Traveling in Japan: A bus driver’s ‘gesture’ left her unforgettable memories

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route’s snow wall is a breathtaking sight when it opens, with its majestic mountain scenery often referred to as Japan’s Alps. (Photo provided by Shutterstock)

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route takes on different charms in each season, with valleys covered in a magnificent orange-yellow carpet in autumn. (Photo provided by Shutterstock)

The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has been rising year by year, with over 24 million visitors last year. In addition to its safety, orderliness, and cleanliness—qualities highly praised by travelers—its high-quality tourism services and friendly service attitude are also major draws. Today (14th), a Hong Kong media column published the experience of a travel CEO who traveled to Japan, highlighting the work ethic of Japanese bus drivers. Not only were they welcoming and kind with their smiles, but one particular ‘action’ left the deepest impression on her.

Not only do people in Taiwan love traveling to Japan, but Hong Kong travel company director and CEO Leung Kong-lan also wrote in a Hong Kong media column that she recently traveled to the Tateyama Kurobe region in Japan with her family for five days. The scenery along the way was undoubtedly stunning, but what left a lasting impression was also the dedication and passion of the tourism professionals.

Regarding Japanese tour bus drivers, she observed that although the drivers and passengers often did not share a common language, the drivers always wore smiles, making the passengers feel especially welcome. Moreover, during the times when passengers got off to visit attractions, the drivers would take the opportunity to carefully clean the bus and maintain its tidiness. Their conscientious attitude allowed fellow travelers to witness the earnest work ethic of the Japanese people, and many shook hands with the driver and thanked him upon the end of the trip.