Japan has set a new tourism record in 2024, attracting visitors from across the globe to its renowned hot springs and picturesque landscapes. The country recorded nearly 36 million visitors between January 1 and November 30, a significant milestone noted by the Japan government. This influx includes almost three million Americans, marking a record high as confirmed by Noguchi. However, the rising popularity of Japan as a travel destination has sparked concerns about infrastructure and crowd management.
Many of Japan's iconic onsen towns have already implemented bathing taxes, according to Fox News Digital. As local governments grapple with the surge in tourists, there is a growing conversation around introducing broader tourism taxes. Asano, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, highlighted this necessity due to insufficient public facilities and infrastructure to accommodate the high volume of visitors.
“Many local governments in Japan [are] thinking about introducing a tourism tax. This is because many tourists visit there, but they don’t have … a public toilet for tourists or some didn’t have enough infrastructure for the tourists,” – Asano
The debate over overtourism is particularly heated in Kyoto, one of Japan's cultural hubs. Noguchi pointed out that taxation could potentially alleviate some of these challenges by funding improvements that would enhance visitor experiences.
“In Japan or especially in Kyoto, there is a big debate for overtourism. So, to make a solution for overtourism, maybe taxation could be [the] option,” – Noguchi
The Japanese government has set an ambitious target to welcome 60 million tourists annually by 2030. This strategy involves investing in regional areas beyond the usual tourist circuits of Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Osaka.
“In 2030, we want the goal to [reach] 60 million people. … We will make an effort to increase [and] welcome more tourists from international countries. So that’s why we decided to invest in the local area. Other than Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, we hope to encourage tourist[s] to visit these destinations,” – Asano
A recent report by the Japan Tourism Board Foundation and the Development Bank of Japan found that 30% of visitors encountered overcrowding at popular spots. This underscores the need for strategic planning to ensure sustainable tourism growth while preserving the charm and heritage that draw travelers to Japan.
“So they need to invest in infrastructure. That’s why they [are] thinking to increase these taxes, that tax income makes more comfortable or convenient for the tourists. I think this trend will continue,” – Asano
Leave a Reply