Attracting More Tourists
#16
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kobe/Osaka
Programs: Delta
Posts: 1,587
Rural Japan is dying quickly. If tourists could find their way to rural sites more easily, maybe it would help. In the States, it seems that Bed & Breakfast places have provided a reason for people to visit small scenic towns. However, I think that it's very difficult for a tourist in Japan to figure out how to get to a small town, as well as find a place to stay there and something to see/do. Rural Japan is not an unfriendly place, but difficult to access for a visiting foreigner I think.
#17
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 161
Honestly, asking Softbank to promote this a little better would help: http://shop.sprint.com/global/pdf/sh...ing_add_on.pdf
Sprint is wholly owned by Softbank, I am a Sprint customer and I travel to Japan quite a bit and I only knew about this after Googling right now before posting this.
Cell phone service and roaming issues are such a hassle and expense when going to Japan, I think it would actually help a lot if people thought it was easier and cheaper. I had high hopes when Softbank bought Sprint, but you'd think they'd actually tell people who they *know* have roamed in Japan that they now have a $5 voice/text/data add-on.
It's also probably too much to ask for every company to do this, but honestly, I feel like they've got to do something so people don't need to rent either a pocket wifi or a sim card as soon as they land in the country.
Sprint is wholly owned by Softbank, I am a Sprint customer and I travel to Japan quite a bit and I only knew about this after Googling right now before posting this.
Cell phone service and roaming issues are such a hassle and expense when going to Japan, I think it would actually help a lot if people thought it was easier and cheaper. I had high hopes when Softbank bought Sprint, but you'd think they'd actually tell people who they *know* have roamed in Japan that they now have a $5 voice/text/data add-on.
It's also probably too much to ask for every company to do this, but honestly, I feel like they've got to do something so people don't need to rent either a pocket wifi or a sim card as soon as they land in the country.
#18
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: World of Hyatt, Chase Ultimate Rewards
Posts: 200
#19
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
Rural Japan is dying quickly. If tourists could find their way to rural sites more easily, maybe it would help. In the States, it seems that Bed & Breakfast places have provided a reason for people to visit small scenic towns. However, I think that it's very difficult for a tourist in Japan to figure out how to get to a small town, as well as find a place to stay there and something to see/do. Rural Japan is not an unfriendly place, but difficult to access for a visiting foreigner I think.
Do the ryokan booking services in train stations have English-speaking personnel?
On the other hand, I've had no problem booking traditional accommodations on booking.com, so the information isn't exactly hidden. For example, on my 2014 trip, I easily booked a minshuku in Tsuwano that was run by an elderly couple.
#21
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: AUS
Posts: 248
Who do the Japanese want to visit the country? North Americans/Western Europeans? Seems like different draws vs Chinese, etc.
- play up the unique culture and history. Outsiders love this. The ryokans, the onsens, the different festivals, the food, sumo, etc.
- make wifi like South Korea... all over the place, free, no need to sign up. This is such an incredibly helpful feature.
- hire people who understand UX from other perspectives. the Japanese UX seems at odds with... the rest of the world. even the most global 'brands' sites are difficult to follow if you need to book something or find info online.
- play up the unique culture and history. Outsiders love this. The ryokans, the onsens, the different festivals, the food, sumo, etc.
- make wifi like South Korea... all over the place, free, no need to sign up. This is such an incredibly helpful feature.
- hire people who understand UX from other perspectives. the Japanese UX seems at odds with... the rest of the world. even the most global 'brands' sites are difficult to follow if you need to book something or find info online.
#25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
So if the government truly gives a crap about the same, then they need to criticize many for burying their heads in the same.
#26
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,438
Because of difference in culture, difference in reference point, difference in point of view, difference in ethics, etc. something which is considered good customer service is not considered good customer service in Japan. Something which considered inappropriate in your country can considered not inappropriate in Japan. A lot of reverse can be said.
Many posts are implying that Japanese have to adopt view point of your home country, then I do not think that is tourism. It more sounds like what many European counties have done colonizing countries and adopting European view point to colonies.
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Same way hotels in Hawaii offer package tours, Japanese breakfasts, free bus rides to the duty free stores, etc
Japan can do anything it wants, but if it wants more tourists, it needs to make some changes.
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Because of difference in culture, difference in reference point, difference in point of view, difference in ethics, etc. something which is considered good customer service is not considered good customer service in Japan. Something which considered inappropriate in your country can considered not inappropriate in Japan. A lot of reverse can be said.
#29
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
No, I do not see that way. It all sounds like implying that Japanese have to be like you if Japanese want to be liked by you and for you to Japan.
Because of difference in culture, difference in reference point, difference in point of view, difference in ethics, etc. something which is considered good customer service is not considered good customer service in Japan. Something which considered inappropriate in your country can considered not inappropriate in Japan. A lot of reverse can be said.
Many posts are implying that Japanese have to adopt view point of your home country, then I do not think that is tourism. It more sounds like what many European counties have done colonizing countries and adopting European view point to colonies.
Because of difference in culture, difference in reference point, difference in point of view, difference in ethics, etc. something which is considered good customer service is not considered good customer service in Japan. Something which considered inappropriate in your country can considered not inappropriate in Japan. A lot of reverse can be said.
Many posts are implying that Japanese have to adopt view point of your home country, then I do not think that is tourism. It more sounds like what many European counties have done colonizing countries and adopting European view point to colonies.
Bullocks to hide behind an isolation attitude to tourism.
And I pitty the old schoolers in Japan when they wake up and realize they have to suck up significant increases in immigrants to prop up the fictitious pensions.
#30
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
Or they can continue and expect the world to read a five page doc on how to behave in Japan. Ummmm no. This is IF they want 40M tourists.
If they are content with what they have, fine. Bu I agree. They are not getting 40million without giving up a good chunk of their ideals.