Loud talking and loitering: Taiwanese tourists’ disgraceful behavior at Japan’s Todai-ji Temple caught on camera by netizens

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Taiwan has recently seen frequent incidents of “unqualified travelers.” Followinga renowned Kyoto restaurant refusing reservations from Taiwanese customers,a car rental company on Ishigaki Island publicly announcing the egregious act of a Taiwanese visitor causing an accident and abandoning their vehicle, a Taiwanese netizen recently posted a video shot at Nara’s Todai-ji Temple on Facebook, pointing out that Taiwanese tourists not only entered the temple just 10 minutes before closing time but also spoke loudly and caused a disturbance, tarnishing Taiwan’s image.

▲Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to Japan’s largest Buddha statue and is a must-visit attraction when traveling to Nara. (Photo /Xiao Sheng)

Facebook page“Bookstore Café Ippitsu-tei (一二三亭)”On the 7th, under the title “Taiwan’s Shame in Nara,” a video was released showing several Taiwanese tourists loudly conversing and laughing in Taiwanese inside the Great Buddha Hall of the temple, completely disregarding the approaching closing time. The administrator of the page also stated: These Taiwanese tourists not only entered just ten minutes before closing but also made a lot of noise and refused to leave after the time was up — their behavior was highly inappropriate. Furthermore, the tour guide in the white shirt in the video did not step in to stop them.

Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses the “Great Buddha of Nara” in its main hall, standing 14.98 meters tall—nearly five stories high—and is the largest Buddha statue in Japan, making it one of the must-see spots in Nara. In addition to the massive Buddha, there is a pillar in the corner of the hall with a square hole in its center. It is said that if you can squeeze through the hole, you will receive the Buddha’s blessing and have your wishes granted, which is why many visitors line up to try crawling through the pillar.

%级?笏麓蠓鸬钅谄渲兄?桓鲋?又屑涫强招模?『⒆踊崾宰糯┕?怙慰盏闹?印（图／Xiao Sheng)

According to reports, the Taiwanese tourists in the video were attempting to crawl through the pillar’s hole but failed, leading to their loud chatter and laughter, completely ignoring the fact that visiting hours had ended. After the video was shared, many netizens expressed their embarrassment, with some even saying, “Stop saying the most beautiful sight in Taiwan is its people!” One can only say that when abroad, every action represents Taiwan, and the basic respect and courtesy owed to others should be upheld.

%The Taiwanese group mentioned above also refused to leave after the allotted time had passed (link to the “Bookstore Café Ippitsu-tei (一二三亭)” Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cafehifumi))

This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-18561