Tourist spending pushes up lumber demand in Japan

Traditional wooden items like 'ema' shrine plaques surge in popularity

"Ema" plaques with wishes written in foreign languages are a common sight at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine in Japan's Saitama prefecture. (Photo by Maiko Sugiyama)

MAIKO SUGIYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

October 5, 2024 10:36 JST

TOKYO -- The growth in foreign tourist numbers in Japan has caused a noticeable increase in the consumption of traditional wooden products, such as plaques at shrines and rice containers used for sushi, which is in turn having an impact on lumber demand.

At Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, the number of foreign visitors buying ema plaques has increased from the pre-COVID-19 days, said an official at an office in charge of shrine business including the issuance of ema.