Should I skip my trip to Tokyo because of my weight?

27 comments

1. No one in Japan will really care what you look like the same as anywhere else. If you are nice to people, you will get respect in return. Letting your self image dictate your life isnt worth it. Learning to live a little can bring motivation to be your idealized self

2. This post reeks of someone from r/Japancirclejerk shithousing.

   No it really doesnt matter if you are overweight or under.

3. 139 is not very big at all, not even at 5-4. Relax. ~~Curvy girls are popular in Japan these days.~~

   [Edit: 5-4/139 comes out as “normal weight” on the BMI scale I just checked. Not “overweight”.]

4. No one cares. Go, be polite, and have fun.

5. Is this a real question? You aren’t even classified as overweight by BMI. Why do you think anyone will care about your size? Why do you care if anyone cares about your size, let alone enough to discourage you from taking an amazing vacation?

   Edit: Your entire post history is focused on this aspect of yourself. Strongly suggest finding professionals who can help you rather than asking for more advice from random people online.

6. You should go or you’ll regret it. The Japanese people are so kind, they’ll never think that of you. And have fun because who knows when the next opportunity will come!

7. 139lbs at 5’4 isnt fat in fact hit the gym and put on more weight bro.

8. You have an eating disorder if you think 139lb is anywhere near overweight.

9. Nobody hates tourists for being overweight (and IMO you’re not overweight). Unwanted tourists are those who are ignorant, entitled, loud and inconsiderate. Just be polite, considerate and adhere to protocol and you won’t step on anybody’s toes—but this applies everywhere, not just Japan.

10. Nah, you’d be fine. Regardless of weight or body type, just get season-appropriate clothes, broken-in shoes that is weather appropriate and comfortable despite a whole day of walking, a comfortable bag, and a reusable water container. Oh, and be polite and basically be a well-behaved and considerate human being.

11. Uh…no, you shouldn’t cancel. I’ve gone to both Seoul and Tokyo at 250 lbs, yes, I’m female, I’m your height. Not a single soul cared. I never even heard a bad thing said about me behind my back. Everyone was just nice. They were amazing trips and I had no problems. My only advice is if you’re sedentary now, start walking to build up your stamina. My first trips were killer on my feet 20-30K steps everyday for weeks. I knew better the next time. I am also extremely shy and introverted and I do all my travel solo.

    At your weight you’re not even fat. I used to be much much bigger than what I mentioned and wouldn’t travel. When I got down to about 300, I said fuck it, I want to enjoy my life and see things. Off I went. I hope you can find a way to deal with your body issues and think positively. Go!!

12. Look, you really are ok with the weight in terms of BMI. If you wanna get slimmer or fitter it’s definetly fine, but you’re literally not overweight. Don’t worry 🙂
    I’m 5’4″ and 205lbs and was even bigger when I got in Japan 5 months ago. Trust me, NOBODY cares. And even if they would, they don’t come to you saying that, stare at you or make you aware of that. If someone in Japan is treating you badly there are only two reasons:
    – you got a very shitty person
    – you’re probably doing something very very rude that even with the “they’re tourist, they don’t know the culture” card you can’t get away.

    Also remember that japanese people may get ruder on the metro, but that doesn’t mean that’s your fault. Just go and enjoy the trip.

13. Why should you feel bad about being overweight and traveling? Look I can see that asians are more lean and you might get insecurity because of it. But it’s not really because they look at you weirdly but rather it’s in your head. And if you hate your weight you can try to change it. Don’t make your life quality worse with worries that are unimportant.

    ​

    Also people are same all over the world. They care about their own business.

14. Looked at your post history. Things are always really tough at your age man. It will get better, and eventually we all learn to accept ourselves as we are. You can’t change your bone structure. What you can do is what I assume you’ve been doing since you’ve lost a lot of weight- and that is keep working out and gain more confidence. No one thinks about you as much as you do.

    Think about that last sentence from an objective standpoint, and not a defensive one. If you can do this, I promise it’ll take some of the pressure off.

15. Japanese people, especially in Tokyo, have seen ALL kinds of tourists for years. You didn’t even have a chance to stand out and you are obviously not overweighted.

16. Yeah. Just skip japan you will get hella looks.

17. I would honestly suggest a session with a mental health professional, just to check in with them about this. No one cares that you are 140lbs, no one. I am obese (working on it) and no one in Japan gave a flying fuck.

18. You gotta be kidding me.
    Bruh I went there and I’m 374lbs and I’m 6.3
    You have litteraly nothing to worry about. At all.

    Also scrolled through your history.
    Jumped the gun a bit.

    I can kinda see where you’re coming from but as big as I am I learned to deal with it, i should really lose the weight Tbh.

    I’ve been to Kyoto, Osaka, sapporo and Tokyo.
    Besides certain restaurants(remember japan is small compared to th e rest of the world) have smaller seats in general.
    But overal Japan respects any culture or ethnicity.
    Did I get stared at? Yes. But I didn’t care cause I know I’m fat and their not used to seeing people like me (im also build like an ox. Wide shoulders and big hands/arms)
    But I’ve actually been approached by people. Mostly in Osaka/Kyoto.
    The only thing that messed with my head is the seats they had at Ichiran ramen shops. My God they were small booths.. But I had to eat those delicious ramen no matter what. Shoulder to shoulder I would get stuck in a booth so I awkwardly had to eat sideways lmao.

    Edit: they have stores with clothes bigger then my own size.. If that’s any indication. No really. I have pants I have to put the belt really right or it will fall off..

    But I guaranteed you they will never get in your face about it.
    I haven’t been rejected anywhere I went. The taxi’s (expensive) are massive.
    If anything they prepared tokyo for the “big people” overseas in the last years for the olympics.

    Just keep a few things in mind when you go.
    1. It can get expensive. I stuck to convenience store goods for breakfast and things.
    2. Get a Pasmo or suica card when you get there. For convenience sake.
    3. Google maps is king, get a simcard at the Airport.
    4. There is few restaurants that have “no foreigners allowed” signs but I’ve never seen them.
    5. Your gonna be walking… A lot… Bring good shoes.
    6. Avoid the scams. Monks apart from parts in Osaka I believe. Will NEVER ask for money. If they do and offer a trinket in tokyo it’s a scam most of the time.
    Others are “hey my friend, wanna have a good time?” When you hear that. Just walk away and ignore them.otherwise you wake up the next day dazed and a few hundred bucks lighter.
    7. If your really that worried about being “wide” just be considerate and they will be considerate in return.
    8. Always have cash on you, despite it being convenient. Still cash based society.
    9. Izakayas (spelled wrong probably) have a table price. You pay upfront for a table and then the drinks after. Could be a nice place, could also be a tourist trap.
    Especially in the Golden gai and shinjuku areas. Well. I you know the tourist places every guide tells you about.

    There’s a lot more to tell you but this is basics to get you started.

    I can even show you a few pictures if you want. It was a life changing adventure for me (been 3 times so far!) and I miss it already.

    Trust me this trip wil open your eyes.. Asia is a culture you’ve never seen before. It’s not just japan. I’ve heard really amazing stories from Vietnam, India, Indonesia etc etc

19. Oh my god.

20. If you don’t want to get negative attention in Japan, just be sure to wear a face mask. Nobody will care about your weight, but some people might still be worried about the pandemic when they see foreign tourists.

21. Yea I am 5’3 and 170 pounds and I plan on going. I can’t put my life on hold until I get to the “ideal weight” to go to Japan. Your weight is my goal weight so there is that.

22. Be yourself, be not afraid 🙂

23. I was expecting to hear about someone who was grossly overweight and got out of breath tying their shoelaces. You my friend ain’t that. You weigh exactly the same as I do. I am a smidge taller than you at 5’6” though.

    I’m not fat and neither are you. And that’s not even a ‘body acceptance’ love your curves kinda thing either. That’s literally just fact. Check your BMI you are absolutely fine.

    Also I know it won’t feel like it but people give way less of a shit about you than you think – No one who meets you as a tourist cares one jot how much you weigh and had forgotten you even exist about 5 minutes after meeting you. How many people you saw on the street this morning can you remember?

    If you can’t believe this then honestly you really should see a therapist, they can help you unpack why you feel the way you feel and help you put it right.

24. You should go i weighed about the same as you when i went and i was shorter. No one stared at me or anything. Go and have fun!

25. Yes the only traveling you should be doing is on a treadmill

26. Oh hell no ….never let your weight stop you from going anywhere in this world. If anyone cannot accept you for who you are ,then the problem is with them and not you. If its legal, and accessible go see the world, utilising your ability to consume knowledge and experiences from the rich cultures around this beautiful and amazing world we live in. Most cultures are willing to educate others about their world as long as their way of life and etiquette is respected……enjoy

27. Bro if you were 700 pounds maybe, but what are you talking about? You’re good