I moved to Japan from North Carolina with my husband and our young daughter in the spring of 2022. My husband is in the US military and this has been his first overseas assignment.
30.08.2024 - 21:39 / thepointsguy.com / Glen Hauenstein
Six decades after hosting the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics — when Japan rapidly rolled out new infrastructure like its Shinkansen bullet train and accommodations like Hotel New Otani Tokyo to welcome the anticipated influx of foreigners — the country remains one of the most beloved leisure destinations in the world. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 17.78 million foreign visitors arrived in the first half of 2024, breaking 2019's previous record of 16.63 million. And there are no signs of a slowdown: Japan aims to nearly double 2019's end-of-year record of 31.88 million tourists to a staggering 60 million annually by 2030.
Though there are countless reasons for Japan's sustained popularity — from tantalizing regional cuisine to safe public transportation systems — the recent surge can largely be credited to a slump in the Japanese yen. In early July, it hit its weakest level since 1990, and while the yen has recovered slightly in the past two months, the dollar remains very strong in Japan.
"I think when the yen was 83 [to $1], it was very difficult to be able to afford to go see Japan and all the great things that Japan has to offer," Delta president Glen Hauenstein said during a second-quarter earnings call in July. "With the yen at 160, it's a very different world for U.S. travelers, and they seem to be taking great advantage of that." (Recently, the currency has recovered slightly, with approximately 145 Japanese yen buying $1 at publication time.)
Naturally, demand for Japan-bound flights is also booming. "In 2023, Expedia data revealed that the top trending global flight route was LAX to Tokyo, with a surge of 430% compared to the year prior," Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson told TPG. "This fall, Tokyo continues to be a trending destination, with a 50% increase in flight searches."
While Japan is now within reach for more people than ever, there is a downside: relentless crowds. In response, local authorities have instituted a tourism tax for climbers on Mount Fuji, installed barriers to block Instagram-famous views of that same mountain and closed off some private alleys to tourists in Kyoto's geisha district.
Follow these tips to help alleviate the overcrowding and still have an enjoyable vacation in Japan.
Spring and fall are the peak travel seasons in popular cities like Kyoto and Osaka. To beat the crowds that come during those seasons to enjoy spectacular cherry blossoms and fall foliage, consider an offseason vacation instead. Not only will you face less congestion and queues, but you'll also be able to easily book more restaurants and experiences and find more competitive accommodation pricing.
According to Alastair McAlpine, general manager of the new Four
I moved to Japan from North Carolina with my husband and our young daughter in the spring of 2022. My husband is in the US military and this has been his first overseas assignment.
I was an avid traveler long before I had children. Now, one of my greatest joys is sharing my love of exploration and adventure with my family. Yet, traveling with my four kids has been an adjustment.
We’re continuing our discussion of Skift Research’s State of Travel 2024 report with a look at the aviation industry. It has shown enormous progress in its recovery from the pandemic. But ultra-low-cost carriers still face their share of challenges.
There’s a lot to dislike about dating apps: people’s repetitive profiles (let me guess—you’re also passionate about “food”); the déjà vu conversations (him: “hey”; me: “heyy”); how Hinge’s algorithm puts the people it deems hot behind its paywalled “standouts” feature (or the “rose jail,” as the internet has dubbed it). When I discuss such matters over Sunday lunches with my astrological twin (i.e., we share the same sun, moon, and rising signs), she sometimes encourages me to take a break from the apps. Then I do another dating app detox. But what’s the first thing I do when I travel solo? Yeah, I download them again.
Concerns are growing over the rise of West Nile virus after it killed two more people in Seville, Spain, raising the country's total to five deaths this year.
Summer travel 2024, with its record-breaking crowds, is set to reach a fever pitch over Labor Day Weekend. The busiest summer season in recent history is set to end with a bang, as a historic number of people are expected to take to the roads and skies.
Delta Air Lines is having one of its biggest sales of the year with flight deals on domestic and international travel through next spring.
Government officials in Sri Lanka announced that citizens from 35 countries—including the United States—will be granted visa-free entry into the Asian nation, according to the Times of India.
Traveling during hurricane season, which spans from June to November, can be both thrilling and precarious.
Aug 23, 2024 • 0 min read
The night train boom is continuing with a new sleeper across Europe launching in 2025.
The Skift Research team recently unveiled its State of Travel 2024 report, a 400-page that documents the consumer and business trends in various sectors of the travel industry — including hotels and online travel agencies.