Chinese tourists returning to Japan with new travel habits

 Nowadays, however, more travelers are seeking immersive experiences related to Japanese cuisine, culture and scenery, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

While Japan just keep repackaging Japanese's boomer experience, with people spending their time mostly just stay in onsen place. While foreign tourist have their own way in doing things.

Same pattern as the Japanese. In the 70s and 80s, the Japanese were notorious for their large-scale guided tours, including at domestic spots, often with a guide hoisting a little ID flag. By the 90s, individual travel emerged.

One difference for Chinese starting to get off the beaten path compared to travelers from other countries is they can get by reading and communicating through the use of kanji. That and translation apps or course.

Chinese were only allowed to travel individually and internationally for tourism in the 1990’s.

Looks like the era of bakugai is over and we've entered the age of yakugai — spiritual healing via matcha lattes, moss gardens, and 500 photos of Kyoto's back alleys. Give it 3 years and the most prized souvenir from Japan will be inner peace with a side of yuzu kosho.

Now they are in small groups, wheeling enormous suitcases along pavements, up and down stairs, and through tourist spots and train stations. Some starting to travel off the Golden trail of Tokyo Kyoto Osaka and Hiroshima, to places like Hakone Nara Himeji and Kanazawa.

Was in Enoshima yesterday and the place was suitably packed with tourists.

A large numver of these, young Chinese travellers enjoying the temples and treats the island has to offer.

While more crowded than usual, so slightly longer lines, it was a festive atmosphere and the Chinese tourists were outtight friendly to us. Many saying hello and waving as they passed.

Were some really lovely views to be had too.

More relaxed and friendly people on the island was a welcome change from what it was a few years ago. Which was sour, glum and devoid of many people and smiling faces.

Great place for those higher on the happiness index.

Of note though. There was a yatai selling chocolate bananas with a sign in English saying 'JAPANESE SPEAKERS ONLY! Which I found an odd business decision as it's a tourist island and would affect sales.

Even though my nihingo can suffice quite sufficiently, he will have no business from me.

Maybe he can't uderstand English numbers like 1 or 2 please. Hand gestures are maybe a touch beyond him too.

A sorry sight tbh.

wanderlust

Now they are in small groups, wheeling enormous suitcases along pavements, up and down stairs, and through tourist spots and train stations.

It's so annoying, too. Someone should tell them about coin lockers, luggage storage kiosks, and luggage forwarding services.

Now they are in small groups, wheeling enormous suitcases along pavements, up and down stairs, and through tourist spots and train stations. Some starting to travel off the Golden trail of Tokyo Kyoto Osaka and Hiroshima, to places like Hakone Nara Himeji and Kanazawa.

I lived in the Sapporo area pre-Corona, and there were quite a few large Chinese and Korean groups throughout the Hokkaido tourism areas even then. I am not surprised at the east Asian groups that find Japan interesting. They do remind me of the package tour Japanese groups I used to see in Hawaii. I prefer areas without large busloads of tourists, even though that is how I saw many things when I went to Vietnam last year.

And they are gradually, but surely, destroying the domestic tourism. The Chinese agencies are booking with months in advance hotel rooms, driving those prices to triple or quadruple compared to 4,5 years ago; they overcrowd all touristic areas. Everywhere you go full of very noizy and rude Chinese and Taiwanese tourist, just ask the locals.

 Everywhere you go full of very noizy and rude Chinese and Taiwanese tourist

Taiwanese? Are you sure? Have you ever been to Taiwan or talked to taiwanese people living in Japan?

Japan is starting to resemblea theme park.

Osaka city should buy up the idled factories on Maishima overlooking the massive incinerator.

Convert them Into lodgings to serve the Chinese workers working at the casino etc

DanteKH

Everywhere you go full of very noizy and rude Chinese and Taiwanese tourist, just ask the locals.

Are you confusing Taiwan with Hong Kong or something? Taiwanese typically behave more like South Koreans or Japanese than like mainland Chinese.

finally rich

Taiwanese? Are you sure? Have you ever been to Taiwan or talked to taiwanese people living in Japan?

It seems doubtful based on his comment.

Cantonese from Hong Kong or Guangzhou are the yappiest that's for sure. That is their local culture. Taiwanese tend to be quiet. Heck, they will get fined for drinking water on a metro.

garypenToday 09:23 am JST

luggage forwarding services.

I haven't use these but I bet it is not trivial to find a hotel that is willing to hang on to your bags for days to guarantee they arrive before you do.

TaiwanIsNotChina

garypen

> luggage forwarding services.

> I haven't use these but I bet it is not trivial to find a hotel that is willing to hang on to your bags for days to guarantee they arrive before you do.

It is the only way we travel. For international travel, we send our luggage to the airport the day before and collect it at the airport for check-in. On return, we send our luggage to our home. For domestic travel, we send our luggage to our booked hotel the day before and send it back again when we have finished. No getting on domestic trains and planes with luggage.

That is the common procedure for people living here.

Yes, not all chinese are from China/HK (mostly the loudest).

Personally i refrain from bringing my luggage onto trains, even took a cab from fukuoka station to the airport so i dun have to lug mine onto the train. Only brought mine up from Okayama to BitchuTakahashi cos in tokyo, the hotel staff advised me not to forward the luggage as they are not sure if it can arrive within 1-2days (that was in Feb when weather is not that good - road closure due to heavy snow in some areas)