Tourism Japan tourism 2025: record numbers but China concerns

Japan is on course to welcome more than 40 million overseas visitors in a single year for the first time, after arrivals reached an estimated 39.06 million between January and November, according to figures released on 17 December. The figure was about 17% higher than at the same point a year earlier and had already pushed past the previous annual high of 36.87 million recorded in 2024. Much of the surge has been attributed to the yen's weakness, which has lowered costs for travellers from Europe and the United States, while interest from across Asia has remained strong, with China standing out in particular. Interest from China in particular has been cited as a key factor behind the surge.

n November alone, Japan welcomed 3.518 million visitors, a 10.4% increase compared to the same month in 2024 -- also a record high. From January to November, China led with 8.76 million visitors, a 37.5% increase from the previous year, followed by South Korea with 8.48 million and Taiwan with 6.17 million, making neighboring Asian countries the top three sources of arrivals. Malaysia and Indonesia also saw growth of over 20%, each surpassing 500,000 visitors.

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Data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation showed that 562,600 visitors arrived from China in November. The total was up 3% compared with the same month a year earlier, but down 21.4% from October, reflecting a clear month-on-month drop. The figures were the first to be published since Beijing issued a travel warning on 14 November, advising its citizens against visiting Japan, following remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting the country might intervene militarily if China were to use force against Taiwan.