Visitors to Robot restaurant in Tokyo enjoy a colorful fairy-tale atmosphere.

In 2018, Japan had more than 30 million foreign visitors, but its nightlife is not as extensive as in other countries. Inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic games in Tokyo, efforts to diversify tourism in the evening and night to revive the economy.

Kawaii Monster Cafe Harajuku in Shibuya ward, Tokyo, known as the birthplace of the “kawaii” culture that is now globally popular, is a nightly draw. Passing through the doors, visitors see a line of colorful, cute objects that create a fabulous atmosphere.

At a recent soiree, a 20-year-old Florida woman who came to Japan for short-term study abroad, squealed with delight as a monster girl in a colorful costume performed a dance.

“It’s hard to find a cafe as cute and pop as it is anywhere in the world,” she said.

The cafe, which opened in 2015, has a three-hour late-night show that runs from Tuesday to Friday. The performances change every day in an attempt to attract customers.

“At night, the number of foreign guests is especially increasing,” says the representative of the cafe.

According to a survey conducted in 2018 by the Japan tourism Agency, the number of foreigners visiting Japan’s nightlife attractions and their satisfaction levels were lower than those traveling to other destinations.

Part of the problem is choosing things to do at night. The Louvre Museum in Paris, for example, the iconic site, is open after 9pm for a few nights. Broadway shows will host nightly shows in new York.

Spending on a foreign visitor to Japan is sluggish, at just over 150,000 yen (about $ 1,400), and there are hopes that a boost in overnight tourism could provide a breakthrough.

For starters, revised legislation allows clubs to operate all night, and last year, night operations for digital Darts and Golf simulation were approved. This year’s Asakusa night tour was among 13 approved projects.

Tokyo’s Shibuya parish is particularly active, with a variety of restaurants and tourist spots. The parish tourism Association prepared a map of night tourism and organized night tours.

One of the main factors still to be addressed is transport, including the extension of rail and bus operating hours. To discuss related issues and explore the possibilities of the night economy, tourism experts from around the world are scheduled to meet in Tokyo in November.

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