re: Some thoughts from Japan.

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Is the overall politeness and generosity that their culture is known for everything it's built up to be?

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They are very polite, but my ex wife being Japanese used to always tell me that most of it is very fake.

You can easily end up around some unsavory characters around the nightclub areas. So avoid the Kenyans, Russians, Chinese, and any pimp looking Japanese people at all cost.

One place I can say never go is to the Kamikaze memorial (think it was called Churan) down near Kagoshima. I have never felt so unwelcome in a place in my entire life. They looked at me as if that entire memorial was my fault.

The police may do some racial profiling and stop you if you are carrying a backpack and tell you they are searching to make sure you don't have a knife or sword, but I suspect it's more of an excuse to check to see if you have drugs. Happened to me about 5 times. But it's actually illegal for them to even ask that, but I just do as I am told as I have nothing to hide.

I have been asked to leave a few stores and bars for no reason at all other than being white. I don't argue, it's not worth the trouble.

But you will never be in a bigger city that feels more safe than Tokyo. Fell drunken asleep on the train with my wallet many times and never had any problems.