Japan, which is getting previously unheard of numbers of foreign visitors, would like them to visit more of Japan than just the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
The bulk of last year’s 37 million foreign visitors, up from 25 million in 2023 and headed for 60 million by 2030, head for those three cities, leaving the other 90% of the country behind.
The resulting crowds in those three cities and surrounding area have driven up hotel prices by 20-30% and in many cases making vacation visits to the cities unaffordable for many Japanese. In some areas, families are shrinking vacations, school trips are shortened or canceled and some areas are feeling overrun.
Officials in some areas are exploring ideas such as vacation subsidies, lower rates for domestic visitors, and more education about appropriate behavior for visitors. Kyoto, in particular, has had an issue with visitors filming geisha and blocking their path to take pictures.
There are also programs developing to try to entice more visitors to other parts of the country, but so far they have not been widespread or successful.
