Survey Asks Foreign Tourists What Bothered Them In Japan

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's tourism boom isn't showing any signs of abating. Foreign travelers are still flocking to the Land of the Rising Sun in droves.

That doesn't mean that there aren't a few things that those travelers find bothersome.

A survey found some interesting responses. SoraNews24 posted the results.

They begin with:

Japan’s unprecedented inbound international travel boom isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, and it’s been going on long enough that it’s clear tourists are really enjoying themselves during their time in the country. But no travel destination is perfect, and so the Japan Tourism Agency, part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, has been conducting interviews with foreign travelers as they finish up their journeys in Japan to see what kind of problems they encountered.

Between July and December of 2024 the agency interviewed 4,189 foreign travelers prior to their departures from Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Fukuoka, and New Chitose Airports, Japan’s largest international air gateways. When asked what sort of things had bothered, troubled, or annoyed them during their trip, 6.1 percent said they’d had difficulty finding free Wi-Fi and public Internet service, and 8.6 percent had complaints about immigration processing upon their arrival in Japan, with how long it took for them to go through the process after landing being the primary problem.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Set To Waive Tourist Restrictions

Above, yours truly at Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. 

Japan is being forced to allow visa-free tourists into the country due to the collapse of the yen and the lifting of COVID restrictions.

It has yet to announce the change, but it is expected to go into effect in October.

According to Fox Business:

The Japanese government is walking back years of harsh travel restrictions as the yen collapses in value due to a stagnant economy and weak trade.

Japan will allow all travelers with at least three COVID-19 vaccine injections or a negative test result to enter the country without the need for a visa.

Japan until recently has all but completely rejected foreigners seeking entry or re-entry into the country.

The dramatic reversal was announced as the Japanese government struggles to keep the yen from further collapse.

From Reuters:

Sept 15 (Reuters) - Japan is expected to waive visa requirements for certain tourists and remove a limit on daily arrivals in October as it aims to benefit from a rebound in global tourism, Nikkei reported on Thursday.

Following the change, Japan will not require visas for short-term travelers from the United States and certain other countries, and will scrap the daily entry cap of 50,000 people, the media outlet said.

From The Guardian: 

Japan could return to unfettered tourism by the end of next month as pressure builds on the government to end Covid-19 travel restrictions and cash in on a weak yen.

Officials are reportedly considering removing the current daily cap of 50,000 arrivals, which includes returning residents, and a return to visa-free travel. A rule requiring individual travellers to make bookings through travel agencies could also be lifted, according to media reports.

Japan: Accepting Tour Groups June 10

Above, a view from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nikkei Asia just reported that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a resumption of tourism:

TOKYO -- Japan will reopen its borders to international tourists on June 10, starting with tour groups, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Thursday.

To read more, go here. 

Additionally, Time Out Tokyo posted:

Despite many setbacks, Japan has started to slowly resume travel and tourism. This month, a limited number of foreign tourists were allowed to enter on a trial basis and more border restrictions are set to ease further from June 1. 

As reported by The Yomiuri Shimbun, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced tonight (Thursday May 26) that Japan will now allow foreign tourists to enter the country via package tours from Friday June 10, ahead of a full resumption of inbound tourism. Additionally, international flights will be expanded to cover Sapporo's New Chitose Airport and Okinawa's Naha Airport. 

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Skytree Reached Full Height 11 Years Ago

Above, a view of Tokyo Skytree from Roppongi's Tokyo City View. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This month marks 11 years when the Tokyo Skytree reached its full height while it was under construction. Construction of the Tokyo Skytree began on July 14, 2008 and it opened on May 22, 2012. 

Above, Tokyo Skytree under construction in December 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to Wikipedia:

Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634 meters in March 2011, making it the tallest tower in the world, displacing the Canton Tower, and the second tallest structure in the world after the Burj Khalifa.

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

I first saw the Tokyo Skytree for myself in December 2010. I visited it in 2014 but didn't go up to any of its observation decks until 2015. 

Above, Tokyo Skytree at night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Tokyo Skytree replaced Tokyo Tower as the primary Tokyo broadcasting tower as tall buildings around Tokyo Tower affected its broadcasting signals. 

Above, a view of the Sumida River, Asahi Beer Hall and Asakusa from
 an observation deck of the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is only blocks away from the Asahi Beer Hall and the Sumida River. 

The official Tokyo Skytree website can be accessed here.

The Travel: What To Expect In Tokyo

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to the United Nations, Tokyo is the world's most populated metropolitan are at  37.5 million people. 

While it has a lot of people, it is still a great place to visit.

Since foreign tourists are not allowed into Japan at present due to the pandemic, The Travel has posted things one should expect while in Tokyo, in the meantime. Also, they have plenty of photographs to enjoy.

They begin with:

As far as the world's metropolises go, Tokyo is pretty big. Tokyo has grown to become what is generally considered to be the world's most populated metropolitan area. Tokyo is so massive that it dominates Japan and no trip to Japan could be complete without visiting the city.

Perhaps surprisingly, Tokyo does not have a long history (by Asian standards) and there are plenty more historical cities in Japan - like Kyoto. But it is the beating heart of modern Japan. Before one goes to Japan, it may be beneficial to learn some essential Japanese words and phrases for first-timers.

To read more, go here. 

Top 10 Reasons to Come Back To Tokyo

Above, a view from Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The time will eventually come when tourists can go back to Japan and savor its delights. Whenever that'll be, tourists will be ready with lists of things to see and do. Right now, Japan is having a difficult time getting the coronavirus under control.

One source posted today the top ten reasons to come back to Tokyo. 

It is Modern Diplomacy and they compiled a good list.

They begin with:

Rediscover Japan’s captivating capital with these top 10 experiences, curated by the Concierge team at Four Seasons.

To see what their ten best reasons to come back to Tokyo, go here. 

Japan Keeps Foreign Visitor Ban

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is sure going to be interesting to see how the Tokyo Olympics this summer fare considering that there are still restrictions on foreign nationals on entering Japan.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- Japan will maintain tight controls on the entry of foreign nationals following the extension of a state of emergency covering Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures to curb COVID-19, just weeks before preparations for the Olympics begin in earnest.

The emergency extension comes as authorities have been particularly vigilant in guarding against spikes in coronavirus cases as the countdown to hosting the Tokyo Games this summer begins. Once the declaration is lifted, currently scheduled for March 21, less than a week before the Olympic torch relay is set to begin, the government will welcome visitors first from countries that have not detected new coronavirus variants.

Business travel exemptions with China, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam for short trips are likely to remain suspended as virus variants have been found in these countries.

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Tower Is Open

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo's iconic Tokyo Tower had been closed for nearly two months due to COVID-19, but now it has reopened.

Stars and Stripes reported:

TOKYO — A popular, landmark tourist spot reopened in Tokyo with the recent easing of a state of emergency imposed by the Japanese government nearly two months ago to curb the coronavirus pandemic. 

Tokyo Tower, an iconic red and white communications and observation structure in central Tokyo, opened its doors Thursday for the first time since April 8, according to the tower’s website. 

However, the popular tourist destination will operate with shorter hours than usual, with the main deck open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m daily. 

The number of visitors riding the elevator at one time will be limited as an anti-coronavirus measure, the tower’s website stated.

To read more, go here. 

Japan's Tourism Industry Taking Major Losses From Coronavirus

Above, Tokyo Skytree is seen in the distance from Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's tourism industry is taking a major hit from the effects of the coronavirus that became a pandemic in China.

New Straits Times reported:

TOKYO: Japan's tourism industry will suffer losses in hundreds of million dollars from tourism when its two biggest airlines cancel flights from China. 

Both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways announced they are slashing the number of flights to and from China because of a slump in demand following the deadly coronavirus outbreak from Wuhan. 

Japan's two biggest airlines say they are slashing the number of flights to and from China because of a slump in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Similarly, smaller airlines like Jetstar Japan and Spring Airlines Japan are cancelling services too. 

Jetstar Japan will halt flights connecting Narita with Shanghai from today. 

The flight cancellations will have a snowball chain-reaction on Japanese hotels, travel and tour, shopping malls, food and beverage industries, with an estimated 400,000 Chinese visitors cancelling trips to Japan until March. 

JAL will suspend services connecting Tokyo's Narita International with Beijing and Shanghai, and flights between Chubu airport in central Japan, and Shanghai.
The suspensions will start Feb 17 and are slated to run until March 28. 

ANA will also pull out its Narita-Beijing route from Feb 10 until late March.

To read more, go here.

Seeing Tokyo From An Observation Deck

Above, a view from Tokyo City View atop Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Believe it or not, Tokyo has a population of over 38 million people.

To fully appreciate the city's population and all of the buildings necessary to house and employ them, one should go to any one of Tokyo's several observation decks.

I've been to three observation decks in Tokyo over the years:

• Tokyo Tower
• Mori Tower (Roppongi Hills)
• Tokyo Skytree

Above, a view from Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan Today has posted an article on seeing panoramic view of Tokyo. Some observation decks charge a fee and some have free access.

They begin with:

TOKYO - Tokyo is a gigantic concrete jungle built on layers of tradition and culture. It's difficult to grasp the enormity of Japan's capital in just a few days. 

One way to gain some perspective on the complex city is to get above it — way above it. 

Skip the sidewalks and subways and take an elevator to any one of the observation decks that dot the cityscape for a stunning vista. No two perches offer the same view, but they are all spectacular.

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

To read more, go here. 

Best Tokyo Observation Decks

Above, Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View atop Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you have been to Tokyo before, but have never viewed the city from a high observation deck, taking the time to check out the skyline from up high is something that should be included on your next visit.

Time Out Tokyo has a list of places that offer the best views of the city.

They start with:

To realise how massive Tokyo is, it's best to head up to one of the many observation decks in the city, where you can look out at our megalopolis, with views that stretch out to as far as the iconic Mt Fuji, Yokohama or Chichibu on a clear day.  

The landmark Tokyo Tower is a popular option, especially since it has recently opened the Top Deck, which is at 250 meters high. Tokyo Skytree attracts a fair share of the tourist crowd too; its Tembo Galleria, at a height of 450m, makes the concrete jungle below look like a miniature world − definitely not for those who are afraid of heights. 

While a visit to some of these observation decks often come with prices as lofty as the view, we have also included a free option on our list. Here's our guide to the best vantage points in Tokyo, where you can expect to be dazzled by the sprawling cityspace and beautiful architecture.

To read more, go here. 

Time Out Tokyo: Dos and Don'ts For Tourists

Above, Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When one is going to a foreign country, it is best to study their customary etiquette so that visitors can avoid making embarrassing goofs.

Thankfully, Time Out Tokyo has a comprehensive guide on Japan's dos and don'ts for tourists.

They begin it with:

Japan is a friendly and welcoming country, steep in history and tradition. While visitors are often amazed at how polite, courteous and gracious the society is, most first-timers may experience some sort of culture shock. Especially since there are many unspoken rules on what to do and how to behave in public, which are unique to this country. 

From the culture of queueing up and train etiquette to handshakes and blowing your nose in public (yes, it's frowned upon), we have compiled this comprehensive guide to help you avoid any faux pas while travelling in the country. Here's to enjoying the best of Japan like a local.

To read more, go here. 

Accessible Tokyo

Above, the National Art Center as viewed from Tokyo City View. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just because a person is disabled and confined to a wheelchair doesn't mean that he/she won't be able to enjoy many attractions in Tokyo.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on some of the more popular attractions in Tokyo that are accessible to those who are disabled.

They begin with:

Most Tokyoites would probably agree if we were to claim that accessibility and openness is one area in which the city can do better. But that's not to say Tokyo is entirely off limits for those with disabilities: determined to unlock Tokyo for absolutely everyone, we've taken up the task of creating a truly inclusive guide to the capital. Read on and find out how to see the city from a different perspective – and where to view art while sitting down, how to tour Asakusa in a wheelchair and much more.

To read more, go here. 

Free Tokyo Views

Above, a view from Tokyo City View at Mori Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Want to get a bird's eye view of Tokyo but don't wish to pay a lot or any money to do so, like this view from Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills? It takes a few yen to go get an above view from their Tokyo City View level.

City-Cost.com has a list of places where visitors can get a commanding view of the city.

They begin with:

Making holidays in Tokyo can be a very expensive business. But not everything around the Japan’s capital has to cost you a lot of money. One highlight of every city is seeing the area from above. Everyone knows Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. You can have an amazing view from above, but these towers costs a lot of money. But don’t worry about your expenses; it is also possible to see Tokyo from above for free! 

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo To Get 45 New Skyscrapers By 2020

Above, a view from Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like Godzilla will have more toys to play with the next time the monster pays Tokyo a visit.

According to The Japan Times, 45 new skyscrapers will dot Tokyo's skyline by the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

They wrote:

Tokyo’s skyline is set to welcome 45 new skyscrapers by the time the city hosts the Olympics in 2020, as a surge of buildings planned in the early years of Abenomics near completion. 

The capital will see nearly 50 percent more new high-rise space in the next three years than it did in the preceding three, Toyokazu Imazeki, chief analyst at office leasing and consulting firm Sanko Estate Co Ltd., said in an interview. He said the increase was fueled by the fiscal expansion and monetary easing under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic program, launched after he took office in late 2012.

To read more, go here. 

Japan ranked as having the Top Two Best Cities in Condé Nast Traveler's Reader's Choice Awards' Best Cities in the World

Above, a view of Tokyo from Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Source: Press Release

NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is pleased to share the news that the Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards 2016, announced on October 18, 2016, has nominated Tokyo as the top and Kyoto as the second best cities to visit in the World. Tokyo was ranked 15th and Kyoto 9th in the Readers' Choice Award 2015. This new top ranking is a great honor for the country of Japan.

Full content details can be found at:
https://www.cntraveler.com/travel-awards/readers-choice-awards
https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-10-20/top-25-cities-in-the-world-readers-choice-awards-2014

This flattering award of Tokyo and Kyoto becoming the top two best cities in the world to visit is the result of various efforts from the support of the following:

1. The continued effort of the people of Japan in providing Omotenashi, the art of selfless hospitality, and the best customer service, to showcase the beauty of the country and their care for foreign visitors from all over the world.
2. JNTO's Visit Japan promotional efforts with the intend to make Japan an easier and more affordable destination for one's next international travel.

As of August 2016, the total number of visitors from the United States to Japan has been reaching the highest records per month for 29 months straight. From January 2016 to August 2016, the total number of travelers from the U.S. has now reached eight-hundred-seventeen-thousand (817,600 to be exact), this is a 19.9% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the total number of visitors from the U.S. in 2015, reached more than one million visitors (1,033,258 to be exact), with 15.9% increase from the year before. (Provided by JNTO)

JNTO will continue to serve to keep and expand Japan as one of the best international travel destinations in the world by enriching our effort to showcase and communicate the Japanese tradition, pop culture, food, architecture and multi-dimensional beauty of Japan.

Odaiba and The Rainbow Bridge

Above, the Rainbow Bridge from Tokyo Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba caught the attention of Godzilla fans through Godzilla x Megaguirus in 2000.

In the movie, Godzilla battles the giant dragonfly Megaguirus in Odaiba. Aqua City, the Fuji TV Building and the Rainbow Bridge were prominently featured.

Above, a view of the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba from Tokyo City View at Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Savvy Tokyo has an article on the Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba that should be useful if one decides to pay a visit there while in Tokyo.

They begin with:

Tokyo is a city of bridges, with the Sumida River alone being home to 26 bridges along its 27-kilometer course. But perhaps the most dramatic of the city’s bridges is the Rainbow Bridge, a conduit into and out of the city, especially for those headed to Narita and beyond by bus or car and for day trippers to the island of Odaiba. 

At only 798 meters in length, the Rainbow Bridge is not a great workout for the dedicated walker. However, it is an interesting and accessible wander for both locals and tourists alike.

 To read more, go here.

Wi-Fi Is Exploding In Tokyo

Above, a view of Tokyo from Tokyo City View. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to the influx of foreign visitors and the 2020 Olympic Games, Wi-Fi is exploding all over Tokyo.

The Japan Times reported:

Wanna surf the web for free in Tokyo? It’s finally time to catch the wave. Along with an influx of foreign tourists, Japan is seeing an explosion in wireless internet spots. 

These days, it seems you can’t walk 100 meters in without seeing a “free Wi-Fi” sign of some sort in central Tokyo. Visitors and Tokyoites alike have thousands of access points to choose from, emanating via everything from vending machines to bullet trains. Users no longer have to rely on the generosity of hotels or internet cafes. Wi-Fi is now a top-down affair: some of the largest municipal and commercial groups in Japan are working together to make Wi-Fi an essential piece of infrastructure.

I used to have to rely upon the hotels I was staying in or at Starbucks or Tully's coffee shops for Wi-Fi access while in Tokyo.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Pop Culture Events This Summer

Above, one pop cultural event will be held at Tokyo City View at Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is planning on visiting Japan and is also a fan of Japanese pop-culture, then this summer is the time to go. There are several pop-culture events that are going to be held in Tokyo this summer. One or more may be of interest.

According to Tokyo Cheapo:

Summer is quite the eventful season in Japan. It’s a season of festivals, and we don’t just mean traditional ones with fireworks and Bon dances. If you like pop culture (be it anime, manga, games, cosplay, J-pop, or even Western fandoms), have we got good news for you! This summer is shaping up to have a number of events for pop culture enthusiasts, and here are some of them. Note that we’ve limited the events to those in and near Tokyo, so we didn’t list the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya.

To see what they are, go here. 

Why You Should Travel While You're Young

Above, Armand at the Tokyo City View in the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills.

Last February, I celebrated the 22nd anniversary of my 39th birthday. One of the reasons I recently bought a motorhome is that I am planning to retire soon and I plan to do a lot of roadtrip traveling. But don't wait until you're my age to begin traveling.

In my early teens, my family went traveling around to different national parks and camping in them. Then from my early twenties to age 30, I traveled around the state of California going to state political party conventions and events and to three national conventions (Kansas City, Detroit and Dallas).

Later, after getting married and starting a family, we traveled around and camped in a tent trailer or a micro-mini motorhome.

Then during the past 15 years, I have made several trips to Japan, taken a cruise to Alaska and visited other cities while going to Godzilla or other conventions.

So, as far as traveling goes, I have done my fair share. But I am not done yet. So while I am still in excellent health, I plan to continue to visit other places.

The Passport Lifestyle has picked up on the theme of traveling while a person is young. In fact, they present eight reasons for traveling while you're young. Especially those who are in their twenties.

Even former President Richard Nixon advocated traveling while a person is young. During his famous early-morning visit to the Lincoln Memorial, he told Viet Nam war protestors:

You must travel when you're young, If you wait until you can afford it, you will be too old to enjoy it.

The Passport Lifestyle starts their "eight reasons" article with:

We do a lot of traveling and people often ask me both how we travel so frequently but also why. As for the how and the why, the simple answer is because we can and because we want to. So we make it happen.  

I’ve learned so much over the years with my passport alone and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Traveling the world has definitely changed my life and my entire perspective on the world in an enormous way. 

Spreading my wings abroad has been one of the best investments into my personal growth imaginable. We’re fortunate to be born in the USA and have the unique freedom and ability to travel the world. I definitely don’t take this for-granted. 

Traveling while you’re young doesn’t have to be hard and honestly it’s the best time in your life to travel. So here are some reasons to use that passport as much as you can in your twenties!

To read more, go here.