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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Chinese tourists returning to Japan with new travel style
More travellers are seeking immersive experiences related to Japanese cuisine, culture and scenery. PHOTO: AFP TOKYO - Chinese tourists are driving a recent surge in inbound travel to Japan, with arrivals now exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels, though their travel habits are shifting noticeably. Previously, Chinese tourism in Japan was defined by large group tours and shopping sprees known as 'bakugai'. Nowadays, however, more travellers are seeking immersive experiences related to Japanese cuisine, culture and scenery, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation. A total of 3.13 million Chinese travellers visited Japan in the first four months of 2025, topping the 2.89 million recorded during the same period in 2019. While the number of visitors from China was slow to rebound after the pandemic, arrivals have steadily increased since the Chinese government lifted its ban on group tours to Japan in 2023, reaching 2.42 million that year and 6.98 million in 2024. Growth has continued into 2025, with year-on-year increases of 135.7 per cent in January, 57.3 per cent in February, 46.2 per cent in March and 43.4 per cent in April. The shift in travel preferences is partly driven by Chinese travellers in their 30s and 40s, many of whom have visited Japan before, now choosing family trips with their children over group tours. The JNTO is working to better target that market, including opening an account on a popular Chinese social media platform last fall. Meanwhile, visitor numbers from Hong Kong, which are tallied separately from mainland China, increased 30.8 per cent in January from the previous year but declined 5 per cent in February and 9.9 per cent in March. A Japanese manga predicting a major disaster in Japan this July is believed to have discouraged travel. Posts about the manga The Future I Saw went viral after some claimed that its artist, Ryo Tatsuki, also predicted the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, among other events. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Straits Times
Japan tourists soared 28.5% in April to record 3.9 million
The Japanese government has set an ambitious target of almost doubling tourist numbers to 60 million annually by 2030. PHOTO: AFP TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan soared 28.5 per cent in April year-on-year to a record 3.91 million, official figures showed on May 21. 'Spring cherry blossom season boosted demand for visits to Japan in many markets, as in the previous month, and overseas travel demand increased in some Asian countries, in Europe, the US and Australia to coincide with the Easter holidays,' the Japan National Tourism Organisation said. It said the total surpassed the previous record of 3.78 million in January 2025 and was the highest single month on record, and the first single month to exceed 3.9 million visitors. For the first four months of the year the total was 14.4 million, a rise of 24.5 per cent. A weak yen has for months been leading to a boom in visitors, with national tourism figures released in January showing a record of about 36.8 million arrivals in 2024. The Japanese government has set an ambitious target of almost doubling tourist numbers to 60 million annually by 2030. Authorities say they want to spread sightseers more evenly around the country, and to avoid a bottleneck of visitors eager to snap spring cherry blossoms or vivid autumn colours. But as in other global tourist magnets like Venice in Italy, there has been growing pushback from residents in destinations such as the ancient capital of Kyoto. The tradition-steeped city, just a couple of hours from Tokyo on the bullet train, is famed for its kimono-clad geisha performers and increasingly crowded Buddhist temples. On Mount Fuji, the nation's highest mountain and a once-peaceful pilgrimage site, authorities have started charging climbers in an effort to reduce overcrowding. In 2024, a barrier was briefly erected outside a convenience store to stop people standing on the road to photograph a view of the snow-capped volcano that had gone viral. Business travellers in cities including Tokyo have complained that they have been priced out of hotels because of high demand from tourists. Tourists gobbling sushi and onigiri have also been cited as a factor in shortages of rice, which has pushed the price of the staple to record levels, creating a political headache for the government. The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) on March 30 declared the country's most common and popular 'somei yoshino' variety of cherry tree in full bloom in Tokyo. Although the blooming dates in 2025 are around the average, the JMA says climate change and the urban heat-island effect are causing sakura to flower approximately 1.2 days earlier every 10 years. Mr Katsuhiro Miyamoto, professor emeritus at Kansai University, estimated the economic impact of cherry blossom season in Japan – from travel to parties held under the flowers – at 1.1 trillion yen (S$9.91 billion) in 2025, up from 616 billion yen in 2023. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Survey reveals the one thing visitors to Japan find most frustrating
A recent government survey found that foreign visitors to Japan ranked the scarcity of public bins, especially in places like train stations, as the most frustrating thing about their trips to the country. The Japan Tourism Agency reported that 21.9 per cent of over 4,000 tourists surveyed at five major airports listed this as their top complaint. The survey was conducted between December and January at five major airports – New Chitose, Narita and Haneda near Tokyo, Kansai, and Fukuoka – as travellers prepared to depart Japan. Although the number of such complaints was about eight percentage points lower than in the previous year, many visitors said they often had no choice but to carry their rubbish back to their accommodation. ADVERTISEMENT Public litter bins were once common in the country, but many were reportedly removed in recent years due to safety concerns sparked by terror attacks like the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack and the 2004 Madrid train bombings. Littering is strictly prohibited in Japan and can result in fines or even harsher punishments depending on the offence. Japanese people routinely carry bin bags and take their rubbish home with them if they are planning to eat outdoors, such as at a picnic or sporting event. Japan welcomed a record 36 million tourists in 2024, according to figures released in January. The Japan National Tourism Organisation estimated that more than 36.8 million people visited the country for business or leisure in 2024, surpassing a previous high of 31.88 million in 2019. According to the survey, reported by Kyodo News, other common complaints included communication barriers – reported by 15.2 per cent of visitors – mainly due to staff at restaurants and other venues not speaking English and overcrowding at tourist sites, noted by 13.1 per cent. The recent surge in tourists to Japan has been attributed in part to a weaker yen, which has made the country more affordable for international visitors. ADVERTISEMENT The soaring numbers, however, have sparked concerns about 'overtourism' at popular destinations, posing challenges in managing visitor flow and preserving local environments. In January, it was reported that the popular travel destination of Kyoto was significantly raising accommodation tax – a fixed fee paid to the government by non-residents which is collected by hotels and guesthouses – in an attempt to make tourism more sustainable. In November last year, several Japanese cities were said to be increasing the 'bathing tax' for overnight visitors to hot spring resorts. Japan has also hiked the entry fees and restricted the number of visitors to tackle overcrowding on the iconic Mount Fuji. The Japanese government has been urging foreign visitors to travel during off-peak times, explore lesser-known destinations, and adhere to local customs.
The Independent
06-05-2025
- The Independent
Survey reveals the one thing visitors to Japan find most frustrating
A recent government survey found that foreign visitors to Japan ranked the scarcity of public bins, especially in places like train stations, as the most frustrating thing about their trips to the country. The Japan Tourism Agency reported that 21.9 per cent of over 4,000 tourists surveyed at five major airports listed this as their top complaint. The survey was conducted between December and January at five major airports – New Chitose, Narita and Haneda near Tokyo, Kansai, and Fukuoka – as travellers prepared to depart Japan. Although the number of such complaints was about eight percentage points lower than in the previous year, many visitors said they often had no choice but to carry their rubbish back to their accommodation. Public litter bins were once common in the country, but many were reportedly removed in recent years due to safety concerns sparked by terror attacks like the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack and the 2004 Madrid train bombings. Littering is strictly prohibited in Japan and can result in fines or even harsher punishments depending on the offence. Japanese people routinely carry bin bags and take their rubbish home with them if they are planning to eat outdoors, such as at a picnic or sporting event. Japan welcomed a record 36 million tourists in 2024, according to figures released in January. The Japan National Tourism Organisation estimated that more than 36.8 million people visited the country for business or leisure in 2024, surpassing a previous high of 31.88 million in 2019. According to the survey, reported by Kyodo News, other common complaints included communication barriers – reported by 15.2 per cent of visitors – mainly due to staff at restaurants and other venues not speaking English and overcrowding at tourist sites, noted by 13.1 per cent. The recent surge in tourists to Japan has been attributed in part to a weaker yen, which has made the country more affordable for international visitors. The soaring numbers, however, have sparked concerns about 'overtourism' at popular destinations, posing challenges in managing visitor flow and preserving local environments. In January, it was reported that the popular travel destination of Kyoto was significantly raising accommodation tax – a fixed fee paid to the government by non-residents which is collected by hotels and guesthouses – in an attempt to make tourism more sustainable. In November last year, several Japanese cities were said to be increasing the 'bathing tax' for overnight visitors to hot spring resorts. The Japanese government has been urging foreign visitors to travel during off-peak times, explore lesser-known destinations, and adhere to local customs.
Euronews
09-03-2025
- Euronews
Hidden Hokuriku: Discover skiing and sake off Japan's beaten track
From skiing in the mountains to sampling local cuisine, escape the crowds in Japan's hidden Hokuriku region. ADVERTISEMENT Japan has long featured on European bucket lists, yet recent tourist restrictions have prompted visitors to look beyond the usual hotspots. And when you do, be sure to venture to the Hokuriku region, where you'll find lakes for colourful sailing excursions, traditional villages brimming with geishas and samurai scenes, and even a unique ski culture. Top this off with the mesmerising, iconic cherry blossoom and delicious Japanese cuisine and you're in for a treat! Why you should travel the roads less trod in Japan In Kyoto, access to some alleys in the historic Gion district was limited after complaints about crowds behaving like 'paparazzi' last year. Similarly, in Fujikawaguchiko, a screen was erected to block the iconic view of Mount Fuji, as selfie-snapping tourists disrupted traffic and crowded the streets. Speaking at ITB Berlin 2025, Sayaka Usui, head of the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) urged travellers to discover the country's lesser trod treasures, starting with Hokuriku on the country's scenic western coast. In January 2024, the region was devastated by a powerful earthquake, killing several people, destroying buildings, and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes. A year on, tourism is well on the road to recovery. And, with a rich heritage, stunning natural beauty and a packed events calendar, there's never been a better time to get off the beaten track. 'It is important for us to let travellers know what is safe, that's the most important message,' says Usui. 'We encourage them to stop by this region because it offers a lot of local, authentic experiences, a lot of nature, a lot of old generation innovation, crafts and arts.' Here are the best ways to experience authentic Hokuriku, from skiing to sake. Slurp soba noodles and sake in Toyama Comprising the prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui and Niigata, this often-overlooked region is brimming with ancient temples, charming traditional villages, and stunning coastlines. In Toyama, you can brush up on local knowledge at fantastic museums including the Toyama Glass Art Museum and the Municipal Folkcraft Village, or check out Iwase, a meticulously maintained historical district that's well worth a visit. Foodies shouldn't miss the several Michelin-starred restaurants that have elevated the area's culinary scene, from Cave Yunoki, plating up French fine dining, to Kuchiiwa, where you can wash down soba noodles with excellent sake. Head into the lofty peaks of the Tateyama Mountains via the scenic Kurobe Gorge Railway in the northeast, or the cable cars, funiculars, and buses of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route to the west. Mingle with geishas and samurais in Ishikawa Ishikawa's capital Kanazawa is a cultural hub, featuring a well-preserved samurai district, Bagamachi, and two active geisha districts, Nishi Chaya and Higashi Chaya. Check out one of Japan's most famous gardens, Kenroku-en, or marvel at the collections at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. ADVERTISEMENT If you've got a taste for sake, Kaga Onsen is packed with breweries, as well as temples, natural hot spring baths, and hiking trails. Set sail on the Mikata Five Lakes in Fukui Fukui is perfect for nature lovers, bursting with cherry blossoms in the spring and vibrant colours in autumn. Set sail on the serene Mikata Five Lakes, a quintet of different-coloured lakes that span the towns of Wakasa and Mihama. Known for their clear waters and scenic beauty, the calm waters nurture a diverse range of wildlife and are a hotspot for birdwatching and fishing. Make sure you sample the fresh seafood, such as sashimi and eel dishes, during your visit. ADVERTISEMENT Get your skis on in Niigata Niigata is a major winter sports destination boasting some of Japan's best slopes. Known for its heavy snowfall and top-tier resorts, it offers a variety of runs suitable for all skill levels. Popular spots like Naeba and Myoko Kogen attract skiers and snowboarders from around the world, while the region's hot springs provide the perfect way to unwind after a day on the slopes. Join the celebration at a local festival One of the most unique aspects of Hokuriku's appeal is its vibrant local festivals, which serve as an essential part of the region's identity and are a fun way to get involved with the culture. "Festivals are a local asset," says Usui. "During the recovery last year, many festivals were held in this area. It's a very good way for travellers to join in and take part." ADVERTISEMENT These celebrations, deeply rooted in local tradition, offer a chance to witness the heartfelt dedication of the community and provide visitors with an authentic cultural experience. In 2025, Hokuriku will host several exciting festivals including The Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival in June, which celebrates the city's rich history and heritage through parades, traditional music, and local performances.
