Foreign People

Japan is basically a mono-culture. Foreigners will notice that nearly all Japanese have dark-brown or black eyes, naturally straight black hair (or dyed permed auburn hair), fair to yellow complexion, and are between 155cms to 170cms tall. Every year, Kyoto city has many foreign tourists, so familiarity has made foreign visitors less noticeable, but you will sometimes get prolonged stares from young children whom have rarely seen foreigners.

In smaller towns and villages that are a little removed from the tourist track where foreign people are hardly ever seen, expect a little more attention. Children will stare and nearly always say “hello”. You will also be treated with caution or celebrity status depending on your dress. Adults will treat you with cautious curiosity, keeping a feeling of distance between you and them because they feel shy. These towns and villages see a very small number of foreigner visitors a year, most of whom are usually just passing through.