- Kengo Enomoto started posting Japan-focused travel content on YouTube during pandemic restrictions.
- As tourism booms in Japan, travelers flock to towns like Hakone and Fujikawaguchiko to see Mount Fuji.
- Enomoto suggests taking trips to lesser-known destinations to see different sides of the country.
When pandemic restrictions impacted the English school that Kengo Enomoto ran for doctors, he decided to try content creation. His goal was to give tourists a glimpse of Japan.
The 44-year-old, who grew up on the outskirts of Tokyo, started the YouTube channel @tokyokenchan in 2021, where he regularly posts videos about his country.
“I thought it was very difficult for tourists to enjoy Japan fully, so I decided to manage a YouTube channel so people could enjoy it and come back again,” said Enomoto, who is not associated with any travel agency or tourism board.
Two years since Japan reopened its borders, the Japanese yen has weakened, and tourists have flocked to Japan in full force.
In March, the Japan National Tourism Organization reported a record high of 3.08 million visitors, surpassing the previous 2.99 million set in July 2019.
However, many of the tourist hot spots visited to see Mount Fuji, often suffer from overtourism. In April, officials from Fujikawaguchiko erected an eight-foot-tall barrier to prevent tourists from overcrowding a popular photo spot of Mount Fuji.
And while Tokyo is a must-see for first-time visitors, it can get busy, Enomoto said. “Day trips are a great opportunity to see a different side of Japan,” he added. Since starting his YouTube channel, the content creator has made day trips to around 15 Japanese towns to shoot travel content.
Here are Enomoto’s five lesser-known destinations and his suggestions for the best transportation. Prices are from japan-guide.com.
