The Japan Tourism Agency recently conducted a survey on problems international tourists have in traveling in Japan. The biggest problem for them was ‘lack of trash boxes (21.9%),’ followed by ‘communication with staff (15.2%)’ and ‘public transportation including transfer or route (12.3%).’
The ratio of ‘being crowded in tourist spots’ was 13.1%. It is noteworthy that the ratio of ‘immigration procedure’ at an airport was up 2.4 times to 8.6% compared to 2023, and a major reason is long-time waiting mainly because of a rapid increased in international entries.
In reverse, 51.1% answered that they had no problem in traveling in Japan, and the ratio is up 21.4 points compared to 2023 or up 14.5 points compared to 2019.
観光庁：発表資料より
Asked where lack of trash boxes can be seen,, the most answers were found in ‘tourist spots (58% in urban areas, 44% in local areas),’ followed by ‘on the way to a tourist spot (38% in urban areas, 30% in local areas).’ More than 70% answered that they gave up finding a trash box and brought ii back.
More answers of communication troubles with staff were found in restaurants, and more than 70% said that they used IT tools for communication, such as an automatic translation system.
What are convenient for international tourists?
What international tourists felt convenient in traveling in Japan are ‘free Wi-Fi,’ ‘credit card/debit card,’ ‘multi-languages display,’ ‘communication’ and ‘pubic transportation.’ There were more tourists who felt convenient in urban areas than local areas.
More than 80% felt convenient in ‘free Wi-Fi,’ ‘credit card/debit card’ and ‘multi-languages display’ because they were available in many places. In terms of communication, more than half appreciated that staff spoke English or their own languages, and they could use IT communication tools,
The survey was conducted at Sapporo Airport, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport and Fukuoka Airport for the period between December 13 2024 and January 22 2025.
