Why Russian Tourists Are Flocking to Japan Despite Flight Disruptions

While airlines have canceled routes through the Middle East and slashed flights from China to Japan by nearly half, Russian tourists are arriving in greater numbers than ever. According to Sergei Obrashchev, a representative of a Japanese travel agency, the disruptions have had zero impact on the flow of visitors from Russia.

“Oddly enough, neither the cancellations of flights through the Middle East nor the sharp reduction in flights from China have affected our numbers,” Obrashchev told reporters in Tokyo. “These are the two main transit hubs since there are no direct flights between our countries. But we see no drop-off—in fact, it feels like there are even more Russian tourists this year.”

One unexpected upside: the decline in Chinese visitors has made Japan’s top attractions far more accessible. “You can now book a restaurant or a tea ceremony for the same day. During peak season, that was unimaginable before,” Obrashchev said. “The same goes for sightseeing spots. Without the massive crowds, it’s a much more pleasant experience.”

For Russian travelers, it seems, a little extra travel hassle is a small price to pay for enjoying Japan without the usual throngs.