Japan, a land steeped in legend, attracts millions of visitors each year, with French tourists among the most enthusiastic fans. Despite its allure, the country has its shortcomings. Recently, the Japanese government released a report highlighting the top frustration experienced by tourists.
Japan: A Land of Frustrations
As many enthusiasts return from admiring the blooming Somei-Yoshino and Shidare-zakura cherry blossoms, a recent government survey reveals the frustrations faced by travelers. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, 21.9% of over 4,000 tourists surveyed at five major airports reported that the lack of public trash bins was the most frustrating aspect of their journey.
The survey, conducted between December and January at New Chitose, Narita, and Haneda near Tokyo, as well as at Kansai and Fukuoka airports, highlights a decline of about eight percentage points in such complaints compared to the previous year. Many tourists noted that they often had to carry their waste back to their accommodations due to the absence of public bins.
The Decline of Public Bins
Public trash bins, once common in Japan, have become increasingly scarce over the past few years due to security concerns stemming from incidents like the 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo’s subway and the 2004 Madrid train bombings. With waste disposal strictly prohibited—often punishable by fines or more severe penalties—Japanese citizens tend to carry their own trash bags, taking waste home if dining out.
This behavior is often seen as exemplary, particularly given the Japanese dedication to cleanliness. Japanese spectators are frequently lauded in media reports for tidying up stadiums after events, as witnessed during the Olympics and other major sports gatherings. In 2024, Japan welcomed a record 36 million tourists, surpassing the previous high of 31.88 million in 2019, despite some visitors expressing discontent.
Among the primary frustrations reported, communication barriers (15.2%) often arise from restaurant staff and service personnel not speaking English, along with overcrowding at tourist sites (13.1%). Despite the significant rise in international visitors, which has resulted in record statistics, the surge in popularity has prompted Japan to implement measures aimed at curbing adverse effects.
For instance, the accommodation tax in Kyoto increased in January, affecting non-residents and collected by hotels and inns, while several cities raised the “bathing tax” for overnight guests in hot spring resorts last November. Similarly, Japan has raised entry fees and imposed visitor limits on Mount Fuji to alleviate overcrowding.
AloJapan.com