2 days ago
Japanese coastal cities Fujisawa, Kamakura saw rise in tourists in 2024
An increasing number of tourists visited two cities near Tokyo that are famous for their sightseeing spots and beaches last year.
Officials from Fujisawa City say it welcomed an estimated 20.4 million travelers in 2024. That is up about 4 percent from the previous year and the highest since comparable data became available in 1989.
The officials point to good weather during the summer when many people visit the beaches for bathing. They also say foreigners flocked to Enoshima Island, which offers views of the Pacific Ocean and Mount Fuji.
Visitors spent a total of 113.8 billion yen, or nearly 800 million dollars, including accommodation fees and spending on food and drink. That is also a record.
Officials from neighboring Kamakura City, known for its temples and shrines, say that the number of travelers surged about 30 percent year-on-year to 15.9 million. They attribute this to a rise in foreign tourists.
Officials from the two cities say that they will promote tourism while protecting the quality of locals' daily lives.
Both Fujisawa and Kamakura are about an hour's train ride from Tokyo.
