Should you visit Japan now in 2024? 🇯🇵🤔

Should you visit Japan now in 2024 or wait until next year or even later...? Let's discuss in this video 🤧

I came up with a few reasons why I think you SHOULD and SHOULDN'T visit Japan this year or in the upcoming future. It's impossible to give a hard yes or no without knowing someone personally of course, and even then it's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall I would say that this year is a huge year for tourism in Japan...in both a good and bad way!

What do you think? Are you thinking of visiting soon? Let me know your reasons why or why not down below in the comments 🤗

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Should you visit Japan now in 2024?

[AllisoninTokyo]

Are you planning an upcoming trip to Japan? Let me know down below what you think 😋

[faitht.]

I’m moving to Japan in a few weeks for JET, I prayed to not get Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto because the overtourism is just so insane 😭 I lived in Nagoya when I studied abroad & it was perfect!! I got lucky and got placed in Nagasaki, I’m so excited

[magicsheepmom]

We just got back a few days ago. We only did Tokyo, Kamakura and Osaka because our teen wanted to hit the theme parks. It was his first trip there, but my husband and I went in 2009. Glad we went to Kyoto and Himeji back then when everything was empty. It was SO CROWDED this time. We had an amazing time, but it was way different. Lots of tourists were rude and disrespectful to the Japanese culture. We were disgusted by some of the behavior we saw. We did bring an entire suitcase of stuff home. Shopping was so fun! You are right that the good stuff was still the same. We fell in love with Japan all over again and we're already planning a trip back as soon as we can save some $$! We'll visit Tokyo plus smaller towns to get a break from the huge crowds.

[ellenrik]

Great video! Thanx for sharing! You need a “don’t get me wrong meter”! LOL 😘👍❤😜✌

[tpatrickl]

I lived in Japan for 14 years. I saw the summer growth become horrific. They are way too many tourists to enjoy anywhere. It is way too humid from June 1 until early September. I refer to it as 100 days of hell! If you’re smart, you will figure out a way to visit Japan either in the spring or the fall, those are the best. The best time for tourists is late March/early April. They can see the cherry blossoms. Also, avoid the end of April/early May. It’s golden week in Japan. The entire country is on vacation. Hotel room rates quadruple. Good advice!

[DoktorTaiko]

Nagano, Gifu, and Tochigi were amazing places to visit. Beautiful nature, traditional Japanese cities, and just a friendly great vibe everywhere. Just renting a bike and riding through the rice fields among the mountains to feel like a character in a Ghibli movie is my number one recommendation. Additionally there are a ton of cool hobbies you can pursue like bouldering in Ibaraki, fishing in traditional Japanese styles, or rafting in the mountains are all great things to do off the track in Japan. Not to say we didn't like Kyoto or Tokyo, but all of us that traveled to Japan together have our favorite place somewhere else.

[CocoPod]

I have just come back from Japan, and the trip was just amazing, Japan is very authentic, and at the same time living in 2050.

[EliseDubinsky-zfbl]

So spot on in many ways except 1, Asakusa is an amazing area. Yes, the station and tourist area is insane but just a few blocks away in any direction is a beautiful neighborhood filled with friendly people and shops near the sumida river and sky tree. Don’t be afraid to come to Asakusa. Thank you for all your advice over the years, it led us here at this time because it’s a unique time to see this beautiful country!

[betaraybob]

I highly agree with your comments of getting off "the golden route". After spending some time in Tokyo (and staying in Shinjuku) I went to Kanazawa and it almost felt like a ghost town but was a wonderful change of pace. At Kenroku-en Garden I was able to get pictures without other people in them (with some occasional waiting for people to move on but not too much).
One warning about Kanazawa though, where I was staying all the restaurants closed around 4:30 - 5:00 local time. Thankfully a combini was close by when I first found this out.

[monicamoss]

We visited Japan for thr first time in Oct 2023. Loved it all but our favorite area was Nikko /Kinnagawa Onsen. Highly recommend and beautiful on the fall. Some other tourist but not over crowded.

[rhiannon]

I visited Japan in Nov 2023 after previously visiting in 2015, and everything you said was true. No regrets though, we had a great trip and plan on going back in Nov 2025. I hope for your sake the yen is doing better by then, but doing things like staying at a ryokan for "garbage money" prices was great :)

[edwinvillalobos]

Do you have a video or list of those off the path town out side of Tokyo, Kyoto other?

[EliseDubinsky-zfbl]

Thanks! We finally made it to Japan and after hearing your advise and our son’s too; we were so pleased to follow in your footsteps and explore this amazing place! Wishing you all the best!!!

[jazroNA]

I plan on visiting Japan in around October-November in 2025. Can’t wait hopefully things get better.

[Katzenjammer]

I’m glad I got most of my travelling out of my system twenty years ago, everywhere is like this now. That said I did the golden route and that made me want to see the more rural Japan as well, so good to know my business will be welcome!

[AndyW_awesome]

Great video Allison and super relevant info. Was in Japan in may and agree - so busy in the main areas. We went to Hokkaido and absolutely loved it. A bit slower paced, excellent food and beautiful scenery. Btw tax free minimum spending is now 5500 yen. Thanks!

[psprog]

I was over in April and went to Asakusa at about 10pm. Near empty and lit up lovely - a definite contrast to during the day! Heading over again next week but Hokkaido first then Tokyo can't wait...

[Itsabeautifulife]

Hey Allison!
Thank you for taking us somewhere new 🙏🏻. Loved the dress you got at Uniqlo and totally agree on those collab anime shirts there. I get them and wear them to the gym since they’re baggy 😅

Give AOT another chance 😁

[aminelatreche]

Hello Allison,
I visited Japan in November of 2023 thanks to you and your videos warning us of the JR Pass increase.
So I got to visit Japan for 14 days taking advantage of the now-old JR Pass price.
I did not go to Mount Fuji, and I did not go to Kyoto.
I arrived by plane to Korea first in Seoul, then I went to Pusan by bus and I took the Ferry to Fukuoka.
I bought the Fukuoka IC card so I did not get to confront the shortage of SUICA or PASMO cards they have in Tokyo.
From Fukuoka where I exchanged my JR voucher for the JR Pass and went to Hiroshima.
From there to Onomichi I stayed in the Guesthouse "Onomichi Mochilero " which belongs to a Peruvian of Japanese descent.
Of course, I followed your advice of not coming in the summer or during the golden week. November of 2023 was just great I had superb weather.
Thanks again for all the advice you provide us.
"Lonely Planet" watch out.
Regards

[kurootsuki]

When I was there with my partner in May, we drove by car from Tokyo --> fukuoka and stopped in smaller regional cities, much nicer. I loved the drive up Chuugoku, we visited Matsue and Tottori which were lovely.