Why Do So Many Foreigners Dream of Japan?

During my years of hosting travelers from around the world, I have often found myself asking three questions.

1. Do people who dream of living in Japan realize that Japan can be easy to live in, but difficult to truly belong to?

Japan is one of the safest, cleanest, and most convenient countries in the world. Public transportation is reliable, healthcare is excellent, and daily life is remarkably comfortable.

Yet many long-term residents, both Japanese and foreign, describe Japan as a place that can be emotionally demanding. Social expectations are high, people often avoid direct communication, and fitting into society may take years.

Perhaps Japan is a country that is comfortable to live in, but not always easy to live within.

2. Do white foreigners or Asian foreigners experience Japan differently?

From what I have observed long time, many Western visitors—especially white travelers—often receive extra attention and warm curiosity. They may be complimented for speaking even simple Japanese, asked for photos, or viewed positively simply because they come from western country.

On the other hand, foreigners from other parts of Asia, may sometimes be viewed differently, even though they are also foreigners. They may be more easily associated with laborers, students, immigrants, or even concerns about public safety.

In that sense,  (so far I don’t have enough experience to interact from the Middle East, or Africa here in Japan, I cannot mention those right now)

Japan can indeed feel somewhat less difficult for white foreigners. They may receive more attention, be praised even for speaking imperfect Japanese, be forgiven for small mistakes because “they are foreigners,” and enjoy certain advantages in fields such as tourism or English teaching.

However, even white foreigners face different barriers if they live in Japan for a long time. In the end, it is still difficult for them to become part of the core of Japanese society. Even if they speak Japanese well, they may still be treated as outsiders. At work, they may be drawn into Japanese-style hierarchies, the pressure to read the room, and long working hours. They may be welcomed in romance or tourism, but once they enter local communities, workplaces, or family structures, the situation can become quite different.

Of course, every individual’s story is unique, and Japan is becoming more diverse every year. Still, perceptions can differ depending on where someone comes from.

3. Where do these attitudes come from?

There is no single answer.

Japan admired Western technology and institutions during the Meiji era as it modernized. After World War II, the influence of the United States became even stronger. Later, media, fashion, movies, and the global importance of English reinforced the image of the West as something modern and desirable.

(Some people even describe postwar Japan as having experienced a form of “informal” or “soft” colonization, although this remains a controversial view.)

Perhaps today’s attitudes are the result of many historical and cultural influences rather than a single event.

These are not conclusions—just questions that continue to interest me.

As someone who welcomes guests from all over the world to a small mountain guesthouse in rural Japan, I enjoy hearing different perspectives. Every conversation reminds me that no country is simply “good” or “bad.” Every place has its strengths, its weaknesses, and its own unique way of life.