By NORIYASU NUKUI/ Staff Writer
June 11, 2022 at 17:24 JST
Visitors stroll through Asakusa’s Nakamise shopping district in Tokyo on June 10. (Wataru Sekita)
Popular tourist destinations are gearing up for a return to pre-pandemic times in line with the June 10 resumption of procedures to finally allow inbound visitors after a two-year lull on entry.
While the initial inflow will be from a limited number of nations deemed to be at a lower risk of novel coronavirus infections and involve small tour groups, hopes are gaining traction that larger numbers will return this summer.
The Asakusa Nakamise shopping area close to spectacular Sensoji temple in Tokyo is regarded as a must-see tourist destination, and far more visitors were seen strolling through the narrow thoroughfare on June 10. Most, however, were Japanese women in kimono or students on school trips.
But the Nakamise association of retail outlets is already preparing for a full-scale return of hordes of foreign tourists. All 88 member stores boast posters in English calling on visitors to abide by infection-prevention measures, such as wearing face masks and disinfecting their hands.
“I hope this marks the ‘start of the end’ of the novel coronavirus health scare,” said Hiroyuki Kaneko, who heads the association.
Still, various member outlets have their own unique concerns.
For example, Sukeroku specializes in toys and other goods that conjure up the ambience of the feudal Edo Period (1603-1867).
Kanae Kimura recalled there were days when her outlet did not chalk up a single sale due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And while she harbors hopes of a sharp increase in sales in tandem with the arrival of more foreign tourists, implementing infection-prevention measures could pose problems.
Many of the dolls are thumb-sized and it was not unusual for visitors in the past to pick up the products for a closer inspection.
The government has compiled guidelines directed at travel agencies asking that tourists wear face masks in congested areas.
Kimura said she would ask all her customers to wear masks in her shop and not touch the merchandise.
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