Opinion
Opinion
Columns that take a side on how Japan handles the people who visit and live here: what things should cost, where the crowds go, who gets a visa, which rules work.
5 columns
Japan's Overtourism Problem Is Really a Map Problem
Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto took 57% of Japan's foreign hotel nights in 2025. A cap on visitors won't fix that. A price on the crowded places and hours will.
·7 min read
Japan's Digital Nomad Visa Is Built for Almost No One
Japan's nomad visa was issued 646 times in 2025. The ¥10m income test gets the blame. Six months with no renewal or residence card does more damage.
·5 min read
Japan's Dual Pricing Should Check Addresses, Not Passports
Himeji Castle now charges non-residents ¥2,500 and locals ¥1,000. That is fair. A price set by nationality would not be. Where you live is the right line.
·5 min read
Restaurant No-Shows in Japan: Deposits Should Be the Norm
A 2018 study estimated that restaurant no-shows cost Japan about ¥200 billion a year. A deposit or card guarantee for every diner is the fairest fix.
·4 min read
Skip Cherry Blossom Season on Your First Trip to Japan
Tokyo's full bloom has landed anywhere from 22 March to 4 April in the last four years. Booking a first trip months ahead around that window is a bad bet.
·4 min read
