Japan Tourism Agency’s commissioner, Shigeki Murata, sat down with the Mirror at the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Rome to discuss the challenges that come with a growing travel sector
A Japanese tourism boss has offered some sage advice for visitors to the country concerned about winding locals up.
Japan is one of the most popular destinations in the world for a holiday, and it’s having a bumper year. The weak state of the yen is encouraging visitors to book holidays in record numbers.
From the UK alone, just shy of 70,000 Brits travelled there in April, a 43% increase compared to the same month in 2024. Overall, Japan set a new visitor record with 21.5 million tourists in the first half of 2025, a 21% increase from last year.
As many countries that enjoy periods of international popularity find, more tourists bring with them more complexities.
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Japan Tourism Agency’s commissioner, Shigeki Murata, sat down with the Mirror at the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Rome to discuss the challenges that come with a growing travel sector, and to offer some advice for holidaymakers concerned about frustrating Japanese sensibilities.
The tourism chief admitted that incoming visitors not respecting the social rules is “one of the big challenges for” Japan. Speaking through a translator, Mr Murata explained that public transport is one area where feathers can be ruffled and tensions flare.
“We were told by our parents that we have to behave on trains. Silent would be ideal,” he said.
This is a particular problem in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, which attracts millions of tourists with its bewitching, winding alleyways and geisha culture. A lack of good metro facilities means the bus is the main way to get around for both holidaymakers and locals who are growing increasingly tired of the masses.
“The tourists with their large suitcases use the city bus, but the locals want to use it as well. The limited space of the city bus may cause some trouble. In response, the city council introduced a special transfer, a paid-for one, just for the foreign tourists with large suitcases,” Mr Murata said.
Laws have been inacted in parts of Japan in response to frustrations over tourist behaviour. Taking photographs has been forbidden in parts of Kyoto, while the idea of charging holidaymakers more than locals for meals out has even been floated.
Those planning a holiday to Japan may want to check out Japan Guide, which offers a very comprehensive rundown of the social dos and don’ts. Among the advice is a guide on how to act on trains. It includes:
Waiting passengers form lines on platforms. Join them. Look out for markings on the platform that indicate where to line up. Do not smoke anywhere in the station except in the designated smoking area (if available).
Wait for people to alight before boarding. Then, board swiftly so that people behind you can board quickly as well. Hold kids by their hands when boarding/alighting.
Avoid bringing large luggage onto trains, especially during busy travel times. If you have big luggage, consider using delivery services for the convenience of yourself and the people around you. Take off backpacks in crowded trains. Put them in front of you or onto luggage racks. Don’t block the aisles or door area with luggage.
Keep your voice down. Talking loudly on trains is considered bad-mannered and ranks highly amongst the most annoying behaviors on trains in Japan. Don’t talk on the phone. Only on long-distance trains on the decks between cars is talking on the phone acceptable. Set your phone to silent mode. Set the volume of your headphones low.
Japan Tourism Agency’s commissioner, Shigeki Murata, sat down with the Mirror at the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Rome to discuss the challenges that come with a growing travel sector, and to offer some advice for holidaymakers concerned about frustrating Japanese sensibilities.
The tourism chief admitted that incoming visitors not respecting the social rules is “one of the big challenges for” Japan. Speaking through a translator, Mr Murata explained that public transport is one area where feathers can be ruffled and tensions flare.
“We were told by our parents that we have to behave on trains. Silent would be ideal,” he said.
This is a particular problem in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, which attracts millions of tourists with its bewitching, winding alleyways and gaisha culture. A lack of good metro facilities means the bus is the main way to get around for both holidaymakers and locals who are growing increasingly tired of the masses.
The tourists with their large suitcases use the city bus, but the locals want to use it as well. The limited space of the city bus may cause some trouble. In response, the city council introduced a special transfer, a paid for one, just for the foreign tourists with large suitcases.”
Those planning a holiday to Japan may want to check out Japan Guide, which offers a very comprehensive rundown of the social dos and don’ts. Among the advice is a guide on how to act on trains. It includes:
- Waiting passengers form lines on platforms. Join them. Look out for markings on the platform that indicate where to line up. Do not smoke anywhere in the station except in the designated smoking area (if available).
- Wait for people to alight before boarding. Then, board swiftly so that people behind you can board quickly as well. Hold kids on their hands when boarding/alighting.
- Avoid bringing large luggage onto trains, especially during busy travel times. If you have big luggage, consider using delivery services for the convenience of yourself and the people around you. Take off backpacks in crowded trains. Put them in front of you or onto luggage racks. Don’t block the aisles or door area with luggage.
- Keep your voice down. Talking loudly on trains is considered bad mannered and ranks highly amongst the most annoying behaviors on trains in Japan. Don’t talk on the phone. Only on long-distance trains on the decks between cars is talking on the phone acceptable. Set your phone to silent mode. Set the volume of your headphones low.