A TikToker has ignited a discussion about tourist behavior after he went viral for swimming through a renowned art exhibition in Tokyo, Japan.
While the original video was apparently uploaded in February, a TikToker known as Lil Mid (@lilmidtok) recently went viral when he swam through a water-based art exhibition at teamLab Tokyo.
“Going for a swim at teamLab Tokyo,” the TikToker commented before plunging into the water, surrounded by other visitors.
The man managed to perform a few freestyle strokes before being stopped by what appeared to be an employee at the exhibition.
Although the video seemed a few months old, it was picked up over the weekend by Aussie content creator Sandy (@sandyinjapannn), who thoroughly criticized her fellow TikTok creator for his antics.
In Sandy’s video, which has accumulated more than 241.4K views, she denounced the tourist’s behavior, claiming it’s the reason “why we can’t have nice things.”
“This is the kind of gaijin that ruins it for everyone,” she said, referring to Lil Mid’s video. For those curious about the term “gaijin,” it translates to foreigner in Japan or an outsider, according to Merriam-Webster.
“Sure, not all gaijin. But when there’s one too many and there’s enough of them, then it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Gaijin will eventually get banned from more things.”
Alongside her critique of the TikToker’s behavior at teamLab, Sandy also referenced several measures Japan has taken due to poor tourist behavior.
This included Japan’s decision to prohibit tourists from entering certain alleyways in Gion — Kyoto’s Geisha district — and the plans to construct a large barrier at a tourist hotspot renowned for its breathtaking views of Mt Fuji.
“Have some respect, this is not your backyard,” Sandy added.
Sandy’s passionate critique swiftly gained momentum on TikTok, with many users agreeing with her viewpoint. Some TikTokers even shared their own experiences and encounters with disruptive tourists during their travels.
“I’m absolutely mortified, my husband and I went to Tokyo last May and teamLABS was one of the most amazing sensory experiences. This is just ridiculously sad and pathetic. Ruins it [for] everyone else,” one individual commented.
“That’s so unbelievably disgusting,” another remarked.
While most people agreed with Sandy and her perspective, some were offended by her use of the term “gaijin“. However, other users defended Sandy’s use of the word.
Lil Mad — the tourist who attempted an Ian Thorpe at teamLab Tokyo — has yet to issue a formal statement following his newfound fame, but he did respond to Sandy’s video.
In the comments section of Sandy’s video, the TikToker wrote: “This place is a tourist attraction, no?? Also I got multiple messages from Japanese people saying this was funny???”
In reply to his barrage of questions, Sandy simply attached his comment to a snippet from his video.
“Yes, I can see that they appreciated your appreciation of their tourist attraction very much,” she wrote.
Additionally, just for further clarity, the teamLab website explicitly states the area is not meant for swimming!!!!
Ultimately, regardless of your travel destination, you should always show respect for the land and its people, whether it’s a tourist attraction or not.
Last year, a man visited the Colosseum — a tourist hotspot — and faced backlash for engraving his name on the ancient structure. Just because it draws visitors doesn’t mean you can treat it however you please, you know?
As of this writing, Lil Mid’s contentious video remains online and has now amassed over 50.8K views. Similar to Sandy’s video, some viewers have now left comments condemning the creator and his attempt at swimming in the exhibition.
One individual also mentioned that his video reminded them of Logan Paul‘s antics in Japan back in the late 2010s. IYKYK.
Hopefully, Japan won’t ban us from visiting this unique space as well, just like the beautiful alleyways of Gion.
