Japanese Restaurant VS Foreign Tourists: Why You're Not Going In

Summary

The script discusses a Tokyo restaurant's controversial policy of only allowing Japanese speakers, highlighting the challenges of learning Japanese for tourists and expatriates. It covers the importance of language learning as a courtesy and necessity in Japan, the difficulties of mastering the language's three writing systems and complex grammar, and offers strategies to overcome these hurdles. The speaker shares personal experiences and insights into the cultural nuances and practical aspects of living in Japan, emphasizing the need for motivation to succeed in language acquisition.

Takeaways

• 🍗 The script humorously describes a Tokyo restaurant known for its slow-grilled chicken and crisp Edam, but then shifts to a place called 'Burger King' as a more accessible alternative.
• 📢 A Tokyo restaurant gained attention for a policy that only allows Japanese speakers, which subtly excludes many foreign tourists.
• 🗣️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of learning the local language when moving to a new country, but acknowledges the difficulty for short-term visitors to master complex languages like Japanese.
• 🤔 The script raises the question of whether it's reasonable to expect tourists to learn Japanese for a brief holiday, given its complexity and the availability of translation tools.
• 📚 It discusses the challenges of reading menus in Japan, which can require knowledge of three writing systems and complex vocabulary.
• 🏠 The speaker highlights the perspective of local, family-owned restaurants that rely on regular customers and may prioritize them over less lucrative foreign tourists.
• 🗣️ The video mentions an incident where a couple was made to feel guilty for not speaking Japanese and was told to bring an interpreter.
• 📉 The script shares some negative Google reviews of the restaurant, indicating dissatisfaction with the service and the owner's attitude.
• 🌐 The video touches on the broader issue of over-tourism and its impact on local communities, using examples like Kyoto's Gion district and a footbridge at Mount Fuji.
• 📈 Despite the challenges, the speaker maintains that learning Japanese is achievable and can be deeply rewarding, offering strategies to overcome the language's hurdles.
• 🏆 The script concludes by emphasizing the importance of motivation in learning a language, suggesting that without a strong reason, the time investment may not be worthwhile.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is the experience of a Tokyo restaurant that became viral for its policy of only allowing Japanese speakers to enter, and the challenges of learning the Japanese language for foreigners.

What is the restaurant's policy that the script mentions?

The restaurant's policy, as mentioned in the script, is to only allow Japanese speakers to enter, which is seen as a subtle way to exclude foreign customers.

What are the three key phrases a tourist in Japan should know according to the script?

The script suggests that a tourist in Japan should know the phrases 'saw the open up my eyes', 'saw the life', and 'isand, without what I love' as a matter of courtesy.

What is the script's opinion on the necessity of learning Japanese for tourists visiting Japan for a short period?

The script suggests that it is not reasonable to expect foreign tourists to master the complex Japanese language for a short holiday, as it is a deeply rewarding and complicated language.

What are the three main hurdles mentioned in the script for learning Japanese?

The three main hurdles for learning Japanese mentioned in the script are mastering the three writing systems, learning 2,200 characters, and understanding the reversed sentence structure of the language.

What strategies are suggested in the script for overcoming the challenges of learning Japanese?

The script suggests using books that teach clever tricks for understanding kanji, employing a spaced repetition system like Anki, practicing speaking aloud, and setting challenges like JLPT language tests or speech contests to stay motivated.

What is the script's view on the importance of motivation in learning Japanese?

The script emphasizes that motivation is crucial for learning Japanese, as the language requires a significant time investment and overcoming the initial steep learning curve.

What is the script's stance on the issue of over-tourism in Japan?

The script acknowledges the issue of over-tourism in Japan, citing examples like the Gion district in Kyoto and a footbridge at the base of Mount Fuji, but also criticizes the media for focusing on the negative aspects without considering the economic benefits of tourism.

What is the script's perspective on the use of Google Translate in Japanese restaurants?

The script mentions that Google Translate can be useful for translating menus but may fail with indecipherable handwritten menus, which can be challenging even for native speakers.

What is the script's advice for someone who wants to learn Japanese fluently in a short period?

The script advises that while it is possible to achieve fluency in speaking Japanese within six months, reading complex menus and understanding all kanji characters is a much more extensive undertaking that requires years of study.