Jai Japan - #4 - Lately, I’ve been feeling something I didn’t expect to feel in Japan—discomfort.

Written and shared by Mia Horiguchi San. Lately, I’ve been feeling something I didn’t expect to feel in Japan—discomfort.

Not because Japan has changed overnight, but because the pace of change is starting to show in daily life. Of course, tourism is a good thing. It brings money, energy, and global attention. Shops are busier, businesses are recovering, and the streets feel alive again.

But at the same time, there’s another side we don’t talk about enough.

Food quality in some places doesn’t feel the same anymore. When restaurants are overwhelmed, it’s harder to maintain consistency. Some meals feel rushed, more focused on volume than care.

Trains—once known for their quietness, are now often louder. Conversations, suitcases, unfamiliar etiquette… especially during rush hour, it starts to feel different. Even the simple commute to work can feel more tiring than before.

And if you go to tourist-heavy areas, you might notice something else. Japanese staff, who are usually known for their politeness, may seem less friendly than expected. I don’t think it’s intentional. It feels more like overwork and stress, serving endless waves of customers every day.

Slowly, the rhythm of daily life changes.

It’s not that locals dislike visitors. Most people here are still welcoming. But when the balance tips too far, the small discomforts begin to add up.

Less quiet. Less space. Less of the calm that Japan is known for.

This is the reality of overtourism, it doesn’t happen all at once. It creeps in, little by little, until one day you realize something feels different.

Maybe the question isn’t whether tourism is good or bad.

But how much is too much before it starts affecting the people who actually live here?

Have you felt this change too? Share in the comments.

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