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Tourists Return to Japan — But Japan Stays Home
More and more people are coming to Japan, with some countries setting new records. So why isn’t Japan returning the favor?
By Jay Allen
New data shows that tourists are returning to Japan in numbers that are approaching pre-pandemic levels. However, Japan isn’t returning the favor. Despite holding one of the strongest passports in the world, many in Japan are opting for domestic travel instead. Here’s why.
The inbound tourism revival
Japan closed its doors near the start of the pandemic. That shut out not only tourists, but students, academics, businesspeople, and many others with plans to spend a year or more in the country.
The government lifted visa restrictions in October 2022. However, that didn’t lead to an immediate return in tourism. Tokyo’s major airports, Haneda and Narita, remained relative ghost towns for several months afterwards. And tourists were an increasing but still rare sight in the streets of major cities.
