Short answers, pulled from the story.
Japan welcomed 36.87 million international visitors in 2024. This figure transformed the nation's tourism sector into its second-largest export industry, trailing only the automobile industry.
The Japan Travel Bureau was established in 1912 to facilitate the new era of travel. This organization was created during the Meiji era as the country opened its borders and began to actively court international visitors.
Yamanashi Prefecture has set a daily cap of 4,000 climbers for Mount Fuji and introduced an entrance fee of 2,000 yen to control the flow of tourists. These measures were implemented in response to the surge in visitor numbers and the resulting overtourism challenges.
Tourists from South Korea and China have historically made up the largest share of inbound visitors to Japan. Chinese travelers often being the highest spenders, contributing an estimated 196.4 billion yen in 2011.
Japan boasts 26 World Heritage Sites, including Himeji Castle, the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and Nara, and the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. These sites contribute to the country's strong scores in cultural resources within the 2024 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report.