Foreign tourist spending increases to record 3.5 trillion yen

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Thursday, 14th January 2016
In General Japan News,

Foreign tourist spending increases to record 3.5 trillion yen

Japan is one of the world’s top destinations for travellers, with the country’s unique culture and stunning natural environment attracting people from across the globe.

Such is the popularity of the nation, foreign tourist spending rose to an estimated 3.5 trillion yen (£19.45 billion) in the last year, with the government hoping that this figure will rise to 4 trillion as they expect to welcome 20 million visitors from overseas.

There are also plans to set a new target by the end of March, as the 4 trillion yen spending total could soon be reachable. The number of foreign visitors to the country in 2015 is believed to have reached upwards of 19 million, marking a significant rise from 13.41 million in 2014.

These figures come after the government increased the variety of goods free from sales tax for foreign visitors in October 2014 to feature expendable items including foods, electronics and other goods.

Land, infrastructure, transport and tourism minister Keiichi Ishii explained: “The economic impact on our country brought [by foreign travellers] is tremendous.

“Meanwhile, there remain issues in terms of conditions for welcoming foreign visitors, and we would like to take appropriate measures to improve the situation.”

What attractions are helping to drive tourism?

Japan is home to a variety of extraordinary sights, ranging from historic temples and gorgeous forests to massive shopping centres and even owl-cafes!

The capital, Tokyo, remains the country’s most popular destination and it’s easy to see why. The city has an inimitable atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world, with a combination of Japanese culture and thriving city attractions.

Whether you want to relax in the blissful Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or see all the city has to offer from the Tokyo Skytree, you will never run out of things to do. It is no surprise that spending has risen, but the country’s excellent range of attractions are just as important to its development as the government support.

Enjoy the delights away from Tokyo

Although Tokyo rightly grabs the headlines when it comes to Japan tourism, there is much more to enjoy for visitors to the country.

Osaka and Kyoto are two incredible destinations for visitors, where there are a wide variety of different things to do. You can explore the country’s history at Osaka Castle, or the Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto. With such a great mix of history and modern culture, visitors can are sure to not be disappointed.

Both of these cities have much different delights to Tokyo, too. Rather than tackling the capital’s huge crowds, you can take time out to gain a great insight into the daily lives of locals.