Why tourists are heading to Japan for luxury fashion pilgrimages

Tourism has surged in Japan thanks to a weakened yen, enticing visitors to buy cheaper luxury goods. Photo: The New York Times

For some Chinese shoppers, the 16,700 yuan, or US$2,300 (approximately RM10,500), price tag of a Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 20 handbag is too much. It’s one reason why more and more are traveling to Japan – where the price for the same bag can be more than US$400 (RM1,800) lower.

Tourists, many of them from China, can thank the weak Japanese yen for the built-in discounts on luxury goods – which are driving surges of visitors to the country for the primary purpose of shopping.