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Perhaps it's the geography of the country; the wide-open spaces of the Prarie, the vast cornfields in the midwest and the deserts of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah - Americans are comfortable with big. Big cars, big meals, big houses.

On the other side is Japan; 126 million people squeezed on to four main islands, with a total area 26 times smaller than the USA. The Japanese have learned to be economical with space - whether it be technology, houses or dioramas - which can be an issue when tall people visit the country. Heads are bumped on low doors, showers are too short, and train seats... well, it's cozy, put it that way.

This list, compiled by Bored Panda, shows tall people problems in this compact country, and we'd recommend bringing a helmet if you're over 6ft! Scroll down below to check out the list for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

#1

My 6'7" Stepfather Is Visiting Japan This Week

My 6'7" Stepfather Is Visiting Japan This Week

pakupakupaku Report

The cool and informative blog Japanese Journey by a 29-year-old man called Johannes gives some interesting insights into the struggles of being tall in Japan and travel tips to deal with it. Even though the 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) German is of average height in his own country, the average male height in Japan is 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in), so he does stand out. Here are a few of his everyday problems of being head and shoulders above people almost all of the time.

Bumping your head: When your body height is above the Japanese average, you will very likely bump your head. Most of the time, you will be aware of low door frames and the like and therefore take care. In old buildings, such as the shops in higashi chaya district, the shop assistants may even tell you to take care. However there will be instances when you won’t be expecting things to hang that low and therefore be less attentive. Funny accidents are bound to happen.

My own favorite items to bump my head against are the handles in the Tokyo metro trains. They hang at the height of my forehead, maybe at 172 cm. In the perfect position for the heads of people like me. This usually happens up to five times per trip, then I start to get it.

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#3

6’3” Lived In A Traditional Japanese House In Japan For Two Months. There Were Lots Of Exposed Wooden Beams

6’3” Lived In A Traditional Japanese House In Japan For Two Months. There Were Lots Of Exposed Wooden Beams

MongooseDog85 Report

Things don’t fit: Many things won’t fit you. At my size, it is not that hard to find fitting clothes or shoes. However things that are shared by everyone, such as toilet slippers in restaurants, will be too small. Same goes for the interior features such as benches, tables and sinks.

When I was sitting at at the table in my girlfriend’s parent’s house for the first time, I was surprised by how low but still comfortable the table and benches were. Fortunately it didn’t take me long to get accustomed to it.

#4

Asked A Guy To Take A Photo Of Me And My Friends With Some Bathing Snow Monkeys In Nagano, Japan. Checked The Photo Later

Asked A Guy To Take A Photo Of Me And My Friends With Some Bathing Snow Monkeys In Nagano, Japan. Checked The Photo Later

reddit.com Report

#5

Life Being Tall In Japan. Side Note: This Was A Hit With The Crowd And There Were Lots Of Giggles

Life Being Tall In Japan. Side Note: This Was A Hit With The Crowd And There Were Lots Of Giggles

leannacasebere Report

Being asked about your body height: “How tall are you?” is a sentence I haven’t been asked in the last decade in Europe. In Japan things are different.

Maybe one out of three times when my girlfriend introduces me to someone, usually women, I hear it. And while this makes me somehow feel like I’m positively impressive, the reactions that are shown upon hearing “180 センチ” (1.80 m) are even more pleasing.

#6

My Trip To Japan As A 6.3 Feet Guy Summed Up

My Trip To Japan As A 6.3 Feet Guy Summed Up

chaosunicorn Report

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#7

I Recently Travelled To Japan

I Recently Travelled To Japan

Gratton Report

Seeing far ahead on busy streets: When I went out on a Saturday evening in Shinjuku, the first thing I noticed were masses of people. The second thing was that, even though the area was packed, I could see anything. “Legolas! What do your elf eyes see?” shouts Aragorn in the back of my head.

Because I was a bit taller than most of the other short people there, I was able to actually see the end of the road without a head appearing in my view. “So this is how basketball players feel all the time,” I thought and enjoyed the evening.

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#10

Everytime I Visit Japan I Feel Like I Don't Fit In... I Wonder Why?

Everytime I Visit Japan I Feel Like I Don't Fit In... I Wonder Why?

tiatravelsto Report

#12

Tall People Problems

Tall People Problems

2tall Report

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#13

Japan Wasn't Built For Me

Japan Wasn't Built For Me

rault18 Report

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els_g avatar
Elsker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i was gonna say i'd fit right in there, being 5,4ft. But actually this looks really claustrophobic, so never mind:)

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#14

Stayed One Night In This Hostel In Japan. My Head Connected With This Light 8 Times

Stayed One Night In This Hostel In Japan. My Head Connected With This Light 8 Times

crazymunch Report

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4msaya avatar
miaow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Connected with the light 8 times? You have now reached enlightenment! :P

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#15

If I Could Summarize My Recent Trip To Japan In One Photo, This Would Be It

If I Could Summarize My Recent Trip To Japan In One Photo, This Would Be It

I'm 6'4" and the struggle was real

shivermyimgurs Report

#17

Loved My First Trip To Japan

Loved My First Trip To Japan

allkindsofmamba Report

#18

The Free Brain Cell Removal Rooflines Are A Common Fixture In Japan

The Free Brain Cell Removal Rooflines Are A Common Fixture In Japan

josroder Report

#20

Another Problem With Being A Tall Man In Japan

Another Problem With Being A Tall Man In Japan

GandalfTheTartan Report

#21

Meanwhile In Tokyo

Meanwhile In Tokyo

supercircinus Report

#22

Just Got Back From A Trip To Japan. I Know I'm Tall. Didn't Realize Just *How* Tall Compared To All The Japanese Folks

Just Got Back From A Trip To Japan. I Know I'm Tall. Didn't Realize Just *How* Tall Compared To All The Japanese Folks

ZachWahls Report

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#23

Traditional Japanese Home. Clearing Doorways Is A Challenge

Traditional Japanese Home. Clearing Doorways Is A Challenge

journeylingartist Report

#24

Just Found R/Tall. I'm Happy To Finally Be Among My Kind. Here's Me In Japan Trying To Fit In

Just Found R/Tall. I'm Happy To Finally Be Among My Kind. Here's Me In Japan Trying To Fit In

lenaxia Report

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straney-elizabeth avatar
E Menendez
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have known a number of Chinese/Japanese people that their parents are short, moved to the U.S. had kids and the kids are tall. Makes me wonder what's in the food.

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#25

So My Brother (6'7"), My Sister (6'0"), And Myself (6'4") Went To Japan... We Had A Hard Time Getting In

So My Brother (6'7"), My Sister (6'0"), And Myself (6'4") Went To Japan... We Had A Hard Time Getting In

mynameishutch Report

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4msaya avatar
miaow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go sideways.. what I do when I move amazing furniture through a door :P

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#28

My Shower At My Hotel In Japan. I Am Not Pleased Nor Is My Neck

My Shower At My Hotel In Japan. I Am Not Pleased Nor Is My Neck

ugotmilk Report

#30

To Tall Guys Travelling In Japan: I Feel You, Brothers. I'm 195 Cm (6'4")

To Tall Guys Travelling In Japan: I Feel You, Brothers. I'm 195 Cm (6'4")

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Note: this post originally had 42 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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