Businesses in Tokyo are looking to get foreign visitors spending
their time and cash on the city's wide-ranging nightlife options.
Travel agencies are arranging special events for foreign tourists
such as Japanese taiko drum performances, while hotels are extending
their business hours to allow guests to socialize into the early hours.
But while efforts are being made to boost the after-dark economy, the
lack of late-night public transport remains a major obstacle to
tourists getting a taste of what Tokyo has to offer -- especially when
the only option after 1 a.m. is waiting for the first train four hours
later, or taking an expensive taxi to their hotel.
Since last year, travel agency JTB Corp. has joined with "Drum Tao," a
world-famous Japanese taiko percussion and dance troupe, to entertain
foreign visitors.
Performances of the traditional Japanese drumming were held in
September and October 2017. Due to their popularity, the shows are being
held from May through November this year, a fourfold increase in the
number of performances from the year before.
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According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and
Tourism, foreign tourists visiting Japan last year spent about 150,000
yen ($1,370) per person. This is well below the 200,000 yen amount
required to hit the 8 trillion yen the government wants to be injected
into the economy by tourists.
Designating tourism as a key growth area, the Japanese government
aims to attract 40 million overseas visitors annually to the country by
2020, and 60 million by 2030.
In January, the Tokyo metropolitan government said it planned to
survey foreign tourists on what they enjoy about the city's nightlife,
including restaurants, theaters and sporting events, to better cater to
their interests while encouraging them to part with their cash.
The central government is joining Tokyo's efforts to increase
spending by tourists at night. Despite the rapid increase in tourism,
the average amount spent per traveler has declined in recent years.
