Tag - tourism

 
 

TOURISM

Booking a flight with a layover in the city that’s the real destination for the traveler can net big bargains, but airlines prohibit the practice.
LIFE
Aug 19, 2023
'Skiplagging' flights could land you big deals or a lifetime ban
Known as "skiplagging," this travel hack sees consumers buy a ticket for a connecting flight with a layover in the city that’s the real destination.
Welcia Holdings, Japan’s largest drugstore chain, is one of the first Japanese companies to respond to China easing its ban on group tours to a raft of countries last week.
BUSINESS
Aug 18, 2023
Japan drugstore chain boosts duty-free counters on China bets
The company plans to offer duty-free services at 1,000 stores, up from about 260 currently, and it expects tourists to travel beyond Japan’s major cities.
Kimono-clad visitors take selfie photographs at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto on Friday.
JAPAN
Aug 16, 2023
In July, Japan welcomed most overseas visitors since pandemic hit
The weak yen is helping to boost tourism and contribute to a surge in growth for the world's third-largest economy.
The Japan National Tourism Organization's booth at the Beijing International Tourism Expo in Beijing in June
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2023
Return of Chinese group tours to Japan to bring economic boost
The average amount of spending by individual Chinese tourists is the second largest at ¥338,238, just behind ¥358,888 by travelers from the U.K.
Aoi Suzuki’s son runs past a home in Taketomi on Iriomote Island (not to be confused with Taketomi Island, which lies to the east of Iriomote). The Suzukis run the Takemori Inn, one of the few hotels on Iriomote.
LIFE / Travel / Longform
Aug 14, 2023
My annual pilgrimage to Okinawa
Navigating between different ferries can open up whole new worlds in Japan's southernmost islands.
Travellers walk through Beijing Daxing International Airport on April 24.
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 11, 2023
China reopened its doors, but tourists are staying away
A rebound in domestic tourism hasn't been mirrored by inbound tourists, with several barriers harming the country's appeal.
Tokyo's Asakusa district, a popular destination for foreign tourists, on Thursday
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 11, 2023
Japan welcomes return of Chinese group tours amid labor shortage fear
Despite high hopes, some experts warn that China's slow economic recovery could hinder many from overseas travel.
People board a shinkansen at Tokyo Station on Friday
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 11, 2023
Holidaymakers to boost spending as Japan growth at tipping point
It is a mixed bag for Japan as everyday goods have become much pricier, but pent-up demand has aided private consumption.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed on Japan's visa exemption for Brazilian visitors during their summit in May.
JAPAN
Aug 10, 2023
Japan to give Brazilians visa-free entry for short stays
Japan will allow Brazilian tourists to visit the country on short stays without visas starting Sept. 30, the government said Thursday, creating a reciprocal entry exemption between the two nations following a summit earlier this year.
Heavy rain and strong wind hit the city of Fukuoka on Thursday as Tropical Storm Khanun approached the Kyushu region.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 10, 2023
Strong storms likely to affect Bon holiday plans
Plans to travel or meet with friends or family may need a rethink as strong storms approach Japan.
Yamanashi Prefecture will work with police to restrict the number of hikers who can use a route to climb to the summit of Mount Fuji if it becomes dangerous from overcrowding.
JAPAN
Aug 10, 2023
Mount Fuji trail use to be restricted when overcrowded
The Yoshida Trail, located on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of the mountain, will become subject to limits from the 5th station.
Visitors at the Todaiji temple in Nara in June
JAPAN / Society
Aug 10, 2023
China lifts pandemic-era ban on group tours to Japan
The decision marks the first time since January 2020 that groups of Chinese tourists will be allowed to visit Japan.
Climbers at the 6th station of Mount Fuji's Fujinomiya trail in July
JAPAN
Aug 2, 2023
Locals warn Fuji-climbing visitors to take challenge seriously
The move comes after Japan's tallest peak reopened for hiking season and marked its 10th anniversary as a World Heritage site.
A restaurant inside the Park Hyatt hotel at Niseko Hanazono Resort in Kutchan, Hokkaido Prefecture, in January.
BUSINESS
Jul 31, 2023
Hotel guests in June exceeded pre-pandemic levels in Japan
There were around 46.3 million guests, according to preliminary data by the Japan Tourism Agency.
The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, where the AI Suitcase was introduced, in Anaheim, California, in March
BUSINESS
Jul 30, 2023
AI luggage for people with visual impairments nets rave reviews
The groundbreaking assistive technology recently underwent its first overseas public trial, garnering significant interest and sparking discussions about its future practical applications.
A woman shops for cosmetics at a department store in Seoul in July 2020.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 28, 2023
Personal color analysis is fueling a global Gen Z tourism boom
The procedure aims to assign individuals flattering colors that can inform their choices around clothing, makeup and accessories.
Photo: Mount Fuji is shot from above so that you can see the trails leading to its summit.
PODCAST / deep dive
Jul 26, 2023
A tale of two Fujis: Bullet climbs, crowds and Lizzo
With the borders fully open, Mount Fuji is all booked up and Fuji Rock is back in full force. Drew Damron and Patrick St. Michel join us on the podcast to discuss Japan’s two favorite Fujis.
A general view inside the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas. Tourists wishing to see the area should expect far stricter supervision if visits to the border resume.
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 26, 2023
Travis King crossing puts North Korea border tours under scrutiny
Some predict changes could include making the tours smaller, keeping groups behind glass or back away from the border where troops from both sides stand almost face to face.
The natural beauty of Minakami has attracted hundreds adventure tourism companies, but there's still no overarching network of safety protocols in place.
LIFE / Travel
Jul 15, 2023
In Japan’s adventure tourism mecca, the rush comes with risk
Minakami has come a long way since the early days of its adventure tourism beginnings, but if it wants to last well into the future, regulation may be key.
The Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto. Tourists are flocking to Kyoto and other popular spots in Japan, highlighting the country's severe shortage of hotel staff.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 25, 2023
As tourism booms, Japan struggles with labor shortages and weary locals
The return of tourists has given the country a boost, but it has also highlighted several issues, including a severe lack of hotel staff.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals