The truth about Japanese tourists, the world's most impeccably behaved

Continuing our series on how other nationalities do their holidays, our expat expert in Japan reveals all. Previous articles have looked at French, American and Italian travellers.

Where they go

The international travelling ambitions of the Japanese tourist often err on the romantic side – Liverpool for Beatles-lovers, the Lake District for Beatrix Potter readers, Hawaii for a taste of old school island paradise, Barcelona for its architecture and creativity, Paris for its poetry, fashion and cuisine.

It is perhaps little surprise that so-called Paris Syndrome – that surreally perplexing psychological condition which hits visitors when they find out real-life Paris is not the stuff of their dreams – afflicts mainly Japanese travellers.

While package tourism remains a widely popular form of travel today, this is being increasingly eclipsed by the rise of the independent Japanese traveller – who may prefer to go it alone or in smaller groups but is likely to be just as well-dressed, punctual and polite.

However, the pandemic has, invariably, recalibrated travel destinations to within Japan, rather than overseas. While overseas travel for Japanese hit a record high of 20 million in 2019, this figure has plummeted since Covid.

Instead, fuelled in part by a popular on-off government domestic campaign offering generous travel and hotel subsidies across the country, traditional destinations such as Kyoto remain popular.

Nature is another key driving force, with a strong appetite for activities such as forest bathing and mountain hiking – not to forget cherry blossoms and autumn leaf-turning seasons.

And even before the pandemic, many, particularly older, Japanese travellers would think nothing of taking a six-hour bus tour to briefly savour the fleeting beauty of a historic sakura cherry tree, perfectly timed to coincide with the moment of its peak blooming.

How they behave

Impeccably, if a little restrained. They will queue politely, tip with precision, dress smartly, and never turn up late, raise their voices, or try to sneakily take a photograph in a gallery when they know they’re not allowed – basically following what the guidebook or tour leader tells them to down to a T. They always take their litter away with them and often find it hard to halt their instinctive habit of respectful head bowing.

Japanese tourists are big fans of ticking off the most famous sites in whichever destination they find themselves, often researching meticulously in advance. The oldest historical monument, the newest art gallery, the tallest mountain, the most fashionable afternoon tea, the longest-running musical.

Shopping is another highlight – not only for big name designer clothing, but also for kilos of “omiyage” souvenirs which they will selflessly lug home for colleagues, neighbours, family and friends. Beaches are often fairly low on the agenda, although if a visit is required, Japanese tourists are easily spottable as they tend to cover head-to-toe in UV protective clothing.

What they wear

Be it a pensioner in perfectly-pressed trousers and hat or a 20-something art student in something black and conceptual, the Japanese traveller is among the best dressed in the world, thanks to that indefinable style gene possessed by most of the nation. The most common accessory? Some kind of photo-taking devices – ranging from cutting-edge SLR cameras swishy enough to rival the paparazzi to the popular smartphone and selfie-stick combo. And now, of course, most likely a perfectly positioned white mask – an item that many Japanese were long comfortable with wearing, even before the pandemic took hold.

Dining and drinking habits

Fish and chips in London, a fashionable bistro in Paris, burgers in New York, old school tapas in Barcelona – Japanese travellers are often drawn to the most famous cuisine types available in their destination, in their bid to experience local life (albeit often in large groups). Drinking alcohol is often only lightly indulged while travelling (perhaps to avoid any mishaps reminiscent of the sake-fuelled salarymen who pass out on Tokyo’s train platforms on Friday nights).

How to get along with them

There is normally an eagerness to communicate in some shape of form with locals, despite a certain shyness over their language deficiency (many will have learnt English at school but are out of practice at speaking) – resulting in friendly if at times stilted conversations peppered with phrasebook referrals, smartphone dictionary searches and enthusiastic head nodding.