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Welcome to Japan... or not? Overtourism forces Japan to consider relationship with tourists
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Japan welcomed 2.79 million visitors in February 2024, a record for the month.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO – Japan is far from reaching its desired 60 million annual visitors by 2030, but is already grappling with overtourism as its famous omotenashi hospitality – the idea of wholeheartedly serving guests – is pushed to the brink.
Some areas are struggling with congestion, either all year round like in Kyoto or seasonally like Hokkaido’s Niseko in winter or Tokyo’s Nakameguro in spring.
