US, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, And Thailand Fuel Japan’s Record Over Three Million Tourist Arrivals In March 2025 - Travel And Tour World (2025)

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

In March 2025, Japan’s tourism industry achieved a remarkable milestone, with over three million foreign visitors, driven by strong arrivals from key markets including the US, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. This record-breaking surge highlights the growing global demand for travel to Japan, fueled by factors such as the country’s cultural appeal, seasonal attractions like cherry blossoms, and the affordability brought by the weakening yen. The continued growth in international tourism underscores Japan’s position as a top destination for travelers worldwide.

Japan’s Tourism Surge Continues in March 2025, Breaking Records
Japan’s tourism sector remains strong, with the number of foreign visitors hitting a record 3.5 million in March, marking a 13.5% year-on-year increase. This surge highlights the ongoing success of the country’s tourism recovery.

Rising Foreign Traveler Spending Boosts Japan’s Economy
Foreign visitors contributed a total of 2.3 trillion yen ($16.0 billion) in spending during the first quarter of 2025, a 28.4% increase compared to the same period last year. The rise in spending was driven by greater expenditures on food and accommodation, as reported by the Japan Tourism Agency’s preliminary data.

Visitor Numbers Reach Record Levels in First Quarter of 2025
By the end of March, cumulative visitor numbers for 2025 reached 10.5 million, a 23.1% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. This marks the fastest pace of growth in Japan’s tourism history, surpassing the 10 million milestone for the first time.

Cherry Blossom Season Boosts Travel Demand
The Japan National Tourism Organization attributes part of the growth in visitor numbers to the cherry blossom season, which traditionally attracts a high volume of international tourists. South Korea led the charge with 691,700 visitors (a 4.3% increase), followed by China, which saw a significant 46.2% rise with 661,700 visitors.

Record-High Arrivals from Key Markets
March also marked a milestone for inbound tourism, with six countries and regions setting new monthly highs. Among the highest contributors, the U.S. saw 342,800 visitors, while Canada reached 68,100. Overall, 11 regions, including South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, reported their highest visitor numbers for the month.

Yen Depreciation Makes Japan More Attractive to Foreign Tourists
The weaker yen, particularly against the U.S. dollar, has made Japan a more affordable destination, contributing to the country’s record-breaking tourism numbers. Japan welcomed an impressive 36.87 million international visitors in 2024.

Accommodation and Shopping Drive Expenditures
Accommodation expenses made up the largest share of foreign spending, accounting for 33.4%. This demand has driven up hotel prices and led to room shortages in some popular tourist destinations. Chinese visitors were the biggest spenders, contributing 24.0% of the total, followed by Taiwan (13.9%) and South Korea (12.4%). Shopping, food, and beverages were also significant expenditure categories.

In March 2025, Japan saw a record-breaking surge in tourism, with over three million foreign visitors, driven by strong arrivals from the US, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. This growth highlights Japan’s continued appeal as a top global travel destination.

Spending Patterns by Nationality
The average spending per visitor in the first quarter of 2025 was 222,000 yen, with Australians leading the way, spending an average of 367,000 yen each, primarily on accommodation, meals, and drinks.