Toshima Ward on Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo's busiest hubs, launched a committee last December to consider ideas to boost its nightlife entertainment. It is building an outdoor theatre at a park near Ikebukuro Station to attract more visitors with artistic and cultural interests, in hopes to retain people even after shows have ended.
Japan’s local authorities are exploring options to boost its nightlife experience for foreign tourists, with suggestions to include night markets in parks and DJ events using street vendors. Officials also aim to encourage more night outings to shows, restaurants and scenic spots across the country.
Toshima Ward on Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo's busiest hubs, launched a committee last December to consider ideas to boost its nightlife entertainment. It is building an outdoor theatre at a park near Ikebukuro Station to attract more visitors with artistic and cultural interests, in hopes to retain people even after shows have ended.
Meanwhile, the Osaka prefectural government has started providing subsidies to seven projects to enhance nighttime culture. In its busy Umeda district, Club Piccadilly, which puts on Friday night shows featuring ninja dancers, Japanese taiko drumming and electric shamisen instruments, was one of those chosen.
In Tokyo’s downtown areas of Shibuya and Ginza, the main drawback is that public train and bus services do not operate past midnight, leaving late night revellers with few or expensive transportation options.
In December, lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party proposed test-runs to allow trains and buses to operate into the early hours of the morning to enhance nightlife enjoyment.
According to Japan's Tourism Agency, a record 28.69 million foreigners visited Japan in 2017, with their total spending reaching an all-time high of 4.41 trillion yen (US$42 billion).