Comments by "Jordan, inside-outsider in Japan" (@Jordan-inJapan) on "Japan's WORST Tourist Scam Explained | $6,000 Lost in a Day" video.

  1. Yeah, the cult thing is real…I’ve been approached by sparkling-eyed individuals more than a few time over my 20+ years in this country. That said, I don’t want anyone to lose out on any potential great cultural experiences because of a fear of cults. Most Buddhist sects are actually quite secular here in Japan, and are not interested in ‘converting’ you. I once joined a zazen meditation session once that was really interesting and not ‘culty’ at all. (I didn’t go back though, mostly because it hurt my legs too much. 😂) Closing words: use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is.
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  2. Once, in my first year in Japan, I was invited to a ‘zazan meditation session.’ (Not by a random stranger, but a friend of one of my students). It ended up being a really interesting and valuable cultural experience, and not ‘culty’ at all. I just wanted to mention this experience so people don’t thing this kind of thing is always a scam or trap. Japan has a lot to offer in the way of perspectives on spirituality, and it would be a waste to close our minds to this out of fear. Basically, use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is.
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  3. Nice work. It sounds like a close call! 😅 But I just want to share my own experience as well… Once, in my first year in Japan, I was invited to a ‘zazan meditation session.’ (Not by a random stranger, but a friend of one of my students). It ended up being a really interesting and valuable cultural experience, and not ‘culty’ at all. I just wanted to mention this experience so people don’t thing this kind of thing is always a scam or trap. Japan has a lot to offer in the way of perspectives on spirituality, and it would be a waste to close our minds to this out of fear. Basically, use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is. 🍻
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  4. My thoughts exactly. 🍻
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  5.  @Aeybiseediy  true. I guess a major difference is that I already had a personal connection with the person doing the inviting (via my student). And the temple was like a proper neighborhood temple…in my town…not some random person’s living room.
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  6.  @archaingel  You did the right thing. In my case, it was just in the neighborhood temple, and no one was pressure-selling it. Anyway, it was pretty cool. The worst part was that my legs hurt afterwards. 😅
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  7. Haha, one scam I’d forgotten about. 😂 But definitely. (they don’t harass me anymore, because I just gave in and started paying them. My family does watch NHK, so…)
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  8.  @eeveeeleven9766  (Me or the main comment? If it’s me, it’s because YouTube glitched when I posted (I thought) so I did it again. ごめんなさいました。)
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  9. Definitely something to watch out for. But I just want to share my own experience, so people don’t write off all experiences with Japanese spirituality as suspect. Once, in my first year in Japan, I was invited to a ‘zazan meditation session.’ (Not by a random stranger, but a friend of one of my students). It ended up being a really interesting and valuable cultural experience, and not ‘culty’ at all. I just wanted to mention this experience so people don’t thing this kind of thing is always a scam or trap. Japan has a lot to offer in the way of perspectives on spirituality, and it would be a waste to close our minds to this out of fear. Basically, use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is. 🍻
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  10.  @Stealste  😂
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