Do you think Japan is the sort of tourism destination that most people would only come to once, or is it a repeat destination?

Depend on what people come to see.

If they come for the big cities, Tokyo/Kyoto, and the most touristic places, Meiji shrine/Kinkakuji, and take a selfie in front of the most famous views, then once is enough.

If they are interested in going a little deeper in the culture, or explore the countryside and nature, then it will need more than one trip.

People who come for recreation, my guess in descending order of numbers: Okinawa beaches, skiers, onsen goers, hikers, cyclists (only a few hundred probably) can come many many times.

Anime fans and Akihabara nuts: many times

Shoppers: many times

For people just looking at temples and trying the food, possibly just the once. Many who are curious enough to come to Japan will be curious enough to see Thailand, India, Indonesia, Cambodia etc. etc. I better stop writing here because imagining those places but not having been to them for many years will put me on a downer!

Once. Unless there is a specific reason to come like martial arts training, or japanese language cultivation, etc.

The majority will come only once.

Before I started living here, I'd visited 7 or 8 times. There was always something new to discover and appreciate. Even now, after all this time.

I know people who came here expecting something out of Blade Runner and being disappointed, or others who thought it would be wall-to-wall kerrraziness like you see on those telly shows that focus on Japan's quirky side.

It's not what you expect, but occasionally, it is what you expect. That's why I love it and the people.

If you're thinking of coming over here for a holiday - do a wee bit of research, know what you want to see, do and experience.

Depends on how much money you have.

Its a repeat destination. But two or three times is enough if you want to see beach, temples and mountains. Okinawa, hokkaido and mainland. But it's not one of those places people would return to over and over again unless you've dreamed about Japan your whole life and have a huge list to check out.

If japan was a bit more creative with their tourism, and also made it a bit easier for people to enjoy themselves (i.e.: better overnight transport) it would be a much bigger hit.

I've been to Japan ten times in the past ten years, each time for 6-8 weeks; managed to make it through the 2011 Great Eastern Earthquake while in Sendai, the double earthquake that hit Kumamoto a few years ago, and the occasional typhoon. There were certainly moments of wonder. But with all those visits, I made some incredible friends and experienced some off-the-beaten track awesomeness.

BUT, the question was about the majority of visitors, and I can't speak for them, I can only guess. Half the people I know visit a place once, maybe twice, and then move on to other destinations; the other half keep returning to their favorite places, usually for the 'comfort factor'.

In my case, no way. Thailand is my repeat destination, because you can relax and blow off steam, Japan is the opposite.

If you string up a hammock on a beach in Thailand, someone will shortly appear to ask if you want a drink or a tuna sandwich. Do that in Japan, and someone will shortly appear to tell you that hammocks are banned and that it's not "beach season" anyway and you have to leave.

@JeffLee

That would be funny (your comment is funny though) if it weren't so true.

Japan can be quite relaxing too.

A week for Tokyo and a week for the rest of the country will do it. I’ve lived in Japan for near 20 years and like the place but there are better and cheaper places to visit. JeffLee is right on Thailand and Vietnam is also a cracking place to visit to chill out at a cheap price.

Avoid the Japanese countryside if you visit. I’ve had warmer receptions from my wife after arriving home drunk at 2 am. Tohoku is particularly unpleasant in my experience. Once was definitely enough.

It will only take me a day to explore England, while Japan could take 4 weeks. That’s the difference.

Thailand is alright but nothing special, just full of lady boys and drunk tourists causing trouble. At least you won’t get robbed in japan.

Thailand is alright but nothing special, just full of lady boys and drunk tourists causing trouble. At least you won’t get robbed in japan.

In Japan you won't get robbed by either the populace OR the police!

Thailand is a beautiful country with good food, but you take your life in your hands when you enter that country as a non-Thai, as the country is so bleedingly corrupt and racist that no Thai police officer will ever take the side of a foreigner, except when forced to in cases of murder or other issues that make world news.

Much safer to visit Vietnam or Malaysia.

Thailand is alright but nothing special, just full of lady boys

I’ve been to Thailand twice and never saw a ladyboy once, at least I don’t think so.

Then again, I wasn’t looking for them.

The Welsh abroad...

I know a lot of people that would love to come to Japan again. Face it, you are all just trying to find ways to run Japan down with ridiculous insults by bringing up a ‘hammock’. What kind of nonsense is that? Wow my holiday is ruined, I can’t use a hammock. By the way, I’m not even Welsh so don’t play that card against me. I prefer Japan over Thailand and I am prepared to give a a list of reasons why I believe it’s better. In the meantime, why don’t you guys explain why Thailand and other Asian countries are superior to Japan in tourism?

JeffLee

I hope you get off your hammock every hour for ten minutes to do the radio exercises.

Do people still use that term, ladyboy?

That's the standard term in Thailand.

I visit as often as I can, which amounts to every 2 years right now, but I have good friends that I visit so it's not just a tourist destination for me.

@seanwd20

Thailand has some great places. It sounds like you're talking about Bangkok and more specifically, just the tourist area. What I like about Thailand is that if you're willing to take a (comfortable) bus, you can make it whatever kind of trip you want.

Japan is a nice place, but not so simple. You'll find similar food, attractions and tourism style almost everywhere

I know a lot of people that would love to come to Japan again. Face it, you are all just trying to find ways to run Japan down with ridiculous insults by bringing up a ‘hammock’. What kind of nonsense is that? Wow my holiday is ruined, I can’t use a hammock

Chill out, the hammock is a metaphor & a very good one! I love Japan AND want to go back to Thailand to chill some day.

Japan is very rush rush, you cant stop here you cant sit there, that breaks to rules THAT the hammock lays that all out. After almost 30yrs in Japan you see it all the time, but as I say I still love Japan!

Many places in Japan are overcrowded nowadays --many with tourists who for some reason shout at each other instead of speaking normally. Must be a cultural thing with some nationalities. Can be unpleasant and is so unseemly.

I agree on one of the above comments,

Great Britain - 1 day but that's actually exaggerated, 5 days enough though (Britain 3 - London 1, Cornwall 1, Other 1, Wales 1 Scotland 1), every cities in Britain so similar, it's not a country for real adventurer tourist, it's more like transit country whereas

Japan - at least 1 month (Hokkaido to Tokyo to Okinawa, so much difference)

Japan is an amazing holiday destination.My favorite country hands down.The people are warm and friendly and the sights are incredible.Ive travelled there twice and going again in the future.