Japan’s tourism industry is winning the hearts and minds of inbound tourists with new initiatives. In particular, unique amulet goods offered by temples and shrines are attracting attention. These amulets have traditional connotations, yet are designed and functional to meet the needs of the modern traveler, and are gaining popularity among the younger generation by encouraging sharing on social networking sites.
According to the latest data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan in April 2024 has recovered to about 70% of the same month in 2019, especially tourists from China. On the Chinese social networking platform “Little Red Book” (RED), more and more young people are posting about their visits to Japanese tourist destinations, and their experiences with Japanese culture and traditions are well received.
In response to this trend, many temples and shrines have developed special good luck charms and goods for foreigners visiting Japan. For example, amulets praying for traffic safety incorporate innovative ideas, such as a function that works in conjunction with smartphones to suggest safe travel routes based on location information.
These developments have succeeded in enhancing the appeal of Japan’s tourist attractions and providing an unforgettable experience for international visitors to Japan. The combination of tradition and innovation in amulet goods is bringing new life to Japan’s tourism industry and contributing to a post-pandemic tourism revival.
New Tourism Strategies in Japan
The news that Japanese tourist destinations are adopting new strategies to attract inbound tourists is very interesting. Unique amulet goods offered by temples and shrines are creating new tourism attractions by respecting traditional Japanese culture and combining it with modern technology. This is the result of a fusion of innovative ideas with Japan’s world-class spirit of hospitality.
The Influence of SNS
The impact of social networking on the tourism industry is immeasurable. On platforms such as “Kohonsho,” which is particularly popular among the younger generation, Japanese tourist attractions are naturally promoted as users share their own experiences. This can be seen as a “real-time travel guide” for foreign visitors to Japan. The popularity of experiences that bring visitors into contact with Japanese culture and traditions demonstrates the unique value that Japanese tourist destinations have to offer.
Contribution to Tourism Recovery
In the post-pandemic era, the reconstruction of the tourism industry is an important issue for countries. The new amulet products developed by Japanese temples and shrines are making a significant contribution to tourism recovery by offering new experiences to foreign visitors to Japan. Products that combine tradition and innovation have brought new life to Japan’s tourism industry and have become a force that attracts travelers from around the world.
In these respects, this news is a very positive sign for the Japanese tourism industry, and we have high expectations for its future development. The unique amulet products offered by Japanese temples and shrines will provide an unforgettable experience for foreign visitors to Japan and will play an important role in spreading the charm of Japan to the rest of the world.
中国人の日本観光 お守りは寺社仏閣が出すグッズ？（中国トレンドエクスプレス編集長・森下智史） – モデルプレス (mdpr.jp)
