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Economy

Sacred mountains and Shibuya 'scramble' vie for Japan's tourists

Quest for tourists' yen promises everything from big-city vibe to spirituality

Chichibugahama Beach in Mitoyo, Kagawa Prefecture, is fast becoming a must-see for foreign tourists looking for that perfect Instagram moment. (Photo by Seiya Tsuji)

TOKYO -- At the famous Shibuya "scramble crossing" in Tokyo, about 3,000 people scurry across the street each time the light turns green, (mostly) without colliding into each other, leading some foreign visitors to speculate that the pedestrians must be ninjas.

But the fact that tourists are drawn to the busy multidirectional intersection is no mere happenstance; it is part of a carefully planned effort by the district to attract foreigners hungry for unique experiences in Japan.

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