Japan has skyrocketed to become Australia's favourite holiday destination over the last couple of years. With its enticing blend of futuristic and traditional elements, bustling cities alongside serene nature, vibrant pop culture, and ancient religious roots – plus that incredibly favourable exchange rate – it's easy to see the appeal.
However, you may have noticed some recent news articles using the ominous phrase "over touristed" when referring to Japan's booming visitor numbers. This raises concerns – is the Land of the Rising Sun being loved to death by an influx of tourists? What could this mean for your upcoming holiday plans?
Before hitting the panic button, let's dig deeper and separate fact from sensationalised fiction.
Putting Japan's Tourism in Perspective
A few key statistics provide important context about Japan's capacity to host visitors:
Greater Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in history, spanning multiple prefectures (states) and home to a staggering 60 million residents.
While Japan's total landmass is smaller than Australia's, its length matches our east coast. This island nation is remarkably vast, with numerous major cities and countless towns brimming with unique culture to explore.
Tourism is increasing, projected to rise from 31.9 million visitors in 2019 to 33.1 million in 2024. However, global hotspots like France and Spain each welcome over 70 million annually.
Japan's population of 125 million is nearly double France's 67 million and triple Spain's 47 million, giving it greater capacity.
Japan also has a declining population that has left 9 million properties vacant in just the last 5 years, meaning tourism can help revitalize local economies rather than displace residents.
The Reality: Well-Equipped to Host Visitors
Looking at the numbers, it's clear Japan receives just a trickle of guests compared to its significant population and world-class tourism infrastructure designed for efficiency and order. Across 99% of the country, the influx of tourist dollars is a welcome boost allowing vacant properties to house visitors instead of sitting abandoned.
Unlike nations facing affordable housing crises made worse by platforms like Airbnb, most of Japan benefits from this type of service giving new life to the vacant housing supply. Overtourism isn't the issue – it's often a simple clash of cultures that makes headlines.
Crowding Only at Iconic Hotspots
The main area facing strains is the ancient capital of Kyoto. With 1.4 million residents but an average of 800,000 foreign tourists per day, Kyoto has the highest ratio of visitors to locals worldwide – 3 times worse than famously "drowning" Venice.
To be clear, Kyoto's infrastructure remains quite capable overall. But the top 10 sites that every TripAdvisor itinerary, tour company, and Instagram influencer flocks to leave much to be desired. Long queues at key temples, shrines, and photo spots mean you're rushed through just to snap a quick pic of the iconic scenery before being funnelled out – that new "magic erase" for removing background people won't help much when everyone's in your shot!
The real magic of Kyoto lies beyond those specific spots. Breathtaking temples, shrines, and remarkably preserved historic districts evoking old-world charm await around every unassuming corner if you veer from the beaten path. And with 1.4 million residents, Kyoto is certainly large enough to reward exploration.
What's more, Kyoto has no monopoly on Japan's wondrous religious architecture. With some 80,000 temples and over 100,000 shrines nationwide, even remote mountain havens offer an atmospheric experience without the jostle – perfect if serenity is your aim over Instagrammable icons.
Stay tuned for my next blog post on this topic, where I look at cultural tips to ensure both you, and the locals, enjoy your visit.
Commentaires