A: Hey, did you catch the latest? About Japan's travel scene, right?
B: Not yet, what's up?

A: Well, looks like they want to pump up domestic tourism because locals have been skipping trips due to COVID.
B: Ooh, that's too bad! But it seems like they're doing great with foreign tourists though, right?

A: Absolutely! Japan hosted a record number of foreign visitors and their spending was at an all-time high in 2024. Japanese folks also spent big bucks on domestic trips last year – around 175 billion dollars!
B: Whoa, that's some serious cash! But the number of travelers dropped by 8.2% compared to before the pandemic though.

A: Exactly! The government says it's all due to Japan's shrinking and aging population, and a declining birthrate.
B: Hmm... Sounds like a challenge. So, any ideas to attract more travelers?

A: Yep! They plan on getting visitors involved with local communities through programs where they can interact with residents. It's like inviting people over for a fun cultural exchange!
B: Cool! I wonder if there are any such initiatives going on?

A: As a matter of fact, yes! Seven municipalities are collaborating on one called Yukiguni. Last week, a woman from Tokyo got to plant rice in Niigata Prefecture – all for free! And she says the experience was so moving that she wants to come back and harvest the rice.
B: That sounds amazing! Not only does it help build affection for the area, but it also addresses their labor shortage, right?

A: Precisely! The tour fosters a strong connection between visitors and locals while providing valuable assistance to the region. Great conversation starter for making new friends too!
----------------

A Japanese government white paper on tourism is calling for efforts to boost domestic travel. Local residents have been taking fewer trips since the COVID pandemic.



That's in contrast to a boom in the number of visitors from overseas.



The white paper says Japan hosted the most number of foreign visitors ever in 2024. Their spending was also a record high.



Japanese opened their wallets too, spending a record 25.1 trillion yen, or roughly 175 billion dollars, on their domestic trips last year.



But the number of travelers was down 8.2 percent compared to 2019, before the pandemic took hold.



The government report blames the country's shrinking and aging population and declining birthrate.



One idea is to attract repeat visitors through programs where they can interact with local residents.



Seven municipalities are collaborating in one such initiative, called Yukiguni.



A woman from Tokyo experienced rice planting in Niigata Prefecture last week. The accommodation fee was free in exchange for the work. She says she was so moved that she wants to come back to harvest rice.



The organizer says the tour fosters a sense of affection for the area among participants as they can contribute locally. Another benefit is that the visitors can help with the region's labor shortage through their interactions with local people.