Interview with Thierry Maincent, the chairman of Japan Experience
We’ve all heard the news: Japan has finally reopened its borders to the world. In the wake of this announcement, how does the tourism situation look in Japan and what should we expect for 2023?
We’ve been waiting for this news for more than two and a half years. Most of the conditions for traveling are now the same as before the pandemic. It’s finally time to return to Japan!
One thing I can say for certain is that people’s love for Japan hasn’t vanished at all. If anything, the wait has made them yearn for the country even more - despite the high prices of plane tickets, demand has been significant. Of course, these types of trips tend to be planned well in advance, so I reckon it’ll be some time before Japan recovers the tourists it had pre-pandemic. I expect to see the number of visitors to grow over the coming year, peaking for the cherry blossom and Autumn leaf seasons this year, and even more growth for 2024.
What is your favorite time for traveling to Japan?
I would personally recommend traveling during the second half of May. You’re almost guaranteed to have great weather that comes with Spring, while avoiding the rush of tourists coming for cherry blossom viewing. The days are longer as well, so you get to enjoy your time all the more.
Not to say that the other three seasons don’t each have their draws: if you love outdoors, summer is perfect for hiking through the Japanese Alps or exploring Hokkaido’s national parks. Between September and November, you’ll find beautiful red and gold leaves blanket the country’s landscapes. And winter is a very underrated season. It’s snowy, but the air is dry, and the sky sunny. As a bonus, the people brighten the dark days with a variety of festivals and celebrations.
However, you’re better off avoiding trips during Japan’s national holidays - Shogatsu (Japanese New Year), Obon (in mid-August or mid-July, depending on the area), and Golden Week (between April 29 and May 5). Locals tend to travel a lot during these periods, so the major sightseeing spots can get very crowded.
If a tourist does decide to travel at these moments, are there any hidden gems you can recommend?
If you’re looking for natural landscapes, I recommend Japan’s smaller islands, especially those in the Inland sea, which were left mostly untouched. In the same vein, you’ll find the country’s most beautiful primary forest on the island of Yakushima, south of Kyushu. Instructions to visitors are very strict, so they leave as little of a trace of their visit as possible.
For seasoned hikers, the temple of Ikumo in Ishikawa Prefecture is a very well-kept secret. Visitors are very nicely welcomed by the monks coming here to meditate, and the 360° panorama on the sea and Hakusan Mountain is a sight to behold. Not only that, but you’re also likely to be alone; there are only 2 to 3 rooms, and the climb is rather challenging.
And if you’re coming to Japan during the cherry blossom season, I suggest the banks of the Kamo river. It’s a classic, but the pink trees lining the river have a beauty that’s almost magical. If you come here on a weekday in the morning, there won’t be many people.
Many people are already planning their trip. Are there any cultural differences they should be aware of before traveling?
One word that perfectly describes Japanese culture is courtesy, for the sake of which certain customs are expected to be followed. Because the Japanese are unlikely to get angry even when offended, they can be difficult to decipher. As a general rule, the best way to avoid social mistakes is to do as the Japanese do, but there are a few specific recommendations.
It’s common knowledge that the Japanese are very clean and strongly dislike littering. You won’t find many trash cans on the streets, bring a small bag to collect your trash throughout the day. And for very much the same reasons, they won’t appreciate you eating while walking.
In the same vein, silence is golden in public transportation - passengers talk very rarely and never call. Before boarding a train, make sure to wait for passengers to disembark.
Shops may refuse customers for any reason. If this happens to you, it’s best to not insist any further. Note that tattoos can play a part in this, due to their association with the yakuza - the Japanese mafia - so covering them can help. Also, avoid tipping. Japan does not practice tipping - in fact, it’s considered an insult to do so!
Laws are followed to the letter. For instance, the Japanese will respect pedestrian signals even if there are no cars nearby. They also won’t smoke outside in the streets - it’s forbidden to smoke outside of specially-designated areas.
What about travel requirements?
Most of the restrictions that were put in place for the pandemic have been relaxed, but there are still a few formalities travelers should be aware of. If you are not vaccinated at least three times, you’ll need to present a negative COVID PCR test result, taken within 72 hours of your departure. Unless you are from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU, among others, you’ll also have to apply for a tourist visa. Either way, you should pre-register on the Visit Japan Web service: this’ll make border control much smoother. We also strongly recommend applying for health insurance if your credit card does not provide one; it should cover medical expenses and hospitalization.
Do you have any good deals for travelers on a budget?
If you’re traveling as a group of more than 3 people, you could consider renting a house instead of booking separate hotel rooms, especially in areas such as Tokyo. Besides, it’s the perfect way to live a more authentic experience!
When it comes to transport, I recommend the train to get around the country. Japan’s railway network is very developed - the Shinkansen bullet trains can get you across the country in just a few hours, while the regular trains can help you reach more remote locations. The latter is also perfect for enjoying panoramic views of Japan’s natural landscapes.
It can get rather expensive, however, so if you’re staying in Japan for at least a week and have a lot of cities to cover, I recommend you purchase a Japan Rail Pass. It’ll give you unlimited access to most trains for 1 to 3 weeks. Or, if you’re staying in one specific region, it might be worth it to purchase a Regional Pass instead - such as the Hakone Free Pass, which is quite popular with tourists. Either way, you’ll quickly get your money’s worth. It also affords a lot of flexibility, as you can board most trains without a stop to a Ticket Office.
Japan Experience is the first European tour operator to specialize exclusively in Japan. Can you tell us more about your activities?
We are a team of enthusiasts - we live and breathe Japan, and we’re constantly exploring new unique activities that we want to share with our customers. For over 40 years, we’ve been devoting all our energy to promote Japan with passion to all those who wish to travel there and, of course, to all those who simply wish to learn more about the country.
Whether you’d like to organize your trip yourself, or let us handle all the details, we have everything you need among our large catalog of products. If you’re in need of personalized advice, don’t hesitate to visit us at one of our local offices in Paris, London, Madrid, Berlin, or Tokyo.
After all, for us, Japan is more than just a destination - it’s our raison d'être.
NHK - Nov 26
China will soon allow visa-free entry for citizens of six countries, in a move widely seen as an attempt to spur the faltering domestic economy.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Inui Street, the famed autumn walk within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, opened to the public from Saturday.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Tofukuji Temple, home to 2,000 maple trees and renowned as one of Kyoto's premier autumn hotspots, features the Tsutenkyo Bridge, and the breathtaking 'sea of autumn leaves'.
News On Japan - Nov 25
The strongest cold snap of the season has brought a dramatic drop in temperatures to northern Japan, where snow began falling Friday morning, with up to 50 cm expected in Hokkaido and Tohoku by Saturday evening, and a chance of blizzards.
News On Japan - Nov 23
As Kyoto's autumn foliage reaches its peak, swarms of tourists have converged on the ancient capital, captivated by stunning displays like Wednesday evening's illumination at Kiyomizu Temple.
News On Japan - Nov 22
In the crowded halls of the Nishi-Achiyama Kannon-in Temple in Okayama City, men, completely devoid of clothing, press tightly against each other. This is the famous "Naked Festival."
visaguide.world - Nov 22
In 2024, the Japanese government aims to mandate tuberculosis tests for individuals from six countries seeking to enter Japan for over three months.
NHK - Nov 22
Japan's weather officials predict warmer-than-normal temperatures and less snow across the country in its three-month-period forecast of December through February.
VIRTUAL JAPAN - Nov 20
Checking out the first weekend of the Christmas lights in both Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills.
News On Japan - Nov 20
Preparations for the New Year are underway across Japan, with a noticeable shift from overseas to domestic travel for the year-end and New Year season, stemming from the yen's historic decline.
News On Japan - Nov 19
Japan's largest projection mapping event was launched Saturday night on the sandy beaches of Odaiba Seaside Park, Tokyo.
News On Japan - Nov 19
The introduction of platform doors at Nishimagome Station on the Toei Asakusa Line marks the completion of platform door installation across all Tokyo Metropolitan Government-managed subway stations.
taipeitimes.com - Nov 19
Japan has long managed to keep its streets spotless despite having no trash cans in sight, but cities are now turning to “smart” bins as tourist numbers — and the amount of garbage — surges.
News On Japan - Nov 18
Fukuoka City, on the northern shore of Japan's Kyushu Island, observed its first snowfall of the season on Saturday, 30 days ahead of average.
ONLY in JAPAN - Nov 18
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reported that travelers to Japan passed the record for October set in 2019! That’s a huge accomplishment for several reasons which we will discuss today - in Tokyo’s November rain.
Ordinary Adventures - Nov 18
We are exploring the Harajuku, this is one of the most kawaii areas of Tokyo Japan. But before we get to the cute stuff we’ll explore the beautiful and historic Meiji shrine.