Japan is one of the hottest travel destinations in the world now, so
much so that locals are complaining of the effects of overtourism. But
despite that, Japan's tourism agency chief, Ichiro Takahashi, has
reaffirmed the country's ambitious goal of attracting 60 million foreign
tourists annually, more than double the current level.
This target comes as Japan welcomed over 25 million international
visitors in 2023 following the lifting of pandemic-era border
restrictions. Takahashi acknowledged the challenge but expressed
confidence in achieving this goal.
"It is a figure that we can very much achieve by making the right
efforts," he stated at a Tokyo briefing. He added, "There are still many
little-known places in Japan that are left unexplored by tourists from
overseas - I believe Japan has infinite tourism resources."
Recent government statistics show that foreign tourist arrivals have
exceeded three million for three consecutive months as of May 2024.
However, this influx has reignited concerns about overtourism in various
parts of the country.
In response, some local governments are considering measures to
manage tourist impact. Himeji city is reportedly contemplating
significantly higher admission fees for foreign visitors to its World
Heritage site, Himeji Castle.
Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto explained, "A wooden structure will be worn
out and become more brittle after many people climb up and down,"
emphasising the need to "curb overtourism."
Similarly, Mount Fuji has seen the installation of a new crowd-control barrier on a popular photo spot. This follows a recent incident where a nearby town blocked views of the iconic volcano to deter tourists.