In Japan, records for foreign tourists were broken in June and July, and the influx of foreign visitors continued into August, particularly in the bustling streets of Harajuku and Shibuya, popular tourist areas in the capital, Tokyo.
The Far Eastern country of Japan continues to be a focal point for tourists. Following a record number of visitors in June and July, the interest from foreign tourists continued this month as well. Over the weekend, there was a heavy presence of foreign visitors in Harajuku and Shibuya, two of Tokyo's most popular tourist areas. The streets were filled with tourists, some capturing memories with photos while others enjoyed shopping.
Burhan Keleş, who works at a kebab shop on one of Shibuya's busiest streets, noted that the increase in foreign tourists was partly due to the recent depreciation of the Japanese yen. "This has positively impacted our business," said Keleş. "Even though it's usually a slow season, our business is better than during normal seasons. While our usual customers are mostly Japanese, the influx of foreign visitors this year has resulted in more foreign customers."
"The reason for the influx of foreign visitors is social media"
Leo Brown, who came from Melbourne, Australia, mentioned that he chose Japan because it is currently experiencing summer, unlike his home country, which is in winter. Brown attributed the surge in tourists to social media, saying, "Social media, especially TikTok, is filled with content about Japan and tourist attractions. I believe this is the main factor."
Michael Sean, a U.S. citizen living in Japan, said that the tourist boom had multiple causes. He pointed out that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant factor, stating, "Once people regained the opportunity to travel, many from regions like Europe and the U.S. started coming to Japan. In recent years, airline tickets were also very expensive." Sean added that social media usage and interest in Japanese culture have also increased the number of foreign visitors, saying, "As a result, more visitors than ever have come to the country, leading to a tourist boom."
Japanese citizen Nana Ozawa commented on foreigners' interest in Japan, saying, "First of all, Japan is very safe. The food is delicious, and there are fantastic places to see."
Visitor Record Broken
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan reached a record 3.14 million in June, and the record was renewed with 3.29 million visitors in July.