An Australian writer has described a family trip to Japan as a "brutal truth," detailing instances of being refused entry to restaurants, receiving unwelcoming stares, and encountering what she perceived as a general lack of hospitality towards children. Jonica Bray recounted her family's two-week journey in June with her husband and three sons, aged eight, eight, and six, highlighting a stark contrast between her expectations and the reality of traveling in the country.
Bray stated that upon arrival, her family was frequently met with rejections from restaurants, even when tables appeared empty. She described restaurant staff raising their arms in a cross position and saying "no!" or "full!" She also noted instances of taxis refusing to pick them up. "I was beginning to feel offended – but I also wasn't oblivious to the fact a big family comes with more noise, more bags, and greater potential for disruption," Bray wrote.
Observations on Japanese Society
During her travels, Bray reported not seeing a single Japanese child under the age of 16 in public spaces such as trains, shops, or parks, outside of theme parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios, where she observed a significantly higher proportion of adults to children. This observation led her to believe the country felt like a "child-free zone."
Bray also detailed an incident at a busy Tokyo train station where her group, including friends with their own children, received "eye-rolls and dirty looks." She described one seven-year-old child being told by other passengers that she was "naughty" and "dirty" for sitting next to her bag while the group consulted a map.
Following these experiences, Bray researched common etiquette rules in Japan, noting a long list of actions considered rude, including eating on the street, making noise, and public displays of affection. She also touched upon Japan's declining birth rate and strict parenting culture, mentioning a 2016 case where parents left their son in a forest as punishment, which sparked national discussion.
Bray concluded that while not criticizing Japanese traditions, her family's expectations of a family-friendly destination were not met. She stated, "Japan is not a country I would recommend to anyone with children under the age of 15, and it's certainly not a destination I will be going back to." She also commented on the country's transport system being "outdated and clunky" and the amount of walking required, averaging 10-20 km per day. Despite these criticisms, Bray expressed a positive view of Japanese 7-Eleven stores, praising their food selection.