At the risk of sounding like a broken record, travel to Japan is booming. Intrepid Travel has upped its 2024 Japan trips due to massive demand, while G Adventures recently reported a whopping 134 per cent rise in 2024 bookings – and that’s just the start. New hotels are opening at a rapid rate, luxury travel to Japan is growing, and even more cruise holidays are setting sail around the country.
But among the myriad reasons to choose a holiday to Japan – the blend of tradition and tech, ski trips and theme parks, to name but a few – there’s another reason to consider a Japanese holiday.
On 1 January, a huge earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan, and the region needs your patronage to help rebuild, says Intrepid Travel ANZ Managing Director Brett Mitchell.
In an interview with Karryon, Mitchell says, “travel plays an important role in the restoration of regions impacted by disasters like this”.
“The influx of economic support through tourism is a lifeline for local communities, contributing to the reconstruction and ongoing preservation of areas like Ishikawa,” he says.
“It’s important for the travel industry and tourists alike to support their favourite destinations during these difficult times by continuing to travel when it’s safe to do so.”
Brett adds that by “choosing to shop local, stay local, and travel with tour operators who bring tourist dollars to local communities, travellers can directly contribute to the recovery efforts”.
“Your visit means a lot – not only does it show you care, but it also really helps them bounce back and stay strong,” he says.
What you need to know
Mitchell expects there to be a “short-term impact” on tourism in the area affected by the quake, but stresses that “Japan’s reputation for being one of the safest and most well-prepared countries in terms of disaster response will mitigate these concerns over time”.
“Due to its history and geographical location, Japan has built a reputation for being well-prepared to respond to the fallout of a natural disaster and being quick to assist communities in bouncing back from major incidents like this,” he says.
For anyone worried about travelling to the Asian nation, Brett says that most of Japan was unaffected by the recent quake.
“If you are travelling to those regions in the next couple of weeks then consider changing your route as the clean-up and rebuild will take time,” he says.
“It’s advised that tourists in other areas of Japan should exercise a normal degree of caution, but remain vigilant.”
Mitchell also flags the advantage of travelling to Japan with an escorted group.
“Travelling with a reputable tour operator ensures that all trips within the area are conducted in the safest manner possible. Intrepid keeps its travel alert page up to date for all to see.”
Japan rising (and rising)
Not known for being an adventure tourism hotspot, Japan has grown to become one of the biggest destinations for Intrepid Travel – one of the world’s most recognisable adventure travel companies.
“In 2023, Japan made the top 10 destinations for Intrepid’s ANZ bookings, coming in at number eight. It was also the top-selling destination for Australian travellers during Intrepid’s Cyber Sale last year, with trips being increased by 51 per cent to meet the surging demand,” Mitchell says.
“For 2024, Japan is currently sitting at 40 per cent trip fill for the year (for global bookings) and is sixth on our top destinations list. While we’re still only in the first week of 2024, we expect to see Japan continue on this trajectory and remain high on the list.”
Experiential travel
With travel to Japan growing quickly for Intrepid Travel, how have the company’s trips evolved? Like in many of its destinations, it’s become all about immersion.
“Intrepid’s tours to Japan have evolved to focus on authentic experiences that allow travellers to live like locals, navigating the balance of cultural differences with an open-minded approach,” he tells Karryon.
“At Intrepid, we stay updated with trends, feedback, and customer demographics to refine our tours, offering diverse experiences, from traditional guesthouses in the mountains to food-focused journeys and home visits.
“We also work closely with local businesses and communities on the ground to offer unique and sustainable experiences, ensuring an authentic and satisfying visit to Japan.”
And your yen might just help rebuild a community.
