Culture Talk

Japan's visitor numbers are down. Is this finally the moment to go?

I've been dreaming of Japan for years but every photo I see is Kyoto streets completely packed! So when I saw the GONOM post saying arrivals fell 5% in September, my first thought was: yes, finally, my chance!

Then I read it properly. The drop is almost entirely mainland China, down 44.5%, while Korea is up 25.6% and Taiwan 13%. So the places popular with Korean and Taiwanese visitors are probably as busy as ever.

Still, I'm a nurse in Lyon and I only get one big trip a year. Anyone been recently, did it feel any different?