Japan Bound
30% of foreign visitors to Japan have experienced over-tourism in traveling
The joint research by JTB Foundation and Development Bank of Japan finds that about 30% of foreign visitors to Japan have experienced over-crowded situation in tourist destinations or tourism spots.
International guest nights increased by 50% in three urban areas and 20% in local regions in August 2024
The total number of guest nights in August 2024 was up 1% year on year to 64.9 million. Guest nights of international travelers were up 24.9% to 13.2 million (up 39.5% over August 2019), accounting for 20.4% of the total.
Kyoto City is taking precautions against over-tourism, such as pre-booking of parking slots or a digital map to spread tourists, for the busiest autumn
DMO KYOTO and City of Kyoto is developing ‘Kyoto Traveler’s Promise’ campaign from November 1 2024 to February 2025 to promote ‘Kyoto Tourism Moral.' A pre-booking of parking slots will be introduced in Higashiyama area.
90% of international travelers to Japan intend to visit regional areas, but less than 10% have visited there before
International travelers from the world intend to visit regional destinations in Japan, but they have not been there yet. The ratio of international travelers who have visited lregional destinations before is less than 10% on average.
Outer garden of the Imperial Palace, the heart of Tokyo, is exclusively reserved as a premium event for the first time
A premium event ’Special experience in “The Heart” of Tokyo’ in Kokyo Gaien National Garden (outer garden of the Imperial Palace) will be organized for the first time on November 20 and 21.
JAL and Hoshino Resorts launch a joint campaign to introduce ‘a little-known but good destination’ for inbound travelers
JAL and Hoshino Resorts launched a joint campaign to introduce 'a little-known but good destinations’ in Japan on each of the owned media and offer dynamic package tours.
Transactions on Visa cards by Korean travelers in Japan increase from 39% to 48% of all their spendings
Transactions on Visa cards by Korean travelers accounted for 62% in Asia Pacific, and the ratio of spendings on Visa cards in Japan increased from 39% of the total to 48%, according to Visa.
The most popular family travel destination among travelers in Asia is Tokyo. according to Booking.com survey
The most popular family destination among multi-generations travelers in 11 countries and regions in Asia is Tokyo, according to Booking.com survey. The highest-interested destination is Urayasu, a city of Tokyo Disneyland.
Japan National Tourism Organization begins digital promotions for ‘EXPO + Tourism’ in earnest, including delivery of local NFTs
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has begun digital promotions for ‘EXPO + Tourism, encouraging JNTO website visitors to visit the ‘EXPO + Tourism’ tour booking website, and delivering NFTs featuring nature, foods or cultures in 10 regions.
NEC and Klook offer a package service of hotel pre-checkin and baggage delivery from an airport to a hotel
NEC, Klook and Maruwa Transportation will begin offering ‘Travel Light’ service combining pre-checkin of a hotel with baggage delivery from an airport as one of the solution service against over-tourism.
Can in-destination experiences be a trigger for inbound travelers to revisit Japan?
Things encouraged to experience next time by information getting in traveling in Japan are ‘onsen,’ ‘tourism facilities’ and ‘sweets or snacks’ for Taiwanese travelers and ‘theme parks,’ ‘Japanese traditional or luxury restaurants’ and ‘popular casual restaurants among local people’ for American travelers.
International visitors to Japan are expected to exceed the pre-pandemic level this year with 2.87 million visitors in September
The number of international visitors to Japan in September 2024 reached 2,872,200, 26.4% more than the same month in 2019. The final result in 2024 is expected to exceed 31.9 million visitors in 2019.
Japanese Wi-Fi router rental launches a travel brand for inbound travelers with a tagline of ‘Explore Wonderland Japan’
Vision, a Wi-Fi router rental company of Japan, launched a travel brand ‘Japan Destinations’ as a destination management company (DMC) to provide seamless arrangement of hotel, activity, transportation and tour guide.
‘Sukayu Onsen’ in Aomori, Japan is selected as the most luxury shore excursion experience, by Cunard
Cunard, a cruise operator selected ‘Sukayu Onsen’ in Aomori, Japan as the most luxury shore excursion experience, valuing the unique landscape and Japanese traditional onsen experience and lunch.
Japan National Tourism Organization enhances a partnership with luxury travel consortium ‘Serandipians’
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) hosted inspection tours for luxury travel consortium ‘Serandipians’ in Hokuriku and Setouchi. Quentin Desurmont, Serandipians Chairman, who joined the tour, talked about potentiality of Japan as a luxury destination.
Tokyo Shibuya and Shinjuku work together to prohibit visitors from drinking alcohol on the streets during this coming Halloween
Shibuya Ward and Shinjuku Ward, jointly called, “Keep rules” to visitors during this coming Halloween period, enforcing the ordinances banning drinking on the streets. Ken Hasebe, Mayer of Shibuya Ward, said that strong measures are needed to prevent over-toruism.
Digital tourism promotion booth is set up at Kansai International Airport to lure international tourists to visit local areas
A digital tourism PR booth was set up at Kansai International Airport to encourage international tourists to visit local areas in western Japan before Osaka Kansai EXPO opens in April 2025.
Japan is chosen as ‘the most attractive country’ for two straight years by readers of Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler ‘Readers’ Choice Award' chose Japan as the most attractive country’ for two straight years and Tokyo as ‘the most attractive city in the world.’
Mt.Fuji toll, the first trial this summer, totaled 300 million yen with 150,000 climbers
The total amount of toll for Mt. Fuji climbing at Fuji Yoshida Gate, the first trial this summer, reached about 300 million yen with 148,913 climbers in the period from July 1 to September 20 2024.
Tokyo Shibuya is trying to educate visitors to keep manners ahead of Halloween
Shibuya City Tourism Association in Tokyo has begun providing a special logo and poster of ‘SHIBUYA♡HACHI’ for free to encourage visitors to keep manners.Shibuya suffers from troubles with visitors’ manners, such as drinking or smoking on the streets, littering and so on.
