A Swede in Tokyo | Living in Sweden vs Living in Japan

Summary

In this engaging video, a Swedish expat in Tokyo humorously explores the cultural differences and similarities between life in Japan and Sweden. From blending into crowds with a distinct blonde hairdo to navigating the heat and humidity, the video delves into social norms, paperwork, and the importance of cash. It also highlights the shared values of personal space respect and cleanliness, while poking fun at the challenges of adapting to a new environment. The video offers a light-hearted yet insightful look at the expat experience, complete with the creator's attractive Swedish friends sharing their perspectives.

Takeaways

• 🇸🇪 The speaker is a Swedish YouTuber living in Tokyo, sharing his experiences as a foreigner in Japan.
• 👥 There are approximately 4,000 Swedes living in Japan, and the speaker highlights the differences and similarities between life in Sweden and Japan.
• 🙅‍♂️ Blending into Japanese society is challenging for the speaker, partly due to his distinct appearance and personality.
• 🤝 The social norms in Japan are quite different from Sweden, especially regarding physical contact. In Japan, bowing is common, while in Sweden, people often hug or shake hands.
• 🌡️ The climate in Tokyo is much hotter and more humid than in Sweden, which the speaker finds difficult to adjust to.
• 📄 Japanese bureaucracy is more complex than in Sweden, with many forms and paperwork required for everyday tasks like health insurance.
• 💳 Cash is still widely used in Japan, unlike Sweden, where most transactions are digital.
• 🍣 Dining culture in Japan involves sharing small dishes, and many restaurants are located on higher floors of buildings, which contrasts with Sweden's dining practices.
• 🌍 Despite surface-level differences, both Sweden and Japan value personal space and cleanliness, though Japan's recycling practices differ significantly.
• 🚇 The speaker feels welcomed in Japan and enjoys living there, but he and his friends miss certain aspects of Swedish life, such as all-night trains, less paperwork, and Swedish candy.

Q & A

What is the nationality of the video creator?

The video creator is from Sweden but currently lives in Tokyo, Japan.

What is the estimated number of Swedes living in Japan according to the video?

The video mentions that there are about 4,000 Swedes living in Japan.

What is the video creator's goal regarding the reputation of blond YouTubers in Japan?

The video creator aims to restore the reputation of blond YouTubers in Japan, which they describe as 'understandably dismal'.

What is the most common question the video creator gets from Japanese people?

The most common question is whether the video creator's hair is natural or if it's a wig.

How does the video creator describe the climate in Tokyo?

The video creator describes the climate in Tokyo as constantly above 30 degrees and incredibly humid.

What is the video creator's observation about touching others in Japanese culture?

The video creator observes that touching others is considered 'kind of weird' in Japanese culture, and physical contact is minimal.

What is the typical greeting in Japan according to the video?

The typical greeting in Japan is bowing, with the angle of the bow depending on the level of respect or formality.

What does the video creator find challenging about living in Japan?

The video creator finds the paperwork, heat and humidity, and the reliance on cash challenging when living in Japan.

How does the video creator describe the dining experience in Japan compared to Sweden?

In Japan, it's common to order several small dishes for sharing, and dining places are often located on higher floors of buildings. In contrast, in Sweden, one orders individually from a menu.

What similarities does the video creator find between Swedish and Japanese cultures?

The video creator finds similarities in the respect for personal space, the cleanliness of both countries, and the functionality of societal systems.

What does the video creator suggest as a perfect combination for a city?

The video creator suggests a city that combines the best of Tokyo with 24-hour train services, less paperwork, and Swedish candy as the most amazing place.