Japan Hotel Prices Rise, Battle Brewing Between Foreign and Domestic Tourists

Above, Tokyo's Hotel Asia Center of Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the huge influx in foreign visitors along with Japan's domestic travelers, hotel prices are rising in Tokyo and other metropolitan areas. This is leading to a "battle" for hotel rooms between those domestic and foreign tourists.

According to The Mainichi:

TOKYO -- The cost of staying at hotels in metropolitan Tokyo and regional Japanese cities keeps rising amid a surge in foreign visitors, with a survey by a Tokyo-based corporate analytics firm showing rates at key lodgings had risen by as much as over 50% year-on-year last fall.

A poll of room rates in October to December 2024 by Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. (TSR) covering 15 hotel brands across 13 publicly traded operators showed an increase from the same period of the year prior for all companies, as much as 1.6 times. "With room prices expected to rise further, the battle for room reservations between domestic travelers and inbound tourists is expected to intensify," the company commented.

The average rate per room at eight business hotel brands for which prices can be compared before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was 13,986 yen (some $98), up approximately 45% from October-December 2019. Rates at four higher-priced "city hotel" brands also increased by some 35% to 20,897 yen (around $146), exceeding 20,000 yen for the first time in the last five years as occupancy rates, which had slumped to the 20% range due to the coronavirus disaster, recovered to over 80%.

To read more, go here. 

7.3 Quake Strikes Japan, Jolts Tokyo

Above, a view of Tokyo from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're about a month away from the tenth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake that took place on March 11, 2011, but the planet decided to "celebrate" a little early.

According to The Mainichi:

TOKYO -- An estimated magnitude-7.3 earthquake hit off northeast Japan at around 11:08 p.m. on Feb. 13, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The temblor registered an upper 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. The quake was focused off Fukushima Prefecture at a depth of about 60 kilometers.

There was no risk of a tsunami from the quake, the agency said.

The temblor jolted the Tokyo metropolitan area.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Easing Domestic Travel Restrictions

Above, morning in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that things are improving enough in Japan for the government to lift the state of emergency over the coronavirus.

The Mainichi reported:

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is looking into relaxing restrictions on the movement of people between prefectures along with the lifting of the state of emergency declaration over the novel coronavirus.

However, the government will continue to call on people to refrain from visiting prefectures that are designated as requiring special precautionary measures. Even after taking some prefectures off the state of emergency list, the government will continue to request that organizers refrain from holding large-scale events and other gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. 

The government is poised to include these measures in a basic response policy to be revised on May 14. 

In lifting the state of emergency, the government plans to make the decision by looking at factors including the number of newly infected people during the most recent week or two, and the ratio of those whose route of infection remains unclear, as well as the availability of intensive care units and ventilators for treating severe cases and the implementation status of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Tourism To Japan Drops 58%

Above, the Godzilla mural at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Not since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake hit has Japan seen such a major drop in foreign tourism.

The coronavirus has caused a big hit upon Japan's tourism industry.

The Mainichi reported:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The number of foreign visitors to Japan posted the largest drop in nearly nine years in February with a 58.3 percent plunge, dented by travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, government data showed Thursday. 

An estimated 1.09 million foreigners visited Japan last month, down sharply from 2.60 million a year earlier, after China banned all outbound group travel in late January. Chinese travelers accounted for 30 percent of all overseas visitors in 2019, the biggest among other countries and regions. 

The drop in February was the fifth straight month of decline and the biggest since April 2011 when the figure plummeted 62.5 percent after a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan the previous month, causing the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

To read more, go here.

Three Japanese Cities Make Top Ten List of Best Large Cities

Above, Asakusa and the Sumida River from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Three Japanese cities have been named to the top ten list of the world's best large cities.

According to The Mainichi:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka rank among the world's best 10 large cities -- with the Japanese capital topping the list for a fourth successive year -- according to U.S. luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler.

It is the first time three Japanese cities have made the top 10, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. 

Kyoto ranked second for the second year in a row, while Osaka moved up to fifth from 12th, according to the magazine.

To read more, go here.

Foreign Visitors To Japan 3.8% Higher In February Than A Year Earlier

Above, visitors at Kiyomizu-dera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign tourism to Japan is still climbing as February's figures show a higher rate than at the same time last year.

The Mainichi reported:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in February rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier to a record 2,604,300, but the growth in Chinese tourists slowed significantly compared with the previous month, the government said Tuesday.

To read more, go here. 

NY Times Travel Show Ends Today

Above, the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to be in the New York City area, the New York Times Travel Show will be ending today, so you may want to head over there while you still can.

Japan is promoting tourism at the show which is being held at the Jacob Javitz Center.

According to The Mainichi:

NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Travel agencies and organizations from Japan pitched the country as a perfect destination for American tourists at the annual New York Times Travel Show, which opened on Friday. 

"One of our main efforts is to disperse travelers throughout Japan," Keiko Matsuura, a spokeswoman for the Japan National Tourism Organization, said, adding, "We are trying to introduce lesser known regions." 

Akita Inu Tourism was among the bodies present at the exhibition, promoting its "land of Akita dogs" in the prefecture located in northeastern Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Direct Train From Tokyo To Mt. Fuji To Debut

Above, a shinkansen train view of Mt. Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A new Japan Rail (JR) train service will take visitors directly from Tokyo to Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture starting next March.

According to The Mainichi:

TOKYO -- A limited express train service connecting Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko stations will debut this coming March, mainly targeting inbound tourists looking to travel directly from Tokyo to enjoy views of Mount Fuji. 

Dubbed the "Fuji Excursion," the service will connect Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and Kawaguchiko Station on Fuji Kyuko's Kawaguchiko Line in Yamanashi Prefecture near Mount Fuji, Japan's highest and most famous peak. 

The launch of the new service will come as part of revisions to the train schedules of the seven Japan Railway group companies on March 16, 2019. The outline of the updated timetable was released on Dec. 14.

To read more, go here. 

Narita Airport Hiring More Foreign Workers

Above, Narita Airport's departure Terminal 1. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Need a job? Would you like to work at an airport in Japan?

If so, this may be your lucky day! To meet the influx in foreign visitors to Japan, Narita Airport is looking to hire more foreign workers.

According to the Mainichi:

CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- Japan's largest international gateway is hiring more foreigners to better serve non-Japanese visitors as they arrive in increasing numbers under the government's policy to promote inbound tourism. 

The move by Narita International Airport Corp. comes as the country seeks to attract 40 million visitors by 2020, when Tokyo hosts the Olympics and Paralympic, and 60 million by 2030, so as to achieve economic growth amid a shrinking domestic market characterized by an aging population and a persistently low birthrate. 

The transport ministry is now considering creating a new visa status to expand foreign employment at airports nationwide to counter expected shortages of Japanese workers there.

To read more, go here. 

Visitor Numbers To Japan Up 15.6% In 1st Half of 2018

Above, the Godzilla mural at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The numbers of foreign visitors to Japan are increasing year-by-year. 2018 is continuing with that trend.

The Mainichi reported:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in January to June rose 15.6 percent from a year earlier to 15.89 million, a record for the six-month period, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday. 

If the pace of increase is maintained, the annual figure will top 30 million for the first time. The government aims to attract 40 million foreign visitors in 2020 when Tokyo hosts the Olympics and Paralympics.

To read more, go here.

2.6 Million Foreign Visitors To Japan In May

Above, a statue in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan soared last month.

The Mainichi Daily News reported:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in May soared 16.6 percent from a year earlier to 2,675,000, a record for the month, the Japan Tourism Agency said Wednesday.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Visitors To Japan Tops 10 Million In January-April

Above, the Saikai Bridge in Kyushu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More visitors are heading into Japan at a faster pace.

The Mainichi Daily News reported:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan from January to April topped 10 million, reaching that level at the fastest pace on record, the Japan Tourism Agency said Thursday.

With the latest data, the annual number of overseas visitors to the country has now reached 10,519,300, up 15.4 percent from a year earlier and exceeding 10 million for the sixth straight year, the agency said. The previous record pace was set from January to May last year.

To read more, go here.

Verne Troyer, "Mini-Me", Dead At 49

Here's another actor who has died too young.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported:

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Verne Troyer, who played Dr. Evil's small, silent sidekick "Mini-Me" in the "Austin Powers" movie franchise, has died. He was 49. 

A statement provided by Troyer's representatives that was also posted to his Instagram and Facebook accounts said the actor died Saturday. 

No cause of death was given, but the statement describes Troyer as a "fighter" who was unable to overcome a recent bout of adversity then goes on to discuss depression and suicide.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Plans "Exit Tax"

Above, the Kachidoki Bridge that was toppled over by Godzilla in 1954. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan may be subjected to an "exit tax" if the proposed plan is enacted.

According to The Mainichi:

The Japanese government is moving toward preparations to enact an "exit tax" on people leaving Japan starting in fiscal 2019, the first new national tax in 27 years. 

The tax would be 1,000 yen per person and be included in the price of the traveler's plane ticket out of the country. The tax plan will be included in the outline of 2018 fiscal year tax revisions planned to be compiled at the end of 2017 with the aim of enacting the tax the next fiscal year. If introduced, it will be the first new permanent tax since the 1992 land value tax.

To read more, go here. 

Expedia and Kyoto Partner Up

Above, the Kinkaku-ji "Golden Pavilion". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like Kyoto, Japan is going to be getting more foreign visitors.

According to The Mainichi:

KYOTO -- The Japanese subsidiary of U.S. travel giant Expedia, Inc. signed a regional vitalization comprehensive partnership agreement with the Kyoto Municipal Government on Sept. 27, it has been learned. 

Under the agreement, Expedia Holdings K.K. and the city government will work toward attracting more foreign visitors to the ancient city, as well as bolstering experience-based tourism -- as part of a drive toward increasing the number of visitors who stay in Kyoto, in addition to the length of time they spend there.

To read more, go here. 

'Inbound Insurance' For Japan Visitors

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan hit a record 24.04 million in 2016. While this is great for Japan's economy and with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics just around the corner. This also presents a problem. Many foreigners who had to seek medical care while in Japan didn't pay their bills.

Insurers are looking to push for more "inbound insurance" to be made available to visitors.

According to The Mainichi:

Major non-life insurance firms are focusing their efforts on the sale of "inbound insurance" to foreign visitors coming to Japan that covers illness and injury, it has been learned. 

With the number of inbound tourists rapidly increasing, there has been a spate of uninsured foreigners receiving medical care before returning home without paying -- prompting insurance firms to offer and promote "inbound insurance" to individual travelers as well as companies involved in their trips.

To read more, go here.

Documents Reveal 19th Century Tensions Between Japan and U.S. Over Hawaii

Above, waterfalls on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Long before the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, there were tensions between the United States, Japan and the then-Kingdom of Hawaii during the 19th Century, newly discovered documents reveal.

According to The Mainichi:

Documents on diplomatic relations between Japan and the then Kingdom of Hawaii recently discovered in the Hawaii State Archives highlight 19th century political maneuvering over the islands' fate among three sovereign actors -- Japan, Hawaii and the United States. 

Last year, a team led by historian Toru Hoya at the University of Tokyo's Historiographical Institute photographed roughly 7,000 archive documents dating from 1861, when Hawaii was still an independent kingdom, to 1898, when it was annexed by the U.S.  

In 1893, American farmers and other mainly non-native citizens overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in a coup d'etat. The Japanese government dispatched warship Naniwa in the name of protecting Japanese citizens on the islands, while at the same time attempting to keep the U.S. in check.

To read more, go here.

Families of Allied Troops Donating To Hiroshima Peace Museum

Above, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Families of allied soldiers have been making donations of photographs and artifacts to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, according to the Mainichi Shimbun.

They wrote:

HIROSHIMA -- The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has been receiving donations of materials, including photographs capturing Hiroshima in the aftermath of the 1945 atomic bombing, from the children and grandchildren of mostly Allied troops stationed in the city after Japan's surrender. 

A curator at the museum appreciates the donations, saying that some of the photos "show common people in the streets, and that's something that is rarely found in official military documents."

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tops 10 Million Visitors At Fastest Pace

Above, the Godzilla statue in Hibiya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While you're sitting at home as a couch potato, millions of others are heading into Japan and buying up all those Godzilla toys.

Just kidding. But the pace of visitors going to Japan is breaking new records.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The estimated number of annual foreign visitors to Japan surpassed 10 million as of May 13, the fastest pace to reach the level, Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Akihiko Tamura said Friday. 

With the latest data, the annual number of foreign visitors to the country has exceeded 10 million for the fifth straight year. The pace of reaching the figure came about three weeks earlier than last year.

To read more, go here. 

2.2 Million Visitors Came To Japan In January

Above, Asakusa at night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan hit the second-highest monthly record in January.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in January soared 24.0 percent from a year earlier to 2,295,700, marking the second-highest monthly figure after last July, a government body said Wednesday.

To read more, go here.