Japan not tourist friendly

[Jack]

Buraku in my other thread made an interesting observation that everyone knows: Japan is not tourist friendly. Is that on purpose? Despite being a strong Japanophile myself, I often discourage friends from visiting on their own if they have not had exposure to Asian culture before. The reason is the language barrier and the fact that the country is totally tourist unfriendly. I am wondering if that's how they want it.

Airport statistics for 2007 show that Haneda is the world's fourth busiest and Narita the 24th busiest.

1- Atlanta - 89.4 million PAX
2- Chicago 76.2
3- Heathrow 68.1
4- Haneda - 66.7

Combining Narita and Haneda together gives a total PAX traffic of 102.2 million.
London's three main airports together have combined traffic of 127.1 million. The statistics do not show the full picture because the Tokyo traffic of 102 million is majority Tokyo originating. Based on some travel agent industry statistics I saw, 80% of traffic is outbound while in London we can perhaps guess that over 50% would be inbound (foreigners visiting London). So there is a whole bunch of Japanese going abroad and not many foreigners coming in, more than any other country. Increasing the proportion of inbound tourism could give a big boost to the economy but maybe the Japanese don't want it?

[plaid_knight]

Towards the end of my contract in Japan, I (not really) jokingly said to a friend that I used to love Japan before I went to live and work there.

Just out of curiosity though, what would people come over and see? What do you think would be the tourist spots?

[Mulboyne]

It's an interesting subject and one which crops up regularly on FG because it is a major topic for policymakers. Here are a few related threads:

Government Wants 20 Million Foreign Tourists In 2020

Japan Wants Rich Foreigners

Hello Kitty is named Japan tourism ambassador

The trouble with 'Yokoso'

Alex Kerr Named As Yokoso! Ambassador

Best Official Japan Souvenirs

Use Your Overseas Cards In 7-11 Cash Machines

[Charles]

Discussions of whether something is "X-friendly" always reminds me of an old Unix saying, "Unix isn't user-friendly, Unix requires users to be Unix-friendly." And it's the same way with Japan. If you're not a good traveler, you will not have good travels in Japan. You have to be come more than halfway to Japan, so to speak.
People always ask about traveling to Japan, and then put little riders on the deal, like "I'm a lacto-ovo pescetarian vegetarian, what ever will I do about my special diet?" I tell them, "I guess you're going to eat fish and LIKE IT, or starve."

[Jack]

Towards the end of my contract in Japan, I (not really) jokingly said to a friend that I used to love Japan before I went to live and work there.

Just out of curiosity though, what would people come over and see? What do you think would be the tourist spots?

Mt. Fuji? Kyoto? Hiroshima? Odaiba? Shibuya Hachiko crossing? Heck, I don't know.

I ask the same of people visiting Toronto. Other than Niagara Falls I don't know where to take them. But loads of Americans still come to visit.

[Greji]

Mt. Fuji? Kyoto? Hiroshima? Odaiba? Shibuya Hachiko crossing? Heck, I don't know.

I ask the same of people visiting Toronto. Other than Niagara Falls I don't know where to take them. But loads of Americans still come to visit.

You can never go wrong with whore houses.

[AssKissinger]

"I'm a lacto-ovo pescetarian vegetarian, what ever will I do about my special diet?"

I hate people like that.

[Caustic Saint]

:ramen: I hate people like that.

Agreed!

The one that kills me is, "how can I stay on Atkins while in Japan?"

[TravellingMan]

Mt. Fuji? Kyoto? Hiroshima? Odaiba? Shibuya Hachiko crossing? Heck, I don't know.

I ask the same of people visiting Toronto. Other than Niagara Falls I don't know where to take them. But loads of Americans still come to visit.

Not having been to Japan yet....
I thought of Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Shinkansen Railway, a Geisha House, the monkeys that I've seen on TV, also try out the different types of accommodation that are available only in Japan.

Having travelled extensively in Europe I always try to go to places where the locals hang out, rather than the tourist spots (too many bloody english around) ), as for language, isn't that what the hands are for + a decent phrase book.

and as long as there is cooked fish and cooked meats available then I won't starve.....

Bob

[AssKissinger]

I always try to go to places where the locals hang out,

I've always found that comment a little off putting. Probably because the people I have heard say it seem to have a very loose definition of out of the way. I remember this guy saying that in Calcutta and we were in hotel that only catered to foreigners.

[AssKissinger]

and you don't want to end up like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WYQQRMLtcc

[sillygirl]

Not having been to Japan yet....
I thought of Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Shinkansen Railway, a Geisha House, the monkeys that I've seen on TV, also try out the different types of accommodation that are available only in Japan.

Having travelled extensively in Europe I always try to go to places where the locals hang out, rather than the tourist spots (too many bloody english around) ), as for language, isn't that what the hands are for + a decent phrase book.

and as long as there is cooked fish and cooked meats available then I won't starve.....

Bob

No need to be racist now...

[TravellingMan]

I've always found that comment a little off putting. Probably because the people I have heard say it seem to have a very loose definition of out of the way. I remember this guy saying that in Calcutta and we were in hotel that only catered to foreigners.

Well I only ever use hotels when I have to, and even then only to sleep in, I normally try for B&Bs or colleagues/friends houses, a lot cheaper and that way you get to talk to someone who actually lives in the place and they can either show or tell you where to go.

Having been a railway worker for 25 odd years, I have a few friends in different countries, mainly europe, who can give me tips on the way.

[TravellingMan]

No need to be racist now...

Oh! it's okay, they think we're all tightwads, my ancestry is Scots

[Samurai_Jerk]

and you don't want to end up like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WYQQRMLtcc

Her parents must be so proud.