apan is enlisting the “Strongest Creature on Earth” to fight overtourism and bad travel habits. Publisher Akita Publishing and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) have officially joined forces to launch “10 Smart Travel Tips for Japan,” a new tourist guide starring characters from Keisuke Itagaki's legendary manga series Baki.
Curated using insights from 26 JNTO offices worldwide, the campaign uses Baki’s muscle-bound cast to deliver essential travel advice across 10 key areas. Rather than dense policy guidelines, travelers get dynamic, character-led visual tips covering:
Luggage & Transit: Utilizing hands-free luggage delivery services and observing proper public transport etiquette.
Cultural Etiquette: Manners for visiting hot springs (onsens), sacred shrines, temples, and taking photos.
Local Guidelines: Exploring rural areas outside major cities, proper trash disposal, and identifying licensed taxis.
The campaign includes pocket-sized physical booklets, posters, and stickers that will be handed out at major Japanese airports and international travel expos. To ensure broad accessibility, materials are available in English, Korean, French, and Spanish, alongside digital PDF versions on the official JNTO website. The booklets also feature critical emergency resources, such as the 24/7 multilingual Japan Visitor Hotline.
The timing aligns with a major milestone for the franchise. First debuting in 1991, Keisuke Itagaki's Baki celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026 with over 100 million copies in print. Thanks to its globally popular Netflix anime adaptations, officials hope the recognizable cast will capture tourists' attention and make etiquette rules memorable for international visitors.
You can read the English version of the travel tips PDF here.
