Japan has infamously been experiencing overtourism as of late, but even with policies like higher prices for foreign tourists, it seems that visitor numbers won’t go down anytime soon. And why would they? With a weak yen and the consistently high numbers of people just plain fascinated by Japan’s culture and media, there’s no stopping the year-round influx of tourists into this small archipelago. However, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you enjoy your trip and simultaneously ease the burden of over-tourism on you and local society.
That’s where the Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) come in, which are meant to ensure social and economic prosperity whilst also protecting the environment – everything that tourism has a profound impact on. This might seem like a huge burden to take on, but when we each play our part, even small actions can lead to big changes. When is a better time to start taking those steps than in the new year? If your resolution this year is to visit Japan, why not add these 8 much smaller and easier resolutions to your list on top of it? So let’s jump into the list, so you can find out how to make the absolute best of your travels in this beautiful country this year!
Travel light
Not only does it make it easier when you’re moving from place to place, but it can also help with one of the biggest problems in Japan regarding over-tourism: congestion. Lugging around multiple large suitcases onto the train or bus is exhausting, and you risk taking up precious space that could otherwise be used by potential passengers. So how do you prevent this problem, it’s simple really. Only bring what you truly need and things that would be difficult to get in Japan like personal medication. Remember that most hotels provide toiletries like soaps, towels, and toothbrushes, and if you’re staying in an Airbnb or apartment with a washing machine, consider doing laundry and reusing the same clothes to reduce luggage load.
That said, you can’t avoid bringing a multitude of things for longer trips, but even then there are more efficient ways to go about it. There’s a wealth of creative packing tips on social media, including ways of folding clothes that would maximize your luggage space. Also consider applying for an airport luggage delivery service like the ones offered by JAL (Japan Airlines), which could deliver your suitcases straight to your accommodation and prevent the aforementioned overcrowding on public transport. Travelling with lighter loads also helps airplanes consume less fuel, thus releasing less carbon dioxide – a key cause of global warming – into the atmosphere.
A car riding alongside a tram in Hakodate, Hokkaido – Photo Credit: Zhuoqian Yang
Take public transport – or just walk when you can
This shouldn’t be much of a problem in Japan where buses, subways, and train lines stretch to even remote corners of the country. Of course, there might be delays or a long wait time in between trains depending on where you are. But even if you’re in a big city where trains come and go every five minutes, it’s not uncommon to just walk to your next stop, especially if it’s just half an hour or less to the next destination. Walking is much healthier for you and is a surefire way to get all that food down, so your stomach’s ready again for your next culinary adventure. It’s also the best way to get a feel for any place you’re visiting, and you can make any detours you want through side streets and the like that the average tourist might not have the chance to venture.
And when you’re too tired of walking all day, you can rent an e-scooter or e-bicycle, which can easily be found and rented throughout urban areas like Tokyo – even if you have no license. But whether you choose to walk, cycle, or ride the bus or train, they’re all more environmentally friendly than riding a taxi or taking an airplane from one side of the country to the next. These are things that, as mentioned before, release the largest amounts of carbon dioxide. So, consider using the Shinkansen with its extensive route options (from Hokkaido all the way to southernmost Kyushu) rather than flying to a different prefecture if possible.
Save energy
We might be extremely calculating with electricity bills in our own homes, but often that consideration goes out the window when we’re staying somewhere else. Remember though, a hotel or inn is still home to plenty of others, and, as guests, we should make sure to use only as much as is needed. Turn off the lights when you’re not in the room, turn off the tap when you’re not using it, and try to take showers instead of baths to consume less water. Whatever we take from the resources of another place is what will be left for the people who live there, and many resources take very long to replenish, if at all.
A bus stop sign with hiragana underneath – Photo Credit: Kuan-yu Huang on Pexels
Learn the local language
You don’t need to be fluent in the language of every destination you visit, but it still helps to know essential phrases that’ll smoothen things out when you’re at the cashier of a convenience store, for example. It’ll save both sides some time and can be seen as a sign of respect because at least you’ve made some effort to learn how to communicate with the local people. No one wants to study during their vacation, but why not look up some common, everyday words while you’re researching those must-visit spots?
Learn the etiquette
Because of the weak yen, there have been many tourists who come to Japan only to shop, with little interest in or consideration of its unique culture. This includes learning about and respecting local manners, which are especially important to the people of Japan. Not to mention, the numerous reports of rude tourists who disobey safety rules and make locals uncomfortable by crowding around viral photo spots. Again, vacationing in another country means that you’re a guest, and it’s important to respect both the people and the culture who’ve welcomed you into their home. Small actions like remembering to stay quiet in a crowded train, not blocking other people’s way in a crowded passageway, and throwing garbage where it belongs do exactly that.
Just get lost
It can be daunting to turn off Google Maps and venture outside tried-and-proven paths for a change, but this resolution isn’t exactly asking you to go into shady alleyways or dense forests in the countryside with no Internet connection. Being safe and adventurous can go hand-in-hand, and Japan’s cities might be the best place for that with its high security and widespread transportation network.
So why not try getting on a train and stopping at a random station, then walk around and venture into any shop or restaurant that catches your eye? You might be surprised at the things you’ll get to see and experience, and there’s always that option of opening Google Maps for directions back to your hotel when you’ve felt lost enough for one day. It’s not exactly the full, off-the-beaten-path experience, but when you’ve been to a place multiple times, the next step is finding those hidden spots that you would’ve overlooked if you hadn’t put down your phone and paid attention to your surroundings.
Suruga, Shizuoka Prefecture – Photo Credit: Visit Suruga official website
Visit lesser-known areas
Overtourism is not actually a problem throughout all of Japan, but only found in popular cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. If you’re a first-timer, it feels like a must to visit these iconic areas first and foremost, but there are plenty of other beautiful prefectures with just as much to offer minus the overwhelming crowds. One example is Suruga in Shizuoka Prefecture, an underrated destination known for its natural beauty and long-established tea culture.
On top of the rare and unique experience you’ll get out of it, you’ll also be contributing to the local economy, creating job opportunities and generating revenue in less affluent parts of the country. You can bet that the environment in typically popular areas would be protected too, as fewer tourists usually means less littering. With more revenue going into lesser-known destinations, there would be better infrastructure to ensure those natural wonders and cultural heritage sites would be appreciated by travelers for many years to come.
Support small businesses
This resolution is related to the previous in that supporting small businesses rather than chain stores will contribute directly to the local economy. So, instead of visiting a McDonalds that you can probably find at home, why not try out that hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving authentic, homemade Japanese food the next street over? Chances are it’ll still taste different from the meals offered by other Japanese restaurants and you might be directly contributing to the economy of the family running it for generations on end. The food is likely to be less processed and uses a lot of organic, locally-grown produce, again leading to less energy consumption and carbon emissions. Besides, what better way to fully experience a town’s culture than through its cuisine?
A shop plus studio for making traditional wooden trays in Kanazawa – Photo Credit: Visit Kanazawa
The same goes for stores selling handmade arts & crafts. On top of offering you an expertly crafted, one-of-a-kind souvenir for an affordable price, you’ll be actively contributing to the preservation of Japan’s traditional arts. Long-running shops and restaurants often have distinct characteristics to them, making it a shame if they’re no longer a part of the cultural landscape of its town or city.
A child holding a caught live fish – Photo Credit: Visit Gifu official website
From scouring local gems instead of the usual tourist hotspot to paying more attention to the impact you have on local environments, there are plenty of ways to maximize your tourist experience but also the continued welfare of your destinations. Places are just like flowers; they might be stronger than they look, but when you keep handing them to other people, there’s bound to be some petals lost on the way. The new year is a chance to start anew, so let’s make sure to breathe new life into every place we visit, by planting new flowers but also retaining the beauty of the ones planted long ago. So, in addition to starting the new year correctly, let’s make sure we travel right and make sure everyone has the time of their lives in Japan this year.
Featured Photo Credit: Bokksu official website
