{"id":24696,"date":"2019-09-27T15:42:14","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T14:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=24696"},"modified":"2019-09-27T15:55:22","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T14:55:22","slug":"world-tourism-day-how-does-insidejapan-tours-encourage-responsible-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/27\/world-tourism-day-how-does-insidejapan-tours-encourage-responsible-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Responsible Travel in a Time of Overtourism"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F24696&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F24696\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li 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class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F24696%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F24696\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F24696\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><h1><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How can we all do our bit on World Tourism Day?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a week when the world\u2019s oldest tour operator, Thomas Cook, has collapsed and Greta Thunberg has chastised world leaders at the UN climate summit in New York for failing to act on climate change, it has never been more necessary for tourism to consider how best to manage the impacts of its activities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Since being a closed country\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for 220<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0years,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japan<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is now showcasing its unique culture, preserved heritage and iconic sights to the world.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">government \u2013 which plans for tourism income to offset declines in other sectors of the Japanese economy \u2013 has established a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/opinion\/2019\/01\/06\/editorials\/keep-growing-inbound-tourism\/#.XYooVKBKiUk#.XYooVKBKiUk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">new target of 60 million arrivals by 2030<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(there were 5 million in 2003)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">According to the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), The International Tourist Tax of 1,000yen implemented from January 2019 is meant to generate revenue to create a \u2018stress-free tourist environment\u2019 but will it be enough to stop degradation of Japanese culture and tradition?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">InsideJapan<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Tours\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">send around 12,000 visitors a year to Japan\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0we know the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">most popular destinations\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for first timers\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are still Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We\u2019ve also witnessed first-hand how\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the low-rise\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ancient<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0capital\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kyoto is cracking under the sheer volume of tourists\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(15.5m visitors i<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n 2017<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">)\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">which\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dwarf<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0its population of 1.5 million.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Like Venice and Barcelona, the problems are becoming deep-set\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">citizens\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">have coined the term\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/news\/2018\/05\/05\/national\/media-national\/japan-struggling-deal-foreign-tourism-boom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">k<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ank\u014d<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">k\u014dgai<\/span><\/i><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2018tourism pollution\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to describe the mass of visitors who rarely understand or follow the deeply-regarded cultural etiquette of Japan. In 2017, th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e Kyoto city bureau\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">even published<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0a pamphlet\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of social faux<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">pa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">titled\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Akimahen<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of Kyoto\u2019\u2019\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to prevent<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0offence and mindless behaviour, like chasing down trainee geishas for selfies.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So, how do we help people to visit Japan and see popular destinations without loving them to death?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-24699 size-half-width\" title=\"Honen-in Temple in Kyoto\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-720x960.jpg\" alt=\"Honen-in Temple in Kyoto\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-423x564.jpg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1-510x680.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Honen-in-Temple-in-Kyoto-1.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Think about a<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">lternatives\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Travelling to popular places in peak season creates a huge burden on facilities and resources. If you want to see cherry blossom, consider finding other places where the experience is just as spectacular and the local economy will hugely benefit from your trust dollars.\u00a0 For example,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kinosaki<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Onsen<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is a beautiful town renowned for its hot spring baths and cherry-lined canal<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">i<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t\u2019s lit up at night creating a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">n<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0century atmosphere<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, p<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">lus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0you get that wonderful feeling of discovering somewhere<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Get a local guide\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Employing a guide has so many benefits. They\u2019ll skirt the tourist traps,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">they\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">know the best times of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">day<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to experience the top attractions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and their insight will enrich your understanding.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ito Eiichi<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0who coordinates our English-speaking guides in Japan<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0describes the significance of having a local guide. \u2018I<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202fthink the greatest impact we have is working together to act as a bridge between English speaking visitors and the local Japanese communities. I love helping people to share their stories, thoughts and cultures.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do your research and learn some language\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We still believe that you can enjoy the magic of Kyoto in spring with some thoughtful preparation and a map. With preparation and planning you can enjoy popular places without en<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing up\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">stuck among the crowds<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. We give our clients information about places to visit, some basic phrases and cultural etiquette tips \u2013 your efforts have a big impact on a people who pride themselves on\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">omotenashi<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hospitality.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Choose wisely<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We\u2019ve been working with some of our independent places to stay for 20 years, such\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he Yamaichi Bekkan ryokan where the mother and son owners welcome our customers with the same\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">omotenashi<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hospitality as two decades before. These make for a more memorable trip and are better for local economies than Japan\u2019s bland business hotels.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Seek out<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0experiences<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">such as<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Satoyama<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Cycling<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0tours<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in Takayama<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">whose<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0guides\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">integrate clients with the local community.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Taku<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Yamada from<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Satoyama<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Cycling reflects,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2018<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0have had many more overseas tourists coming cycling with us. This is great for us, but also for the local communities in and around Takayama as it means more people are coming through, learning about their way of life, and promoting our local culture when they go back home!\u2019<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-24702 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-720x540.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-720x540.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-564x423.jpeg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-1200x900.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-900x675.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-1440x1080.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-390x293.jpeg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-780x585.jpeg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1-510x383.jpeg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Second-Harvest-Japan-1.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Support charities\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We\u2019ve partnered with Second Harvest Japan to provide\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classy.org\/campaign\/supporting-japan\/c167606\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">donations<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for their food distribution projects in Tokyo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0offering our clients the option to donate remaining credit from their transport cards when they leave Japan. Since August 2018 this scheme has raised over 2million yen (nearly \u00a315,000) to support the charity\u2019s work to link food waste with those in need. This equates to 83,000 meals.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0you travel to Japan, be part of the force for good\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">where tourists can bolster the local economy and reduce the steady flow of young people from rural to urban areas.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0We\u2019ll continue\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to reduce the visitor impact on overcrowded destinations\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0link our visitors with locals who will give our clients insights into Japanese culture and memories which will last a lifetime.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On my two-wheeled journey around Kyoto, I met an elderly Kyoto-resident selling homemade painted pebbles to tourists. They weren\u2019t particularly beautiful, nor what I wanted to spend my yen on but as a single traveller it was great to have a chance to speak to a local in my broken-Japanese<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for him to practice the English he&#8217;d been learning for just these moments. This brief interaction left us both smiling. On my bedside table at home this\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">litt<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">le painted pebble reminds me of this one-time meeting, or\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">i<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">chigo<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ichie<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as the Japanese would say, which travelling is all about; sharing a positive moment which enriches\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">all\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">our lives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tourism.jp\/en\/tourism-database\/stats\/inbound\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">https:\/\/www.tourism.jp\/en\/tourism-database\/stats\/inbound\/<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-24704 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-720x960.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-720x960.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-423x564.jpeg 423w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-900x1200.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-390x520.jpeg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-780x1040.jpeg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1-510x680.jpeg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Sophie-with-the-Pebble-1.jpeg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Sophie Walker<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Sustainability Coordinator at InsideAsia Tours<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? 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