# This is why we can't have nice things: asshole tourists in Japan **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 1, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391 "2024-06-01T21:03:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/61 "2024-06-04T11:12:37Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > There’s a reason my post is longer than the one sentence. I make a case for what I’m saying. And yet, despite all those words, I have absolutely no idea what point you think you’re making. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/62 "2024-06-04T19:23:33Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > For the record, I think I’m better than everyone else. I don’t know you well enough to be able to assert otherwise, therefore I will assume you are correct and just state that I am honored to be in the same thread as you. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/63 "2024-06-04T19:33:07Z")
As you should be. Carry on! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/64 "2024-06-04T19:38:53Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > For the record, I think I’m better than everyone else. Hey, me too! We should start a club… . … or maybe a message board? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/65 "2024-06-04T19:45:56Z")
I would ever join a club that would have me as a member! ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/66 "2024-06-04T19:53:54Z")
For some reason I’m reminded of this. [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CFkMtLEUIAAHRlG.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CFkMtLEUIAAHRlG.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/67 "2024-06-04T21:35:01Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > For the record, I think I’m better than everyone else. You obviously misspelled “I’m.” It’s spelled T-I-B-B-Y-’S ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/68 "2024-06-04T22:58:03Z")
Per the great Mark Twain, “Anyone who can only think of one way to spell a word obviously lacks imagination.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/69 "2024-06-04T23:21:31Z")
The smart place to put the black mesh would be _on top_ of the convenience store. Though perhaps the store likes the attention and it’s only the rest of the residents that don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/70 "2024-06-05T02:03:49Z")
The Lawson store isn’t being particularly inconvenienced by all these tourists. In fact, they are probably selling more stuff because of it, so they don’t have much motive to spend time or money erecting a barrier on their roof. Meanwhile, another town has put up a similar barrier to stop stupid tourists from causing trouble while trying to take pictures: > **[Another barricade has been installed near Mt Fuji to prevent unruly tourist...](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/another-barricade-has-been-installed-near-mt-fuji-to-prevent-unruly-tourist-behaviour-060324)** > > Shizuoka has taken cues from Yamanashi by erecting a barrier near a popular photography spot ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/71 "2024-06-05T04:58:20Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > But it never occurred to me to take pictures of myself doing so, nor did I litter any cigarette butts, carve my name into the walls, or otherwise leave a trace. Why is taking a picture of yourself lumped in with carving your name into the walls? The problem with tourists were that they were leaving trash and cigarette butts and causing traffic problems, but taking cliché photos isn’t vandalism. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/72 "2024-06-05T06:40:28Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Why is taking a picture of yourself lumped in with carving your name into the walls? My WAG: Some items, such as paintings, can be damaged (I think) from a camera flash. I mean, just once might not be an issue, but if you have thousands of people every day subjecting it to a bright light, the painting might fade. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/73 "2024-06-05T06:55:51Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > > [@DPRK](#): > > > > But it never occurred to me to take pictures of myself doing so, nor did I litter any cigarette butts, carve my name into the walls, or otherwise leave a trace. > > Why is taking a picture of yourself lumped in with carving your name into the walls? Well, he did mention “unauthorized exploration of off-limits parts of an ultra-famous and popular site,” which taking pictures of oneself doing so would be evidence of trespassing. Trespassing was what proved to be the last straw for Johhny Somali and is what got him arrested and deported by Japan. > **[‘Johnny Somali’ Arrested for Trespassing | Tokyo Weekender](https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/johnny-somali-arrested-trespassing/)** > > In this week's news roundup, we report on the arrest of controversial influencer Johnny Somali for trespassing at a hotel construction site. > In the past few months, “Johnny Somali” has been trending in Japan for all the wrong reasons. The Kick streamer, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, first made headlines in May for harassing passengers on trains with comments like “Hiroshima, Nagasaki… we do again.” Despite being forced into several public apologies, Somali continued to annoy locals and people online with his inflammatory videos. It led to him being physically attacked on a couple of occasions and the police being called. Many netizens were surprised and disappointed that he wasn’t arrested or deported. > > You can only push the Japanese police so far, though. On September 21, Somali, 23, was finally taken in for questioning by officers in Osaka. The following day, his accomplice, Jeremiah Dwane Branch, 24, a fellow U.S. citizen, was also arrested. The pair allegedly trespassed at a hotel construction site in the Nipponbashi district of Chuo ward last month. A YouTube video shows a masked Somali shouting “Fukushima” at workers who asked him to leave. Branch shot the footage. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/74 "2024-06-05T07:27:20Z")
As an Olympia resident, I regularly browse the Seattle subreddit. “The Belltown Hellcat” has been the topic of a new thread every day for seemingly MONTHS now. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/75 "2024-06-05T07:38:17Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The assumption here is that people are specifically choosing to travel to this location just to get that particular photo. And that’s why it gets so full and blocks traffic. If they were there for other reasons, you’d expect them to be more spread out. Oddly enough, this happens in all famous locations. People are specifally choosing to travel to Times Square to see it and take pictures of it. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/76 "2024-06-05T13:59:17Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > The problem with tourists were that they were leaving trash and cigarette butts and causing traffic problems, but taking cliché photos isn’t vandalism. Well portions of the Grand Canyon are filling up with dead bodies, a form of destruction and vandalism. “Just step back a little, you’re blocking the scene. Just a little more, a little more. That’s better.” AAHHHEEEIIIIEEEEE - Whump! ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/77 "2024-06-05T14:44:53Z")
As a past Seattle resident, I am also following Miles’ exploits closely. This is somewhat OT as it only connects to 1/3rd of the topic (asshole, yes, tourist and Japan, no) but since we’re talking about this, here’s the newest (not) news. > **[Impressive Reckless Driving Record Scores Belltown Hellcat Job at SPD](https://theneedling.com/2024/06/04/impressive-reckless-driving-record-scores-belltown-hellcat-job-at-spd/)** > > After months of terrorizing and waking up Downtown Seattle with his insanely loud tiger-striped Dodge Charger that barrels down streets at more than 100 mph, today the Seattle Police Department sai… ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/78 "2024-06-05T21:45:51Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > The problem with tourists were that they were leaving trash and cigarette butts and causing traffic problems, but taking cliché photos isn’t vandalism. That is true. But, besides “no vandalism”, I did not feel the need for any “Look what I did!” photos, not that I was specifically worried about incriminating evidence. Now that I think about it, I probably could have gotten some artistic shots that resulted in nice-looking photos. (Without me in them! A selfie would have simply distracted/detracted from the effect of light and shadow and the architecture itself). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/79 "2024-06-05T21:56:31Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > My WAG: Some items, such as paintings, can be damaged (I think) from a camera flash. In most cases, the damage that the museum is worried about is damage to their gift shop’s profits. If it were just about UV damage, then the rule would be “no flash photography”, or even “no UV flash photography” (plenty of camera flashes nowadays don’t produce UV), not “no photography at all”. And plenty of museum pieces (anything in bronze, marble, or glass, for starters) won’t be damaged by UV, either. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391/80 "2024-06-05T22:05:38Z")
When I go to a museum, I want to look at the exhibits - I don’t want to have to deal with people who say I’m blocking their shots. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-we-cant-have-nice-things-asshole-tourists-in-japan/1002391.md?page=5)