Japan sees surge in Chinese tourists for this unusual reason

• An unexpected winter activity is gaining popularity in Japan.
• Snow shoveling turned into an exciting attraction for tourists.
• During the Spring Festival holiday, Japan saw a surge in tourists.

Japan continues to be a favorite destination for global travelers, and an unexpected winter activity is gaining popularity—snow shoveling. What locals consider a chore has turned into an unusual but exciting attraction for tourists, particularly visitors from China.

During the Spring Festival holiday in January and February, Japan saw a surge in Chinese tourists, with 7.7 million entry-exit trips recorded, according to Xinhua News. While shopping sprees, or bakugai (“explosive buying”), remain popular, more travelers are opting for immersive experiences. Among these, snow shoveling has become a surprising trend, reported the South China Morning Post.

In Sapporo, Hokkaido—one of the world’s snowiest cities—a local tour agency, Tobu Top Tours, has introduced a snow-shoveling package. For 250,000 yen (₹1.4 lakh), groups of up to six can ride in a snow removal vehicle and participate in clearing snow.

Online reactions have been mixed. A Japanese user on X praised the idea, calling its creator “a genius.” Others pointed out that “experiencing snow shoveling is entirely different from being paid to remove snow.” Meanwhile, a Chinese tourist remarked, “Many people from southern China have hardly seen snow. This experience is refreshing and enjoyable, and it can also serve as a good workout.”

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