ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
#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.

ADVERTISEMENT
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Japan Wasn't Built For Me

Japan Wasn't Built For Me

rault18 Report

Add photo comments
POST
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:)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#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")

Report

#31

Japan Is Not Made For Paul

Japan Is Not Made For Paul

strawberry76 Report

#32

Japan Isn't Really That Bad Most Of The Time, But This Highway Bus Bathroom Was A Challenge

Japan Isn't Really That Bad Most Of The Time, But This Highway Bus Bathroom Was A Challenge

Takai_Sensei Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

Anyone Ever Been To Japan?

Anyone Ever Been To Japan?

JevenJ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#34

I Knew Everything In Japan Would Be Small, But Come On Man

I Knew Everything In Japan Would Be Small, But Come On Man

Report

Add photo comments
POST
#35

"One Size Fits All" In Japan

"One Size Fits All" In Japan

canadianchica Report

Add photo comments
POST
jen_hunt_9250 avatar
Alethia Nyx
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it is a kimono and not a yukata then that length would probably be ok, it may be a little short but not dramatically so. They are made very long, then they are folded (or not) at the waist to create the right length for the wearer.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

I Had A Few Close Encounters With The Ceilings In Japan

I Had A Few Close Encounters With The Ceilings In Japan

kensquatch Report

Add photo comments
POST
kode1303 avatar
Jesper Rasmussen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a bartender when you see that expression, you generally go “No more beer for you sir”.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

I’ll Jump On The Bandwagon, My Recent Trip To Japan

I’ll Jump On The Bandwagon, My Recent Trip To Japan

Dopppleganger Report

Add photo comments
POST
#38

I'm Currently Studying Abroad In Japan And Living With A Host Family. Getting In And Out Of My Room Every Day Is Going To Be A Hoot

I'm Currently Studying Abroad In Japan And Living With A Host Family. Getting In And Out Of My Room Every Day Is Going To Be A Hoot

ColeSlawGamer Report

Add photo comments
POST
55354de85dbac avatar
Horizon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least you get the opportunity to learn natively - and enjoy the culture!

#39

I’ve Been Living In Japan This Month. All The Doorways In My House Are Like This. I’m Only 6’2”

I’ve Been Living In Japan This Month. All The Doorways In My House Are Like This. I’m Only 6’2”

MongooseDog85 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#40

Me(White Guy) And My Friend Riding The Bus In Kyoto, Japan

Me(White Guy) And My Friend Riding The Bus In Kyoto, Japan

countvincent Report

#41

Being Tall In Japan Be Like

Being Tall In Japan Be Like

GregLyon Report

#42

This Bus Seat In Japan Is The Most Glaring Example Of Being A Giant In The Land Of Rising Sun. And I'm Not That Tall

This Bus Seat In Japan Is The Most Glaring Example Of Being A Giant In The Land Of Rising Sun. And I'm Not That Tall

lelouche76 Report

See Also on Bored Panda