TOKYO — Japan is proud of its “omotenashi” spirit, its practice of wholeheartedly caring and catering for guests. But a post-covid surge in tourist numbers, coupled with a weak yen that makes Japan cheaper for many visitors, is pushing Japan’s world-famous hospitality to the brink.
Democracy Dies in Darkness
Japan, famously polite, struggles to cope with influx of tourists
Huge numbers of visitors are causing chaos at such popular spots as Mount Fuji and Kyoto, leading to some extreme measures to tamp down the crowds.
By Julia Mio Inuma
May 15, 2024 at 3:00 a.m. EDT