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A viral Japanese creator known as "Bob" arrived in the United States expecting hostility from a country he worried "hated tourists," but instead found himself embraced by a "kind and friendly country" during his journey, single-handedly dismantling narratives that portray America as a deeply divided and unwelcoming nation.
The "internet’s favorite tourist" made it all the way to the Lone Star State, where Fox News Digital caught up with him this week at popular spots in Dallas like the Katy Trail Ice House and Terry Black's Barbecue.
"I thought that American people hate tourists… but when I [came] here, that image, changed," Bob told Fox News Digital.
What started out as an exploratory trip to visit the United States during the World Cup turned this influencer, known for his high-energy reactions while experiencing heartland grit during his travels for the first time, into a social media sensation.
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Bob, a Japanese person exploring America during the World Cup, became a social media sensation for his high-energy videos experiencing different facets of the United States during his first time traveling across the nation. (Elizabeth Heckman)
"I think the media posts negative news because they want to attract [viewers], but… America is really kind and friendly and [a] really nice country," the Japanese tourist continued.
"Negative news is only a small part of the picture. Don't let it shape your entire view of [the] USA. I know it can be scary to visit a country or a city you've never been to before, but don't let negative headlines stop you from experiencing it for yourself," he added. "Come to the USA with an open mind and see it with your own eyes," Bob said.
Bob enjoys brisket at "Terry Black's Barbeque" in Dallas, Texas. (Fox News Digital-Elizabeth Heckman)
Bob described the barbecue at Terry Black's as "amazing" and was in awe of the portion sizes and menu selections.
He was also pleasantly surprised that he could pick more than one dessert.
"When I eat Texas barbecue... I feel like I am in Texas," he said.
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Japanese soccer fan and social media sensation, Bob, details how his experience with welcoming and "kind" Americans shattered his previously held notions about the country during his first trip to the United States. (Elizabeth Heckman)
Once locals caught a glimpse of him out and about at the Ice House, Dallas residents immediately came up to Bob, snapping selfies with the local celebrity, complimenting his content exploring American culture.
"Everyone's so friendly and really talkative… more talkative than I expected," he said. "They have a lot of hospitality in mind. I feel really welcome[d] from Texas people."
Bob’s journey started after posting a TikTok sharing that he didn’t have a place to stay during a night of his travels, and one of his "really kind" followers offered up their home to him for 15 days.
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The "internet’s favorite tourist" made it all the way to the Lone Star State, where Fox News Digital caught up with him at popular food spots in Dallas like the Katy Trail Ice House and Terry Black's Barbecue. (Elizabeth Heckman)
"That was an unforgettable experience," Bob shared. "They showed me around the city, it [was] really nice. They [were] so kind."
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Bob, who revealed he would pick either Seattle or Dallas if he made a permanent move to the United States, shared that "you can't really lump the U.S. together as one place."
"Every state has its own culture and personality. So from now on, instead of saying, ‘I've been to America,’ I'm going to say which state I visited," he relayed.
Alba Cuebas-Fantauzzi is an Associate Producer at Fox News Digital.
