2 Million Visitors Arrived In Japan In August

Above, Asakusa's 5-storied pagoda. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's tourism industry is making a steady recovery in the numbers of foreign tourists coming into the country.

Over two million visitors arrived in Japan in August.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan welcomed more than 2 million visitors for a third straight month in August, recovering to more than 80% of pre-pandemic levels for the first time, official data showed on Wednesday.

The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure was 2.16 million last month, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

Visitor arrivals improved to 85.6% of the levels seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic led to travel curbs around the world.

The August numbers were down from a post-pandemic high of 2.32 million in July, but the recovery is continuing, aided by increases in international flights and a weak yen, which makes trips to Japan more affordable than they have been in decades.

To read more, go here. 

11 Things To Do In Kyoto

Above, Kiyomizu-dera's Koyasu, a three-storey pagoda. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that foreign visitors can visit Japan again, it is well worth a foreigner to travel to Kyoto.

It is a contrast to the hustle & bustle of Tokyo. There are many things to see and to in Kyoto and TheTravel has posted a list of 11 things to do there.

They begin with:

Located in central Japan by Lake Biwa is the beautiful and historic city of Kyoto. As the cultural capital of Japan, visitors to Kyoto will be greeted with many Buddhist temples, ancient palaces, stunning gardens, and holy Shinto Shrines.

Originally known as Heian-kyō, the ancient city of Kyoto was founded in 784 CE, and by 793 CE, was the Imperial seat of Japan. Although this was the historic founding of the city, archeological evidence indicates human inhabitation in this region from at least the Paleolithic era. During the Ōnin War of 1467–1477, the city faced much destruction and damage. Luckily, by the mid-1500s, the city had returned to its former glory. During the Edo period, Kyoto was one of the most important cities in all of Japan and was an important cultural center.

Before the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, Kyoto was the historic home of the many emperors from ancient times to the Meiji era. After the location of the emperor was moved to Tokyo, great efforts were put into place to preserve the beautiful and historic sites of this city.

Today, visitors can enjoy learning about traditional Japanese history and see historic buildings, holy temples, and magnificent gardens.

To see more, go here. 

Only 8,000 Foreign Tourists Visit Japan In June, July

Above, the Asakusa Temple pagoda. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's "reopening" to foreign tourism still remains a dud.

Foreign tourists can visit the country only in group tours with several requirements such as obtaining a visa and showing negative PCR test results.. That policy is going over like a lead balloon in many people's eyes.

NHK World reported:

Japan's Immigration Services Agency says only about 8,000 foreign tourists arrived in June and July.

The country eased its anti-coronavirus border controls and reopened to foreign holidaymakers on June 10 for the first time in about two years.

The number of arrivals is capped at 20,000 per day.

Tourists from 102 countries and territories including the United States, South Korea and China are allowed to come, but only in group tours.

 To read more, go here.

Basics Of A Trip To Japan

Above, the five-storied pagoda of Sensoji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like rugby season in Japan will be arriving in the not-too-distant-future, so the following was geared to those traveling to Japan to attend rugby matches.

However, the information provided in an article by Tokyo Cheapo is also good advice for ordinary travelers.

It is on the basics of a trip to Japan for rugby fans.

They begin it with:

Visiting Japan for the sportsball this autumn and not sure where to start? Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy your travels, from drinking to exploring and keeping connected. 

A trip to Japan is often a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so there’s plenty of pressure to make sure you get the most out of it. Balancing technology with tradition, Japan manages to attract geeky game-loving otaku alongside temple-admirers and culture lovers—making it a popular destination, to say the least. If you’re in a group, catering for everyone’s different interests can make planning tricky, but whatever you decide to see, you’ll have a fantastic time. Before you start making those between-match itineraries, though, boring things like transport, SIM cards and accommodation have to be thought out, so read on for a comprehensive guide on getting your trip lined up.

To read more, go here. 

Kansai vs. Kanto

Above, the pagoda at Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It may not be apparent to foreign visitors to Japan, but there are some differences between Japanese people from the Kansai region (centered in Kyoto) and Kanto (centered in Tokyo).

Live Japan has an article on those differences and it is an interesting read.

It begins with:

Japan may be a small island nation, but each of its areas boasts a unique culture and even the climate can differ quite vastly from one region to another. Generally, however, people tend to divide Japan into two major cultural areas: Kantō in the East and Kansai in the West. Tokyo and its metropolitan area make up Kantō, the center of Japan’s politics and economics since Tokyo became the country’s capital in 1869. Its counterpart is Kansai, centered on Kyoto, the ancient city that has been the capital from 794 to 1869. Osaka, known as a major gourmet hot spot and often called the “kitchen of Japan,” is also part of Kansai. 

Of course, such a cultural divide brings its very own subtle and not-so-subtle differences in everyday life, from etiquette to language. Sometimes, you’ll see people from different corners of Japan having trouble understanding each other because of dialects! Stereotypes are another phenomenon going hand in hand with the Kantō-Kansai-divide and it’s not uncommon to hear phrases like “Yeah, that’s how people from Tokyo are” or “Oh, they’re from Kansai, that explains a lot.” But how do tourists experience these cultural differences? They can be quite fun to explore and discover if you know what to look out for! Let’s take a closer look at the quirks and customs of Kantō and Kansai!

I have noticed that people from Kansai are more outgoing and willing to interact with strangers.

To read more, go here. 

Kyoto: Next Victim of Overtourism?

Above, the three-story pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The news about visitors with bad manners or behavior in Kyoto and other places in Japan is beginning to circulate the media around the world.

The latest is from the United Kingdom's The Independent.

They wrote:

Kyoto, Japan’s crown jewel of tourism, could be the next destination to become a victim of its own success. 

Residents and business owners in the city’s Gion-Shinbashi district have joined together to form a “scenery preservation” committee to combat issues brought on by overtourism, including “half-naked hikers, trespassing travellers and prolonged photo shoots”, according to Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun. 

The group has signed a memorandum demanding better behaviour from tourists. “If no countermeasures are taken, the elegant view of Gion will be spoiled,” said Kanji Tomita, vice representative of the group. 

Their campaign specifically targets enthusiastic selfie-takers, suggesting they spend less time posing, and people who strip off in public.

People have to realize that any time they are visiting a foreign country, they are guests and should be on their best behavior.

To read more, go here. 

Oh, Great!

Above, the pagoda pet water drinking fountain.

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. In this case it took three years.

Just before I brought Sierra home from the SPCA after adopting her, I bought a pet drinking fountain pagoda. She (and Lola, Jes's chihuahua, when she's here) loved it.

The water pump to Sierra's water pagoda fountain went out. I noticed it wasn't working about a half hour ago. At first, I thought I'd have to buy a whole new pagoda. They cost around $80.

However, fortunately for me, I found that replacement pumps are available and they are under $20.

So I ordered one. Whew!

What To See and Do In Japan For First-Timers

Above, Senso-ji and pagoda in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are contemplating a trip to Japan and never been there before, Australia's Herald Sun has a new article on what to see and do for first-timers. Itg is especially useful if one is traveling there solo.

It begins with:

Celebrity chef David Chang flies there for the food. Pop singer Gwen Stefani finds trends in Harajuku. I finally travelled to this island nation in May. You know it, the place of sushi, samurai films and Sony Walkmans. Japan. One of the most fascinating places in the world. 

CNN presenter Anthony Bourdain considers Tokyo the most exciting city to visit alone. Though I’m partial to independent travel, I wasn’t comfortable tackling the world’s most populous city (of 37 million people), let alone its home country, solo. 

So, in need of a primer, I signed up with On the Go Tours’ Tokyo to Takayama trip: eight cities in 14 days; a flexible itinerary; licensed Japanese tour guides; and travel via buses, subways and bullet trains. Mingling with locals appealed more than sitting in an airconditioned coach. 

Each tour caters to a maximum of 16 people. Together, we were thrown in the deep end on day one, thrust into Tokyo’s biggest and noisiest festival, Sanja Matsuri.

Japan may seem intimidating to someone who has never been there, but after about a day or two wandering around, one's confort level there skyrockets pretty fast. The people there are very friendly and helpful, so don't be afraid to ask (many do speak English to a degree) at a tourist center at a major train station.

To read more, go here. 

Kyoto's Toji Pagoda Gets New Eco-Friendly Lighting

Above, a view of the Toji temple's pagoda from a shinkansen window.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A news article on the new lighting system for the Toji temple pagoda in Kyoto caught my attention.

According to The Asahi Shimbun's AJW:

KYOTO--Bathed in a breathtaking golden color at night, the 55-meter-tall pagoda of Toji temple near JR Kyoto Station is shining brighter and more eco-friendly than ever, thanks to a lighting upgrade. 

While passengers seeing the landmark from the Shinkansen may not notice any change, the national treasure five-story pagoda is sporting new light-emitting diode lighting, starting Dec. 6, which can halve the annual electricity costs. 

Officials of the 1,200-year-old Toji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, said they have illuminated the pagoda, which was rebuilt in 1644, at night since 1970. They installed high brilliance lighting in 1995 to make the bister-colored pagoda shine in a golden hue at night.

The article's accompanying photograph of the pagoda shows it lit up in a brilliant golden hue.

According to Wikipedia:

The pagoda of Tō-ji stands 54.8 m high, and is the tallest wooden tower in Japan. It dates from the Edo period, when it was rebuilt by order of the third Tokugawa Shogun, Iemitsu. The pagoda has been, and continues to be, a symbol of Kyoto. Entrance into the pagoda itself is permitted only a few days a year.

To read the full article on the lighting of the pagoda, go here.