Red pagoda with Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms in spring, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan.Image: www.imago-images.de
Cherry blossoms, picnics, postcard idylls and suddenly double prices for tourists: Japan is currently discovering a new strategy to combat the rush of visitors. But it has it all.
Mar 24, 2026, 9:31 p.mMar 24, 2026, 9:31 p.m
Kathrin Martens / watson.de
The cherry blossom season is approaching in Japan and the country is preparing for the influx of tourists. Because Japan in spring is actually a promise of pink flowers, mild air and a good mood.
When the cherry trees bloom, people traditionally head outside – equipped with a picnic blanket and snacks, they celebrate nature together. This “Hanami” is as much a part of Japanese culture as sushi and trains that are punctual to the second.
But if you want to experience the rose-colored period in Japan, you sometimes have to dig deep into your wallet.
Japan attracts prices for tourists
In Tokyo, for example, a popular boat tour near the Imperial Palace suddenly costs significantly more if you don’t have a Japanese passport. 800 yen (around 4.00 francs) for locals, almost double for visitors, reports the “Berliner Morgenpost”.
And this is not an isolated case. In Kyoto, accommodation taxes have been increased; in some cases they are charged nine times as much. In Himeji, tourists pay more for sights, such as the famous castle, than locals. Museums are also following suit and increasing prices for visitors from abroad.
Tourism boom pushes Japan to its limits
Japan has been experiencing a tourism boom for years. Since the “Cool Japan” campaign at the latest, the country has developed into a global dream destination. Minimalism, food, nature – everything is attractive. And massively so.
The numbers speak for themselves: from a good 6 million visitors in 2011 to around 43 million in 2025. Tourism is now one of the country’s most important economic factors.
And that’s exactly what becomes a problem. Because while the government would like to have even more guests – it is officially aiming for 60 million by 2030 – frustration in everyday life is growing at the same time. Overcrowded trains, disrespectful behavior in religious places, loud influencer clips: complaints about tourists are increasing.
The reaction to this is reflected in rising prices, stricter rules and limited access.
If you want to experience the rose-colored period in Japan, you sometimes have to dig deep into your wallet. Cherry blossoms on a tree at Senso-Ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan.Image: www.imago-images.de
Japan tourism: Between money making and annoyance
Japan is in a dilemma. The population is shrinking and aging, and the economy is growing only slowly. Tourism is a welcome tool because purchasing power simply comes into the country from abroad. At the same time the mood changes.
This is also evident politically: Right-wing voices are gaining weight and reservations about foreigners are increasing. The line between visitors and people who live permanently in the country is often blurred.
This also causes economic tensions. The weak yen makes Japan cheap for visitors, while travel is very expensive for many Japanese themselves, according to the Berlin morning post.
For some it’s a bitter feeling: the world is coming into your own country while you’re less likely to get out.