Government Wants 20 Million Foreign Tourists In 2020

[matsuki]

I suppose the Unassailable Fact that Japanese are vegetarians will always overpower first hand accounts of The Horrors.

Have you actually heard someone say that before? I've heard complaints about the lack of vegetarian options in a "Buddhist country" but never someone go so far as to say they thought the Japanese were vegetarians. Aren't the Japanese most famous for raw fish and Kobe beef?

Run into a few idiot like this...

It's half ignorance, half "well, I can always order food with or without what I don't want."

[Samurai_Jerk]

Reminds me of my Muslim friend who used to order the miso ramen because it didn't have chashuu in it. He chose not to ask what was in the soup stock. Same guy who won't let us cook pork on the same grill at the yakiniku place while he gulps down beer.

[matsuki]

Reminds me of my Muslim friend who used to order the miso ramen because it didn't have chashuu in it. He chose not to ask what was in the soup stock. Same guy who won't let us cook pork on the same grill at the yakiniku place while he gulps down beer.

Well, the Muslims I know like that are just feigning ignorance over what is obvious...the veg head idiots seem to talk about their "zen moments" and how Japan is a perfect place for vegans out of straight fucked (non-researched) perception that is some vegan-friendly paradise.

[kurogane]

That last bit seems to be the key. "They heard it from a JET" is my usual assumption. Muslims I can sympathise with: whadda kosher hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think dietary restrictions based on principle are for 12 year olds, so I just nod and translate when they pass the Vegheads the Yasai Itame that has had all the meat bits picked out. After it's been cooked up. Religious types, well, stupid but at least not quite as flaky as Personal Decision. And pork does send Muslims even nuttier than Jews, so that just seems the diplomatic response. Plus, I get to laugh half a bag off at these food fascists.

[Samurai_Jerk]

How Shanghai Is Driving Surge in Chinese Tourists to Japan

While shuffling his family aboard the 16-deck Quantum of the Seas in Shanghai, Yu Zhihong admitted he’s often told his kids that Japan is no good.

That didn’t stop the 45-year-old salesman from booking a trip across the East China Sea to his country’s longtime rival. “Japanese people are nice and have some good qualities,” Yu said ahead of his cruise last month. “I’m only upset with the Japanese government because we need to respect the history between us.”

Four million of Yu’s countrymen are expected to head to Japan this year to eat sushi and snap up rice cookers and electronic toilet seats, a two-thirds increase from last year. More than 40 percent were from the greater Shanghai area last year, according the local Japanese consulate, while Beijing accounted for about a quarter of Japanese visas granted.

The surge in Chinese holidaymakers is due to reasons such as a weaker yen cutting travel costs and an outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome making South Korea less desirable. Diplomatic ties have also thawed, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holding meetings almost three years after Japan’s purchase of disputed East China Sea islands set off anti-Japanese protests across China.

Less clear is why so many are coming from Shanghai. Su Zhiliang, a Shanghai Normal University history professor who focuses on Japan, attributes the trend to the eastern commercial hub’s pragmatic and cosmopolitan nature. As a center of colonialism during the previous century -- including Japan’s -- Shanghai has deep overseas ties, Su said.

[...]

Wang Hua, 33, who works in finance in Wuxi city, west of Shanghai, said diplomatic tensions with Japan didn’t factor in her decision to take her son aboard the SkySea Golden Era. She wanted to experience the country for itself.

“Politics is something for the government to worry about,” Wang said. “There’s a lot in Japan that we can borrow and learn from. So, I’m going this time to check out its people and culture.”

[Coligny]

And you know what...

That might be good...

You usually don't want to bomb the shit out of your fav vacation spot...

[matsuki]

And you know what...

That might be good...

You usually don't want to bomb the shit out of your fav vacation spot...

Usually...

[Samurai_Jerk]

Tourist Spending in Japan Reaches Record One Trillion Yen

Foreign tourists to Japan spent a record 1 trillion yen ($8.3 billion) in the three months through September as Chinese visitors -- encouraged by a weaker yen -- continued to splash their cash.

The number of visitors rose to 5.35 million, up 54 percent from the third quarter of 2014, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday. Not only are more people going to Japan, but they are spending more, with the average person using about 187,000 yen per trip -- a rise of 18 percent.

Chinese tourists accounted for 47 percent of the spending -- an average of about 281,000 yen per person -- followed by visitors from Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

[matsuki]

I wonder what % of that is washlets

[kurogane]

Toats same thoughts. LOL
BFF!

That certainly helps to explain why I can't get a room at a Toyoko Inn. Feckin Tourists...........

[Samurai_Jerk]

Toats same thoughts. LOL
BFF!

That certainly helps to explain why I can't get a room at a Toyoko Inn. Feckin Tourists...........

The difference between this year and last is shockingly obvious. There are tour buses parked everywhere and since Asakusa doesn't have the infrastructure to handle the increased numbers they're often on quiet residential backstreets. I'm sure you can imagine how that makes the locals feel. I've even seen huge groups of preteens on what seem to be school trips. My favorite part is that the complaints I hear from the locals are the same complaints I heard about the Japanese as a kid in America in the 80's. When I tell that to a bitching local it usually gets a smile out of them. Most of the Chinese who are coming seem to be pretty well behaved so I think the tour companies are educating them but the sheer number is getting annoying.

[Russell]

Toats same thoughts. LOL
BFF!

That certainly helps to explain why I can't get a room at a Toyoko Inn. Feckin Tourists...........

The difference between this year and last is shockingly obvious. There are tour buses parked everywhere and since Asakusa doesn't have the infrastructure to handle the increased numbers they're often on quiet residential backstreets. I'm sure you can imagine how that makes the locals feel. I've even seen huge groups of preteens on what seem to be school trips. My favorite part is that the complaints I hear from the locals are the same complaints I heard about the Japanese as a kid in America in the 80's. When I tell that to a bitching local it usually gets a smile out of them. Most of the Chinese who are coming seem to be pretty well behaved so I think the tour companies are educating them but the sheer number is getting annoying.

Well, it's not that China has a shortage of people...

[kurogane]

Toats same thoughts. LOL
BFF!
That certainly helps to explain why I can't get a room at a Toyoko Inn. Feckin Tourists...........

The difference between this year and last is shockingly obvious. .

OOOOKKKKKKKKkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad I did my Tokyo Thing last year then. The 10,000 yen a night places seem to still be accessible, but any of the cheaper Toyoko Inn locations (ex. Asakusa Tsukuba) are getting booked out for one night on a Wednesday or Thursday night, and that sounds like Group bookings, which would make the free breakfast far too trying for my mornings. I found the groups I met at hotels last year to be fine: some spoke a bit of Japanese and the usual problems with That Language aside they were polite and happy. The merchants I know complained mostly about the night time drinking on the street, or having them bring in vending machine bought drinks and sitting in those Yatai places down the street from ROX, which is unspeakably rude, but heartwarmingly Chinese.

I also have the distinct impression that they don't really like each other all that much. Sort of like Brits and USers with extra venom.

Russell,
Yes. As a former tour guide I have always feared exactly that: it's not them, it's how many there is of them.

So, any suggestions for properly in Tokyo neighbourhoods that are accessible, have some hotels, shops and a touch of nightlife but might be off the beaten track for our new friends? I'll only be doing 2-3 days at a time this time, but the reservation gymnastics are starting to get tiresome.

[Samurai_Jerk]

More good news for Kurogane's next visit.

Chinese Visitors to Japan Double in October in Boon for Economy

The number of visitors to Japan rose to a record for the month of October, as arrivals from China doubled in response to the cheap yen and looser visa laws, a sign that the government’s efforts to boost tourism are paying off.

The number of visitors in October rose to 1.8 million, up 44 percent from last year, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday. Chinese visitors doubled to 445,600, followed by visitors from South Korea, who numbered 378,000. Visitors from Canada rose to 22,000, a record for a single month, the agency said.

[kurogane]

That explains Toyoko Inn's vacancy rate, or rather their non-vacancy rate. Feckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Samurai_Jerk]

That explains Toyoko Inn's vacancy rate, or rather their non-vacancy rate. Feckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Yeah, all you goddam Canadians.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Japan embraces Muslim visitors to bolster tourism

When Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party returned to power in December 2012, the value of the Japanese Yen was at about 85 to the US dollar.

His government's push for monetary easing devalued the Yen sharply, so that it now stands at about 120 Yen to the US dollar. One result of this is that it has now become much more affordable for overseas tourists to visit Japan.

The Abe government had initially set a target of attracting 20 million tourists each year by 2020.

But the acceleration in numbers has far outstripped expectations, meaning that the 20 million figure may be met this year - five years ahead of schedule. Now the government has revised its target upwards to 30 million tourists by 2020.

Muslim hospitality handbook

Muslim tourism, led by Malaysians and Indonesians, is a major part of this wave.

According to the figures compiled by the Japan National Tourism Organization, by the end of October 2015 the number of Malaysian inbound tourists had risen by 18.2 percent over last year's figures. The one-year jump in the numbers of Indonesians visiting Japan was even more dramatic at 30.8 percent.

When the total numbers are calculated, it appears that something like 270,000 Malaysian and just under 200,000 Indonesians will have visited Japan this year. Naturally, smaller numbers of Muslim tourists are visiting from other nations as well.

Japanese local governments and businesses have been responding proactively to this new set of customers arriving on their shores.

For example, Aichi Prefecture in central Japan recently published a Japanese-language Muslim Hospitality Handbook to teach the Japanese how they should behave when Muslim customers enter their shops.

With its cartoon illustrations, this handbook covers a lot of ground in its 15 pages - outlining basic Muslim beliefs and global demographics, common difficulties that Muslims face when visiting Japan, the facilities that Muslims need in order to pray, the locations of the local mosques, the food Muslims can eat, and wi-fi services that Muslims visiting Japan might find helpful.

[Russell]

For example, Aichi Prefecture in central Japan recently published a Japanese-language Muslim Hospitality Handbook to teach the Japanese how they should behave when Muslim customers enter their shops.

With its cartoon illustrations, this handbook covers a lot of ground in its 15 pages - outlining basic Muslim beliefs and global demographics, [...] and wi-fi services that Muslims visiting Japan might find helpful.

Just wondering, but what special needs do Muslims have when it comes to Wi-fi?

[kurogane]

Ｇｌａｄ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｎｏｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｎｌｙ　ｏｎｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｂｌｉｎｋｅｄ　ａｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｏｎｅ．

[wagyl]

Having just hosted a Malay believer (and they come in many categories and styles, and if I am allowed to say it, if you are one of those people who insist on special plates for halal use then you would be better not travelling: you will freak out if you think that a non-believer sat on your bus seat before you) I thought I would look into this. I couldn't find the Aichi version, but I did find the national version.

http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001101142.pdf page 44

It helps Muslim guests who want to use smartphone apps which point to Mecca for prayers when they are out and about, if you provide them with free Wi-fi.

The guy I had staying was cool about most things, just went pescatarian, but he was in a multi-cultural relationship, with an ethnic Chinese, who was able to read ingredients lists for pork and alcohol anyway.

[Russell]

Having just hosted a Malay believer (and they come in many categories and styles, and if I am allowed to say it, if you are one of those people who insist on special plates for halal use then you would be better not travelling: you will freak out if you think that a non-believer sat on your bus seat before you) I thought I would look into this. I couldn't find the Aichi version, but I did find the national version.

http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001101142.pdf page 44

It helps Muslim guests who want to use smartphone apps which point to Mecca for prayers when they are out and about, if you provide them with free Wi-fi.

I figured it had something to do with the direction of Mecca, but what is wrong with a compass? Uses less electricity too...

[wagyl]

How do you know which compass point Mecca is from your current location? I suppose you could look that info up online, but the GPS based qibla indicators do the calculations for you. You might be surprised that for all of Japan there is a northerly component to the direction. For a fixed location, in the pamphlet there is the common suggestion to have an arrow drawn in the drawer you keep the Quran and Gideon's Bible and the copy of Theoretical Modern History in. Just pray that housekeeping does not rearrange the furniture.

Also, Russell, if you are quibbling about providing free Wi-fi to our guests, it is clear that you do not understand o-mo-te-na-shi.
In which case, you are fully integrated and have the same standard of understanding as the locals.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Don't all directions point to Mecca? The Earth is round.

[wagyl]

You have to get the shortest distance, which is why the direction from Japan follows the great circle with a northerly component. The requirements of Islamic faith lead to great advances in astronomy and geometry, and the scholars were very aware of the roughly spherical shape of the globe.

If you are on a cruise ship just south east of Pape'ete, you can go for your life! Just avoid the pork hangi and cocktails.

[Russell]

You have to get the shortest distance, which is why the direction from Japan follows the great circle with a northerly component. The requirements of Islamic faith lead to great advances in astronomy and geometry, and the scholars were very aware of the roughly spherical shape of the globe.

One cannot deny that.

Also, the word "algebra" has an Arabic origin (Al-Jabr), from the time that Arabs were still scholarly oriented.

Anyway, now I think about it, Christians have it easy: they just look upwards when praying. No app needed for that. Yet...

[kurogane]

That's because we worship the one and true Son of God given to us as our saviour who was born, sacrificed and raised to heaven to absolve us of our sin, rather than grovelling before a homicidal bearded paedobear idolatarised by the heretic troglodytes seduced by a false idol.

Or some such................maybe I should look into hosting Muslims?

[Wage Slave]

Don't all directions point to Mecca? The Earth is round.

You are thinking 2D and lines rather than 3D and a surface. If you travel in a straight line, only one line will take you exactly to Mecca. You have a choice of two headings of course. Typically, one the long way round and the other the short.

In practice, most Muslims I have met, just point their prayer mat at the wall closest to the correct direction. It never needed to be that precise. I suppose if you go the the nearest mosque, then that has all been taken care of for you.

[Mike Oxlong]

Don't all directions point to Mecca? The Earth is round.

You are thinking 2D and lines rather than 3D and a surface. If you travel in a straight line, only one line will take you exactly to Mecca. You have a choice of two headings of course. Typically, one the long way round and the other the short.

In practice, most Muslims I have met, just point their prayer mat at the wall closest to the correct direction. It never needed to be that precise. I suppose if you go the the nearest mosque, then that has all been taken care of for you.

That sounds rather reasonable. Look at you, humanizing the, the, the...the humans.

[wagyl]

That's because we worship the one and true Son of God given to us as our saviour who was born, sacrificed and raised to heaven to absolve us of our sin, rather than grovelling before a homicidal bearded paedobear idolatarised by the heretic troglodytes seduced by a false idol.

Or some such................maybe I should look into hosting Muslims?

Yeah, well you eat God's flesh and drink His blood too, but that is OK, He is a zombie who escaped alive from His tomb after His undeath, and inspired unnatural capitalisation of His pronoun.

[Russell]

That's because we worship the one and true Son of God given to us as our saviour who was born, sacrificed and raised to heaven to absolve us of our sin, rather than grovelling before a homicidal bearded paedobear idolatarised by the heretic troglodytes seduced by a false idol.

Or some such................maybe I should look into hosting Muslims?

Yeah, well you eat God's flesh and drink His blood too, but that is OK, He is a zombie who escaped alive from His tomb after His undeath, and inspired unnatural capitalisation of His pronoun.

Oh God, am I glad to be an atheist?

If only for being allowed a balanced diet.