Japan Wants More Tourists to Visit Despite Overtourism Concerns

Don't Do These 6 Things When You're in Japan
Japan has been struggling with overtourism concerns in the last couple of months, but that does not seem to bother the Asian nation's tourism chief. In fact, Ichiro Takahashi wants 60 million foreign tourists a year to visit the country. 

Channel News Asia has pointed out that this number is more than the current level that Japan is experiencing. Last year, Japan recorded a total of 25 million foreign tourists. Government numbers show that three million foreign tourists visited Japan in May. This is the third consecutive month that the country tallied this number.

Tough but Achievable 

According to Takahashi, the goal of 60 million foreign tourists is "tough" but "it is a figure that we can very much achieve," per Channel News Asia's report. 

Takahashi also stressed that Japan has many little-known places that have yet to be discovered by tourists. The tourism chief believes that the goal of 60 million tourists can be achieved through the right efforts. 

Last year, tourists from South Korea, Singapore, and the United States made up a large bulk of the foreign tourists who came to Japan. 

Read Also: Don't Do These 6 Things When You're in Japan

Overtourism Concerns

Takahashi's declaration of the 60-million tourist goal comes as concerns over overtourism continue to grow. Over the last few months, there have been constant reports of locals complaining over the large number and the behavior of foreign tourists. 

In fact, in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, a barrier has been erected by local authorities to block the view of the iconic Mount Fuji. This decision was made following a series of traffic disruptions and even public defecation done by foreign tourists coming to the town to take photos. 

The Asahi Shimbun has likewise reported that Himeji Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto is considering hiking up the entrance fees for toreign tourists to enter the Himeji Castle, another well-known tourist attraction. The mayor cited maintenance as the reason for considering such an increase.

Currently, the entrance fee is priced at around $7 for both local and foreign visitors. Should the price increase take place, foreign visitors will have to pay $30 instead, while local tourists have to pay $5. It should be noted, however, that the exact price has not been decided on. 

Related Article: Mount Fuji Adopts Online Reservations Amid Rising Concerns of Overtourism