The number of foreigners visiting Japan since January has exceeded 30 million, almost certain to break the previous record for the year. We interviewed them to find out what information visitors to Japan use to travel. ■Number of visitors to Japan: The highest annual number ever Foreign tourists from all over the world feast on Japan's exquisite cuisine. A person from the United States said, "It's so delicious." At a tonkatsu restaurant in the tourist destination of Hakone, 30% of the customers are foreigners. The signature dish is the Gora specialty "Tofu Katsu-ni." This dish, which is made by sandwiching domestic minced pork between tofu and deep frying it, then simmering it in a clay pot and topping it with eggs, is popular with foreign customers. A person from the United States said, "I love Japanese food and nature. Everyone is very polite and kind." The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has exceeded 30 million this year, the fastest ever. This is the first time in five years since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. It is certain that the annual cumulative number will surpass the highest number in 2019. Robert from America is waiting in a huge queue at the Hakone ropeway station. He is on a 10-day trip to Japan with his best friend. They started off sightseeing in Tokyo and went to Hakone on the way to Kansai. It was his first time riding the ropeway. Robert says, "It's my first time in the countryside in the mountains of Japan." He is absorbed in taking photos in his short sleeves. The vast nature of Owakudani, with smoke rising from it, spreads out before his eyes. He enjoys a magnificent "walk in the sky." The number of tourists from America has increased by more than 30% compared to the same period last year. He is thrilled to see the volcanic smoke area up close. Robert says, "It's beautiful and amazing." He also tries the specialty of Owakudani, "black eggs." When his friend struggles to remove the shell... Robert says, "Let's crack it with our cell phones." He enjoys the hot black eggs boiled using geothermal energy. Robert says, "It's delicious." ■ Obtaining and using tourist information The key to reviving "Japan as a tourist powerhouse" is now a strategy using "SNS." From "oyadoo" Instagram: "Yamanaka Onsen in Ishikawa Prefecture is the most beautiful hot spring town I have ever visited in Japan. I came to stay at a Japanese inn over the weekend." This is a video of foreign influencers living in Japan introducing Japanese accommodations, tourist spots, and gourmet food. Eiichi Saito, CEO of SOCIALPORT, which operates "oyadoo," said, "Currently, 636 foreign influencers of 28 nationalities living all over Japan are registered, and the number is increasing every day." "oyadoo" is a platform that connects over 300 accommodations nationwide with foreign tourists who are interested in Japan. Foreign influencers stay at Japanese inns for free, and in return, they share their impressions of the hotels and local tourist information with the world through social media. Saito Eiichi, CEO of SOCIALPORT, which operates "oyadoo," said, "When people who have stayed at a hotel post on social media, it's real-time and realistic. Rather than companies placing advertisements, it's more effective to have third-party influencers experience the facility and then have them post word-of-mouth on social media. This has progressed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The keyword now is 'deep and local.' Demand is rapidly spreading to suburban and regional areas." [TV Asahi News] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp