If You Could Visit Any Foreign Country -- Where Would You Go?

[ResidentEvil7]

If you can visit any country foreign to yours (in my case, the USA), for 2 weeks on vacation or just soak up culture, where would you like to go?

As some of you may know, I have a strong love for Japan, and that would be my go-to place if I could, but for me, money, and not having a passport is my problem. I love Anime, Resident Evil, video games from the olden days, I love to eat sushi, read manga, Japanese countryside, the history involving the ninja shadow warriors, samurai warriors, Miyamoto Musashi who was one of Japan's famous warriors in the 15th century. I also enjoy Japanese martial arts movies and Japanese food besides sushi. I hear that only men can attend a geisha house watching women sing and dance while you have dinner in front of them. And of course, there's the fictional origins of the Ninja Turtles.

Japan is such a beautiful country and culture. I have a few Japanese decor and kitchenware I bought from eBay, some authentic and some the looks good enough to pass off as real.

Where do all you guys like to travel to outside your country if and when you get the chance?

[Andrew NDB]

I'd love to see Japan, but I've heard they're not super crazy about tourists. I don't imagine I'd have a great time unless I was traveling with a bilingual guide, or something.

I think I'd enjoy Greece. Maybe Scotland.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Pakistan, only because I have family there and I was born there. Its still foreign for me as my parents immigrated.

As I grow older, I prefer the idea of staying in one country forever and building my base there. I heavily dislike travelling and venturing into unfamiliar territory.

[CyberCubed]

If money was no issue (free), and there was no language barrier (I only speak english), I'd visit every non-dangerous/non-terrorist country I could.

But the obvious main countries people travel to, like Japan, England, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, etc. would probably be the first ones. Wouldn't mind visiting Egypt to see the pyramids either, but a white guy like me would be in danger down there. South America has constant gang wars and drug cartels bringing it down.

[IndigoErth]

Scotland, first and foremost. Would love to go visit an old castle, give the stone walls a pat and say a hello to any old ancestral ghosts, be it literal or figuratively.

Agree Japan would be nice to see, esp the natural scenic parts.

I don't even have a passport though, and don't see myself ever having much cash or time of travel outside of the U.S.

[Cowabung-Gal]

Japan. Preferably Tokyo.

I’d like to stay at least one night at the Godzilla hotel:

[Wildcat]

Ya Japan but not without a tour guide who can speak the language.

[Iroh]

Been to Japan twice. Definitely staying there next time I go. When I was younger, I had an all paid travel invitation to go to China but never took it. The air is too toxic especially in Beijing and Shanghai. Pulmonary embolism, cancer, and mesothelioma is definite. Plus, China is hella poor now. If I decided to go, it will be western or central China. It really pays to be a linguist. By speaking both Mandarin and Japanese, I've really been given the red carpet treatment by both Chinese and Japanese people alike.

[Bahamut810]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

I'd love to see Japan, but I've heard they're not super crazy about tourists. I don't imagine I'd have a great time unless I was traveling with a bilingual guide, or something.

I think I'd enjoy Greece. Maybe Scotland.

Japan just depends on where you go and what you want to do. I have seen that there are multiple places that straight ban tourists (some justified like Kyotos Gion District, some just because they hate gaijin). When I was learning Japanese years ago my white American teacher had a story about how he had tried to order at a street vendor once and when he asked a friend in english what he wanted the vendor just walked away. So...like everywhere else there are jerks. Less so in 'tourist' areas like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Just keep your tattoos covered.

That being said, I would love to visit and find an onsen that accepts westerners with tattoos (which is a rarity)

[Iroh]

Originally Posted by Bahamut810

Japan just depends on where you go and what you want to do. I have seen that there are multiple places that straight ban tourists (some justified like Kyotos Gion District, some just because they hate gaijin). When I was learning Japanese years ago my white American teacher had a story about how he had tried to order at a street vendor once and when he asked a friend in english what he wanted the vendor just walked away. So...like everywhere else there are jerks. Less so in 'tourist' areas like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Just keep your tattoos covered.

That being said, I would love to visit and find an onsen that accepts westerners with tattoos (which is a rarity)

I'm glad you brought this up. LMAO! The reason for this is due to the fact that the majority of white foreigners that go to Japan are very disrespectful. Boy, I have a LOOONG list of things that I've seen happen when I was there! From littering on the streets, jumping in front locals dressed in yukata trying to snap pictures, grabbing on Japanese people with expensive kimono on, vandalizing relics, destroying Sakura blossom trees to take your silly Instagram pics, and the list goes on! What I've just stated here shows that certain people have zero home training. I'm thankful Japan has a 90% conviction rate. As a black man, I never had any issues. My black experience was top notch. I walked to a konbini at 3am by myself and was never approached by police or detained for "suspicious activity" just by the way I look. Young men always asked if I was a celebrity and wanted to take pics with me because they're a fan of black culture and hip hop. Women invited me to clubs, karaoke, etc because I have great energy. See? It's all about respect. I carried my passport everywhere and I've always followed the rules of "shoukai". I've been to Osaka, Tokyo, Shibuya. No issues as a black man! Walk into a restaurant, I do everything as the Japanese do. I receive excellent service. The same goes for street vendors, konbini, and shopping areas.

[ResidentEvil7]

I'm surprised by how many of us prefer Japan over anywhere else in the world. I guess it is a popular country. Today I read over 70 pages of another book I read on Japan and I enjoyed it.

On the days I get my SSI deposit I go out for all-you-can eat sushi and I eat until my stomach feels terrible, because I love it so much. I'm willing to suffer stomach aches for my sushi buffet. The most sushi pieces I eat in one sitting was like 10 years ago and it was 57 quantity. $14.99 for all you can eat and I eat 57 pieces of sushi once; got my money's worth.

[IndigoErth]

And that's even just the tourists who can actually afford such trips and probably have reasonably decent jobs, lives, etc... not all the people with even less cooth that we put up with daily in our own society. Like they probably aren't getting our Walmart white trash types ever visiting Japan. Really, folks, it gets worse. (Send help.)

[Bahamut810]

Originally Posted by Iroh

I'm glad you brought this up. LMAO! The reason for this is due to the fact that the majority of white foreigners that go to Japan are very disrespectful. Boy, I have a LOOONG list of things that I've seen happen when I was there! From littering on the streets, jumping in front locals dressed in yukata trying to snap pictures, grabbing on Japanese people with expensive kimono on, vandalizing relics, destroying Sakura blossom trees to take your silly Instagram pics, and the list goes on! What I've just stated here shows that certain people have zero home training. I'm thankful Japan has a 90% conviction rate. As a black man, I never had any issues. My black experience was top notch. I walked to a konbini at 3am by myself and was never approached by police or detained for "suspicious activity" just by the way I look. Young men always asked if I was a celebrity and wanted to take pics with me because they're a fan of black culture and hip hop. Women invited me to clubs, karaoke, etc because I have great energy. See? It's all about respect. I carried my passport everywhere and I've always followed the rules of "shoukai". I've been to Osaka, Tokyo, Shibuya. No issues as a black man! Walk into a restaurant, I do everything as the Japanese do. I receive excellent service. The same goes for street vendors, konbini, and shopping areas.

Well, its 99% thanks to Hostage Justice.

However, I completely agree that foreigners need to respect the cultures they visit and integrate if they intend to stay. Be polite in general and keep to yourself in general but especially as a guest.

[Iroh]

Originally Posted by ResidentEvil7

I'm surprised by how many of us prefer Japan over anywhere else in the world. I guess it is a popular country. Today I read over 70 pages of another book I read on Japan and I enjoyed it.

On the days I get my SSI deposit I go out for all-you-can eat sushi and I eat until my stomach feels terrible, because I love it so much. I'm willing to suffer stomach aches for my sushi buffet. The most sushi pieces I eat in one sitting was like 10 years ago and it was 57 quantity. $14.99 for all you can eat and I eat 57 pieces of sushi once; got my money's worth.

Japan is the ideal place now since the yen has fallen. Five dollars can buy a month of food there among other things. Also, the historical aspect is more supreme with the ninja, samurai, and bunraku. It's not all about manga and anime. The sights of Mount Fuji alone are enough to take your breath away. The people can do better but I can understand. After all, Japan was the monster of all Asian war crimes in the past. It took two bombs to make them humble. That's the reason why the people of today go by "tatemae" now. They fear to piss off the wrong people now. If you get offended by what I said regarding the bombs, you're ignorant about history. Look up "Unit 731".

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

Originally Posted by ResidentEvil7

I'm surprised by how many of us prefer Japan over anywhere else in the world.

Not surprised, because of Nintendo and Sony video games, Japanese comics and cartoons and the fictional origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Even Star Wars is based on traditional Japanese philosophy.

[Icebot]

If any, I would visit Canada or Japan.

[Iroh]

I remember in the 90s that the most anticipated place to travel to was Paris, France. No one wants to see a goofy tower anymore. LMAO!

[CyberCubed]

Japan is the most popular country in the world outside the U.S. It is the birthplace of samurai, ninja, martial arts, Godzilla, anime, Nintendo/modern videogames and technology. Most of the biggest tech, car and computer companies are from Japan.

It's funny how Japan being so open to the west made it unlike China or North Korea, if they were like Japan they would be more popular. Instead they are run by dictators who oppress the people so that's why they are what they are while Japan is not.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I would argue that China is more popular in the sense that everything is made in China and they have deep economic relations with much of the world.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by FredWolfLeonardo

I would argue that China is more popular in the sense that everything is made in China and they have deep economic relations with much of the world.

Pretty sure most of those people are forced to work in "slave factories" and barely get paid anything. If China was like Japan it would be a popular western tourist spot.

It's funny out of all the Asian countries only Japan and to a lesser extent South Korea are "open."