Murododaira, Toyama, Chubu (Courtesy of JNTO)

Who says Japan, as a tourist destination, is expensive, remote and difficult to visit? Yes, it was in the past but not anymore. Thanks to a weaker yen, currently US$1 is equal to 110.95 yen, Japan is no longer a highly expensive place to travel. Japan’s current much more relaxed visa regime and improved tourism infrastructure are attracting millions of foreign tourists, especially from East Asia, Southeast Asia and even the United States.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s personal push to make tourism a major engine of growth is also reaping gains for all sectors related to tourism.

Believe it or not, according to Japanese government figures, 7.2 million foreign tourists arrived in the land of the “Rising Sun” during the period from April to June 2017, a record high, And these foreign tourists spent a record US$15.8 billion in just three months while visiting the exotic country that has a rich culture and history.

Last year, Japan also achieved its target of 20 million tourists, five years ahead of schedule. Around 24 million tourists visited Japan in 2016.

“Tourism has continued to grow strongly,” Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, Keiichi Ishii, said early this year.

But the question is, why are these millions of people deciding to go to Japan? What is there?

Japan, the world’s third largest economy, has many secrets as well as interesting places to explore. The following seven reasons might help explain why people are rushing to Japan.

1. Beautiful, safe and clean

As a developed country, Japan is one of the safest and cleanest countries on the planet. The island nation is extremely beautiful with picturesque scenery, imperial palaces, natural parks, spectacular mountains, castles, museums, shrines, temples and modern cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, Yokohama and many other places

2. Grand festivals

Summer is one of the best times to visit Japan as several festivals are held during this period to give thanks for nature’s bounty. The Akita Kanto Matsuri, celebrated annually in Akita Prefecture, is one festival you do not want to miss. In this event, young men skillfully balance 8-meter high bamboo poles carrying dozens of lit paper lanterns using only their hips, shoulders or foreheads as they parade through the town. Tomo, a Japanese festival-goer from Tokyo, said he was really impressed by the stunts.

“This is one of the three biggest festivals in the Tohoku region, so many Japanese people and tourists come to see this event.”

3. Culinary paradise

There has been a tectonic shift in culinary desires with young Asians in particular having developed a taste for Japanese food. Many foreign tourists go to Japan not only to see the beautiful places but to taste authentic Japanese food.

One of the best places to eat in Japan is Hokkaido. Hokkaido is known for its annual Sapporo Snow Festival. It is also famous for its luscious crab meat, high quality seafood and Japanese beer. If you want to indulge your taste buds in fresh, juicy tuna and salmon sashimi, Hokkaido is a must-visit. Food lovers flying with Japan Airlines can enjoy special offers on local delicacies at certain restaurants in Hokkaido under the HAPPIRKA campaign. So make sure you don’t miss out.

4. You can shop till you drop

A trip to Japan is never complete until you visit Tokyo. If you are departing from Akita or other cities in Tohoku, Japan Airlines offers a Japan Explorer Pass that allows you to travel to Tokyo at a special price. Once in Tokyo, shop to your heart’s content at Ginza and Roppongi, where you will find a lineup of international fashion brands and luxurious goods. Anime fans can take a short train ride to Akihabara to look for popular video games and manga. You can even indulge in a warm meal at one of the local maid cafes!

5. Reconnect with nature

Did you know that Japan has deserts? Yes, you read that right. Although they are not as wide as the famous Sahara desert, they are just as impressive. The Nakatajima sand dunes in Shizuoka Prefecture is one of three sand dune areas that can be found in Japan. Families gather at this location for the Hamamatsu Kite Festival to fly hundreds of kites to wish for good health for their children. However, the main attraction at this event are kite battles where teams of expert kite-fliers compete to cut off the kite strings of the opposing team.

6. World-class hospitality

Japanese service and hospitality is the best in the world. The act of treating the customer as king is embodied in a single phrase called omotenashi. You can experience omotenashi everywhere you go in Japan. For example, international travelers who do not understand Japanese will be greeted by Hello Hiroshima volunteers upon arrival at Hiroshima station. These English-speaking guides will assist you to find luggage lockers, bus stops and will even give you directions to the station exit closest to your destination. What makes this initiative so unique is the fact these guides are volunteers; even though they have no obligation to help travelers, they do so because they genuinely want people to have a pleasurable experience in Hiroshima.

7. Travel anywhere with ease

Japan has one of the most modern transportation infrastructure systems in the world. You can travel anywhere in Japan with relative ease by utilizing the extensive network of trains, planes and buses. You can even use a bicycle to travel between islands. The Shimanami Kaido is a 60 km-long bridge that connects Hiroshima on mainland Honshu Island with Ehime, which is located on Shikoku Island. The bridge is popular with cyclists as it offers scenic views of the Seto Inland Sea but people can also travel on this route by car or bus.

“What I love most about living in Ehime is the fact that you can commute comfortably using a bicycle”, said Kanya, an Indonesian exchange student in Ehime, Shikoku Island.