Welcome Tourists

Japan has long been known for being relatively closed off to outsiders. Despite statements from the government that Japan plans to increasingly open up its doors to the rest of the world, Japan does still remain for a very large part, closed to foreigners. Perhaps it is the consequential mystery of the place that lures so many of us over here for long term stints in the hope of discovering more…. and once we’re here and discover more of the beauty of the place, it is only natural that we want to share it… As a result, Japan is becoming a more foreign friendly place to be.

Last weekend whilst up in Nagano, my home on winter weekends, I noticed a lot more English materials promoting the area such as guides, directories, etc., and indeed services catering to foreigners such as English ski lessons, cultural day tours in English, etc. Having spent a lot of time in this area during the snowy season over recent years, I was surprised by the sudden influx of English. Sure enough, when I headed up the mountain this season I also noticed a lot more foreigners – even families, on ski holidays from around the world. It’s a chicken-egg debate on which came first, but the foreigner-friendly services and the foreign tourists I encountered were indicative of a nationwide movement that I have witnessed slowly creep up on this place.

Indeed in Tokyo, more and more you see tours of foreigners and English guidebooks developed with true local insight…. often with foreign tourists standing over them looking perplexed. It is something that makes me feel really good – the site of foreign tourists having a look around this place. I almost have to restrain myself from running up and having a chat to find out what they think, where they are from, why they came, etc – or at least just to say “Isn’t this place incredible?!?!”.

Of course, this increased English ‘infrastructure’ caters not just for the visiting tourist, but also for the local resident. Those English announcements on the train can help in alerting us foreigners to the fact that our stop is looming, and indeed which side of the train the doors will open, those English menus help us choose our dinner, English maps or car navigation systems help us traverse those less familiar parts of town and English explanations of cultural sites and activities help us understand these better – and indeed enable us to act like experts when hosting out-of-towners.

This does not all mean, however, that Japan is becoming less…. well, Japanese. Who knows how long this will remain, but it seems that at least in the cities there is a nice balance of support for foreign tourists and residents alike, and of the traditions of Japan. The option of a less ‘international’ Japan still exists in the countryside, providing a truly authentic and almost untouched Japanese experience. It can be frustrating not being able to communicate, but the more adventurous will be grateful for the fun and uniqueness it provides.

As long as Japan retains its precious traditions and culture, then the welcoming of foreign visitors, and the demand by foreigners to come here, can only be a positive thing. It’s nice to see the increased support of this happening. I can’t help but want to share all that I’ve discovered in this place and can only hope more venture over to discover it in their own way.