Japan Visitors Top Over 30 Million

Above, the Godzilla mural at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is funny how Japan had pushed for more tourism in recent years and the result in many areas is overtourism. It seems Japan is the "victim" of their own success.

Kyoto, for example, is hiking its hotel room taxes to supposedly fight overtourism. 

This year, foreign tourism has topped over 30 million visitors, the fastest pace ever. 

According to the Japan Times:

The number of foreign visitors to Japan in January to September exceeded 30 million, passing the line at the fastest pace ever, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.

The figure jumped 17.7% from the same period last year to a little over 31.6 million.

It crossed the 30-million mark one month earlier than in the previous year, when the annual total hit a record high of 36.87 million, according to the JNTO

This year, the figure may exceed 40 million for the first time, with the autumn foliage season and winter holidays coming up.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Visitors To Japan Hits Record 3.43 Million In July

Above, Fukuoka Tower, featured in Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Travel to Japan by foreigners in July hit a new record. As G-TOUR 5 took place in July, its numbers were likely included in the tally.

Nippon.com reported:

Tokyo, Aug. 20 (Jiji Press)--The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in July rose 4.4 pct from a year before to 3,437,000, a record high for the month, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.

The latest figure surpassed the previous July record of 3,292,602, set last year, driven by an increase in visitors, primarily from mainland China, Taiwan, the United States and France, during school holidays.

 To read more, go here.

Japan Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors

Above, a gate at Tokyo's Asakusa Senso-ji temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations today.

It is easy to see why. It is a first world nation and the current currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen is a big draw.

Forbes has posted ten must-know Japan travel tips for first-time visitors.

They begin it with:

Japan is one of the most popular international destinations right now.

In April 2025, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million international visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). One of the most tourist friendly destinations, there is a learning curve to traveling here, and knowing how to navigate and plan accordingly will ensure a better travel experience.

From basic etiquette and can’t miss public transportation tips to planning the best time of year to visit (and knowing best time of year to avoid), here are ten essential travel tips every first time traveler needs to know to plan the best visit possible to Japan.

 To read more, go here.

Foreign Visitors To Japan Set New May Record

Above, an advertising sign for Asahi Beer in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan set a new record for May.

Kyodo News reported:

TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan in May rose 21.5 percent from a year earlier to 3.7 million, a record for the month, government estimates showed Wednesday, as travel demand remained strong even after cherry blossom season.

By country and region, South Korea topped the list with 825,800 visitors, up 11.8 percent, followed by China with 789,900, a 44.8 percent increase, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Crosses 10 Million Visitors Through March

Above, a view of the Tokyo Skytree from Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those of us who have interests in Japan remember the days when the country sought to get at least 10 million foreign visitors to the country in a year.

They have well exceeded that long-ago goal. They've done it in three months this year.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - Japan crossed the 10 million visitor mark at the fastest ever pace this year, reaching that level already in March, official data showed on Wednesday, as the weak yen propelled an unprecedented tourism boom.

Arrivals of foreign visitors for business and leisure reached 3.5 million last month, bringing the total through the first quarter to 10.54 million, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

Last year, Japan reached 10 million visitors in April.

 To read more, go here.

Japan Visitors and Spending Hit Records In 2024

Above, Senso-Ji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to a weak yen, Japan saw record numbers of foreign visitors and spending during 2024.

 Kyodo News reported:

The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 36 million in 2024 in a new all-time high, boosted by a weak yen and the resumption of flight routes to Japan following the COVID-19 pandemic, while their spending surpassed 8 trillion yen ($50.8 billion) for the first time on record, government data showed Wednesday.

Foreign tourists spent a total of 8.14 trillion yen on accommodation, shopping and other expenses in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 5.31 trillion yen set in 2023, preliminary figures from the Japan Tourism Agency showed.

A record 36.87 million foreign tourists visited Japan in 2024 as peak travel periods, including the seasons for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage, contributed to annual visitor numbers from 20 markets setting new record highs, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Foreign Visitors Top 33 Million In January-November

Above, Tokyo Tower as seen from Roppongi Hills. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A new record was set in the number of foreign visitors to Japan in January to November of 2024.

According to Kyodo News:

The number of foreign visitors to Japan topped 33 million from January to November, setting a new annual record, driven by a tourism boom and a weak yen, government estimates showed Wednesday.

The total stood at 33,379,900, surpassing the previous full-year high of 31.88 million set in 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

In November alone, foreign visitors rose 30.6 percent year-on-year to 3.18 million. Each month this year has recorded at least 30 percent growth compared with the same period last year.

With airline routes to Japan recovering to 2019 levels, November visitor numbers were further boosted by increased demand during the fall foliage season.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Received 3.31 Million Foreign Visitors In October

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall next to Tokyo's Sumida River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan continues to see record numbers of foreign tourists.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Japan experienced an all-time high of 3.31 million visitors last month, marking a new milestone in tourism. Fueled by the depreciated yen, this influx of travelers generated substantial income for the nation. Visitor numbers surpassed pre-pandemic records, as people eagerly explored Japan’s stunning autumn scenery. Tourist expenditures hit historic peaks, solidifying their role as a crucial driver of Japan’s economic growth.

Japan saw an unprecedented 3.31 million visitors last month, setting a new tourism milestone, according to official figures released Wednesday. The weak yen has fueled a tourism surge, channeling significant revenue into the country’s economy. This latest figure surpasses September’s 2.87 million visitors and breaks the previous monthly record of 3.29 million set in July, as reported by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).

By the end of October, nearly 30.2 million tourists had visited Japan this year, closing in on the all-time annual high of 31.9 million recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel.

 To read more, go here.

Japan Visitors Set New Spending Record

Above, the Hozomon Gate at Asakusa's Senso-ji temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Thanks to the weak Japanese yen, tourist spending in Japan has reached record levels. 

Reuters reported:

TOKYO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Visitor spending in Japan broke an annual record in just nine months, official data showed on Wednesday, demonstrating the economic power of a tourism boom fuelled by the weak yen.

Travellers spent 5.86 trillion yen ($39.27 billion) through September, preliminary figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed. That eclipsed the 5.3 trillion yen spent in all of 2023, a record for any 12-month period.

The current exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen is 1 USD = 149.92 JPY.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Travel Tips To Avoid Crowds

Above, the stage at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since Japan reopened the country following the pandemic, it has been seeing a surge in foreign visitors that are setting records.

With more visitors coming into the country, there is also a downside: crowds.

The Points Guy has posted an article with tips on avoiding crows while traveling in Japan.

Some snippets:

Six decades after hosting the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics — when Japan rapidly rolled out new infrastructure like its Shinkansen bullet train and accommodations like Hotel New Otani Tokyo to welcome the anticipated influx of foreigners — the country remains one of the most beloved leisure destinations in the world. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 17.78 million foreign visitors arrived in the first half of 2024, breaking 2019's previous record of 16.63 million. And there are no signs of a slowdown: Japan aims to nearly double 2019's end-of-year record of 31.88 million tourists to a staggering 60 million annually by 2030.

Though there are countless reasons for Japan's sustained popularity — from tantalizing regional cuisine to safe public transportation systems — the recent surge can largely be credited to a slump in the Japanese yen. In early July, it hit its weakest level since 1990, and while the yen has recovered slightly in the past two months, the dollar remains very strong in Japan. 

Naturally, demand for Japan-bound flights is also booming. "In 2023, Expedia data revealed that the top trending global flight route was LAX to Tokyo, with a surge of 430% compared to the year prior," Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson told TPG. "This fall, Tokyo continues to be a trending destination, with a 50% increase in flight searches."

While Japan is now within reach for more people than ever, there is a downside: relentless crowds. In response, local authorities have instituted a tourism tax for climbers on Mount Fuji, installed barriers to block Instagram-famous views of that same mountain and closed off some private alleys to tourists in Kyoto's geisha district.

Follow these tips to help alleviate the overcrowding and still have an enjoyable vacation in Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Visitors To Japan Top 3 Million For 3rd Straight Month

Above, Toho Studios' Godzilla mural. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like the tourism industry in Japan has recovered, and then some.

For the third straight month, three million foreign visitors came to Japan.

According to Kyodo News:

TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan totaled 3.04 million in May, up 60.1 percent from a year earlier and exceeding the 3 million mark for the third consecutive month, boosted by the weak yen, government data showed.

The Japan National Tourism Organization attributed the strong tourist arrivals to China's holiday season and an increased number of flights and ships coming from East Asia.

The number of visitors from more than a dozen countries and regions, including South Korea and the United States, reached record highs for the month.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tourism Skyrockets

Above, Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon Temple) in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is wondering how Japan's tourism is doing after reopening the country following the pandemic, one need only to see the following.

In March, a record was broken.

According to Travel And Tour World:

Japan‘s tourism reaches new heights with a record-breaking 3 million visitors in March, marking a surge in global interest.

March witnessed an unprecedented surge in Japan’s tourism as more than three million international visitors flocked to the country, setting a new record for a single month. This surge, highlighted by government data on Wednesday, signifies a remarkable upturn for Japan’s tourism industry. The total count of 3.08 million tourists marks a substantial 69.5 percent leap from March 2023 and an 11.6-percent increase compared to March 2019, pre-pandemic era, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

To read more, go here. 

Visitors To Japan Surge In February

Above, a view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo City View in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inbound tourism to Japan is still surging according to an article posted by Kyodo News.

They reported:

TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan rose 89.0 percent in February from a year earlier to about 2.79 million as it continued to rebound from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Tuesday, although visitors from mainland China only showed a limited recovery.

The figure represents a 7.1 percent rise from the same month in 2019 when there was no impact from the pandemic, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

The largest number of travelers came from South Korea at 818,500, up 14.3 percent from pre-pandemic levels, followed by those from Taiwan at 502,200, up 25.6 percent.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Visitation To Japan Reached Pre-Pandemic Level In January

Above, a photo/movie shoot in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The numbers of foreign visitors to Japan reached pre-pandemic levels in January.

According to Kyodo News:

TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan soared 79.5 percent in January from a year earlier to about 2.69 million, reaching the level seen in the same month in 2019 before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Wednesday.

The number of overseas visitors has been growing after Japan lifted border control measures related to COVID-19 in late April. A weak yen has also been fueling the return of inbound tourists.

The impact of a powerful earthquake that rattled central Japan on New Year's Day has been "limited," although some people in South Korea and China canceled their trips to Japan in the wake of the quake, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Sees Record 2.73 Million Visitors In December

Above, Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tourism has pretty much recovered in Japan after the pandemic.

December saw a record number of visitors according to Reuters.

They wrote:

TOKYO, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Japan welcomed a record number of visitors in December, official data showed on Wednesday, closing out a year of rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure rose to 2.73 million last month from 2.44 million in November, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

It was the highest-ever number of tourists for the month of December and about 8% higher than the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019. 

To read more, go here. 

Japan Exceeded Pre-Pandemic Tourism Levels In October

Above, a view of Tokyo's Sumida River from the Tokyo Sky Tree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's tourism industry received some good news when the October numbers of foreign tourism were tabulated.

Japan tourism numbers has exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time since restrictions were lifted.

From Nippon.com:

Tokyo, Nov. 15 (Jiji Press)--The number of visitors to Japan in October exceeded the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level for the first time, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.

An estimated 2,516,500 foreign nationals visited the Asian nation during the reporting month, up 0.8 pct from October 2019, before the spread of COVID-19. The latest figure was up by around fivefold from the same month last year.

After plummeting in 2020, the number of such visitors has been on a sharp rebound since autumn last year, in response to the relaxation and eventual removal of COVID-19-related border control measures and the weakening of the yen.

To read more, go here. 

2 Million Visitors Arrived In Japan In August

Above, Asakusa's 5-storied pagoda. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan's tourism industry is making a steady recovery in the numbers of foreign tourists coming into the country.

Over two million visitors arrived in Japan in August.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan welcomed more than 2 million visitors for a third straight month in August, recovering to more than 80% of pre-pandemic levels for the first time, official data showed on Wednesday.

The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure was 2.16 million last month, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

Visitor arrivals improved to 85.6% of the levels seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic led to travel curbs around the world.

The August numbers were down from a post-pandemic high of 2.32 million in July, but the recovery is continuing, aided by increases in international flights and a weak yen, which makes trips to Japan more affordable than they have been in decades.

To read more, go here. 

Japan's Popular Rail Pass Is About to Get More Expensive

Above, inside a Shinkansen (bullet train) car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have posted about this before, but those planning to travel to Japan can still purchase the JR Rail Pass at the current price until October 1.

That's when the price is hiked about 70%.

According to Travel + Leisure:

The Japan Rail Pass, one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to travel around the country, is going up in price this fall. 

The cost of a 7-day rail pass, known as the JR Pass, will increase from as low as 29,650 yen ($201.19) when purchased from an authorized retailer to 50,000 yen ($339.28), a nearly 70 percent increase, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The price increase will go into effect on Oct. 1 and become the first increase in several years.

A spokesman for the JR Group told The New York Times the increase follows improvements to its service, including extending lines and updating reservation systems.

“As a result, the actual benefits greatly exceed the product price,” the spokesman said, adding, “we have decided to revise the price to an appropriate level.”

When the price increase goes into effect, a 14-day JR Pass will rise from as low as 47,250 yen ($320.62) to 80,000 yen ($542.85) and a 21-day pass will rise from as low as 60,450 yen ($410.19) to 100,000 yen ($678.56). Passes for children 6 to 11 years old will cost 50 percent of the adult price. 

 To read more, go here.

Japan's Tourism Boom Stirs Accident Jitters

Above, climbers with lanterns climb Mt. Fuji at night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent weeks, accidents at U.S. national parks have been making news. Just last week, a woman fell off a mountain at Grand Teton National Park to her death. There have been other accidents as well.

Concerns over similar accidents by climbers of Japan's Mount Fuji has made the news today.

From Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- As foreign visitors return to Japan in droves for the first summer since 2019, authorities in the country are bracing for another potential surge -- in the number of accidents at tourism magnet Mount Fuji and on the nation's roads.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the estimated number of foreigners who visited the country in June exceeded 2.07 million, more than 16 times the same period last year when arrivals were heavily restricted by travel curbs designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As for Mount Fuji, according to the Ministry of the Environment around 42,000 climbers visited Japan's iconic peak in the first 16 days of July. That represents a jump of 40% from the comparable number four years ago, the last summer before Japan introduced travel restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Though not typically considered a dangerous climb, Mount Fuji can be problematic for some. In a regular year, more than 1,000 visitors get lost during the summer climbing season. Some visitors attempt what's called a "bullet climb" -- going up and down without reserving spaces to stay overnight in mountain huts -- without bringing enough equipment and without proper planning.

To read more, go here. 

Foreign Arrivals To Japan Top 10 Million

Above, Senso-ji temple in the Asakua section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign arrivals to Japan is surging for the first time since before the pandemic in 2019.

Kyodo News reported:

TOKYO - Foreign arrivals to Japan from January to June topped 10 million for the first time since the same period in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic, as the country sees a continued recovery in inbound travelers, government data showed Wednesday.

Japan saw 10.71 million arrivals in the six months, equivalent to 64.4 percent of the level seen from January to June in 2019 and exponentially higher than the 507,630 logged in the same period in 2022, the Japan National Tourism Organization said.

By country or region, the most arrivals came from South Korea at 3.13 million, followed by 1.77 million from Taiwan, 972,200 from the United States and 909,700 from Hong Kong, it said.

To read more, go here.