“This Place Is A Tourist Attraction, No?”: TikToker Defends Himself After Getting Slammed For Swimming At TeamLab Tokyo
Is it just us or are badly behaved tourists in Japan becoming the norm?
Just last month, tourists were called out for violently shaking cherry trees to create a shower of petals in their pictures for social media.
This time, a TikToker who goes by the username Lil Mid, came under fire for swimming at a popular art exhibit in Tokyo.
“Going for a swim at teamLab Tokyo,” he announced on the video before demonstrating a few laps at the water-based exhibit. He was then stopped by someone, whom we assume is an employee.
The digital installation is named ‘Drawing on the Water Surface’ and is rendered in real-time by a computer program.
According to teamLAB's website, any form of swimming is not allowed in the exhibit.
Although the video was uploaded back in February, it only recently caught the attention of netizens after a fellow TikToker, who goes by the username Sandy in Japannn, condemned his behaviour.
“This is why we can’t have nice things. I’ll say it again. Japan is not your Disney Lala Land. This is the type of gaijin (foreigner) that ruins it for everyone,” she said.
Sandy clarified that not all foreigners misbehave but said that when there are enough of them, “gaijin will eventually get banned from more things.
The TikToker also addressed the tourist ban in Kyoto, Gion after years of geishas and maikos being harassed.
She also cited the construction of a barrier to block the view of Mount Fuji in the town of Fujikawaguchiko due to misbehaving tourists.
Her video has since garnered 255,000 views.
After Sandy’s rant, netizens started commenting with their own horrific experiences. However, a few netizens took issue with Sandy using the word ‘gaijin’ calling it derogatory.
Though Lil Mid has not posted a response on his own account, he took to commenting on Sandy’s post, writing, “This place is a tourist attraction, no?? Also, I got multiple messages from Japanese people saying it was funny.”
Photos: Sandy in Japannn/TikTok, Lil Mid/TikTok, teamLAB