With the number of foreign tourists to Japan declining sharply, the Tokyo Skytree faces a steep challenge to find new ways to attract visitors, as the future of inbound tourism remains murky due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 634-meter tower in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, marked the eighth anniversary of its opening on Friday. However, no events related to the anniversary could held on the day as anti-infection restrictions remain in place.
According to Skytree operator Tobu Tower Skytree Co., the number of visitors to the tower in fiscal 2019 was about 3.6 million, down 15.8% from the previous year, due partly to people's refraining from going out as the virus started its spread.
In the second year of its opening in fiscal 2013, about 6.19 million people visited the Skytree -- the highest number of visitors ever. Since that year, the number of visitors has been declining every year.
At the same time, the rate of foreign visitors was on the rise, accounting for 6.8% of the total number of visitors in fiscal 2013, and 28.9% in fiscal 2019. The firm's efforts to capture inbound demand were paying off, observers said.
The company took part in Japanese promotion events held in France and Vietnam in fiscal 2019, and distributed articles about the Skytree on the popular Chinese social media app WeChat.
Since the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were slated for this year, the firm had expected the number of foreign tourists to increase steadily.
With the spread of COVID-19, however, the situation surrounding the Skytree has changed dramatically. Visitors to the tower declined 30.1% in February from a year earlier because of the drop of inbound tourism to Japan.
There have been no visitors to the tower since March, because Tobu Tower Skytree has suspended its operation due to the pandemic.
"Even after the state of emergency is lifted, inbound tourism will not recover soon. We need to find new ways to attract foreign visitors to come here by publicizing the attraction of the Skytree more than ever," said an official of Tokyo Skytree Town's public relations office.
Tokyo Mizumachi, a new shopping mall complex, is one of the ways expected to revitalize business in the area.
Mizumachi operator Tobu Railway Co. aims to connect the Skytree and the popular nearby Asakusa district by creating a walkway.
With the aim of creating a lively atmosphere, the firm plans to open the facility by the end of June. The facility is located under the elevated rail tracks between Asakusa Station -- Tobu Railway, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway -- and Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line.
The facility is expected to have 12 shops, including restaurants, a wagashi Japanese confectionery shop, as well as a space to introduce the local industries of Sumida Ward and an accommodation facility.
In preparation for the opening, Sumida Ward has spent about 18 months renovating the south side of Sumida Park, which is adjacent to the facility.
The ward office has developed paved and grassy open spaces for events, covering a total of approximately 4,000 square meters.
"One of the features of the Skytree is that Asakusa, one of Tokyo's most popular tourist destinations, is located nearby. We want to work together to bring in new visitors," a Tobu Railway public relations official said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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