Originally Posted By Mr X <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/09/japan.inn.room.foreigners.ap/index.html" target="_blank">http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WO...dex.html</a> "Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs says over 70 percent of Japanese inns and hotels that didn't have foreign guests last year don't want any in the future either." "a survey of such businesses showed they feel unable to support foreign languages and that their facilities are not suited to foreigners" And we wonder why foreigners feel unwelcomed sometimes. *sigh* (perhaps they'll feel differently when the economy collapses even further and they can't get JAPANESE customers to show up...maybe)
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^Wow, that's just sad . I contemplate all the time if I want to move back to Tokyo, but I hear stories like this and I shake my head. Japan has some of the most open-minded, friendliest people on the planet, but when you get to the heart of Japan, its so anti-immigrant in many ways, it keeps me away. Personnally, I havent had many problems staying in hotels, but I always stay in the cheaper ones and just go to the same ones for the most part. I remember nearly being turned away once in Osaka though, but got the room as soon as I assured them I had yen and not dollars lol.
Originally Posted By Mr X lol. Yeah, they've got their "barrier" problems down pat...probably worse than any other country really. LOTS of paranoia about not being able to speak to the customers and the like, though with friendly foreigners and friendly owners things usually seem to work out fine. I made a mistake, actually...didn't mean to post this in WorldEvents (don't know HOW I screwed it up, seriously, I posted it FROM the Tokyo section or so I thought!). Mods, please move if necessary.
Originally Posted By Mr X As for your further comments WD, it's one thing to be "anti-immigrant" (and I feel that they are, but it's another issue), but to be "anti-foreigner" for tourists...well it's just funny that Japan comes out and bitches about how they are just to the upside of the middle east as far as "tourist must-see" destinations. Which is sad. Japan is a great country, with TONS of history, incredible food, great nightlife, wonderful scenery, beaches, mountains, outdoor activities, lots of tourist attractions, NOT TO MENTION 2 fantastic Disney parks...but they seem so bent on discouraging foreigners to set foot in the country, and then seem perplexed that people stay far away. Weird, weird country.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^Yeah true! I think its funny that tourism is so low there considering EVERYONE knows something about Japan with its own popular culture influences around the world and being one of the most advanced countries on the planet. And yet, you leave Tokyo, Kyoto and Mt. Fuji and tourists are hard to come by. I think that barrier is on both sides though as you and I have talked about this alot. The Japanese for all the reasons you just posted there and foreigners who are worried about the language barrier, 'weird food' and the costs although I can tell you living in Sydney is MORE expensive than Tokyo in a lot of ways. And yeah, the other problem with Japan is there is very little promotion about it too. I rarely see ANY advertisements about going to visit Japan and we already talked to death how TDL and TDS almost doesnt exist to the outside world. Part of me think because they dont WANT to promote themselves or think no one is interested. I'm guessing its a little of both. But it is sad. I love Japan, but it is still backwards in many ways.
