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A luxury hotel transformed from a historic prison in Nara, Japan, opened on June 19. The renovation preserved the Meiji-era red-brick architecture, with modern interiors added. The operator will use part of the revenue for preservation of the national cultural property.
International arrivals to Japan totaled 3.56 million in May, down 3.6% year-on-year, primarily due to a slump in Chinese tourists amid worsening bilateral ties. While other markets like South Korea and Taiwan showed steady growth, the shortfall from China — Japan’s largest source of inbound visitors — pulled overall numbers lower. This was the second straight monthly decline, though Japan still aims for 40 million foreign visitors by 2026.
Japanese footwear giant Asics Corp. announced plans to spin off its high-end sneaker brand Onitsuka Tiger into an independent company. The move comes as the brand gains popularity among foreign tourists, particularly those visiting Japan.
A historic Nagoya temple where samurai once made history now offers visitors a hands-on matcha experience, merging cultural heritage with local cuisine. The initiative has won over young and international tourists seeking authentic cultural immersion.
A gondola with spatial audio has begun operations on a cable car line at a popular hot spring resort town southwest of Tokyo. The system is designed to sync music and sound with the surrounding natural landscape, elevating the tourist experience as travel rebounds post-pandemic.
The main temple on Mount Koya has called on summer visitors to avoid wearing revealing clothing, such as tank tops or short shorts, to maintain the sanctity of the sacred site. Management stressed that modest attire covering shoulders and knees is expected within the temple grounds.
Japan’s government has approved its fifth basic tourism plan, aiming for 60 million international visitors by 2030, up about 40% from the 2025 goal. Experts warn the target will be hard to hit without drawing more tourists to rural areas. Efforts must focus on regional promotion, better transport, and local cultural experiences.
A giant bronze cockroach statue in a sumo pose is unexpectedly reviving a shrinking village in Japan's Nara Prefecture. The artwork, placed at a local shrine, draws tourists and social media attention, supporting rural regeneration through public art.
A new survey released on May 2 shows that 72 of the top 100 destinations for foreign tourists in Japan are concentrated in just seven prefectures, including Kyoto and Hokkaido. This concentration underscores the imbalance in tourist distribution and the need for diversification to promote sustainable tourism.
