Japan travel influencers are creating a myth.
"10 rules you MUST follow in Japan"
"10 things you NEED to know before you go to japan"
"Japan has become an over touristed hell hole"
I just got back from Japan, second trip, 18 days much of it during golden week.
There are so many lies and exaggerations on social media (including here) that even though I'd already been to Japan a couple years ago I started to fear these things were true. They just aren't.
I am sure there are challenges with over tourism in Japan for locals, but even during golden week I had a totally pleasant time, ate where I wanted, bought what I wanted, saw all the tourist attractions and busy places.
And then there's all the fear mongering about rules. People are so afraid about all the rules that they stress themselves out about getting them all right. Japanese people aren't some alien species, and I think a lot of these videos and discussions border on subconscious racism with the way they exaggerate these things. They have a distinct culture but for the most part it's all just common sense respect.
For example a few rules that videos treat as some sacred unbreakable covenant in Japan:
"You must walk on the left".
Yes locals generally walk on the left... but far from always. it's the same as any place, sometimes people break the flow for whatever reason or no reason at all. Just walk with the flow of people like you would anywhere.
"Never eat while walking!"
ya probably looks a bit rude to be eating and walking, I didn't really do it but I saw Japanese people doing it. Just don't be gross.
"Never talk on the train!"
Except that locals talk on the train all the time. For the most part they talk quietly to the person next to them, but sometimes they would be laughing and speaking loudly in a larger group. Is it quiet during the morning commute? Ya because commuters aren't sitting with friends. Just don't be loud and obnoxious.
All these hard and fast rules turn out to just be common sense respect. Use a little social awareness, follow what locals are doing, you'll be fine.