Up until now it was rare for the travel industry in Japan to aggressively target visitors from abroad. However, there has been a recent rise in interest not only within the travel industry but from beyond to provide opportunities for visitors to experience a more in-depth view of Japan.

An example of tours that provide this deeper view of Japan is one that delves into the world of sumo. Participants watch the wrestlers practice in the morning, try a little sumo, and eat chankonabe, a special hotpot that sumo wrestlers often eat.

At a more local level there is a sushi restaurant that allows visitors to make sushi. After the lesson participants have a greater appreciation for the art since they can taste the difference in professionally made sushi. Another example is aimed at those who wish to experience Old Tokyo for cheap by staying at guest houses with themed rooms that are decorated with a hint of Edo. For a modern alternative, capsule hotels and comic cafes are also gaining popularity as a place to stay replacing your average hotel.

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