol
Two times we have been, we only had gentle and super friendly encounters.
I think it’s good to be aware.
Total guess, but the younger generation may be a little more photo friendly.
Also… In Tokyo Disneyland, where people were dressed up and wanted to be seen, it was common for people to be snapping photos of each other.
I had a translator pre-installed on my phone but there was no time for me to pull it up. He pointed at the camera roll icon and demanded that I press it!
I visited Nara almost 30 years ago, when tourists were not a problem. In fact, as a tall blonde gringo I WAS the tourist attraction and was followed around by people wanting to take my picture. When my two American friends and I went to the local information center upon arrival, we were quickly adopted and asked if we would each stay one night with a separate family (the kids in each family were studying English and wanted to practice.) My family had two young girls. They lived in a tiny two-story house, where I felt exactly like Alice bulging out of the doors and windows. The family invited neighbors over and had a wonderful party where we laughed and toasted each other with sake. When I left the next morning they gave me gifts, and I in turn gave the mother my gold earrings. Many years later I saw the mother again, in New York City. She was wearing the earrings on a chain around her neck, as she did not have pierced ears.
As for the famous deer of Nara, one ripped my map out of my hands and ate it. Though lost, many people wanted to help me find my way back to where I was staying. Another thing: the crickets in the evening sound completely unlike any insect I've ever heard before. Another planet altogether.
I love all of this so much. Thank you for sharing!
Honestly, so few people would understand what the experience of Nara is (or Japan for that matter) that I HAD to share. And the Daibutsu!
Thanks Rusty! Will bear that in mind if I ever make it over there. Will probably take a pass on that Buddha hole!
Good idea haha
I’m so glad I read this. I’ve been to Japan twice, but not in the last 10 years. And it’s good to know about the over tourism and how it’s impacting locals. We are about to go again.
Reading your exchange has prompted me to make sure I have my iPhone app Japanese translator handy. Not that it would necessarily work in an irate situation. lol
Two times we have been, we only had gentle and super friendly encounters.
I think it’s good to be aware.
Total guess, but the younger generation may be a little more photo friendly.
Also… In Tokyo Disneyland, where people were dressed up and wanted to be seen, it was common for people to be snapping photos of each other.
Thanks for sharing this!
I had a translator pre-installed on my phone but there was no time for me to pull it up. He pointed at the camera roll icon and demanded that I press it!
Yeah, that’s probably the best thing you could do and that situation for sure. lol