Japan’s tourism agency reported a record influx of 17.78 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, fueled by a weakened yen that bolstered spending power for travelers earning stronger currencies.
The Japan National Tourism Organization disclosed on Friday that this figure for January to June exceeded the previous peak of 16.63 million in 2019 by over one million people.
South Koreans constituted the largest group of visitors, with 4.4 million arrivals, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Americans. This surge in tourism has provided a significant economic stimulus to Japan, which has grappled with sluggish growth for decades. However, it has also sparked local concerns.
In Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi prefecture, officials erected barriers in May to manage crowds at a popular Mount Fuji viewing spot. Similarly, Kyoto’s local council restricted tourist access to alleyways in the Gion district after reports of visitors harassing geishas.
Last month, the mayor of Himeji, Hideyasu Kiyomoto, stirred controversy by suggesting differential pricing, potentially charging foreigners six times more than locals to enter the city’s UNESCO-listed castle. These developments underscore the complex impact of Japan’s burgeoning tourism industry on local communities and cultural heritage sites.
