25th July
After waking up the first thing I do is grab a quick breakfast in a convenience store. Which mostly consists of a cold green tea and a tuna mayonnaise riceballs. When it comes to convenience stores there are many kinds of Japanese konbini brands. (convenience stores) Such as 7-11, Lawson and Family mart to name the big three. They’ve got everything you need from hot meals, snacks, drinks, till ATMs even for international cards, and toiletries. Forgot your charger? Need a quick meal? Konbini has you covered. But this is not all you can do you can also do stuff like pay bills, print documents, or ship packages. All this at the convenience store!
But here’s where it gets a little funky: the food is good. Seriously not comparable to the food that we could buy at the closest equivalent in Switzerland for example coop pronto. Hot so called “nikuman” (steamed buns), fresh onigiri (rice balls), and surprisingly decent fried chicken await you. Unlike typical gas station food in Switzerland , konbini cuisine is worth a try.
And let’s not forget the tech side which I have already mentioned yesterday most konbini accept IC cards like Suica or Pasmo. You just tap, and you’re good to go. All of this with a single card I quite thought through.
After this introduction into my morning routine and convenience stores let’s dive into the first Interview of my stay.
Before we get into the Interview I have to explain the system of the two main Japanese Tourism Organizations. As I had quite the problem understanding it myself having this knowledge prior to the interview might prove helpful.
So there are two organs which are essential to Japans Tourism. The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) which both have different roles.1
1. Japan Tourism Agency (JTA):
Is a governmental body under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT). The JTA is responsible for “formulating national tourism policies” and regulations. They mainly focus on promoting tourism development, improving infrastructure, and setting long-term strategies to boost both domestic and international tourism. They also oversee the safety and quality of tourism services in Japan. We can say they are responsible for Policy-making, tourism development, and regulation.
2. Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO):
This organization is public and dedicated to promoting Japan as a tourist destination.
They are mainly in the marketing segment as JNTO’s job is to “market Japan” to international tourists. They run campaigns, provide travel information through offices abroad, and help international tourists with guides and resources. Their goal is to increase the number of visitors to Japan by highlighting the country’s attractions and helping travelers plan their trips. So, we can say they are kind of the International tourism promotion and marketing.
This means: JTA handles the broader policy and regulation side of tourism within Japan, while the JNTO focuses on making Japan attractive and accessible to tourists abroad. JTA as the “planner” and JNTO as the “promoter”.
With this background information given, we can now head into the interview and try to gain more insights into the system of Japan.
Interview with the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center:[1]
Conclusion and Reflection:
This interview with the representative from the Asakusa Visitor Center provided me with valuable insights into how Japan’s tourism industry works. In a historically rich area like Asakusa it is important to find the balance between preserving tradition and embracing modern tourism trends. This conversation not only helped me understand the role of the local tourism center plays in promoting cultural heritage, but also showed the adaptability required to accommodate a growing number of international visitors.
One of the main aspects I learnt was the center’s focus on cross-cultural communication. And how they approach addressing the needs of tourists from various backgrounds. The emphasis on providing multilingual support and cultural workshops demonstrates a genuine effort to me. They want to ensure that tourists feel comfortable while also educating them on Japanese customs. I think this strategy helps to avoid cultural misunderstandings.
What I found particularly interesting was the point of Japan’s “power distance” and how it influences interactions between tourists and locals. Hierarchical structures, formal communication, and non-verbal cues such as waiting for instructions are elements that Swiss tourists, who are used to a more direct culture, might overlook. The mindset on “respect, patience, and following the lead” of those in charge is an aspect of Japanese culture, that foreign visitors should be mindful of. This will help to ensure a smooth and respectful stay.
Reflecting on this interview, I realize that as a future professional in the tourism industry, understanding and bridging cultural differences will be important to create positive experiences for international travelers. In my opinion, the Asakusa Visitor Center’s approach to maintaining the balance between cultural preservation and modern tourism trends serves as a good model. Their focus on education, respectful tourism, and community collaboration shows me how tourism can be both a means of cultural exchange and a way to support local economies. And this does not mean that we have to neglect mutual understanding between visitors and locals.
This experience has provided me with a deeper appreciation of how local tourism offices not only provide information but also serve as cultural ambassadors. One point which I found critical is that my Interview partner to is very embedded in the hierarchical power distance structure of Japan. This might be my biased opinion but before and after the Interview he told me multiple times to ensure to write that these answers are strictly his as an employee and should not in any way represent the whole company or even store as he doesn’t have the authority to make official “press” statements.
In the end I can say though that this is only a small detail which didn’t hurt the interview in my opinion.
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[1] Important note: Due to copyright reasons, no full names can be mentioned. This Interview also doesn’t officially represent the Japan Tourism Agency. Transcription & Translation errors might have occurred.
After this interview I went to Harajuku to conduct a short interview at the Tourist Information Center about the crashing Yen. As I have noticed myself the Yen is at an all- time low and I thought Harajuku as one of the most popular Shopping Districts for Tourists might be a fitting place for this. Just to gain a few insights into Japans economy as the economy also plays a crucial role when it comes to tourism as well as culture. How do tourists spend their money compared to locals? What is the worth of money in Japanese culture? I hope to uncover questions like these in the next Interview.
Conclusion & Reflection of the HIS Interview:
This interview with a representative from the Harajuku Tourist Information Center helped me to understand how the weakening yen has affected tourism. It also showed me how thespending behavior in one of Tokyo’s most famous districts has changed. I’ve learnt that the weak yen has boosted international tourism by making Japan an attractive destination for budget restricted travelers. What was even more interesting though was that, the interview shed light on how Japanese culture values frugality and long-term financial security. I would say that this contrasts the more experience-oriented spending culture found in Western countries like Switzerland.
Despite this, younger Japanese generations in places like Harajuku are becoming more open to spending on experiences similar to their Western counterparts, reflecting the influence of modern global trends.
This interview has been quite insightful, not only in terms of understanding how the weakened yen impacts tourism but also in exploring the deeper cultural perspectives on money and spending in Japan. Especially for me as I’m working on cultural differences. It’s impressive to see how much I can learn from a country I thought I knew quite a lot about. What stood out to me the most was how adaptable the Harajuku Tourist Information Center has been in responding to these changes. Their strategies for enhancing multilingual support, partnering with local businesses, and promoting tax-free shopping reflect a great awareness of the evolving needs of international tourists.
I also was thankful to finding out about the cultural gap that tourists should be mindful of when visiting Japan, especially regarding respect for local customs and traditions related to money and social interactions.
The exchange rate is a double-edged sword for Japan’s tourism and economy. While it brings more visitors and increases spending, it also poses challenges for local businesses dependent on imported goods. The balance between using economic conditions to attract tourists and maintaining local traditions and living standarts is critical.