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Japan ranks 3rd among top world travel destinations after U.S., Spain: report

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If only people realized what a huge chance this is to revitalize regional Japan, the economy and even society of done well. Tourism is basically free money, but as usual we have issues with the messaging and planning from a bureaucracy that couldn’t organize a piss-up in a brewery!

This article coming out the same day as the black screen going up to cover the view of Fuji is poignant, I don’t blame the town for that but there just needs to be more discussions, more vision and less lamenting of the ‘over tourism’ problem ( ? ) . With more tourists wandering around students may even start using their English more, ushering in a new globally confident Japanese national to play a larger role in the world. Japan could be back! Come on guys, vision!

What’s the old saying, ‘never look a gift horse in the mouth.’ Welcome world. Irasshaaiiiii!

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Unlike The US, Spain, Japan is not a big country in terms of land mass. There has to be some limits. Kyoto is already ruined. I will never go there again.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

The United States topped the list

We can’t stop winning

-18 ( +7 / -25 )

I think Japan needs to diversify its travel destinations for tourist. I agree with stickman that Kyoto has become a no go zone due to the crazy overcrowding. There are just as many beautiful places in Japan outside Kyoto but if tourists doyknow about them they won't go.

Secondly I agree with Spain being up there but who the hell wants to visit the US!?

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Interesting news.

The very weak yen plays a fundamental role in this.

In the previous decades France and Italy topped the chart but the Euro is a strong currency so not everyone can afford to go there.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Good grief

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

If only people realized what a huge chance this is to revitalize regional Japan, 

The entire middle of the USA is referred to as the "flyover states". Many Americans themselves aren't interested in them, let alone any Asian or European tourists. Most people's dream first trip to the USA is not Kansas CIty, Missouri. I've lived nearly half my life in Japanese inaka, but most of it isn't for everyone and is of little interest to mainstream short term visitors. People need to have realistic expectations about what tourists are after.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Good for Japan and Spain...

Great places to visit and cultures to learn..

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

high number prestigious universities?!?!?

Japan ranked second for cultural resources such as archaeological sites ?!?

What archaeological sites?! Does anyone know of any that are acceptable to the public?!

It's not the thing you think of in tourism in Japan.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

It is where and whether as a tourist one is welcome or not.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

This is a desirability ranking

More objective and meaningful is the actual number of foreign visitors for each country which is:

1) France 79 Mio

2) Spain 71 Mio

3) US 51 Mio

4)Turkey 51 Mio

5) Italy 50 Mio

6) Mexico 39

these are 2022 numbers which are not meaningful for Japan as it was just reopening to tourism. For Japan better to compare with 2019 which was 32 Mio.

So Japan is probably number 7.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Clean public toilets have made a huge contribution.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Japan relatively low in tourist service ?

I have been to dozens and dozens of countries and service is best in the world in Japan (outside slavery).

Has it changed since last November or is it just because I also know the customs and read/speak a bit Japanese ? If so, then let it be this way. I don't want Japan to become a Disney world, which I like but represents the USA and very money oriented.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The hospitality industry was devastated in a pandemic, that took no prisoners,

Only to be faced with caustic, toxic incompetence of prefectures, towns and cities, simply incapable of supporting and managing there hospitality industry.

To tax tourism instead of managing, to erect barriers instead of creating a support structure, the hospitality industry will ultimately have to bear the burden .

Bureaucrats never learn or listen, only to the sound of their own voices , what they wish to hear .

No matter what language they communicate.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Congrats to the U,.S.A. Smaller countries with many neighbors have a distinct advantage yet we keep coming out on top!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

> kohakuebisuToday 10:27 am JST

If only people realized what a huge chance this is to revitalize regional Japan,

> The entire middle of the USA is referred to as the "flyover states". Many Americans themselves aren't interested in them, let alone any Asian or European tourists. Most people's dream first trip to the USA is not Kansas CIty, Missouri. I've lived nearly half my life in Japanese inaka, but most of it isn't for everyone and is of little interest to mainstream short term visitors. People need to have realistic expectations about what tourists are after.

I've been to a lot of those states and there is stuff to do there but I drove. Many tourists can't or don't want to drive and the time it takes and costs are prohibitive.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

For me.

USA yes.

Spain no.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Jonathan PrinToday  01:42 pm JST

Japan relatively low in tourist service ?

I have been to dozens and dozens of countries and service is best in the world in Japan (outside slavery).

Has it changed since last November or is it just because I also know the customs and read/speak a bit Japanese ? If so, then let it be this way. I don't want Japan to become a Disney world, which I like but represents the USA and very money oriented.

Service is a bit subjective - some people prefer a smiley and chatty-friendly type of service, which is not a feature of Japanese service. It's not better or worse, it's just different.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The surge in Japan's foreign tourism can be largely attributed to the current exchange rate, as people are visiting while the rates remain favorable for them. It's like a third off.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Rakuraku

Today 01:33 pm JST

This is a desirability ranking

> More objective and meaningful is the actual number of foreign visitors for each country which is:

> 1) France 79 Mio

> 2) Spain 71 Mio

> 3) US 51 Mio

> 4)Turkey 51 Mio

> 5) Italy 50 Mio

> 6) Mexico 39

> these are 2022 numbers which are not meaningful for Japan as it was just reopening to tourism. For Japan better to compare with 2019 which was 32 Mio.

> So Japan is probably number 7.

Ranking here is based on a tourism report released Tuesday, you might have missed it

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Mocheake

Today 01:45 pm JST

Congrats to the U,.S.A. Smaller countries with many neighbors have a distinct advantage yet we keep coming out on top!

Maybe Japan lost some of its distinct advantages

Japan ranked first place in the previous report released in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic, but the organization used different criteria then.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Good for Japan and Spain... 

Great places to visit and cultures to learn..

Where are Russia and China on the list, if I may ask? Can you help?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Sanjinosebleed

Today 09:09 am JST

I think Japan needs to diversify its travel destinations for tourist. I agree with stickman that Kyoto has become a no go zone due to the crazy overcrowding. There are just as many beautiful places in Japan outside Kyoto but if tourists doyknow about them they won't go.

Now tell us how this "diversify its travel destinations for tourist" is to be achieved?

I mean, every time some place in Japan starts getting a few foreigners they instantly panic and go into the "Oh no, gaijins!"

And then start doing everything to discourage tourists.

Raise taxes or try imposing a foreigner only tax!

They block places and views to stop foreigners from coming!

Basically any place foreign tourists suddenly find interesting or popular, the reaction will be stop them

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Rakuraku

Today 01:33 pm JST

You are confusing visitors and tourists.

Business trips are not included in tourist numbers, as for France and even Spain many EU residents own condos in those countries, they are again not counted as "tourists" but part time residents!

Mexico is similar as cross border family again doesn't count as tourists.

Stats are a funny thing, they should show facts but in reality one can manipulate them by playing with wording and criteria!

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Tourists to the EU are only non-EU people living outside of it. No EU person is a tourist within the EU and numbers are not recorded.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

As I pointed out "visitors" and "tourists" are different things.

Take France. One will find a lot of headlines 77 million international visitors 2023.

But if you look for tourists you get a very different number.

2 different French associations have slightly different numbers

One says 39 million the other 29 million tourists!

To give an example, one of my siblings have already been 5 times to France this year, all for work, so a foreign visitor but not a tourist!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

I have done a lot of traveling, by most people's standards, but have never made it to Japan. My loss. Now, most of our traveling is done via watching foreign movies.

Our mom did a tour of Japan with a Nisei group. Insisted it was the best trip of her life, even better than going to Europe. She said they were treated like royalty, and the food was out of this world.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

things.

Take France. One will find a lot of headlines 77 million international visitors 2023.

But if you look for tourists you get a very different number.

2 different French associations have slightly different numbers 

One says 39 million the other 29 million tourists! 

To give an example, one of my siblings have already been 5 times to France this year, all for work, so a foreign visitor but not a tourist!

I understand your point about the difference foreign tourists and visitors. I was basing my figures on what is provide by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings

It is confusing to know what they actually put inside. Sometimes they mention tourists sometimes visitors!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Rakuraku

Today 05:40 pm JST

Yeah, I get your point!

That is why I go to the tourism board or tourist associations sites.

I couldn't find English information on this for France only French and even then it was confusing because there are two competing associations with vastly different numbers.

The government board only has PDF over 100 pages of Data and typically difficult to pinpoint the exact data and if you are fluent in French (my first language) it is still difficult to find!

I think they like the 77 million as a headline as it makes them look good!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Ok thanks for you research.

Anyway vive la France!

This is the most beautiful country in the world.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The crash of the Japanese Yen has something to do with it. Nowadays prices for foreigners are between 50 to 60%chraper than they used to be a couple of years ago, mostly before Covid-19.

I have nothing about international tourists, however, the hotel prices trippled in the last 2 years while cutting the availability to less than 20% compared to the same period.

So local population actually suffers big time because of this...

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

We can’t stop winning

Only win in Hollywood movies..

LOL

correction

We can't stop whining..

LOOOOOL

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Bottom line.....travel.

Go whenever you can, wherever you want to, and enjoy yourself. There is so much to see on this planet. Those who can afford it can even go to space and look at Earth from above the atmosphere. How long before people can go to the Moon, or Mars?

I remember being hired to do some aerial photography from 15,000 feet. That is high enough to see the curve of the horizon, and we could even see the ocean from inland California. Could see miles and miles of spring time wildflowers, yellow land purple, from up there. My point is that the world is a beautiful place, however and wherever you see it. Get out there and travel!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Only win in Hollywood movies.. 

LOL 

correction

We can't stop whining.. 

LOOOOOL

Says the guy who whines about big mean America in every post he makes.

Again, remind us where Russia and China rank on there, please? Please?

LOOOOOOOL

5 ( +5 / -0 )

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