In recent years, Japan has welcomed record numbers of tourists from across the globe and their spending becomes increasingly important to the economy. Travellers run the gamut from young couples in their 30s either childfree or with kids to groups in their 60s.
As a response, various niche businesses proliferate to cater to the needs of overseas visitors who mostly come to Japan not for shopping but for unique Japanese experiences. That means a great opportunity for companies that can offer such experiences including kimono rental shops, language training courses, camper rental services or just luggage storage applications.
Travelling Japan by camper becomes increasingly popular with overseas visitors, admits one of the owners of a Tokyo-based camper rental service. He shares that over the past two years the number of foreign customers has increased 10 times. When the company started back in 2015, the overwhelming majority of customers were Japanese tourists. If in 2017 the company received just 9 reservations from overseas visitors, in 2018 the number reached 80 bookings. This year, they already served 140 bookings from foreign travellers and there are four more months ahead.
Campers are gaining popularity for exploring Japan as they provide travellers with flexibility and prove to be a more economic means of transportation and accommodation combined. The average rental fee per day on weekdays is about USD170 and it can be split between 2 or 3 people.
With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics drawing near, the popularity of Japan as a vacation destination among overseas visitors will only grow.
Travellers Flock to Japan for Unique Experiences
News in AsiaWith the growing number of overseas travellers to Japan, niche businesses are mushrooming to cash on tourism boom.