Bringing futuristic solutions to historic streets. Upon coming to Japan and exploring the cities, I soon came to one of many realizations: the country has a near-complete lack of public trash cans. While it’s technically possible to call into one of the many convenience stores to unload your pockets of snack wrappers into the store’s […]
Who's making Shibuya a worse place to live? The ward rolls out a new fine targeting not just tourists, but messy locals.
Littering in Shibuya will get you a fine that must be paid on the spot. Last Monday wasn’t just the start of June, it was the start of a new littering fine in Tokyo. As of June 1, if officials spot someone throwing trash on the ground in some of the city’s most heavily touristed […]
An American tourist who climbed into a monkey enclosure at a Japanese zoo while wearing an emoji costume has prompted a potential photo ban.
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Enjoying your time in Japan requires knowing a few things that don't go viral. Here's what we've learned from working with our customers.
For decades, countries treated tourism like an infinite cash machine. Governments took travelers for granted, assuming no amount of taxes, massive border queues, or local hostility would stop the flow of money. But the landscape has completely shifted, and travelers have finally reached a breaking point. Right now, a wave of popular destinations is actively …
The post 8 Countries That Do Not…
A Tokyo Shimbun and Kyodo analysis of 2025 smartphone-location data finds seven prefectures account for 72 of Japan's top 100 inbound-tourist hotspots, while 25 prefectures don't appear at all.
While inbound tourists mainly clog up the Golden Route, domestic Japanese travelers make full use of hisho-chi, highland summer resorts.
A growing destination, Fukuoka is managing the potential pitfalls of overtourism through a mix of yatai and downtown development.
As more tourist hot spots look at dual pricing, Japan's government prepares rules to ensure it's implemented legally.
Japan’s all-for-fun spring holiday season is a little tarnished these days. Japan has three major vacation periods, but two of them come with social obligations. For both Oshogatsu (the New Year’s holiday period) and Obon (which takes place in early August), tradition holds that you’re supposed to go back to your hometown and spend a […]
Summer is almost here, and we know exactly what everyone is thinking: it is time to pack a bag, cash in those PTO days, and chase the sun. But before you lock in your flights for the big trip, we need to have a serious chat about where the crowds are heading. Summer 2026 is …
The post 8 Destinations You Should Not Visit This Summer According To Travel Experts appeared first on Travel Off Path.
Once an under-the-radar sakura spot, this neighborhood near Shibuya has become dangerously congested. Around 20 years ago, Nakameguro was still one of Tokyo’s less famous, if-you-know-you-know cherry blossom viewing places. That’s no longer the case, though, as it’s become one of the city’s hottest sakura spots, particularly with a young adult crowd that flocks to […]
Hokusai Special Train made its first run this month. As one of the closest stops to Mt. Fuji, every day trains arrive at Fujinomiya Station in Shizuoka Prefecture carrying not only local residents, but also travelers eager to see Japan’s tallest and most iconic mountain. As of this month, though, one of those trains will […]
Agency for Cultural Affairs wants two-tiered ticket pricing system at 12 National Museums. Located in Tokyo’s Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum is considered by many to be the finest museum in Japan. Filled with centuries’ worth of historically significant artwork and artifacts, it’s a must-visit for anyone with an interest in Japan’s cultural legacy, […]
Higher rates now in effect, projected to bring in more than 7 billion yen in extra revenue. For many of the things that draw travelers to Kyoto, their appeal is timeless. The elegant architecture of a temple, the soothingly precise patterns raked into a stone garden, and the enticing aroma of a cup of freshly […]
Street food hot spot wants to be cleaner, but it might just be pushing the smoke down the street. A new facility opened last Thursday in Dotombori, the Osaka canal district that’s the biggest tourism draw in the heart of central Japan’s largest city. It isn’t a new restaurant, shopping center, or manzai comedy venue, […]
Japan is pissed off about the off-piste skiing. Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost, coldest, and snowiest prefecture, boasts world-class skiing and snowboarding venues. That’s not just an expression, either, as Hokkaido really does draw snowsport enthusiasts from around the world, especially with the current Japan travel boom among international tourists, and the weak yen helping to fuel […]
City officials in Fujiyoshida, Japan, have canceled the city's long-running cherry blossom festival, citing overcrowding and disruptive tourist behavior.
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In-home trespassing, public urination, and other bad manners bring an end to a local tradition. If you’ve got even a little bit of interest in traveling in Japan, odds are that on multiple times over the past few years you’ve seen a photo taken from the exact same vantage point as the one above, with […]