Japan Attractions & Amenities
Only in Japan would you find the perfect juxtaposition of old and new, where hi-tech electronic shops and robot restaurants are only a stone’s throw away from classic Shinto shrines.
Famous for elusive Cherry Blossoms in spring, Japan is a sight to see even at any other time of the year. Take a dip in Okinawa’s beaches in the summer, stroll through golden forests in the fall, and test your skills on the slopes of Hokkaido in the winter! Getting from one major city to another is no issue. Simply book a JR Pass and hop on a train to get from the bustling city of Tokyo to Osaka in just 2.5 hours – leaving you with more than enough time to enjoy an entire day (or two) at Universal Studios Japan.
Best time to visit Japan
The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). This is when Japan is at its most vibrant, with delicate cherry blossom or bright red leaves adding contrast to the scenery.
The tourism industry in Japan encompasses a wide range of sectors and businesses, including the dining and hotel industries, transportation, travel agencies, as well as parts of the leisure industry. As such, the tourism industry is important to the leisure sector and the Japanese economy in general. Tourism also plays an important role as the bridge that allows for intercultural exchange. The tourism industry is thought to have high growth potential and is seen as a possible driver of the Japanese economy. This is reflected in the active efforts of the Japanese government to promote and expand tourism, particularly inbound tourism. Domestic tourism represents the lion’s share of the tourism industry’s contribution to the gross domestic product, but its chances to further prosper are deemed to be limited. This is shown in figures relating to domestic tourist spending, which has stagnated during the past decade. On the other hand, the value of tourism expenditure of international visitors to Japan has increased significantly in recent years.
Tourism amid the COVID-19 pandemic
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020, inbound and outbound international travel nearly disappeared, while domestic tourism declined significantly, as exemplified by figures relating to the number of domestic travelers in Japan. After the first COVID-19 wave was brought under control, the government devised a nationwide scheme to help reinvigorate the hard-hit sectors of the Japanese service industry. Dubbed the “Go to Travel” campaign, and the “Go to Eat” campaign, the government attempted to boost domestic travel and the restaurant industry by providing citizens with a subsidy when traveling or dining out at participating entities. The programs were successful in attracting participants. From August to December 2020, the number of overnight stays which made use of the “Go to Travel” program totaled approximately 85 million. The “Go to Travel” program was suspended at the end of December 2020, and is still on suspension as of August 2021, since the high number of COVID-19 positive cases made the program’s reinstatement impossible.
Holiday destination Japan
In recent years, the government’s focal point has revolved around inbound tourism. Various steps had been taken to make the trip to Japan possible or to improve the experience of foreign visitors, such as measures to ease travel visa requirements regarding various countries, creating more airport landing slots, and providing easier hotel billing codes, to name just a few. Consequently, the number of international visitors coming to Japan increased significantly in the past decade. Japan further plans to facilitate shopping tourism and to become a hub for international conferences. Japan seems to be in a unique position when it comes to welcoming international tourists. From its wellness and relaxation offers to original products and services, vibrant metropolises to remote hiking tracks, and cultural activities and attractions to scenic nature settings – Japan has a diverse range of tourism activities to offer.
Tourism amid the COVID-19 pandemic
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020, inbound and outbound international travel nearly disappeared, while domestic tourism declined significantly, as exemplified by figures relating to the number of domestic travelers in Japan. After the first COVID-19 wave was brought under control, the government devised a nationwide scheme to help reinvigorate the hard-hit sectors of the Japanese service industry. Dubbed the “Go to Travel” campaign, and the “Go to Eat” campaign, the government attempted to boost domestic travel and the restaurant industry by providing citizens with a subsidy when traveling or dining out at participating entities. The programs were successful in attracting participants. From August to December 2020, the number of overnight stays which made use of the “Go to Travel” program totaled approximately 85 million. The “Go to Travel” program was suspended at the end of December 2020, and is still on suspension as of August 2021, since the high number of COVID-19 positive cases made the program’s reinstatement impossible.
Holiday destination Japan
In recent years, the government’s focal point has revolved around inbound tourism. Various steps had been taken to make the trip to Japan possible or to improve the experience of foreign visitors, such as measures to ease travel visa requirements regarding various countries, creating more airport landing slots, and providing easier hotel billing codes, to name just a few. Consequently, the number of international visitors coming to Japan increased significantly in the past decade. Japan further plans to facilitate shopping tourism and to become a hub for international conferences. Japan seems to be in a unique position when it comes to welcoming international tourists. From its wellness and relaxation offers to original products and services, vibrant metropolises to remote hiking tracks, and cultural activities and attractions to scenic nature settings – Japan has a diverse range of tourism activities to offer.