Have you ever dreamt of visiting Japan? The Land of the Rising Sun is a fascinating place to visit. Japan is an exciting combination of modern and traditional and boasts some of the world’s greatest natural wonders.
Did you know that the average height for males in Japan is 5′ 7 for men and 5′ 2 for women?
If you’re taller than Japan’s average people you might find yourself in an awkward situation when you visit this fascinating country. Soon enough you’ll realize Japan is just not meant for tall people. But it goes beyond height. Japan is a very populous country situated on four main islands – called Home Islands in Japan – so space has always been limited in Japan. Over time, Japanese people have learned how to preserve space, and they are pretty ingenious about it!
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself bumping your head on doorways or not being able to buy clothes that fit if you visit.
You will stand out in a crowd but there’s no reason to feel awkward because of it. People in Japan are very warm and friendly and always eager to help. It might be a struggle to fit in at first but visiting Japan and getting to know its culture and people is definitively worth it.
Let’s take a look at the list of thirty people who traveled to Japan to discover they are too tall for it!
#1 Low Doorways Are Inevitable in Japan. This guy discovered that he doesn’t fit in – literally
Being 6 ft 3 can be quite an adventure in Japan. Doesn’t it remind you of Gandalf hitting his head on the door frame of Bilbo’s house in the Lord of the Rings?
#2 Taking a shower might be a bit tricky if you have to bend over
You’re in the mood for a relaxing shower after spending an eventful day in Japan? It might be a bit trickier than you imagined. Showers in Japan are not meant for tall people. You’re probably going to have to sit down to avoid your head touching the ceiling.
#3 Public transportation in Japan is no exception. Watch your head!
#4 Wherever you go don’t forget to duck!
It’s not just houses and public transport. No matter where you go in Japan, you’re reminded how tall you are for the Land of the Rising Sun.
#5 Walking down the stairs in Japan may be an issue
Most of us take simple tasks like walking down the stairs for granted. In Japan, you’ll have to be on your guard while coming down the stairs if you want to avoid a nasty bump on your head.
#6 Again… Watch your head!
Visiting a traditional Japanese house is always a great experience. Unless you’re 6’7″ like the man on this image, that is.
#7 Watch out for the wooden beams!
Ouch. This guy looks like he’s had a hard time around those Japanese ceilings. If you’re over 6 feet tall, it might be a good idea to have a helmet around to protect your head from the wooden beams. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble.
#8 Do you feel like a giant too?
It’s a good feeling when you stand out in such a large crowd, don’t you think? It lets you see things from a different perspective. Chances are that if you’re as tall as the guy in this image, you’ll find yourself in a similar situation.
#9 Thumbs up for this brave fellow!
Remember the golden rule when walking inside Japanese houses: mind your head. Looks like the tall guy in the image has learned his lesson.
#10 The roof is no limit
Who said that tall people don’t fit in Japan? He sure looks like he’s having loads of fun.
#11 Trouble in the kitchen
There’s nothing more enjoyable than cooking yourself a nice meal after a long and busy day. But not so fast. Getting around in a Japanese kitchen requires good indoor navigation skills. It’s a good idea to keep your helmet close by.
#12 Getting in is no easy feat in Japan
Japanese doorways are sturdy and not used to tall people. One should be extra careful when getting through the door in Japan.
#13 Danger from above
Staying at a hotel in Japan is always fun. But the guy in this image bumped his head on the light no less than eight times!
#14 When you just don’t fit in
“Hotels suck”, wrote this guy on Reddit. As we can see from this image, he had every reason to complain. For a guy who is 7 feet tall, Japanese spaces are pretty dangerous.
#15 Read the warning sign
On his first visit to Japan, he discovered he was actually taller than the padding. Don’t let your guard down for a second, because the padding won’t be of much help if you hit your head on the ceiling.
#16 Don’t forget to bend down
The sink from the image doesn’t look like it’s meant to be used by tall people. This girl is only 5’10” tall and yet she still had trouble using the sink and the shower in a hotel in Tokyo where she stayed.
#17 That’s gonna cause some neck pain
Try to imagine what’s it like having to walk around with your neck bent down all the time and you’ll get the picture of how this guy felt during his visit to Japan. “The free brain cell removal rooflines are a common fixture in Japan”, he wrote on Instagram. We feel for him and all the tall people in Japan.
#18 Who needs a headshot anyway
These two guys realized that photo frames in Japan aren’t the same as everywhere else. Their memorable photo was very popular with the crowd who found it very funny. Japanese girls seemed particularly impressed.
#19 If you feel like you don’t fit in, you’re not alone
Posing for photos is fun, right? Not so much if you’re in this girl’s shoes. But it’s the memories that count.
#20 Friends should stick together
That door frame probably caused a lot of trouble for these two friends. Japan is not the best place to be if you’re not a fan of low ceilings. The guys on the image look like they’re having fun, so there’s always a positive to every negative. They look pretty classy as well.
#21 Always be on your guard for low frames
You’d think you’re safe from low door frames outside but that’s far from the truth. Low archways are always a danger for tall people in Japan.
#22 A picture is worth a thousand words
“Asked a guy to take a photo of me and my friends with some bathing snow monkeys in Nagano, Japan. Checked the photo later…” wrote this tourist on Reddit. He obviously didn’t remember to bend down but most of us probably wouldn’t remember it either.
#23 Mind your head – again
At this point, we doubt that the sign is of any help at all if you’re taller than 6 ft. You just don’t have the luxury of letting your guard down if you’re tall in Japan.
#24 “I Know I’m Tall. Didn’t Realize Just How Tall Compared To All The Japanese Folks”
This guy realized how tall he was after his trip to Japan. Sometimes, the people might ask you if you’re a basketball player when they notice your height. Being tall in Japan has its advantages after all.
#25 “I’m happy to finally be among my kind”
He seems to be having a good time, despite the fact he’s the tallest guy on the ship. Low ceilings can make public transport in Japan pretty hazardous for tall people. No matter where you are, always remember to duck!
#26 Life is not easy when you’re tall in Japan
Japanese houses aren’t built to accommodate a 6.3 feet guy, as these photos demonstrate nicely. Even the usual daily activities like showering can become a problem if you’re forced to mind your head all the time.
#27 “Japan Wasn’t Built for Me”
If you’re claustrophobic you might have a hard time in Japan. You can’t say you haven’t been warned, though.
#28 Beware of the shark!
Do you remember the famous movie classic from the 70’s ‘Jaws’? David’s height made him more vulnerable to the attack of this enormous stuffed beast in Osaka Aquarium’s gift shop. He’ll have a story worth telling.
#29 Those pesky low doorways strike again
It’s not easy to get used to those low ceilings and door arches. You’re left with a feeling like you’re inside a Hobbit house.
#30 Look on the bright side
Being tall in Japan can be tricky, but it’s no reason why you shouldn’t visit this wonderful country. The experience of getting to know Japanese culture and their way of life makes up for a few bumps on the head.
