Japan Celebrates Record Canadian Arrivals, Promotes its Many ‘Hidden Gems’
by Bruce Parkinson
Japan has lots more to offer outside its major cities.
The land of the rising sun is a hot destination, with travellers flocking from around the world to explore the beauty and cultural depth of Japan. The attractions are definitely not lost on Canadians, who are visiting in record numbers.
“We have positive news regarding Canadian tourism,” said Yuka Suzuki, Executive Director of the Japan National Tourism Organization, at an event hosted in the atmospheric confines of Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum.
Suzuki revealed that 580,000 Canadians visited Japan in 2024, a new record and 36% over 2023 numbers. The total exceeded the pre-pandemic year of 2019 by a whopping 50%.
“The momentum continues,” Suzuki said. “We are consistently setting new monthly records, and Osaka is hosting the World Expo 2025, adding to the excitement.”
The gathering at the ROM was designed to introduce travel media to some of Japan’s ‘hidden gems’ outside the busier tourist routes.
“Japan has so much more to offer beyond major cities,” Suzuki said. “We are here to spark new ideas and inspire more Canadians to connect with Japan in a meaningful way, to discover our rich cultural tapestry and delicious cuisine.”
While promoting less-travelled destinations, the event sponsored by Air Canada still featured Shin Kawai, Director of Tokyo Tourism, who was in full agreement that the country offers “a lot of special gems beyond Tokyo.”
In no way does that diminish the attractions of Asia’s largest city, however, which stretches from mountains to the sea and offers something for just about every taste you can imagine.
The keynote speaker for the event was Adam Waxman, publisher of DINE Magazine and a committed Japanophile. Calling on the experiences from his many visits to Japan, Waxman described a variety of compelling hidden gem experiences.
Among those he described:
Seven Hells: This refers to the Jigoku Meguri in Beppu, a collection of seven unique hot springs known for their intense colors, textures, and boiling temperatures. They’re not for bathing but for viewing the spectacular hydrothermal activity, including bubbling mud pools and steaming ponds with foreboding names like Demon Mountain Hell, Shaven Monk’s Head Hell and Blood Pond Hell.
Edo Wonderland: Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura is a Japanese cultural theme park in the Kinugawa Onsen area of Nikkō, Tochigi. The park resurrects and showcases the life and culture of the feudal Edo period. Among other attractions, visitors can dress up as citizens from 17th century Japan.
Temple Stay: A temple stay, known as “Shukubo” in Japan, offers a unique experience of staying in a Buddhist temple, often for a night or two. These stays are a way to connect with Buddhist culture and practice, often involving participation in rituals and enjoying vegetarian meals.
Adachi Museum of Art: This fascinating place was founded by Zenko Adachi, a local businessman who believed that a Japanese garden should be seen as a living painting. The museum realizes this concept through the artful juxtaposition of paintings by modern Japanese masters inside with the extensive gardens outside. “The gardens are perfect,” said Waxman. “It’s like the gods and the gardeners fell in love.”
Samurai Villages: Also known as samurai districts, these are well-preserved areas that offer a glimpse into the lives of samurai and the social structure of pre-modern Japan. These villages often feature beautifully maintained samurai residences and cobblestone streets, and offer things like samurai dress-up experiences, tea ceremonies and more.
A fine evening with Japan also included a performance by two-time Grammy Award nominated Japanese-Canadian flutist Ron Korb, whose music blends Pan-Asian, Jazz, Celtic and Latin influences acquired through a lifetime of global exploration.
