Japanese · 00:16:51
Feb 14, 2026 10:22 AM

Why it's Impossible for Japanese People to Travel Abroad Now

Interviewing Japan @InterviewingJapan

SUMMARY

In the "Interviewing Japan" YouTube channel video, various Japanese interviewees discuss how the weakening yen has made overseas travel prohibitively expensive, leading many to opt for domestic trips instead.

STATEMENTS

  • The depreciation of the yen has significantly increased the cost of overseas travel for Japanese people, making destinations like America and Europe feel unaffordable compared to staying in Japan.
  • Many Japanese travelers now find that a meal costing 1000 yen in Japan equates to 5000 yen abroad, deterring trips to places like LA.
  • Domestic travel in Japan has become more appealing due to its affordability and convenience, with short trips to nearby areas like Osaka or Lake Biwa being popular alternatives.
  • Limited vacation time in Japan, often just 3 days, combined with high flight costs to Europe, makes long-haul international travel impractical for most.
  • Past experiences with a stronger yen allowed frequent overseas trips, but current economic conditions have shifted preferences toward cheaper Asian destinations or no travel at all.
  • Japanese people perceive their own country as a budget-friendly option similar to how Southeast Asia was viewed in the past, from the perspective of wealthier foreigners.

IDEAS

  • The weak yen positions Japan as an emerging budget destination for foreigners, inverting traditional travel economics where Japan was once seen as expensive.
  • Everyday luxuries in Japan, like a 5000-yen meal, become routine abroad, highlighting how currency fluctuations amplify perceived value differences.
  • Travelers now stock up on Japanese groceries before international trips to minimize costs, turning preparation into a strategic habit.
  • Short domestic getaways, achievable in a day or two, offer comparable enjoyment to overseas adventures without the financial strain.
  • The allure of gambling in Las Vegas persists, but economic barriers make it a distant dream for many Japanese.
  • Europe's high costs, especially flights to Italy or France exceeding hundreds of thousands of yen, exclude it from typical Japanese itineraries.
  • Annual Hawaii trips remain feasible for some by cutting back on souvenirs and self-cooking, but overall expenses have doubled.
  • Visa and green card processes for living abroad, once supported by companies, now feel out of reach due to rising costs and bureaucracy.
  • A single month's salary might cover just a basic overseas trip, underscoring the economic divide between domestic and international leisure.
  • Humorous hypotheticals, like selling family members for travel funds, reveal the desperation some feel toward economic constraints on wanderlust.
  • Purple hair as a confidence booster for shy individuals ties into broader themes of personal growth amid life's restrictions.
  • Past trips to Australia 18 years ago were affordable at 100 yen per dollar, but now prices have doubled, raising barriers to revisiting.

INSIGHTS

  • Currency devaluation not only inflates travel costs but reshapes global perceptions, making Japan a "bargain" hub while isolating its citizens from the world.
  • The interplay of weak yen and rigid work cultures amplifies travel inequality, favoring short, local escapes over enriching international experiences.
  • Economic pressures foster adaptive strategies like pre-trip shopping, revealing human ingenuity in preserving joy despite financial hurdles.
  • Nostalgia for stronger-yen eras underscores how fleeting economic advantages can profoundly alter lifelong travel aspirations and habits.

QUOTES

  • "なんか海外旅行に行きたいんですけど結局あの日本で過ごした方がトータル高安くなっちゃうんでちょっと高すぎていけないなっていうのは思いますね。"
  • "日本だったら 1000 円ちょっとで多分ちょっと美味しいの食べれるけど海外に行って同じもの頼んだら 5000 円ぐらいしちゃうからちょっとアメリカは行きたいけどまだ行けないなって思います。"
  • "通貨の価値が海外と比べるとやっぱり相対的に価値が低いわけですもんね。だから一昔前の日本から見たら東南アジアとかベトナムとかみたいな感覚に日本が見られてるんじゃないかなっていう風には思います。"
  • "せっかく行くんだら楽しいと思えるような旅をすると思えば、え、 200 万、 300 万。"
  • "自分が楽しくても後々後から罪悪感が来るぐらいだったら誰も傷つけないで楽しく旅行に行けるのが 1 番素敵な旅行の形かなって思いますね。"

HABITS

  • Stocking up on Japanese groceries and preparing meals abroad to cut down on high foreign food costs.
  • Opting for short 1-2 day domestic trips to nearby cities like Osaka for quick enjoyment without long commitments.
  • Checking weather forecasts meticulously before planning water-based activities, such as swimming in Lake Biwa.
  • Saving money deliberately before attempting any international travel due to yen weakness.
  • Prioritizing self-cooking and minimizing souvenirs during Hawaii trips to manage doubled expenses.

FACTS

  • A breakfast in LA can cost around 5000 yen, compared to 1000 yen for something delicious in Japan.
  • Flights to Europe like Italy or France often exceed several hundred thousand yen just for tickets.
  • The yen was about 120-130 to the dollar 15 years ago, but now hovers around 60-70, widening cost gaps.
  • Domestic travel in Japan, such as a 100,000 yen Japan-wide tour, can cover 20 locations under certain conditions.
  • Australia's prices have roughly doubled since 18 years ago, when 1 Australian dollar was about 100 yen.

REFERENCES

HOW TO APPLY

  • Assess your budget by comparing yen equivalents: calculate how much a domestic meal (1000 yen) would cost abroad (up to 5000 yen) to gauge affordability.
  • Prioritize Asian destinations over America or Europe, as they remain relatively cheaper and closer for Japanese travelers.
  • Plan domestic alternatives: choose 1-2 day trips to places like Osaka or Lake Biwa that fit work schedules and cost under 70,000 yen.
  • Prepare in advance by buying groceries in Japan for international trips, focusing on self-cooking to avoid high foreign food prices.
  • Build savings specifically for travel, aiming for 50,000-100,000 yen for short overseas jaunts or 200,000-300,000 yen for more enjoyable ones.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

The weak yen is deterring Japanese overseas travel, boosting domestic exploration as a smarter, more accessible path to fulfillment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Shift focus to affordable Asian spots like Taiwan for manageable international escapes without breaking the bank.
  • Embrace domestic gems like Lake Biwa for rejuvenating trips that rival foreign adventures in value and ease.
  • Save strategically, targeting 100,000 yen minimum for a week's overseas travel to avoid financial regret.
  • Adapt by pre-purchasing essentials in Japan to slash costs during high-expense destinations like Hawaii.
  • Advocate for longer vacations at work to make distant trips like Europe feasible despite yen challenges.

MEMO

In an era of relentless yen depreciation, Japanese travelers are grounding their dreams closer to home. Interviews reveal a stark reality: what once cost 1000 yen for a satisfying meal in Japan now demands 5000 yen abroad, turning aspirational trips to Los Angeles or Hawaii into luxuries few can afford. Many, like those eyeing Las Vegas for its glamour, now hesitate, calculating that 200,000 to 300,000 yen could fund a lavish domestic itinerary instead—perhaps circling Lake Biwa or hopping to Osaka for weekend escapes that feel worlds away without the wallet strain.

This economic pivot isn't just about numbers; it's reshaping perceptions. Japan, once a pricey enigma for outsiders, now mirrors the budget allure of old Southeast Asia for foreigners flush with stronger currencies. Interviewees lament limited vacations—often capped at three days—compounded by soaring transatlantic flights exceeding hundreds of thousands of yen, making Europe a distant fantasy. Yet resilience shines through: savvy planners stock Japanese pantries before departing, cooking to dodge inflated costs, while others rediscover the joy in short-haul domestic jaunts that reclaim time and treasure.

Ultimately, this yen-induced introspection fosters ingenuity. Past eras of 120-yen dollars enabled carefree wanderlust to Australia or LA, but today's 60-70 parity demands adaptation. For the average earner, a month's salary might barely cover basics overseas, prompting a philosophical turn: why sacrifice for fleeting highs when Japan's own landscapes offer profound, penalty-free delight? As one puts it, the truest travel honors joy without regret, urging a reevaluation of borders in favor of heartfelt horizons.

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