U.S. immigration has a reputation for being strict. Travelers who cannot clearly explain why they are visiting, where they are staying, or whether they know anyone in the country may find themselves facing a barrage of follow-up questions.
But one Japanese social media user recently shared an amusing travel story, claiming that a simple answer can make the whole process surprisingly painless: “I'm Japanese, and I came all this way to see Shohei Ohtani.” The supposed shortcut quickly sparked plenty of discussion online.
Japanese X user @readeigo shared a story from her brother about entering the United States. He explained that answers such as “My sister lives in the U.S.” or “My girlfriend lives in the U.S.” could lead to more complicated questions at immigration. So instead, he simply told the officer, “I'm Japanese, and I came all this way to see Shohei Ohtani.”
Since he really was planning to attend a game with his girlfriend, the answer clearly communicated the tourism angle of his trip. According to her brother, the officer simply replied, “Enjoy!” and waved him through. The original poster noted that immigration officers are human too, and Ohtani's popularity in the U.S. may genuinely help lighten the mood.
After the post took off, plenty of users agreed that the trick might actually work. Some joked that “Ohtani-sama” was practically a savior, while one fan admitted feeling oddly proud on his behalf.
The line might be a little harder to sell during the Major League Baseball offseason, though. Claiming you came to watch Ohtani when there are no games in winter could raise a few eyebrows.
Another traveler shared a similar experience, saying that merely mentioning Dodger Stadium immediately made the officer think of Shohei Ohtani. The officer cheerfully replied, “Oh! You're going to see Mr. Ohtani!” before wishing the traveler a great trip.
One user said they entered the country wearing an Ohtani jersey and matching cap. Despite worrying about the notoriously strict screening process, they were surprised when the whole thing was over in about three minutes.
Someone else recalled an officer asking whether they had come to see “Shohei.” The two travelers quickly replied, “Not Shohei! Disney!” and managed to get a laugh out of the officer. Naturally, users joked that Shohei Ohtani really was saving travelers at U.S. immigration.
Of course, the strategy does not work everywhere. One traveler said that when an officer at San Francisco International Airport asked the purpose of their visit, they answered simply, “Shohei Ohtani.” The officer responded with a confused “Sorry?” leaving the traveler in a rather awkward spot.
They later joked that the answer might not carry quite as much weight in San Francisco. In Los Angeles, perhaps the message would have landed immediately.
Of course, saying you came to see Shohei Ohtani is harmless enough as a joke among tourists. But a stricter officer may ask for more details, so travelers should still answer questions about the purpose of their visit truthfully.
Ohtani's immense popularity in Major League Baseball may have unexpectedly given some Japanese travelers an easy conversation starter at immigration. Still, these amusing anecdotes are no guarantee of entry. Anyone traveling to the U.S. should come prepared with a return ticket, accommodation details, and a clear itinerary.