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According to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on November 20, Japan welcomed over 30 million international visitors from the beginning of this year to October.
Specifically, in the period from January to October this year, Japan welcomed 30.19 million international visitors, slightly lower than the 31.88 million visitors recorded in all of 2019 – before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. This also marks the first time the number of international visitors to Japan has exceeded 30 million since 2019.
Japan is becoming a dream destination for travelers worldwide.
"Japan's famously vibrant autumn foliage contributed to attracting tourists last month from a range of markets including Asia, Europe, and North America," JNTO said. As of October, 11 countries and regions had surpassed their annual visitor records for Japan.
South Korea topped the list of countries with the most tourists visiting Japan, with over 732,000 visitors. This was followed by China with approximately 580,000, Taiwan (China) with nearly 479,000, and the United States with over 278,000. The number of visitors from China more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
With its rapid growth in recent months, the country's tourism industry promises to set new records.
The surge in international tourist arrivals has generated significant revenue for Japan's tourism industry. It is estimated that tourists spent approximately 5.86 trillion yen (equivalent to $37.72 billion USD) in the first nine months of 2024. This figure surpasses the total of 5.3 trillion yen spent by tourists in all of 2023.
Events and favorable visa policies have contributed to attracting a large number of tourists to explore the beauty of the land of cherry blossoms.
The diversity of tourism products, from vibrant modern cities like Tokyo and Osaka to tranquil ancient villages, majestic mountains, and unique traditional festivals, has made Japan an attractive destination for global tourists. The tourism industry, therefore, is increasingly asserting its position as one of the key drivers of the country's economic growth.
The influx of millions of tourists each year not only brings in a substantial amount of foreign currency but also contributes to the development of service and trade industries, creates numerous jobs, and enhances Japan's position on the world tourism map.
