What do you think has changed the most in Japan? Start from me. I see many other languages in Tokyo which wasn't seen 10 years ago that much✌ Thank you for watching anyway😘
Could you suggest to people in Japan, to hold speed-dating events in queues? But I'm only talking about romance as one option. The theme could be anything, like "want to meet tourists" and "want to meet natives", perhaps an event a little bit off from busy city centers. Arrange a pop-up cafe, and have them line up separately based on which type they'd like to meet while they wait. Then organize the lines so that different lengths match up in numbers to form a group. For example, if there's twice as many looking for tourist friends, match it up so in a group 6 people are looking for tourists and 3 are looking for natives. Organize the lines to cross, so that they run across different sides of a table at a goukon. Every 20 minutes when a new group is admitted to the cafe, the groups move over. People could trade digital tags on an app that allows them to exchange contact info later. I would also include a imit so people can politely refuse to, and later on they could also choose to not forward the in-app contact to their real contact information. In the cafe itself it could be assumed that the visitors are seated with their friends they showed up with. After the cafe, one more goukon could take place where people could leave at their own pace. I think this would be a very natural way for foreigners to queue up for events. If it becomes common it could also be a good way to meet secluded people.
I wouldnt be surprised if it becomes more colonized. Its true Japan is very strict in keeping their own culture to themselves and hate foreigners but its inevitable with how much outside of Japan the world has changed and we can slowly see it seep into Japan with the younger generation being more accepting unlike the older folks but once the older folks pass away well... there will be some changes
Also make sure to visit the countryside! You get to experience Japan away from the crowds, you help the local economy a bit, and you can get a more authentic feeling of Japan away from the more touristy spots.
@@l4rkdono the reasons are obvious, you wanna see modern Japan when you visit and you want some nightlife. I usually stay in Ginza for its comfy hotels but most of the evenings are spent where the city doesn't sleep. Of course there are many other districts to visit during the day, but it's pretty obvious that people can't really skip Shibuya and Shinjuku if they come for 2 weeks.
Amen to that. In the few times I've been to Japan, I truly enjoyed the city life of Tokyo. But the scenes of rice fields and the sparse old-style houses in their midst was mesmerizing. I wish I could spend a couple of days in those places. These days I long for peace and quiet more .
I've started to learn Japanese because it was offered as a free course in my university. I'm not sure why i started but I've made up my mind that if my studies continue well i want to travel to japan one day and visit every part of it, from the big cities to the countryside. I live in Italy so japan is so different from where i live, but I'm sure it'll be beautiful.
I suspect the gov't is setting the numbers based on the amount of money that tourists will inject into the economy, not any careful calculation into what is possible. But some of the problems with over-tourism is a problem of scheduling. At least they seem to have put out word not to take your huge suitcases on the Tokyo subway during commuting rush hour (don't do it 7~10 am weekdays!).
@TokyoXtreme Look no further than Canada. Prime example of having entire areas filled with people from one country. Very little cultural integration going on in those communities and the locals have all left in favor of other places more balanced.
Having been to Japan twice for tourism I agree. It felt really like and comfortable to be a tourist to visit both times and I can't IMAGINE having to deal with these gawking tourists all the time.
It was amazing to visit japan and not have to deal with blacks. It was so great not have to worry about being robbed or stabbed at night in a large city.
Tourists are beginning to wake up and realise there is more to Japan than the Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka triangle. They are venturing to other parts of the country, slowly but surely. There is so much to see and experience in this wonderful country. Please don't go to Tokyo and believe you've experienced Japan, be adventurous, explore further afield. You will be rewarded with amazing memories. As tourists spread out the current hotspots will be less busy, easing pressure on the ever patient locals. Love and respect to Japan and the people.
Thank you for watching😘 I agree with you! But at the same time, most people don't know besides Tokyo and Kyoto...so it's a bit hard to consider visiting other cities in Japan😊 Japanese people also visit Paris, London, and New York...etc. I mean big cities. Even people say there are many other good places, so....😂 Fingers crossed!
@@peternole5083 Hi. That's a tricky one to answer, I'll share my approach. Japan is made up of 4 main islands. It's divided into 8 regions with 47 prefectures. It's diverse, enthralling, enriching with a lot of beauty. Personally I like to explore, I've never considered a base. To help you I'd say this. Japan is unique, it will blow your senses. To have the best experience in Japan demands a lot of research. Perhaps you'll then find your sweet spot to base yourself, or you'll be more mobile and explore wide and far. I hope this helps. Cheers.
I took my family to Japan last year and we all fell in love with it. I went back on my own in may this year to train kobudo, and it was just as good. Now my wife and I are starting to learn Japanese and hope to go back next year. The biggest obstacle is the flight price from Europe. It costs sooo much money due to the fuel tax mostly.
Might be worth it to look into airline jobs even seasonally. They come with free flights often, only tax is paid. I’m a captain at a US airline and fly to Japan on my days off about 6 times a year. Hope you can make it back and best of luck to you on your Japanese studies
I was stationed in Okinawa at end of covid and was lucky enough to visit Tokyo, osaka Hokkaido and Saitama when their was no tourists was great experience to see without tourist lol
Wow quite the privilege! Probably once in a life time if you dont happen upon an obscene amount of money lol It was weird getting to visit places where I live as well thay were unusually dead
I visited Japan in the offseason and it was lovely but recently I visited to see the Cherry Blossoms bloom. I knew it would be crowded but I greatly underestimated the crowds and it made my vacation frustrating.. Many tourists blocking walkways and being very loud. I finally got some peace when I went to Hakone and Tenryū
Thank you for watching😉 Yes....it's so crowded these years😲 We need to plan wisely where and when to travel to Japan👌 Anyway, I'm happy to hear you found peaceful places later in your trip though😂
I think smaller towns should get together to create festivals and celebrations that take place every week and rotate per town. Make it viable for an area to have 4 or 5 towns close together and each week one has something going on. This will push tourists to those locations
The reason why it likely won’t happen for the foreseeable future is because smaller towns are getting smaller by the year, something like 40% of smaller towns face extinction in Japan, a lot of data by Japan gov etc. show this fact in details. It’s hard to imagine how Japan will be in the next decades in this regard.
Great video! I just got back from traveling to Aomori and Sendai! It was INCREDIBLE and VERY different than Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka….which are great too but fun to change it up!
I’m new in town here! First time to visit your channel! I love experiencing the normal life in the countryside of Japan. It’s full of love and spiritual❤
we will be visiting Japan for the third time this Christmas. We know that it will be cold, but we live in Arizona and cold is a welcome change. We love Osaka and the towns around that area
I'm coming to Japan in late October for a month! Can't wait 😁 Haven't been back since 2018 (my first trip), so I'm curious to see if/how it's different this time. Thanks for the video Nao! 😊
Wow, you are coming soon to Japan😊 Exciting, aren't you! I believe you can find so many things to change since 2018😉 Anyway, have fun in Japan! Thank you for watching again😎
I visited Japan 6 times total in past 3 years. longest stay was 90 days lol and several one month-ish stays. Visited all 47 prefectures and all the spots I wanted to. Bucket list was filled and a lot more. all those island and whatnot too. I am visiting for one last time(in next few years at least) in a few weeks for just 10 days. Completely not sure where I want to go since I have seen it all in all different seasons. Probably just something light like Nagano countryside and a bit of Tokyo metro. I just love Nagano area so much.
Amazing! 90 days...haha I haven't visited all prefectures yet, so I envy you😁 Nagano is a good place😊 I hope you have a good time here in Japan next time again! Thank you for watching😊
@@lunawense6288 Hah, that's a good point. I suppose I just couldn't imagine that kind of thing with the way I live, not worrying about maintaining some kind of job throughout your travel. Very different lifestyles indeed😅
@@lukeesken5415 right. i have spent the last 3 years planning for japan but having to postpone it due to money problems 😢 I wanted to go this november after last november couldn't happen, but suddenly our roommate couldn't pay his share of rent and I had to move a few days ago. My savings all went to downpayment for new rent and I lost my job. Now I'm having to push it back to next year again. It's so frustrating.. I've never been to Japan. hoping that changes soon
Clip at 2:40 got me to look up 吉日 . Lived in Japan 8 years and I'm still seeing and learning Japanese I've never seen before on a continual basis. Japanese has so many super-specific words for all sorts of things.
I sure feel the urgency. I went to Kansai twice last year.🎉. Cherry blossom season and res leaves season. Breathtaking indeed. I’ve been to Tokyo many times so I’ll spend more time in other areas in the future. My biggest fear is Japan will disappear completely due to earthquakes n tsunami. 😢
I am from Hong Kong, i love japan, i am learning the language now. I will probably move there when i get old. it is so much more affordable than Hong Kong and it is a short flight away.
Been to Japan 13 times in a span of 10 years! Been to 21 prefectures and so far, I still haven’t gotten tired of it! I hope to visit Beppu and more rural areas in the future! ❤
Wow! Soon! Yeah! I can see your excitement😊 Must be cold at most places in Japan in January! Please make sure to not catch a cold on your first week😆 Thank you for watching😘
Hello Nao, thank you for your thought provoking video. I leave for Japan in 34 days. I have saved for this MY trip of a lifetime, and your video reassured me greatly. 🥰🇯🇵✈️
I actually just came back from a 3 week long stay, and i saw much of what you mentioned! While I did try to see as much of Tokyo as possible, I also tried to see more of the "real" Japan through visits to the countryside and in my passages to Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, and Miyajima When i was driving up my way to Motegi to see the Honda collection hall, or to my friends house in Suwa, it felt eerie seeing so many empty houses and not a single child in sight regardless, I've enjoyed interacting with Japanese people from all walks of life, and i hope to come back soon! Already planning my second visit haha
So you visited so many places! Cool😉 It's also amazing that you had a great time with the locals! Waiting for you coming back soon then😊 Thank you for watching!
My last visit was in 2006 when I was a teen. If things are gonna change as drastically as you described in the next 5 to 10 years, then I hope to visit in the next year or 2. Thank you for the advice!
I love visiting Japan, but with the rise of tourism, the last couple of times my visits were met with a bit hostility, and many places aren’t accepting foreigners once again (probably due to some bad apples). I would encourage people to do their research on the areas you will be visiting, just so you aren’t met with a lot of “no foreigner allowed” or the “reservations” turn away.
I had the same sensation when I visited last spring. I keep wondering how everyone in the comments doesn't seem to have a bad experience as most comments are positive. They used to be so friendly but this last trip really hit me hard. 😢
@springnightss This is a growing issue across the world really. It’s the worst in Barcelona but you also see it in Amsterdam, Thailand, Venice and other places. They’ve just had enough of tourists, it’s very disruptive to their lives and air b and bs and things negatively affect their housing prices and things. British seaside towns and scotland are even against domestic tourists. It’s similar to the migration issue, governments just keep accepting more and more tourism without looking at the impact it has on the people that live there.
I go to Utsunomiya (in Tochigi) a couple times a year. I love that place. Was there last month and will be going again in April. That's got to one of the best cities to be in (I lived there for 6 years in the past) in all Japan. Very convenient, but not too crowded. I hope Utsunomiya never changes.
Thank you for watching(Sorry for the late response) 😘 I only went through Utsunomiya to go somewhere! It's famous for my favorite food, Gyoza👌 You know that😍
While many japanese don't travel abroad and are fed up with foreign tourists, the number of foreign tourists coming to japan is increasing every year. It is very interesting that the relationship is completely opposite to the past.
@takosdon7754 Many Japanese may not travel abroad but many do. The “Japanese tourist” is almost a stereotype in the U.K. and USA. So the Japanese can’t really be mad at us visiting their country. Although I do think the “Japanese tourist” stereotype has become more a “Chinese tourist” in recent years, there’s still a large amount of tourism from Japan, this idea they never leave their country and are set upon by foreigners is false. It’s a mutual thing.
@@jaybee4288 ? what the hell are you talking about? when did I ever say about stereotypes? And what do you mean when you say that many japanese do not travel abroad, but many do? Please improve your writing skills before replying.
@@jaybee4288 what the hell are you talking about? When have I ever mentioned stereotypes? And what do you mean that many japanese don't travel abroad but many do? I don't understand your point at all.
People may be surprised by this, but something that is consistent with the UK is wherever you go at Christmas in Japan you will be sure to hear "Last Christmas" by Wham when shopping. I hope that never changes
This video is interesting and really resonates with what I've been thinking as someone who has visited Japan regularly since 2009 and will celebrate my 20th visit this December. Back in those days, the Yen was much stronger compared to Thai Baht (my currency) and visa application was required. That's why there weren't many visitors, and I could check out many of the famous aka touristy places before low-budget airlines and a free-visa policy became a norm. I also got into mountain hiking early so I had checked off climbing Fujisan in 2017, then Shirouma Dake and a few other peaks in the Northern Alps before Covid pandemic hit. After Japan has re-opened its borders, I just planned my trip to Japan with a main focus on mountain hiking and stayed at mountain huts about 70% of my trips. I also have an above-average knowledge of Japanese language and culture (being a fujoshi that I am), so I often did a research on the places that rarely have reviews in English and just went. With that said, I feel sorry for those who have only been to a handful of popular places in Japan and found them so hyper touristy because there are reasons these locations should be visited at least once. I have no idea how Japan can tackle the over tourism problem in the foreseeable future now that Yen is plummeting, many locals are struggling with the rising cost of living and the hospitality industry really needs money from foreign tourists. I just hope it will stay a beautiful country with nice people and the wonderful nature remains uncorrupted for years to come.
I’m going to Japan in seven weeks. Very excited. We’ll be staying in the Tokyo area, but I’ve kind of started to plan another trip for 2026 where I plan to travel around a bit more.
I agree. I wanted to go to Venezuela to see the Angel Waterfall in 2010 but I held it off because it was closer to home. Same for Jamaica as well. But then these places changed dramatically since then, so it isn't safe to go alone. I've been to 75 countries just not those two.
I'm planning to come and settle down in Japan as a refugee, but even so, I'm trying really hard to learn japanese, not to slack off. I hope country will help me to do that and integrate into the Japan's society! And thanks for making this video, it really helps keeping up my attitude! With love from Ukraine!
Thank you for the video. When I go to Japan again, it will be for the purpose of visiting the countryside. I will try to avoid the over tourism that occurs in Tokyo/Kyoto/Nara/etc. Also, I will go in autumn or winter. Summer can be a little too hot. 🔥
I visited Japan 3 times and will continue to do so if possible. I still want to visit the Tohoku region. Your message is true for everything. Japan changes, as does everything. My favorite bar closed down during Corona😢. So the Japan that you visited this year is already gone. I was last November in Japan and it was a lot more relaxing. Temperatures were great. So I will visit Japan „out of season“.
Thank you for watching😉 3 times😍 That is so sad your favorite one has gone...😭 I hope you can find another of your favorite places in Japan on your next trip! I'm waiting for you to visit again and tell me your next favorite in Japan😂
I love Japan, and it was better when I went to Osaka before covid. Now because of the recent negative sentiments of foreign tourist overcrowding Japan, and these people not following or respecting Japanese laws, the discrimination (especially outside of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) becomes more real. I do appreciate that you're staying positive and making an effort to convince people to come and visit Japan.
Definetely agree with you. It's a real shame since it really is a country I admire so much and loved. We are planning to go back next year but it is sad
Thank you for watching😉 Soon! Wow! Thank you so much visited Japan 3 times already! Solo travel in Japan also gives you another memory, I believe😎 Have fun and take care!
As someone who grew up in a small town (8000 inhabitants), Tokyo is interesting but too much. I will travel to Japan this November/December and my Google Maps is full of marked places in Japan, mainly northern and rural though! Looking forward to it!
I've JUST been to Japan for the second time earlier this year. It will take some time for me to save up the money to come again but I definitely want to! I've loved it both times.
Time to visit Kyushu boys. Nobody seems to know it exists. It's incredible. Went to Japan 2 weeks before the pandemic, went back in 2023 and spent a month almost in Kyushu, going back in 2025 to to visit more central Japan. And Kyushu again, and family mart none stop.
@@gabekillian2761 Awesome! Where abouts did you travel too? I explored soooooo much. I think Miyazaki was the biggest surprise. I had the time of my life filming there!
Thank you for watching😉 Yes, Kyushu and Tohoku regions are not known yet, but really good places to visit😊 I was supposed to go there this year but postponed to next year😁
❤. Visited Shimoda and Hakone , open air museum , stayed in traditional Japanese hotel with hot pools.Went to watch the Sansa Odori festival about three weeks ago in Japan. It was an emotional experience and I would thoroughly recommend that tourist go and see this remarkable spectacle. It was indeed very hot especially in Osaka and Kyoto. We were based in Tokyo where our son works and lives. It was also like a sauna outside but regardless I think Japan is full of beautiful gracious polite helpful people. It's an inspiration. What an incredible place to visit.
Thank you for watching😉 It sounds like a cool Japan trip💯 Interacting with local cultures is always a good experience👌 I hope your sons also have a good time here in Japan😊
Kinosakionsen! We just came back from our honeymoon in Japan yesterday and were at the onsen town a few days ago! Beautiful place and a very helpful local, without speaking a word of English, saw us walking towards the nature reserve and took us to see a nearby stork nest. Very funny interaction and we learnt the word kounotori. To the point of your video, visiting rural Japan were some of the best parts of our trip but to see the tourist-y stuff in the cities we woke up at 6am to avoid the crowds.
GET OUT THERE DUDES! Like it or not, NOW is the time to travel and see places because you never know about tomorrow. You never know when you might have to start that bucket list early.
I just got back from a 15 day stay. I really like the Osaka area and suggest that to anyone. Mnt Fuji was epic last year when I was there but not an easy hike. Many changes to Mnt Fuji climbing this year so I didn't climb this year but went to Mnt Takao instead! (3776m vs 599m lol) Still a spectacular place an hour outside the Tokyo area. The heat is something but the humidity is what gets you. I find them both very agreeable but not all will. Hydration is key! What I want to know is where to get breakfast?! Nothing seems to open till 9 or 10 am!!! Love Japan will be back for a 4th trip soon.
Thank you for watching😊 Haha Mnt Takao! You can't compare it with the highest mountain in Japan😂 It's sometimes hard to find breakfast, but an easy one is probably going to chain restaurants such as Yoshinoya, Mastuya...etc (especially the Beef Bowl chain). I hope you can enjoy your 4th one😊
I just got back from Japan. Due to the high population in Tokyo- I really didn’t see many other tourists until I visited some popular shrines/temples. Even at Disneyland we only ran into a couple groups of tourist. I know they are everywhere but the population is dense and you feel it! The heat was so intense- 98 degrees and 80% humidity was rough to be out on foot all day. We had to take lots of breaks and drink a lot! Vending machines everywhere are life savers. Luckily we had access to a washing machine because we were so sweaty everyday.
Thank you for visiting😉 This summer was a bit longer than usual so I know your trip was a bit tougher than usual😲 Anyway, it sounds like you are fine except for too many people in Tokyo thouhh!haha Thank you for watching👌
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been exposed to a ton of awesome media from Japan-movies, anime, lifestyle magazines from the ‘80s, and so much music. Over time, I built this image of Japan in my head, a mix of deep traditional history and a huge tech boom at a time when the rest of the world was still catching up. Two years ago, I finally got the chance to visit. I still felt some of that nostalgic vibe in the old countryside and retro landmarks that are still around, but I couldn’t help feeling that it’s slowly fading away, which is sad because it feels like there’s never enough time to soak it all in. I love Japan and I really wish the government, or someone, would do more to preserve its traditions and landmarks. But at the same time, I think Japan will always hold onto its unique essence, no matter the era. I can’t wait to go back.
Thank you for watching😁 I believe things have changed so much since 80s! Even in these 10 years, things have changed a lot😀 Yeah, especially Japanese cultures...and old buildings have gone😭 I hope you can find other great aspects of Japan next time😘
Went last year with my brother, september 26th until october 26th, absolutely beautiful country of what i saw, went Tokyo (pretty much everywhere within the Yamanote line), Nagoya, Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Amanohashidate, Nara, Hiroshima and Kumamoto. cant wait to go back and visit some of the other places.
@@JapanwithNao I know!, we originally planned to go to Hakodate, yamagata and Matsuyama but we fell in love with Kyoto and spent too much time there. Next time!.
I went to Japan spring this year and there were a couple of places where I didn‘t enjoy the place even if they was beautiful because there were too many people, especially Kyoto and Nara. Most of the places that we visited, though, were not as crowded since we went to lesser known cities. What I really enjoyed the most throughout my trip was the food.
I can imagine that... It's a bit sorry that you couldn't fully enjoy Kyoto and Nara because they are nice places😢 We need to think about the problem! Food is always...amazing😍 Thank you for watching😘
Thats unfortunate because Kyoto has beautiful temples and the known Tori gates. I would definitely want to go try Osaka tho and probably leave Tokyo as the last destination for shopping districts honestly cause that's all there really is there.
@@SemekiIzuio This was my second time in Kyoto so I‘ve seen it less crowded. Osaka doesn‘t have as many tourist spots but I enjoyed mingling with locals and also the food. I find people in Osaka very friendly. And Tokyo is just a must-visit place. I hope you enjoy your trip!
I'm visiting Kanazawa right now (Oct '24). It's a wonderful city and the nearby mountains are gorgeous. Indeed tourists are all over this place though. 🤔
I went to japan in march of 2023 right before they opened the tourism up to world as of April 1st 2023. I then went back in September 2023 and there were surprisingly many changes. I hope when I go back at the end of this year, there isn’t too drastic of a difference
Wow! Twice in a year😉 The changes here are so fast! Getting faster and faster, I feel😲 But I hope you can find other new interesting things in Japan! Thank you for watching😎
Agreed, my partner and I have been to japan twice now and it keeps getting busier. Our solution to that is to travel further away from tokyo/osaka/kyoto. We are planning to explore kyushu instead and renting a car to drive around.
I've been in Japan three times and next year will be the fourth one... This year I went to the USA (to finish a trip interrupted by the Covid pandemic) and it was good but there's nothing compared to arriving in Japan, a place that feels like home, where I have good friends and there's still a lot to see and discover
I feel nostalgic for Japan during COVID-19. Of course, self-quarantine, wearing a mask, and many social roles all the time were very burdensome, but by that time, I thoroughly enjoyed thousands of sightseeing places in all 46 prefectures without any crowds and tourists at very reasonable prices. Due to the Go To Travel Campaign, I was able to accommodate some business hotels with less than 1,000円 all the time and even a Kokyu-Yado at under 30,000円, more than 100,000円 as usual.
Haha Go To Travel campaign is so nostalgic😂 It's cool you went to most prefectures in Japan! We have 47 prefectures though😉 Thank you for watching anyway!
I didn’t overly enjoy Kyoto due to the tourists. Gladly our trip to amanohashidate was great. The waters edge drive was amazing. Next time aiming to do some togue driving! 🚗
Lol 37°.... While that is very hot, someone from the American southwest is NOT intimidated by that lol. I love weather in Japan, and i love how early the sun rises in the summer. I can't wait to spend more time at Matsui festivals and see new places like Aomori Niigata
I will travel to Japan for 3rd times this December. It my first time to Tokyo though. Been to Nemuro, Kagoshima and Wakkanai by train. (Nemuro no longer serve by train)
I just returned from a Tokyo/Kyoto trip last week and it was SO CROWDED in the "touristy" areas. While I was expecting lots of people, the absolute shoulder to shoulder, sea of people was a little too much. It was so difficult to see sensō-ji. I'm definitely going to different, less popular places next time!
The thing that it is rarely discussed is the nationality of those tourists in a few years. Because most of those expected millions of tourists in next years will be Chinese (becoming probably 40-60% of the total). Something that makes sense due to the geographical proximity and high population of China.... but that the Japanese are not so keen on welcoming due to historical and economic reasons.
I remember the first time I visited Japan, I was overwhelmed by Tokyo. I opted to visit Sapporo in the Summer. I did not regret that decision. Visited Kyoto the second time. Wasn't the best experience even though I had japanese culture thrown at me in every corner because i am a tourist. This curious little town like Biei and Asahikawa, Furano and Otaru... being a foreigner lost in Japan outside of the Tourist dense places.
I have travelled thought lots of cities of Japan over the pass year. And a lot of cities feels completely different from Tokyo, Osaka nor Kyoto. Even mid-size cities like Nagoya (Aichi) and Fukuoka(Kyutsu), they feels more relax and more "local" compare to those main cities. Over-tourism kills the overall experience of your visit, and the living quality of locals. I like travel by Shinkansen and local trains, visit somewhere not too close to majoy cities before leaving Japan. Visited Hakodate, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita for sakura blooming, experience such relaxing vibes, once I get back to Tokyo and I find myself not so relax again. The feeling is similar when I visited Shizuoka before Kyoto, and Hiroshima before Osaka during winter time last year. To feel the "local" experience of Japan, you should conside spending less time on those over-crowded cities and key tourist spots. For example, I visited Fuji and Fujinomiya, rather than Kawaguchiko for the Mt. Fuji view, and than visited Mishima, Shimizu, Hamamatsu day by day. Just consider Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto as cities to stay for flight, but visit somewhere else and get more fun, rather than just visiting these over crowded cities.
I have visited four times now. My son studied a year in Nagoya. I have been there in December, March, September and July. I have come to love Japan and will return with my wife a second time but I do feel like the clock is ticking towards something. Like I need to get there before a big change in economy, tourism policies or my age gets the better of me. It is a wonderful place even when it is 38 degrees. The atmosphere on social media about Japan has changed too. It's like you cannot just "like" japan without some kind of baggage attached to it.
I'm happy to hear that your son studied here in Japan😊 I hope you had a good time here! The clock is ticking towards something...yeah it's really like that. Of course, some of them are really getting better, though👌 So appreciated that you can enjoy Japan with 38 degrees anyway😂 Thank you for watching😘
I'm looking to go Japan in October 2026. The plan is to go to Takayama, Kanazawa and Osaka. I hope to see the autumn festival in Takayama, really hope tourists won't be banned
I was one of the last tourists visiting Japan right before Covid hit us all. It was really sad seeing online that more and more hotels and restaurants I enjoyed in 2019 were closing down and never reopened. We also visited the countryside, Gifu, Takayama and Ito and visiting the amazing beaches. Ito was actually depressing, you could see and feel the life being drained from this place and going to Tokyo. I really hope to someday buy a small house somewhere at the coast in Japan live peaceful off of my savings.
I’m currently in Akihabara for a few weeks and this place is filled by more Europeans then i can count. I’m going to Osaka this weekend so i could only imagine how it’s like there.
The first time I visited Japan was in 2017 and I was so enthralled by the culture that I have tried to visit every year since then (except for COVID, of course). But even before the pandemic, change was the number 1 thing I noticed. Many sites which I enjoyed previously disappeared but were replaced by other exciting things. But yeah, I recommend anyone who has an interest in going to Japan do it sooner than later. You never know what you might miss out on. As an example, I like to go the same time of year to attend the Tokyo Game Show (which is ironically in Chiba). Every year it is a little bit different and very soon it may no longer be held at all.
Thank you for watching and visiting Japan many times😘 I'm glad you have a favorite place to visit in Japan! The Tokyo game show is always busy...😂 But, it's popular and loved by many people so I hope it continues for a long time in the future!
i had a fascination with japan since the 80s, would have loved to visit during the 90s when the tech explosion was happening and Japan had so much contrast between different technologies and tradition, these days i would like to visit the countryside, away from tourists and just enjoy the great forests and scenery of japan
mi 2nd trip was in february of this year and mi 3rd trip will be on february of 2025 and this time i will be heading to the country side. I am a journalist and street photographer who usually travels alone and i have to say that Japan is the perfect place to get lost. Much respect and love from Chile.
I lived in Japan 20 years ago and loved it - the culture and the beautiful scenery. Everything!! I hope Japan does not replace it's population with foreigners (like me) as they would replace what is so special and unique.
Are you kidding meeeeeee? Amazing! I'm really happy to hear that😊 I'll make more content about my hometown to make you feel nostalgic 😂 Thank you for watching😉
Wow! I guess it's the first time I've met people who have been there😊haha And yes, I'm sure you are the only foreigner besides some defense forces there😂 Thank you for watching!
I just got back from cycling/camping around Hokkaido for 3 weeks (vids on my channel). I have been to "mainland" Japan before (Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Kyoto), but Hokkaido just felt so extremely authentic to me. Hardly any gaijin and no crowds whatsoever, if anything, it's very lonely, but I don't mind that when nature is so beautiful. If you crave more interaction and the bustling city, Sapporo is very good too, but completely different from Tokyo. I'd say Tokyo is like visiting Los Angeles (obviously Tokyo is a trillion times better, but you get my point), it's really not what most of Japan is like at all.
It sounds like an amazing trip😊 Hokkaido during this season is good, I know😂 You are lucky! I know tourists find it a little hard to get to Hokkaido on their first trip to Japan...but yeah it must be a good place to visit😘
I went to Japan in new years winter 2023, after learning my lesson with London I'm worried it will have a demographic change soon, it was Tokyo and Osaka, and also I wanted to go now that the yen lowered in price, I'm planning to go again to low population locations in the summer and explore summer festivals.
I think Japan is not yet as bad with the overtourism compared to parts of Europe. If I remember correctly, France, Italy, Spain and even Germany all have more tourists per capita than Japan and they have similar or worse problems. The solution everywhere is really to spread the tourists out more spatially (going to different areas) and temporally (going in different seasons). Still, with the popularity of individual tourism and everybody just chasing the same spots famous on Instagram, that won't be an easy task. Also, the world will forever be changing continuously. I would love to take a time machine to see Japan in the height of the Showa Era, but I have to accept that this will never be the case. I will also never be able to visit the same Japan I visited for the first time in 2008.
You are right! Japan is actually still the early stage of overtourism🙃 So I want more tourists go to the countryside of Japan😉 We can't back nostalgic Japan anymore so we hope the future Japan is also good. Thank you for watching!
Very interesting video, thank you Nao-san! The climate is changing all over the world. In my country, Canada, we suffer large forest fires every year now. I can't believe the Japanese government wants 60 million tourists! I lived in Ueno for 6 years from 2017. There were already so many tourists in Akihabara, it was crazy! Good luck to everyone who wants to visit Japan - I agree they should visit soon and enjoy this beautiful country!
Thank you for watching😊 I know Forest fires happen in some countries😰 We don't have it much (maybe too humid?haha) 6 years in Japan? Amazing😁 It's surely a busy area...but I hope you had a great memory there too!
Cool! It depends on where you go to but, you can find them on SNS I guess🙌 Sorry for not giving you a clear idea. I hope you find the best mom here in Japan😊 Thank you for watching!
What do you think has changed the most in Japan? Start from me. I see many other languages in Tokyo which wasn't seen 10 years ago that much✌
Thank you for watching anyway😘
Could you suggest to people in Japan, to hold speed-dating events in queues? But I'm only talking about romance as one option. The theme could be anything, like "want to meet tourists" and "want to meet natives", perhaps an event a little bit off from busy city centers.
Arrange a pop-up cafe, and have them line up separately based on which type they'd like to meet while they wait. Then organize the lines so that different lengths match up in numbers to form a group.
For example, if there's twice as many looking for tourist friends, match it up so in a group 6 people are looking for tourists and 3 are looking for natives. Organize the lines to cross, so that they run across different sides of a table at a goukon.
Every 20 minutes when a new group is admitted to the cafe, the groups move over. People could trade digital tags on an app that allows them to exchange contact info later. I would also include a imit so people can politely refuse to, and later on they could also choose to not forward the in-app contact to their real contact information.
In the cafe itself it could be assumed that the visitors are seated with their friends they showed up with. After the cafe, one more goukon could take place where people could leave at their own pace.
I think this would be a very natural way for foreigners to queue up for events. If it becomes common it could also be a good way to meet secluded people.
Thank you for watching and for your suggestion😉
I also think there are many people who want to meet or talk with foreign tourists😎
There are definitely a lot of trendy cafe opened by young people nowadays
I wouldnt be surprised if it becomes more colonized. Its true Japan is very strict in keeping their own culture to themselves and hate foreigners but its inevitable with how much outside of Japan the world has changed and we can slowly see it seep into Japan with the younger generation being more accepting unlike the older folks but once the older folks pass away well... there will be some changes
I see more foreign (non japanese) workers in shops, that was very rare a few years ago.
Also make sure to visit the countryside! You get to experience Japan away from the crowds, you help the local economy a bit, and you can get a more authentic feeling of Japan away from the more touristy spots.
Yes, traveling to the Japanese countryside is completely different from Tokyo😘
Thank you for watching😊
Even in Tokyo there's plenty of untouristy places without crowds, people always just want to visit Shibuya and Shinjuku or whatever for some reason.
@@l4rkdono the reasons are obvious, you wanna see modern Japan when you visit and you want some nightlife. I usually stay in Ginza for its comfy hotels but most of the evenings are spent where the city doesn't sleep. Of course there are many other districts to visit during the day, but it's pretty obvious that people can't really skip Shibuya and Shinjuku if they come for 2 weeks.
@@sm4sh3d i really wonder what the drinking ban is gonna do for shibuya
Amen to that. In the few times I've been to Japan, I truly enjoyed the city life of Tokyo. But the scenes of rice fields and the sparse old-style houses in their midst was mesmerizing. I wish I could spend a couple of days in those places. These days I long for peace and quiet more .
Japan is the first foreign country I hope to visit once I am able.
Wow! I'm happy to hear that😊 Waiting for you to come here!
I will try to show you Japan as much as I can anyway😉
Same fam
i did my first solo trip ever to tokyo and kyoto 2 years ago and it was awesome. fall colors in kyoto is like nothing else
Make a 2 month stop at Bangkok before... or after
I've started to learn Japanese because it was offered as a free course in my university.
I'm not sure why i started but I've made up my mind that if my studies continue well i want to travel to japan one day and visit every part of it, from the big cities to the countryside.
I live in Italy so japan is so different from where i live, but I'm sure it'll be beautiful.
頑張ろう！！
If the amount of tourists *doubles* it'll be a nightmare, for residents and tourists alike!
Yes! Can't imagine that...😂 Thank you for watching😉
Now imagine if immigration doubles and triples, and the "newcomers" form permanent enclaves…
I suspect the gov't is setting the numbers based on the amount of money that tourists will inject into the economy, not any careful calculation into what is possible. But some of the problems with over-tourism is a problem of scheduling. At least they seem to have put out word not to take your huge suitcases on the Tokyo subway during commuting rush hour (don't do it 7~10 am weekdays!).
@TokyoXtreme Look no further than Canada. Prime example of having entire areas filled with people from one country. Very little cultural integration going on in those communities and the locals have all left in favor of other places more balanced.
Having been to Japan twice for tourism I agree. It felt really like and comfortable to be a tourist to visit both times and I can't IMAGINE having to deal with these gawking tourists all the time.
Very valid point! The architectural landscape is also changing...
Thank you for watching again😘 oh landscape...😭
It was amazing to visit japan and not have to deal with blacks. It was so great not have to worry about being robbed or stabbed at night in a large city.
Tourists are beginning to wake up and realise there is more to Japan than the Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka triangle. They are venturing to other parts of the country, slowly but surely. There is so much to see and experience in this wonderful country. Please don't go to Tokyo and believe you've experienced Japan, be adventurous, explore further afield. You will be rewarded with amazing memories. As tourists spread out the current hotspots will be less busy, easing pressure on the ever patient locals. Love and respect to Japan and the people.
Thank you for watching😘 I agree with you! But at the same time, most people don't know besides Tokyo and Kyoto...so it's a bit hard to consider visiting other cities in Japan😊
Japanese people also visit Paris, London, and New York...etc. I mean big cities. Even people say there are many other good places, so....😂 Fingers crossed!
I hear you. I’d love to visit Ine and Onomichi!
@@sebastianbecher8927 It seems your heart is set on it, so you will visit Ine and Onomichi.
Any suggestions of good places to use as a base?
@@peternole5083 Hi. That's a tricky one to answer, I'll share my approach. Japan is made up of 4 main islands. It's divided into 8 regions with 47 prefectures. It's diverse, enthralling, enriching with a lot of beauty. Personally I like to explore, I've never considered a base. To help you I'd say this. Japan is unique, it will blow your senses. To have the best experience in Japan demands a lot of research. Perhaps you'll then find your sweet spot to base yourself, or you'll be more mobile and explore wide and far. I hope this helps. Cheers.
I took my family to Japan last year and we all fell in love with it. I went back on my own in may this year to train kobudo, and it was just as good. Now my wife and I are starting to learn Japanese and hope to go back next year. The biggest obstacle is the flight price from Europe. It costs sooo much money due to the fuel tax mostly.
Thank you for watching again😊
Kobudo, and now you study Japanese😍 Amazing! You really enjoy Japan💯
Indeed expensive! I can't go to Europe easily too😂
How many euros?
@@inquisitvem6723500 euros with the cheapest airline. I am going in december with my wife.
@@inquisitvem6723for a basic economy with a layover from cdg, i saw $1600 on skyscanner. not terrible but not great either.
Might be worth it to look into airline jobs even seasonally. They come with free flights often, only tax is paid. I’m a captain at a US airline and fly to Japan on my days off about 6 times a year. Hope you can make it back and best of luck to you on your Japanese studies
I went in 2016 in November and it was beautiful!! Sadly everywhere is crowded these days and I want to remember it as it was
2016 wasn't that busy for sure, so you came here at an amazing time😘
At some point, the number of tourists will reduce but I don't know when😂
Everywhere where tourists go, yes. Japan has a TON of beautiful places to visit that are not touristy at all.
its just not enjoyable. you wait 2 hours to famous shrines
I was stationed in Okinawa at end of covid and was lucky enough to visit Tokyo, osaka Hokkaido and Saitama when their was no tourists was great experience to see without tourist lol
Thank you for watching😊 Haha you are lucky😘
Wow quite the privilege! Probably once in a life time if you dont happen upon an obscene amount of money lol
It was weird getting to visit places where I live as well thay were unusually dead
I visited Japan in the offseason and it was lovely but recently I visited to see the Cherry Blossoms bloom. I knew it would be crowded but I greatly underestimated the crowds and it made my vacation frustrating.. Many tourists blocking walkways and being very loud.
I finally got some peace when I went to Hakone and Tenryū
Thank you for watching😉
Yes....it's so crowded these years😲 We need to plan wisely where and when to travel to Japan👌 Anyway, I'm happy to hear you found peaceful places later in your trip though😂
I think smaller towns should get together to create festivals and celebrations that take place every week and rotate per town. Make it viable for an area to have 4 or 5 towns close together and each week one has something going on. This will push tourists to those locations
When I was young, many local towns merged, but it happens again maybe!
Thank you for watching and for your idea😘
The reason why it likely won’t happen for the foreseeable future is because smaller towns are getting smaller by the year, something like 40% of smaller towns face extinction in Japan, a lot of data by Japan gov etc. show this fact in details. It’s hard to imagine how Japan will be in the next decades in this regard.
That's a bad idea, as the residents won't like the large influx tourists to their towns.
Great video! I just got back from traveling to Aomori and Sendai! It was INCREDIBLE and VERY different than Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka….which are great too but fun to change it up!
Thank you for watching(Sorry for the late response) 😉
Wow Aomori and Sendai! Nice Nice! I always recommend to visit Aomori😍
I’m new in town here! First time to visit your channel! I love experiencing the normal life in the countryside of Japan. It’s full of love and spiritual❤
Thank you for watching😊 Welcome to Japan and my channel.haha
I hope you enjoy and discover Japan more😍
we will be visiting Japan for the third time this Christmas. We know that it will be cold, but we live in Arizona and cold is a welcome change. We love Osaka and the towns around that area
Wow 3rd time! Thank you for visiting Japan many times😘
That's a big advantage😊 Have fun!
Thank you for watching👌
I'm coming to Japan in late October for a month! Can't wait 😁 Haven't been back since 2018 (my first trip), so I'm curious to see if/how it's different this time.
Thanks for the video Nao! 😊
Wow, you are coming soon to Japan😊 Exciting, aren't you!
I believe you can find so many things to change since 2018😉 Anyway, have fun in Japan! Thank you for watching again😎
Japan is beautiful in october
I visited Japan 6 times total in past 3 years. longest stay was 90 days lol and several one month-ish stays. Visited all 47 prefectures and all the spots I wanted to. Bucket list was filled and a lot more. all those island and whatnot too. I am visiting for one last time(in next few years at least) in a few weeks for just 10 days. Completely not sure where I want to go since I have seen it all in all different seasons. Probably just something light like Nagano countryside and a bit of Tokyo metro. I just love Nagano area so much.
Amazing! 90 days...haha I haven't visited all prefectures yet, so I envy you😁
Nagano is a good place😊 I hope you have a good time here in Japan next time again!
Thank you for watching😊
If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living where you're able to make 6 monthlong+ trips like that within the span of a few years?
@@lukeesken5415Wealth. Literally just wealth. Or they actually have some legal status to stay in Japan through family.
@@lunawense6288 Hah, that's a good point. I suppose I just couldn't imagine that kind of thing with the way I live, not worrying about maintaining some kind of job throughout your travel. Very different lifestyles indeed😅
@@lukeesken5415 right. i have spent the last 3 years planning for japan but having to postpone it due to money problems 😢 I wanted to go this november after last november couldn't happen, but suddenly our roommate couldn't pay his share of rent and I had to move a few days ago. My savings all went to downpayment for new rent and I lost my job. Now I'm having to push it back to next year again. It's so frustrating.. I've never been to Japan. hoping that changes soon
Clip at 2:40 got me to look up 吉日 . Lived in Japan 8 years and I'm still seeing and learning Japanese I've never seen before on a continual basis. Japanese has so many super-specific words for all sorts of things.
Yeah, Japanese language is a bit complicated...haha I'm happy you learn it though😘
Thank you for watching😉 Good luck for your Japanese study!
I miss Japan so much.... i will visit again soon.... ❤
Yes! Thank you for visiting and watching the video😃
@@JapanwithNao Sure
I'm going to Japan again in November, and I'm excited! It'll be my 3rd year in a row visiting!
Wow, 3rd year in a row😃 I'm glad to hear you are coming again👌
Have fun!
Thank you for watching😊
omg literally me too, be there in November and 3rd time!
Me too, but it will be my first
I sure feel the urgency. I went to Kansai twice last year.🎉. Cherry blossom season and res leaves season. Breathtaking indeed. I’ve been to Tokyo many times so I’ll spend more time in other areas in the future. My biggest fear is Japan will disappear completely due to earthquakes n tsunami. 😢
I'll be there for the first time in less than two weeks! I've wanted to come for years and now I finally have the chance.
Nice! I hope you have a good time here😘
Thank you for watching😁
The last time I was in Japan was 2009, and my wife has never been, so we were thinking about maybe going this November. I guess we better get on it!
Thank you for watching😉
I really hope your wife will find Japan a good place😊 Have fun and take care!
I am from Hong Kong, i love japan, i am learning the language now. I will probably move there when i get old. it is so much more affordable than Hong Kong and it is a short flight away.
你好！Thank you for watching😊(Sorry for the late response).
Good luck for your Japanese language study! We can communicate in Japanese someday then😉
Been to Japan 13 times in a span of 10 years! Been to 21 prefectures and so far, I still haven’t gotten tired of it! I hope to visit Beppu and more rural areas in the future! ❤
Thank you for watching😊 Wow 13 times!!haha Amazing!
Beppu is really good! Onsen...😍
I hope you can find another good thing in Japan😊
I remember seeing a video from Dogen about his living in Beppu and how it's apparently really ex-pat/immigrant friendly
i’m moving to japan in january! im so excited
Wow! Soon! Yeah! I can see your excitement😊 Must be cold at most places in Japan in January! Please make sure to not catch a cold on your first week😆
Thank you for watching😘
As someone who lived in my beloved Nihon for 3 years 2011-2014 and am moving back with my wife this winter, I gotta say good luck and all the best!
Great video, thanks. I'm visiting in February so glad to hear it's the best time.
Thank you for watching (Sorry for the late response)😉
Have fun!
Hello Nao, thank you for your thought provoking video. I leave for Japan in 34 days. I have saved for this MY trip of a lifetime, and your video reassured me greatly. 🥰🇯🇵✈️
Wow coming to Japan finally😊 I hope you have a great time here in Japan!
Thank you for watching😘
I actually just came back from a 3 week long stay, and i saw much of what you mentioned!
While I did try to see as much of Tokyo as possible, I also tried to see more of the "real" Japan through visits to the countryside and in my passages to Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, and Miyajima
When i was driving up my way to Motegi to see the Honda collection hall, or to my friends house in Suwa, it felt eerie seeing so many empty houses and not a single child in sight
regardless, I've enjoyed interacting with Japanese people from all walks of life, and i hope to come back soon! Already planning my second visit haha
So you visited so many places! Cool😉
It's also amazing that you had a great time with the locals! Waiting for you coming back soon then😊
Thank you for watching!
My last visit was in 2006 when I was a teen. If things are gonna change as drastically as you described in the next 5 to 10 years, then I hope to visit in the next year or 2. Thank you for the advice!
Thank you for watching😉 We can see other popular tourists spots in 5 years may be😆
I love visiting Japan, but with the rise of tourism, the last couple of times my visits were met with a bit hostility, and many places aren’t accepting foreigners once again (probably due to some bad apples). I would encourage people to do their research on the areas you will be visiting, just so you aren’t met with a lot of “no foreigner allowed” or the “reservations” turn away.
That's good advice! Visiting the countryside is also a good idea😊
Thank you for watching again😉
I had the same sensation when I visited last spring. I keep wondering how everyone in the comments doesn't seem to have a bad experience as most comments are positive. They used to be so friendly but this last trip really hit me hard. 😢
@@springnightss but where does this hostility happen?
@@luquinhasleiva i just went to in big cities to touristic zones, and a couple of none touristic neighborhoods were people were friendlier.
@springnightss This is a growing issue across the world really. It’s the worst in Barcelona but you also see it in Amsterdam, Thailand, Venice and other places. They’ve just had enough of tourists, it’s very disruptive to their lives and air b and bs and things negatively affect their housing prices and things. British seaside towns and scotland are even against domestic tourists. It’s similar to the migration issue, governments just keep accepting more and more tourism without looking at the impact it has on the people that live there.
Wow. Newsflash! Places change overtime. Thought Barcelona and Bangkok had remained static over the past 3 decades.
I go to Utsunomiya (in Tochigi) a couple times a year. I love that place. Was there last month and will be going again in April. That's got to one of the best cities to be in (I lived there for 6 years in the past) in all Japan. Very convenient, but not too crowded. I hope Utsunomiya never changes.
Thank you for watching(Sorry for the late response) 😘
I only went through Utsunomiya to go somewhere! It's famous for my favorite food, Gyoza👌 You know that😍
While many japanese don't travel abroad and are fed up with foreign tourists, the number of foreign tourists coming to japan is increasing every year. It is very interesting that the relationship is completely opposite to the past.
So may be the Japanese yen gets weaker is a kind of reason may be? Thank you for watching😎
@@JapanwithNaoI honestly believe social media is the No. 1 cause; the weak Yen is the No. 2 cause.
@takosdon7754 Many Japanese may not travel abroad but many do. The “Japanese tourist” is almost a stereotype in the U.K. and USA. So the Japanese can’t really be mad at us visiting their country. Although I do think the “Japanese tourist” stereotype has become more a “Chinese tourist” in recent years, there’s still a large amount of tourism from Japan, this idea they never leave their country and are set upon by foreigners is false. It’s a mutual thing.
@@jaybee4288 ?
what the hell are you talking about? when did I ever say about stereotypes? And what do you mean when you say that many japanese do not travel abroad, but many do? Please improve your writing skills before replying.
@@jaybee4288 what the hell are you talking about?
When have I ever mentioned stereotypes? And what do you mean that many japanese don't travel abroad but many do? I don't understand your point at all.
This is great advice. We're visiting next March and April. I hope those are good months to visit.
Thank you for watching😘 It must be a good time to visit! Maybe a bit busy season but you can enjoy Japan😊
People may be surprised by this, but something that is consistent with the UK is wherever you go at Christmas in Japan you will be sure to hear "Last Christmas" by Wham when shopping. I hope that never changes
Yeah, there are many Xmas songs nowadays but the song is legend😉
Thank you for watching😁
This video is interesting and really resonates with what I've been thinking as someone who has visited Japan regularly since 2009 and will celebrate my 20th visit this December. Back in those days, the Yen was much stronger compared to Thai Baht (my currency) and visa application was required. That's why there weren't many visitors, and I could check out many of the famous aka touristy places before low-budget airlines and a free-visa policy became a norm. I also got into mountain hiking early so I had checked off climbing Fujisan in 2017, then Shirouma Dake and a few other peaks in the Northern Alps before Covid pandemic hit. After Japan has re-opened its borders, I just planned my trip to Japan with a main focus on mountain hiking and stayed at mountain huts about 70% of my trips. I also have an above-average knowledge of Japanese language and culture (being a fujoshi that I am), so I often did a research on the places that rarely have reviews in English and just went. With that said, I feel sorry for those who have only been to a handful of popular places in Japan and found them so hyper touristy because there are reasons these locations should be visited at least once. I have no idea how Japan can tackle the over tourism problem in the foreseeable future now that Yen is plummeting, many locals are struggling with the rising cost of living and the hospitality industry really needs money from foreign tourists. I just hope it will stay a beautiful country with nice people and the wonderful nature remains uncorrupted for years to come.
I’m going to Japan in seven weeks. Very excited. We’ll be staying in the Tokyo area, but I’ve kind of started to plan another trip for 2026 where I plan to travel around a bit more.
Wow amazing😘 Thank you for visiting anyway!
I'm sure you can find another Japan if you go to other places (rural areas)😎
Thank you for watching👌
Avoid Kyoto if I were you. Place is tourist hell.
@@JapanwithNaowhat are the rural areas you would recommend? Is Nakasendo trail rural enough?😅
I agree. I wanted to go to Venezuela to see the Angel Waterfall in 2010 but I held it off because it was closer to home. Same for Jamaica as well. But then these places changed dramatically since then, so it isn't safe to go alone. I've been to 75 countries just not those two.
I'm planning to come and settle down in Japan as a refugee, but even so, I'm trying really hard to learn japanese, not to slack off. I hope country will help me to do that and integrate into the Japan's society! And thanks for making this video, it really helps keeping up my attitude! With love from Ukraine!
Finally able to visit later this season for the first time, can't wait to see the beautiful orange and red foliage. :)
Wow! I can see your excitement😍 Have fun!
Thank you for watching😊
Thank you for the video. When I go to Japan again, it will be for the purpose of visiting the countryside. I will try to avoid the over tourism that occurs in Tokyo/Kyoto/Nara/etc. Also, I will go in autumn or winter. Summer can be a little too hot. 🔥
That's a really nice idea😉 The countryside in Japan is also good.
Thank you for watching😘
I visited Japan 3 times and will continue to do so if possible. I still want to visit the Tohoku region.
Your message is true for everything. Japan changes, as does everything. My favorite bar closed down during Corona😢. So the Japan that you visited this year is already gone.
I was last November in Japan and it was a lot more relaxing. Temperatures were great. So I will visit Japan „out of season“.
Thank you for watching😉 3 times😍
That is so sad your favorite one has gone...😭 I hope you can find another of your favorite places in Japan on your next trip!
I'm waiting for you to visit again and tell me your next favorite in Japan😂
I love Japan, and it was better when I went to Osaka before covid. Now because of the recent negative sentiments of foreign tourist overcrowding Japan, and these people not following or respecting Japanese laws, the discrimination (especially outside of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) becomes more real. I do appreciate that you're staying positive and making an effort to convince people to come and visit Japan.
I am making my first trip to Japan. I'm going to a music festival in Chiba and I hope to visit Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima on another trip
Thank you for watching😊 Good Good! I hope you have a great time here😁
Definetely agree with you. It's a real shame since it really is a country I admire so much and loved. We are planning to go back next year but it is sad
Thank you for watching😘 I hope you have good days in Japan and things get better before that😊
@@JapanwithNao Same!
Nao, thanks for the video! gonna be in Japan in 5 weeks! third time but first time solo. I absolutely love your country! take care my friend!
Thank you for watching😉 Soon! Wow! Thank you so much visited Japan 3 times already!
Solo travel in Japan also gives you another memory, I believe😎 Have fun and take care!
Hi Nao. Keep up the great work! Always looking forward to your videos. ☺️
Hey! Thank you for watching and lovely comment.😚See you in the following video!
As someone who grew up in a small town (8000 inhabitants), Tokyo is interesting but too much. I will travel to Japan this November/December and my Google Maps is full of marked places in Japan, mainly northern and rural though! Looking forward to it!
I've JUST been to Japan for the second time earlier this year. It will take some time for me to save up the money to come again but I definitely want to! I've loved it both times.
Thank you for watching (Sorry for the late response) and visiting Japan many times😉 We are waiting for you your 3rd time visit then😍
Time to visit Kyushu boys. Nobody seems to know it exists. It's incredible. Went to Japan 2 weeks before the pandemic, went back in 2023 and spent a month almost in Kyushu, going back in 2025 to to visit more central Japan. And Kyushu again, and family mart none stop.
I did an internship in Kyushu this past May-July and I agree. Very underrated part of Japan
@@gabekillian2761 Awesome! Where abouts did you travel too? I explored soooooo much. I think Miyazaki was the biggest surprise. I had the time of my life filming there!
Def go again and spend a shitload. Miyazaki got smashed by Shen Shen
Thank you for watching😉 Yes, Kyushu and Tohoku regions are not known yet, but really good places to visit😊
I was supposed to go there this year but postponed to next year😁
@@JapanwithNao both beautiful areas. I hope you get to explore soon!
❤. Visited Shimoda and Hakone , open air museum , stayed in traditional Japanese hotel with hot pools.Went to watch the Sansa Odori festival about three weeks ago in Japan. It was an emotional experience and I would thoroughly recommend that tourist go and see this remarkable spectacle. It was indeed very hot especially in Osaka and Kyoto. We were based in Tokyo where our son works and lives. It was also like a sauna outside but regardless I think Japan is full of beautiful gracious polite helpful people. It's an inspiration. What an incredible place to visit.
Thank you for watching😉 It sounds like a cool Japan trip💯 Interacting with local cultures is always a good experience👌
I hope your sons also have a good time here in Japan😊
Kinosakionsen! We just came back from our honeymoon in Japan yesterday and were at the onsen town a few days ago! Beautiful place and a very helpful local, without speaking a word of English, saw us walking towards the nature reserve and took us to see a nearby stork nest. Very funny interaction and we learnt the word kounotori. To the point of your video, visiting rural Japan were some of the best parts of our trip but to see the tourist-y stuff in the cities we woke up at 6am to avoid the crowds.
I'm hoping to save up enough money to be able to come to Japan someday. It's on my bucket list. Wish me luck! 🙏🤞☘️🍀🌸
That's a nice dream😊 I'm waiting for you to come to Japan then😎
GET OUT THERE DUDES! Like it or not, NOW is the time to travel and see places because you never know about tomorrow.
You never know when you might have to start that bucket list early.
Thank you for watching😉 That's so true!
My health changed drastically starting 4 years ago even as a young man and got worse since. If you have money and vacation time, go now!
I just got back from a 15 day stay. I really like the Osaka area and suggest that to anyone. Mnt Fuji was epic last year when I was there but not an easy hike. Many changes to Mnt Fuji climbing this year so I didn't climb this year but went to Mnt Takao instead! (3776m vs 599m lol) Still a spectacular place an hour outside the Tokyo area. The heat is something but the humidity is what gets you. I find them both very agreeable but not all will. Hydration is key! What I want to know is where to get breakfast?! Nothing seems to open till 9 or 10 am!!! Love Japan will be back for a 4th trip soon.
Thank you for watching😊
Haha Mnt Takao! You can't compare it with the highest mountain in Japan😂
It's sometimes hard to find breakfast, but an easy one is probably going to chain restaurants such as Yoshinoya, Mastuya...etc (especially the Beef Bowl chain).
I hope you can enjoy your 4th one😊
I just got back from Japan. Due to the high population in Tokyo- I really didn’t see many other tourists until I visited some popular shrines/temples. Even at Disneyland we only ran into a couple groups of tourist. I know they are everywhere but the population is dense and you feel it! The heat was so intense- 98 degrees and 80% humidity was rough to be out on foot all day. We had to take lots of breaks and drink a lot! Vending machines everywhere are life savers. Luckily we had access to a washing machine because we were so sweaty everyday.
Thank you for visiting😉 This summer was a bit longer than usual so I know your trip was a bit tougher than usual😲
Anyway, it sounds like you are fine except for too many people in Tokyo thouhh!haha
Thank you for watching👌
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been exposed to a ton of awesome media from Japan-movies, anime, lifestyle magazines from the ‘80s, and so much music. Over time, I built this image of Japan in my head, a mix of deep traditional history and a huge tech boom at a time when the rest of the world was still catching up. Two years ago, I finally got the chance to visit. I still felt some of that nostalgic vibe in the old countryside and retro landmarks that are still around, but I couldn’t help feeling that it’s slowly fading away, which is sad because it feels like there’s never enough time to soak it all in. I love Japan and I really wish the government, or someone, would do more to preserve its traditions and landmarks. But at the same time, I think Japan will always hold onto its unique essence, no matter the era. I can’t wait to go back.
like europe its completely catering to tourists now. they want 60 million. all cities are becoming overcrowded and "disneysized".
Thank you for watching😁
I believe things have changed so much since 80s!
Even in these 10 years, things have changed a lot😀
Yeah, especially Japanese cultures...and old buildings have gone😭
I hope you can find other great aspects of Japan next time😘
@@JapanwithNao Japan definitely has an endless list of great aspects I still have yet to explore, and I eagerly wait till I can visit again to do so.
Went last year with my brother, september 26th until october 26th, absolutely beautiful country of what i saw, went Tokyo (pretty much everywhere within the Yamanote line), Nagoya, Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Amanohashidate, Nara, Hiroshima and Kumamoto. cant wait to go back and visit some of the other places.
Wow so many places😉 You haven't discovered the north region of Japan and the Shikoku area yet😎 Both are good😆
Thank you for watching!
@@JapanwithNao I know!, we originally planned to go to Hakodate, yamagata and Matsuyama but we fell in love with Kyoto and spent too much time there. Next time!.
It's good you had fun in Kyoto, though😊 Yes, next time. There are many places waiting for you to discover in Japan😎 Have a good weekend!
I went to Japan spring this year and there were a couple of places where I didn‘t enjoy the place even if they was beautiful because there were too many people, especially Kyoto and Nara. Most of the places that we visited, though, were not as crowded since we went to lesser known cities. What I really enjoyed the most throughout my trip was the food.
I can imagine that... It's a bit sorry that you couldn't fully enjoy Kyoto and Nara because they are nice places😢 We need to think about the problem!
Food is always...amazing😍
Thank you for watching😘
Thats unfortunate because Kyoto has beautiful temples and the known Tori gates. I would definitely want to go try Osaka tho and probably leave Tokyo as the last destination for shopping districts honestly cause that's all there really is there.
@@SemekiIzuio This was my second time in Kyoto so I‘ve seen it less crowded. Osaka doesn‘t have as many tourist spots but I enjoyed mingling with locals and also the food. I find people in Osaka very friendly. And Tokyo is just a must-visit place. I hope you enjoy your trip!
I'm visiting Kanazawa right now (Oct '24). It's a wonderful city and the nearby mountains are gorgeous. Indeed tourists are all over this place though. 🤔
I went to japan in march of 2023 right before they opened the tourism up to world as of April 1st 2023. I then went back in September 2023 and there were surprisingly many changes. I hope when I go back at the end of this year, there isn’t too drastic of a difference
Wow! Twice in a year😉
The changes here are so fast! Getting faster and faster, I feel😲
But I hope you can find other new interesting things in Japan! Thank you for watching😎
Going to Japan Tuesday and I’ll be there 11 days!
Have fun😘 Thank you for watching!
Agreed, my partner and I have been to japan twice now and it keeps getting busier. Our solution to that is to travel further away from tokyo/osaka/kyoto. We are planning to explore kyushu instead and renting a car to drive around.
That's a good idea and I want to visit Kyushu area again too😊
Thank you for watching! Have fun your 3rd time here in Japan someday😁
I've been in Japan three times and next year will be the fourth one... This year I went to the USA (to finish a trip interrupted by the Covid pandemic) and it was good but there's nothing compared to arriving in Japan, a place that feels like home, where I have good friends and there's still a lot to see and discover
Cool! I'm happy you have many places and friends here😘
I hope you have a great time again here👌
Thank you for visiting and watching the video😊
I feel nostalgic for Japan during COVID-19. Of course, self-quarantine, wearing a mask, and many social roles all the time were very burdensome, but by that time, I thoroughly enjoyed thousands of sightseeing places in all 46 prefectures without any crowds and tourists at very reasonable prices. Due to the Go To Travel Campaign, I was able to accommodate some business hotels with less than 1,000円 all the time and even a Kokyu-Yado at under 30,000円, more than 100,000円 as usual.
Haha Go To Travel campaign is so nostalgic😂 It's cool you went to most prefectures in Japan! We have 47 prefectures though😉
Thank you for watching anyway!
I didn’t overly enjoy Kyoto due to the tourists. Gladly our trip to amanohashidate was great. The waters edge drive was amazing. Next time aiming to do some togue driving! 🚗
Thank you for watching(Sorry for the late response) 😘 Driving allows you to travel Japan deeper and wider! Have fun😉
@@JapanwithNao hai! 🙏
Lol 37°.... While that is very hot, someone from the American southwest is NOT intimidated by that lol. I love weather in Japan, and i love how early the sun rises in the summer. I can't wait to spend more time at Matsui festivals and see new places like Aomori Niigata
I will travel to Japan for 3rd times this December.
It my first time to Tokyo though.
Been to Nemuro, Kagoshima and Wakkanai by train. (Nemuro no longer serve by train)
3rd time but it's a first time in Tokyo? Interesting😘
Nice places you pick to go! Have fun😉
Thank you for watching! (Sorry for being late response)
I plan on going to Japan in February, but it will start in Tokyo, then a majority of the trip will be in the Hokkaido prefecture.
I recognise that station 竹野駅 is near 城崎温泉 also in the video, I think? I always wanted to go there.
I just returned from a Tokyo/Kyoto trip last week and it was SO CROWDED in the "touristy" areas. While I was expecting lots of people, the absolute shoulder to shoulder, sea of people was a little too much. It was so difficult to see sensō-ji. I'm definitely going to different, less popular places next time!
I lived back in the 80s had the opportunity to go off the beaten path in Shikoku, Okinawa, Yamashi-ken, Kyoto, and Kyushu. ❤️
80s! It's way chill than now! I believe especially Shikoku is still peaceful though😊
Thank you for watching😁
The thing that it is rarely discussed is the nationality of those tourists in a few years. Because most of those expected millions of tourists in next years will be Chinese (becoming probably 40-60% of the total). Something that makes sense due to the geographical proximity and high population of China.... but that the Japanese are not so keen on welcoming due to historical and economic reasons.
I was in Japan 3 weeks last September. I hope to be back next year.
Wow coming back again?😊 Waiting for you then!
Thank you for watching😉
I remember the first time I visited Japan, I was overwhelmed by Tokyo. I opted to visit Sapporo in the Summer. I did not regret that decision. Visited Kyoto the second time. Wasn't the best experience even though I had japanese culture thrown at me in every corner because i am a tourist. This curious little town like Biei and Asahikawa, Furano and Otaru... being a foreigner lost in Japan outside of the Tourist dense places.
I have travelled thought lots of cities of Japan over the pass year. And a lot of cities feels completely different from Tokyo, Osaka nor Kyoto. Even mid-size cities like Nagoya (Aichi) and Fukuoka(Kyutsu), they feels more relax and more "local"
compare to those main cities. Over-tourism kills the overall experience of your visit, and the living quality of locals.
I like travel by Shinkansen and local trains, visit somewhere not too close to majoy cities before leaving Japan.
Visited Hakodate, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita for sakura blooming, experience such relaxing vibes, once I get back to Tokyo and I find myself not so relax again.
The feeling is similar when I visited Shizuoka before Kyoto, and Hiroshima before Osaka during winter time last year.
To feel the "local" experience of Japan, you should conside spending less time on those over-crowded cities and key tourist spots.
For example, I visited Fuji and Fujinomiya, rather than Kawaguchiko for the Mt. Fuji view, and than visited Mishima, Shimizu, Hamamatsu day by day.
Just consider Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto as cities to stay for flight, but visit somewhere else and get more fun, rather than just visiting these over crowded cities.
I'm visiting Yokohama in December, wish I had the time to go to rural areas 😮💨
Thank you for watching! (Sorry for the late response)😘 It's a good city where I was born!
The countryside in Japan is also awesome! Have fun😉
I have visited four times now. My son studied a year in Nagoya. I have been there in December, March, September and July. I have come to love Japan and will return with my wife a second time but I do feel like the clock is ticking towards something. Like I need to get there before a big change in economy, tourism policies or my age gets the better of me. It is a wonderful place even when it is 38 degrees. The atmosphere on social media about Japan has changed too. It's like you cannot just "like" japan without some kind of baggage attached to it.
I'm happy to hear that your son studied here in Japan😊 I hope you had a good time here!
The clock is ticking towards something...yeah it's really like that. Of course, some of them are really getting better, though👌
So appreciated that you can enjoy Japan with 38 degrees anyway😂
Thank you for watching😘
I'm looking to go Japan in October 2026. The plan is to go to Takayama, Kanazawa and Osaka. I hope to see the autumn festival in Takayama, really hope tourists won't be banned
I was one of the last tourists visiting Japan right before Covid hit us all. It was really sad seeing online that more and more hotels and restaurants I enjoyed in 2019 were closing down and never reopened.
We also visited the countryside, Gifu, Takayama and Ito and visiting the amazing beaches. Ito was actually depressing, you could see and feel the life being drained from this place and going to Tokyo.
I really hope to someday buy a small house somewhere at the coast in Japan live peaceful off of my savings.
Great English, and good content! subscribed 👍Welcome from Hungary
Thank you for watching and your comment😘
I’m currently in Akihabara for a few weeks and this place is filled by more Europeans then i can count.
I’m going to Osaka this weekend so i could only imagine how it’s like there.
Thank you for watching(Sorry for the late response) 😘
Haha yeah it really depends on places. Some places are more Asians😉
Have fun!
The first time I visited Japan was in 2017 and I was so enthralled by the culture that I have tried to visit every year since then (except for COVID, of course). But even before the pandemic, change was the number 1 thing I noticed. Many sites which I enjoyed previously disappeared but were replaced by other exciting things.
But yeah, I recommend anyone who has an interest in going to Japan do it sooner than later. You never know what you might miss out on. As an example, I like to go the same time of year to attend the Tokyo Game Show (which is ironically in Chiba). Every year it is a little bit different and very soon it may no longer be held at all.
Thank you for watching and visiting Japan many times😘
I'm glad you have a favorite place to visit in Japan! The Tokyo game show is always busy...😂 But, it's popular and loved by many people so I hope it continues for a long time in the future!
i had a fascination with japan since the 80s, would have loved to visit during the 90s when the tech explosion was happening and Japan had so much contrast between different technologies and tradition, these days i would like to visit the countryside, away from tourists and just enjoy the great forests and scenery of japan
You need to go to rural areas in Japan then😉 They are amazing though!
Thank you for watching😘
Well most places I did tend to visit. Corona sadly killed off sadly. Flight prices has to calm down a fair bit until I can travel back.
Thank you for watching😉 Yeah, I know... hope you can travel to Japan soon😘
mi 2nd trip was in february of this year and mi 3rd trip will be on february of 2025 and this time i will be heading to the country side. I am a journalist and street photographer who usually travels alone and i have to say that Japan is the perfect place to get lost. Much respect and love from Chile.
Hola! Thank you for visiting Japan several times😉
I hope you have a great time on your 3rd here😘
Thank you for watching😊
I lived in Japan 20 years ago and loved it - the culture and the beautiful scenery. Everything!! I hope Japan does not replace it's population with foreigners (like me) as they would replace what is so special and unique.
20 years ago! It's totally different I believe😊 Some places are not popular at all at the time!
Thank you for watching😎
I lived in Toyooka for two years and often went to Kinosaki :) Nice hometown!
Are you kidding meeeeeee? Amazing! I'm really happy to hear that😊
I'll make more content about my hometown to make you feel nostalgic 😂
Thank you for watching😉
@@JapanwithNao Yeah! I now live in Tokyo! I visit Toyooka and Kinosaki again soon!
Thanks for being you!
Cool video! You have great energy.
Thank you for watching😎
I visited Yonaguni Island this year. I was the only foreigner there (or at least the only non Asian). Tokyo and Kyoto were too full of tourists.
Wow! I guess it's the first time I've met people who have been there😊haha
And yes, I'm sure you are the only foreigner besides some defense forces there😂
Thank you for watching!
Visit Japan, Live in Japan, Work in Japan, Make friends in Japan, Have gratitude in Japan, Love Japan but always have a backup if not two...
Thank you for watching😊 Having a backup is important for our life😎
I just got back from cycling/camping around Hokkaido for 3 weeks (vids on my channel). I have been to "mainland" Japan before (Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Kyoto), but Hokkaido just felt so extremely authentic to me. Hardly any gaijin and no crowds whatsoever, if anything, it's very lonely, but I don't mind that when nature is so beautiful. If you crave more interaction and the bustling city, Sapporo is very good too, but completely different from Tokyo. I'd say Tokyo is like visiting Los Angeles (obviously Tokyo is a trillion times better, but you get my point), it's really not what most of Japan is like at all.
It sounds like an amazing trip😊 Hokkaido during this season is good, I know😂 You are lucky!
I know tourists find it a little hard to get to Hokkaido on their first trip to Japan...but yeah it must be a good place to visit😘
I went to Japan in new years winter 2023, after learning my lesson with London I'm worried it will have a demographic change soon, it was Tokyo and Osaka, and also I wanted to go now that the yen lowered in price, I'm planning to go again to low population locations in the summer and explore summer festivals.
I think Japan is not yet as bad with the overtourism compared to parts of Europe. If I remember correctly, France, Italy, Spain and even Germany all have more tourists per capita than Japan and they have similar or worse problems.
The solution everywhere is really to spread the tourists out more spatially (going to different areas) and temporally (going in different seasons).
Still, with the popularity of individual tourism and everybody just chasing the same spots famous on Instagram, that won't be an easy task.
Also, the world will forever be changing continuously. I would love to take a time machine to see Japan in the height of the Showa Era, but I have to accept that this will never be the case. I will also never be able to visit the same Japan I visited for the first time in 2008.
You are right! Japan is actually still the early stage of overtourism🙃 So I want more tourists go to the countryside of Japan😉
We can't back nostalgic Japan anymore so we hope the future Japan is also good.
Thank you for watching!
i'm visiting next week for 20 days
Thank you for watching😉 20 days! Nice! Have fun😘
Will be visiting for the first time in two weeks, very excited and nervous 😅as it’s a solo trip
It's soon! Amazing😊 I know how nervous the first solo trip is! But you can surely enjoy it here😘
Have fun👌 Thank you for watching😃
Very interesting video, thank you Nao-san! The climate is changing all over the world. In my country, Canada, we suffer large forest fires every year now. I can't believe the Japanese government wants 60 million tourists! I lived in Ueno for 6 years from 2017. There were already so many tourists in Akihabara, it was crazy! Good luck to everyone who wants to visit Japan - I agree they should visit soon and enjoy this beautiful country!
Thank you for watching😊
I know Forest fires happen in some countries😰 We don't have it much (maybe too humid?haha)
6 years in Japan? Amazing😁 It's surely a busy area...but I hope you had a great memory there too!
My husband and I will be in Japan next month and I am looking for local mom and pop’s shops to support ! Any suggestions I’d love!
Cool! It depends on where you go to but, you can find them on SNS I guess🙌
Sorry for not giving you a clear idea. I hope you find the best mom here in Japan😊
Thank you for watching!
I know it's inevitable but damn, I don't want it to change
Very educational