TRAVEL AND TOUR WORLD


 

Japan’s tourism boom brings a surge of international visitors to Kyoto, while domestic tourism declines, creating a divide in the city’s cultural attractions.


Japan’s Inbound Tourism Boom and Its Impact on Kyoto

Japan is witnessing an unprecedented surge in international tourism, with a significant increase in foreign visitors to the country’s major attractions compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Kyoto, where a growing number of international tourists are flocking to iconic sites. However, this surge in foreign arrivals has not been mirrored by an increase in domestic tourism, as Japanese visitors to many of the city’s renowned temples, shrines, and gardens have been in decline.


Surging Foreign Tourism in Kyoto

The Kyoto municipal government conducts an annual survey to track tourism patterns, and the results for 2023-2024 have revealed a marked rise in international visitors.

Famous spots such as Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Shrine, Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu Gojo, and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine all saw significant increases in the number of foreign tourists.


Growth in Foreign Visitors (2023-2024):

• Fushimi Inari Shrine: 46% increase
• Nishiki Market: 42% increase
• Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: 42% increase
• Kiyomizu Gojo: 34% increase
• Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion): 29% increase
• Togetsukyo Bridge: 24% increase

Declining Japanese Visitors to Kyoto’s Major Attractions

While foreign tourism in Kyoto has surged, the same cannot be said for Japanese visitors.

The number of domestic travelers to these key sites has decreased significantly between 2023 and 2024, indicating that the growing influx of international visitors may be deterring locals from visiting.


Decline in Japanese Visitors (2023-2024):

• Fushimi Inari Shrine: 23% decrease
• Nishiki Market: 16% decrease
• Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: 42% decrease
• Kiyomizu Gojo: 34% decrease
• Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion): 29% decrease
• Togetsukyo Bridge: 11% decrease

The contrasting trends suggest that some of Kyoto’s most famous attractions are becoming less appealing to domestic visitors as international tourist crowds grow. Nishiki Market stands as an exception, where both foreign and Japanese visitor numbers have increased, though not at the same rate.


Shifting Domestic Tourism to Kyoto’s Outskirts

Despite the decline in visits to the city’s central tourist hotspots, Japanese visitors have not completely abandoned Kyoto. Instead, many are opting for less famous areas on the city’s outskirts, where attractions are less crowded and harder to reach via public transportation.

These areas provide a more tranquil and less congested travel experience, but visiting them means missing out on Kyoto’s most culturally significant landmarks.


The Future of Japan’s Tourism Landscape

The sustainability of Japan’s tourism boom remains uncertain. The surge in foreign tourism can partly be attributed to pent-up demand from the pandemic and the favorable exchange rate of the yen, making Japan an attractive destination for international travelers.

However, internal economic factors, such as rising living costs and stagnant wages in Japan, coupled with soaring hotel rates due to increased demand from foreign visitors, are causing many Japanese citizens to stay away from tourist-heavy areas.


Conclusion: A Widening Gap Between Domestic and International Visitors

As Japan continues to experience a rise in international tourism, the gap between domestic and foreign visitors in Kyoto is likely to expand further.

While some Japanese tourists are seeking out less crowded destinations, many are avoiding popular sites altogether. Whether this shift will last in the long term remains to be seen, but for now, it seems that the divide between local and international tourism in Kyoto is only growing wider.