Who could’ve seen this coming? After reopening to tourists, Japan is having a hard time. Much of its tourism economy is, well, still in shambles. That doesn’t bode well for visitors that are choosing to rush back in now.
When we learned that Japan would be reopening on October 11, I shared my concern that things would be a mess. Well, it turns out that I was, at least in part, correct. In fact, Japan is experiencing the same issues that, well, everyone else is – including Hawaii!
Japan is Having a Hard Time
According to Skift, labor shortages are seriously hampering Japan’s tourism sector. 73% of hotels nationwide are reporting staffing shortages, while shops and out tourism-related businesses are reporting similar shortages. Experts in Japan say that many in the industry found jobs that had better working conditions, better pay, or both during the pandemic and that luring them back will be a challenge. Mind you; these were issues BEFORE foreign tourists started streaming back in. Now that visitors are back, you can expect the same lines and wait times as you experience elsewhere.
It’s also worth noting that many businesses in Japan still require the use of face masks. This is another area of concern for Japanese citizens as, I’m sure they’re well aware, masking has become a contentious issue in places like the U.S.
What You Can Do
Again, that Japan is having a hard time isn’t surprising. Unfortunately, that means your time there may not go as smoothly as it would’ve in the past. Further exasperating things is the fact that unlike here in the U.S., many restaurants, etc., in Japan don’t take advance reservations. Hell, many of their ramen shops, etc., don’t even take credit cards. So, all I can say for those of you choosing to visit now is to be patient. Expect things to take longer than they have in the past. And, if you can, plan ahead and secure reservations. Also, be respectful of their rules and customs. After all, you are in someone else’s home.