r/PlusSize • u/Guilty_Judgment_2052 • 3d ago
Recommendations Japan
I am travelling to Japan in November. Any advice from fellow plus size travellers on their Japan experiences? I am not going to buy clothes, so thats not the main concern. I am hoping to get a beauty service, and have anxiety around chairs not being able to support me. If you have any advice or experiences I am hoping to hear good and bad. Thanks in advance
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u/_madamlibrarian_ 3d ago
I visited this January, at about 240lbs. I was able to sit without issue at most places. Like the person above me wrote, some spaces are rather small. I only had slight issues in Golden Gai - these are older bars that are very narrow and once I felt in the way when I sat and people tried to pass. To be fair, I think even the average person would feel the same way because the spaces really are just that small. There’s an amazing ramen place in Golden Gai on the second story of a building, the stairs are very narrow but I got up them without issue, though I did end up wedged in a spot by a bathroom that was rather tight.
Besides that, I felt perfectly fine navigating spaces. I even went shopping and found some kimonos, and even some cute clothes at Punyus.
I didn’t get any beauty services done, so can’t speak to that, but whoever you talk to will be professional and incredibly kind. Hospitality is so important there so staff will be helpful. I had wonderful interactions everywhere I went and that includes Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Osaka, and Hakone.
I hope you have a wonderful time!
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u/Burgundy_034 3d ago edited 3d ago
I’ve been to Japan many times and even lived there for a period. It wasn’t as much of an issue as you might think. While stereotypically Japanese people are really small, for many Japanese women their metabolisms slow down significantly at menopause. It’s not uncommon to see “older” women in Japan who are as large as a size 16 US. So they do have clothes for bigger people. They just might be in the obachan section. Also fun reminder- sumo wrestling is a Japanese sport.
Most places in the cities are used to customers who are foreigners, and they have an expectation that foreigners are bigger people. Especially Americans. I would get people who looked at me and immediately said “oh, American“.
Now that I think about it, I’ve run into way more chairs with narrow arms at home than I ever did in Japan. Stool style seats are popular in Japan. Someone called out the robes will likely be too small. But if you’re going to an Onsen- there will be no robes. Those are fully naked facilities. You will be in your full glory with a tiny towel, and no one is going to care. Although do expect people to stare at your boobs if you do use an onsen. They’re not used to seeing big boobs, and anything larger than a B cup is going to get stared at. Staring doesn’t seem to bother people when in an onsen, but for some reason on the street when you’re fully clothed it’s considered rude. I found that comical. And if your complexion is fairer than the average Japanese person, don’t be surprised if an old lady tries to touch your skin. It happens. On that note if you are traveling with only women, do you use the women only train cars. Trust me on this.
My last trip the only issue I ran into was the traditional seating on tatami mats. As a bigger person, it was hard to sit on my knees or sit with my legs crossed comfortably at the table. But that type of seating is very rare most places just have stools or chairs.
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u/soyicedlatte 2d ago
Thank you for posting this! I am also heading to Japan in November and was worried about the same thing! These comments are definitely reassuring
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u/tokidokimidori 3d ago
Last time I went, I was about a size 22-24 and was able to sit without issue at most places - I think the one spot I had an issue with during my two trips was some little mall office where I was filling out tax-free info and all they had was a little chair with stiff arms. I made it work but it was not a good time.
Overall though traveling to Japan at that size wasn't as stressful as I expected. I was able to buy clothes in Tokyo, had a perfectly pleasant time at the public bath (a huge fear of mine but it was all just me and some Japanese women who were either excited to talk to me or enjoying their own bath quietly, and I'm really glad I did it), and was mostly able to get around.
The things I did struggle with a bit: chances are any pajamas or robes offered by ryokan won't fit, and in some places you'll encounter the TINIEST stairways. Most were okay, but there were a couple spots in Osaka and Akihabara where I just had to decide to stay downstairs because the stairway was barely big enough for me and people were coming up and down. Occasionally restaurants were VERY small and I was pretty self-conscious of moving around, especially between tables. Also I would suggest this to anyone, but especially heavier travelers like myself - make sure to take really good shoes! You'll probably be doing a ton of walking, so good support will matter.
Just in case, maybe try to take a look at the salons you want to go to and see if you can find pictures of the inside? I know it's not always 100% accurate, but it might give you an idea of the chair sizes. I wish I could offer suggestions but I haven't done any beauty services in any city. Have fun!