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Hypothetically, If an American foreigner is looking to visit Tokyo, what might they be able to do without seeming like a stereotypical neckbeard or be culturally disrespectful?
I'm just looking for tips and guides for what I can do to not be a stereotypical neckbeard/American tourist. Including what tourist traps to avoid as well as lesser known tourist areas. Anything would be much appreciated and thank you for your time for those who choose to answer.
fwiw the biggest thing americans miss is that japanese customer service is polite but not friendly in the way we're used to, so don't take it personally if your cashier doesn't smile or chat, they're being professional not rude. for a real low-key day, head to Shimokitazawa in the afternoon, it's full of vintage shops and tiny cafes where you can just wander without a plan, grab a curry at Yonkyu Shokudo, it's cheap and feels like a local's spot. skip the Shibuya crossing photo thing, it's just a crosswalk, instead walk up to the Starbucks in Tsutaya for the view if you really want it but honestly the best skyline is from the free observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, no line and way less crowded. one more thing, carry a small hand towel in summer, public bathrooms don't always have paper towels and you'll sweat through your shirt walking ten minutes
honestly you're already ahead of most people just by asking, so don't stress too much. the biggest thing is volume control on trains and in restaurants, americans tend to project without realizing it, just match the quiet energy around you. for a non-anime day, grab a coffee at Fuglen in Tomigaya and then walk through Yoyogi Park on a sunday, you'll see locals doing weird dance routines and bands playing, it's free and genuinely fun to people-watch. skip the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, it's overpriced and loud and honestly kind of sad, go to a small izakaya in Golden Gai instead, pick one with an english menu and just sit at the counter, the owner will prob chat you up if you're chill
ngl you're already ahead of most people just by asking. the fact that you're self-aware means you'll probably be fine without overthinking it
one thing i'd add is that japanese people aren't delicate flowers who shatter if you make a small mistake. they know you're a tourist, they've seen it all. the key is how you react when you mess up. if you accidentally bump someone on the train just do the quick head duck and say sumimasen quietly, don't make a big apologetic scene. that's more jarring than the bump itself
for a real low-key day take the Toei bus out to Jindaiji Temple in Chofu. it's older than Sensoji but nobody goes there. they have a soba street nearby where you can watch them making the noodles through the windows, and the soba itself is like 900 yen for a solid lunch. walk through the Kichijoji area afterward, Inokashira Park is right there and you can rent a paddleboat for 600 yen, way more relaxing than dealing with Shinjuku Gyoen crowds
oh and don't try to do too much in one day. i see tourists planning 8 stops between 9am and 5pm and they end up exhausted and grumpy. pick two or three things max and leave room to just wander, that's where the real finds are
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Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.