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Japan Tourism Statistics 日本の観光統計データ

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How many travelers visit japan.

"Visitor Arrivals" provides figures trend of foreign nationals traveling to Japan by year, month and the purpose of visit. A breakdown by country/area is provided, along with a feature that allows comparing the number of travelers between two designated countries.

Traveling to Japan: Visitor Arrivals

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Packed With Tourists, Japan Returns to Economic Growth

The modest expansion in the fourth quarter of 2022 was driven by a recovery in private consumption, as well as spending by visitors.

By Ben Dooley and Hisako Ueno

Reporting from Tokyo

After more than two years under some of the world’s tightest border controls, Japan is once again open for business. Tourist spots are packed. Hotels are booked out well in advance. And it’s getting harder to get a seat at many of the country’s best restaurants.

While that hasn’t been ideal for the many people who flocked to Japan in late 2022 hoping to experience its famous hospitality, it has been pretty good for Japanese businesses.

The country’s economy, the world’s third largest after the United States and China, grew at an annualized rate of 0.6 percent from October to December, government data showed on Tuesday. The modest increase, driven by a recovery in private consumption and spending by visitors to Japan, lagged expectations that growth could reach 2 percent.

The uptick followed a surprise contraction during the third quarter of last year, when inflation and a weak yen drove import prices up and suppressed spending.

The latest quarterly result capped off a second straight year of economic growth for Japan, which has traced a slow and sometimes uneven path to recovery from the economic devastation of the coronavirus.

Japan’s economy expanded in 2022 by 1.1 percent in real terms, government data showed. That followed growth of 2.1 percent in 2021.

While Japan has now recovered the ground it lost during the pandemic, its growth lagged that of other countries, as lingering concerns about Covid continued to keep people in their homes and suppressed demand.

The return to growth in the fourth quarter was partly driven by a recovery in domestic consumption, said Shinichiro Kobayashi, principal economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting.

One big reason for that is that people in Japan, with the government’s encouragement, have begun to adjust to life with the coronavirus. While deaths have shot up to their highest levels since the pandemic began, many people in Japan have let their guard down.

“The suppressed demand has steadily picked up,” Mr. Kobayashi said. That rebound has been supported by the return of popular government subsidies aimed at encouraging people to travel and eat out.

With tourists flooding back into the country, the yen’s weakness has also become a net positive for some business sectors that benefit from their return, said Saisuke Sakai, senior economist at Mizuho Research and Technologies.

Tourism has bounced back faster than expected, and “there’s revenge spending by people who have been waiting out the coronavirus,” he said, noting that the cheap yen had encouraged visitors to spend heavily on products like makeup and luxury goods.

Not all the news was good. The soft yen has continued to drive up prices for food and energy, both of which are highly import-dependent. Inflation was 4 percent in December, its highest level in over 40 years. That takes a big bite out of wages that have seen little growth for decades.

Mr. Kobayashi sees more room for the economy to expand as Chinese tourists begin to return in greater numbers. Japan has placed some restrictions on visitors from China because of concerns about the country’s surge in coronavirus cases since its “Covid zero” policy ended.

While there is some concern that the United States or Europe could enter a recession this year, Mr. Kobayashi expects that “demand will continue to lead modest growth for some time” in Japan.

Takahide Kiuchi, the executive economist at the Nomura Research Institute, said that many of his Japanese colleagues believed that Japan’s economy could expand faster than those of the United States or Europe this year, as consumption continues to rebound.

But for his part, he is less optimistic about Japan’s prospects.

“External factors may undermine the growth momentum of the Japanese economy,” he said, pointing to the uncertain economic situation abroad.

“I personally expect that the Japanese economy may fall into a mild recession in the middle of this year .”

Ben Dooley reports on Japan’s business and economy, with a special interest in social issues and the intersections between business and politics. More about Ben Dooley

Hisako Ueno has been reporting on Japanese politics, business, gender, labor and culture for The Times since 2012. She previously worked for the Tokyo bureau of The Los Angeles Times from 1999 to 2009. More about Hisako Ueno

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Japan's February GDP grows 1.8% on tourism recovery: JCER

Exports of goods and services, private consumption lead economy

TOKYO -- Japan's gross domestic product grew 1.8% in February from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to estimates form the Japan Center for Economic Research, expanding for the first time in three months as inbound tourism gets back on track.

Based on the average figures for the first two months of 2023, the think tank now expects an annualized 3.0% contraction for the January-March quarter from the October-December period.

Thai, Malaysian outlooks improve on tourism, China recovery: JCER

Japan gdp suffers steepest decline in 5 months, 0.6%, jcer says, japan gdp up 0.1% in december despite weak exports: jcer, japan gdp shrinks 0.2% in november, hit by inflation: jcer, taiwan to surpass japan in gdp per capita this year: jcer, latest on economy, china's consumer prices rise for 3rd month, signaling demand recovery, china suffers 56% drop in foreign investments on weak domestic demand, china central bank vows to support economic recovery, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

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Japanese economic growth surges on strong exports and tourism

The Nakamise shopping street to Sensoji temple is crowded with visitors and foreign tourists in the Asakusa district in Tokyo Japan, on July 19, 2023. Japan’s economic growth jumped at an annual pace of 6% in the April-June period, marking the third straight quarter of growth as exports and inbound tourism recovered.(Kyodo News via AP)

FILE - People walk at a pedestrian crossing in Ginza shopping district on March 31, 2023, in Tokyo. Japan’s economic growth jumped at an annual pace of 6% in the April-June period, marking the third straight quarter of growth as exports and inbound tourism recovered. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

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TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s economic growth jumped at an annual pace of 6% in the April-June period, marking the third straight quarter of growth as exports and inbound tourism recovered.

Real gross domestic product, which measures the sum value of a nation’s products and services, grew 1.5% in the fiscal first quarter for the world’s third largest economy, the Cabinet Office said Tuesday.

The annualized pace shows what the growth would have been if what was marked during the quarter had continued for a year. The rate outpaced what analysts had forecast at 3.1% growth.

The latest quarter showed the strongest growth since October-December 2020, when Japan’s GDP grew 1.9% on-quarter, and 7.9% annualized rate.

Exports grew 3.2% in the three months through June, according to the government. Auto exports have grown lately, after a period in which they had stalled on the shortage of computer chips and other parts. Production was crimped because of social restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also contributing to quarterly growth was the return of tourism, as social restrictions eased, and borders opened to inbound travel. Tourism revenue contributes to export growth in such GDP data.

On the negative side, private consumption stalled, declining 0.5% compared to the previous quarter. Public demand, which includes government spending, rose 0.3%.

Some analysts think signs of recovery will prompt Japan’s central bank to take action on a policy change and move toward higher interest rates.

The Bank of Japan has taken a super-easy monetary policy for years, at zero or below-zero interest rates, to jumpstart an economy beset by deflation, the opposite of what the world is worried about lately, or inflation.

Deflation can be lethal, signaling stagnation. Japan has a shrinking population caused by an extremely low birth rate.

But recent data show the economy may be gradually picking up and wresting itself out of stagnation and deflation. Complicating matters is that high interest rates can make borrowing more expensive and contribute to a slowdown, just when the economy is starting to rebound.

“The data is likely to provide the Bank of Japan with more room for normalization, although the initial short-lived bounce in the Japanese yen seems to reflect some market expectations that patience from the central bank is still the likely stance,” said Yeap Jun Rong, market analyst at IG.

Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

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Japan’s Travel & Tourism Sector Nears Pre-pandemic Recovery Despite Lengthy Restrictions

Sector’s contribution only 6.8% behind 2019 high Travel & Tourism projected to support nearly 6.7 million jobs by 2033  

London, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s ( WTTC ) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) today reveals Japan’s Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution is forecast to reach USD 285.5 billion (JPY 37.6 trillion) this year.

This figure is only 6.8% shy of to the 2019 pre-pandemic high of USD 306.5 billion (JPY 40.3 trillion), and by end of year the sector could represent 6.8% of the total economy.

Despite the effects of the pandemic spanning into 2023 in Japan, WTTC is forecasting for the sector to create around 470,000 jobs this year, to reach nearly 5.6 million. This means around one in twelve workers in Japan, are directly or indirectly employed in the Travel & Tourism sector. 

While the sector is still shy of 300,000 jobs to reach pre-pandemic levels, by the end of this year it will only be 5.2% below 2019 levels.

International visitor spend in Japan is forecast to surge by 553.4% this year to reach USD 16.8 billion (JPY 2.2 trillion), still 57.6% below the 2019 peak.

A look back on last year

Last year the sector’s GDP contribution grew by 50.5% to reach more than USD 257 billion (JPY 33.9 trillion), representing 6.2% of the economy.

The sector saw jobs increase in 2022, from the previous year, to nearly 5.1 million jobs nationally – one in 13 jobs across Japan.

International visitor spend in Japan declined in 2022 as the effects of prolonged travel restrictions continued to have a chokehold on the sector. International visitor spend declined a by more than 31%, remaining 93.5% below 2019 levels.

Domestic visitor spend grew by 61.6% last year, virtually returning to 2019 levels, only 0.2% behind.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Travel & Tourism is an important driver of economic growth and job creation to Japan. We predict a significant boost to the global Travel & Tourism sector as residents begin to travel once again. 

“The economic ripple effect of this sector is awe-inspiring. It stimulates job creation, from tour guides and hotel staff to local artisans and transportation providers.

“International travel will be essential to achieve the long-awaited recovery. We must nurture and support this sector, finding innovative ways to attract visitors and ensure their comfort. By doing so, we not only boost our economy but also support livelihoods and local communities.”

Hiroyuki Takahashi, JTB Corp. Chairperson of the Board, said: “As the global demand to visit Japan is extremely high and growing, we, JTB Corp., are working together with the public and private sectors and developing new tourism attractions to expand the capacity in rural areas.

“Adventure tourism would be the innovative driver to address to these demands and challenges.  “With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and unforgettable experiences, we envision a future where Japan's Travel & Tourism sector thrives.”

Isao Takashiro, JAT Chairman and CEO, said: “Thanks to the government's efforts and a resurgence in travel demand, our domestic terminal passengers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. This remarkable recovery showcases the resilience of our sector.

“Haneda Airport's international terminal is on track to surpass 18 million passengers by the end of this year, despite challenges faced. With increased slots and capacity, and anticipated growth in inbound demand, we project exceeding 25 million passengers by 2025.”

“As an essential gateway to Japan, we remain committed to enhancing the passenger’s experience, with new international flight facilities and attractive commercial amenities.” 

In 2022, the top source markets for international visitors to Japan were South Korea (24%), mainland China (10%), Taiwan, China (10%), U.S. (8%) and Hong Kong, China (7%). 

What does the next decade look like?

The global tourism body is forecasting that the sector will grow its GDP contribution to  USD 353.4 billion (JPY 46.5 trillion) by 2033, nearly 8% of the Japanese economy, and will employ 6.7 million people across the country, with one in ten Japanese residents working in the sector.

Asia-Pacific

In 2022, the Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism sector contributed USD 1.6 trillion to the regional economy, but this is still 50% behind the 2019 peak. WTTC forecasts the region’s GDP contribution from the sector will reach more than USD 2.6 trillion in 2023 – just 16% below the 2019 highpoint.

The sector employed over 155 million people across the region in 2022, an increase of 8.7 million from the previous year but still 15% behind pre-pandemic levels. WTTC forecasts the sector will fully recover the jobs lost during the pandemic by the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.  

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Editors Notes

The research was carried out in partnership with Oxford Economics with information sourced from UNWTO, Oxford Economics and national sources. All values are in constant 2022 prices and exchange rates, as reported in March 2023.

The Economic Impact Research defines Asia-Pacific as all countries in Asia and Oceania. Monetary figures for Japan are in JPY. Monetary figures for the Asia-Pacific region are in USD.  

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Can inbound tourism fuel Japan’s economic growth?

Japan’s inbound tourism grew by 33 percent a year from 2011 to 2015—among the fastest rates in the world. Yet tourism still represents just 0.5 percent of the country’s GDP, significantly lower than for popular Asian destinations such as Thailand (10.4 percent) and developed countries such as France (2.4 percent) and the United States (1.3 percent). The biggest problems? Too few non-Asian international visitors; too many tourists concentrating on the major cities of Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo; and significant capacity constraints with regard to accommodation and transportation.

Japan’s leaders are aware of the problem, as well as the opportunity. Recognizing that inbound tourism could be a powerful economic engine, they have set an aspirational target to double annual inbound tourism to 40.0 million visitors in 2020, from 19.7 million in 2015, increasing total inbound-tourism revenue to ¥8.0 trillion ($79.0 billion), from ¥3.5 trillion, over the same period. Indeed, we believe the country’s tourism industry is at an inflection point where an effective strategy to attract international tourists could have an outsize impact for years to come. Our new report, The future of Japan’s tourism: Path for sustainable growth towards 2020 (PDF–2.08MB), investigates the challenges and potential impact of several initiatives that address obstacles to realizing the country’s inbound-tourism goals.

Tackling three major challenges

Although Japan is the world’s third-largest economy—trailing only the United States and China—it remains a mystery to many tourists. While hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide a global platform to showcase its people, culture, and landmarks, action is required now. For the tourism industry to overcome barriers and achieve its target of doubling annual inbound tourism by 2020, the country’s public and private sectors must come together to address three primary issues:

• The lack of non-Asian visitors. International travelers are attracted to destinations for many reasons, including iconic sites, proximity, and familiarity. Yet Japan has a significant imbalance in its portfolio of visitors: non-Asian visitors accounted for just 16 percent of international tourists to Japan in 2015. The country struggles to convert interest from Western tourists into actual visits, especially when compared with visitors from other Asian nations (exhibit). That may be partly because Western visitors simply aren’t sure what they can see in Japan, even though they profess interest in the country’s major tourism assets once informed about them.
• Skewed regional distribution. Three prefectures—Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo—dominate visitor itineraries, accounting for 48 percent of tourist stays. These three major cities account for 60 percent of inbound-tourism expenditures, despite comprising only 28 percent of the Japan’s GDP. This suggests a sizable opportunity for the country’s other regions.
• Capacity constraints. Accommodations and infrastructure in major Japanese cities are already stretched. In fact, demand simulations for 2020 indicate the country may face an accommodation shortage of up to 50 percent in Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, as well as an air-capacity overflow of up to 30 percent for Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports.

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Correcting Japan’s visitor-portfolio imbalance and skewed regional distribution requires addressing several root causes, including a perception of high cost, low awareness of tourism assets, and a limited service model in local regions. The common challenge is that cooperation between the public and private sectors in many areas—for example, aggregating tourism data and providing an end-to-end experience—is limited, if not nonexistent.

To succeed in meeting the country’s goals for inbound tourism, a public–private partnership (PPP) should be established, modeled on global best practices. Once formed, the PPP should pursue a road map built around five levers:

• Strengthen the Japanese destination-management-organization (DMO) model. Japan’s 80 DMO candidates can be expanded to deliver even greater impact, strengthening the service model in local regions.
• Build a platform to support tourists’ end-to-end customer experience. An integrated online data platform could serve as a mechanism to capture and analyze information about tourists, including purchasing behaviors and preferences. These data could be used to offer a rich, personalized customer experience.
• Support hotels and sightseeing spots in building inbound-tourism capabilities. Many hotels and tourism assets would benefit greatly from support by related businesses and government agencies to address issues such as the language barrier and inefficient purchase processes.
• Embed foreign visitors’ viewpoints in marketing and promotion. Members of the PPP, including the Japan National Tourism Organization and Japan Tourism Agency—which both employ nearly 100 percent Japanese staff—should ensure the viewpoints of tourists are sought out when designing and implementing marketing and promotions.
• Enhance online promotion to make tourists ambassadors. Japan can ensure its online portal showcases its tourism assets as effectively as possible and offers opportunities for the collection and dissemination of word-of-mouth praise.

By bringing stakeholders together through a public–private partnership, Japan can make progress in increasing its attractiveness to many different traveler segments while also addressing the underlying obstacles to growth in inbound tourism. The conditions and timing are right to launch the country into the top tier of tourism-oriented destinations—it just needs coordinated, strategic action.

How a private-sector transformation could revive Japan

Download the full report on which this article is based, The future of Japan’s tourism: Path for sustainable growth towards 2020 (PDF–2.08MB).

André Andonian is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Tokyo office , where Ryo Ishida is a consultant, Tasuku Kuwabara , is a partner, and Naomi Yamakawa is an associate partner.

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Japan's readiness to receive tourists is not keeping pace with the speed of the recovery of visitor numbers. Image:  Unsplash/Sayaka Ganz

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• Japan's hospitality and tourism sector is recovering in earnest after reopening its border to foreign visitors and lifting mask rules after COVID-19.
• As a result, March saw visitor numbers reach nearly 2 million, equivalent to about two-thirds of tourist figures for the same month in 2019.
• Japan will need to adapt to avoid 'overtourism' and also address post-pandemic labour shortages in both hospitality and tourism.

The Japanese hospitality and tourism industry is beginning to recover in earnest after being badly hit by COVID-19.

In October 2022, Japan lifted the ceiling on the number of foreign tourists entering the country as well as the ban on the entry of individual foreign travellers, thereby significantly easing its pandemic border control measures. Furthermore, as of March this year, the rule to wear masks, both indoors and outdoors, is now left to individual discretion.

This was a tailwind, and the number of visitors to Japan in the same month quickly recovered to 1,827,500 – a figure is equivalent to 66% of the pre-pandemic March 2019 tally and 27.5 times higher than in March 2022.

By country/region, the largest number of visitors to Japan in March came from South Korea with 466,800 – or 79.7% of the figure for March 2019; followed by Taiwan with 278,900; the United States with 203,000, and Hong Kong with 144,900. In addition, since Japan eased travel restrictions from China on March 1, the number of travellers from the country almost doubled to 75,000 in February.

Takahide Kiuchi, Executive Economist at Nomura Research Institute, forecasts that "inbound demand for the year 2023 will be JPY 4,958 billion (about $36.7 billion), which could quickly surpass the JPY 4,813.5 billion (about $35.7 billion) inbound demand in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic”.

However, while Japan's economy is being revitalized in earnest by inbound consumption – boosted in part by the record low yen, which makes Japan an attractive destination for foreign tourists – the country is facing a noticeable challenge as its readiness to receive tourists is not keeping pace with the speed of the recovery in visitor numbers.

Severe labour shortages in hospitality

The hospitality and restaurant industries are in a particularly tight spot, unable to cope with the resurgence of inbound tourism.

According to a January survey released by Teikoku Databank, the percentage of companies feeling a labour shortage (non-permanent employees) amounted to 81.8% for inns and hotels and 80.4% for restaurants. Of all sectors, these two industries in particular are experiencing an outstanding labour shortage, with the percentage for inns/hotels at an all-time high.

Many in the hospitality and restaurant sectors have been forced to reduce their workforce and curtail new hiring due to closures, shorter hours and poor performance caused by the spread of COVID-19, and many employees have moved on to other jobs. The fact it is not easy to bring back staff once they have left the industry is the main reason for the serious labour shortage.

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Japanese industry has been trying to solve labour shortages by accepting foreign workers. The tourism sector has relied heavily on part-time jobs for foreign students. According to data from the Japan Student Services Organization in 2021, the hospitality and restaurant industries accounted for nearly 40% of all part-time jobs for foreign students. However, foreign student part-time workers have completely disappeared since the pandemic.

Furthermore, the depreciation of the yen, which has been progressing since the second half of last year, has significantly lowered wages in Japan from the perspective of other countries. Despite overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and embarking on a path of economic recovery, Japan is no longer attractive as a country to go to as a migrant worker, and it is no longer possible to expect to attract foreign staff .

In a bid to address the problem in hospitality, hotel operations are being reformed by using digital technology to increase efficiency. JTB, a major Japanese travel agency, has developed a platform that links its core system with digital tools such as ATMs to save labour in check-out and other operations, and is now offering the system to hotels.

Tokyu Hotels, which operates 45 hotels in Japan, has also introduced NEC's Smart Hospitality Service , which enables automatic check-in using facial recognition and QR codes, at 39 of its hotels nationwide. Users can check in by simply holding up their face to a tablet terminal at the front desk if they have registered their guest information and photo in advance – making operations more efficient.

Countermeasures against ‘overtourism’

Overtourism has long been a challenge for the Japanese travel industry, and local residents in key tourist areas have suffered from issues including crowding, traffic congestion, rubbish and noise. The ability to diversify the times and areas visited by tourists is key to preventing overtourism, while allowing the tourism industry to gain momentum for a resurgence.

According to a Japan Tourism Agency survey, most people travel on holidays, including major national holidays, and only 16.5% of travel volume occurs on weekdays , which account for 70% of the annual number of days.

As such, the government is working to diversify travel demand by increasing the amount of coupons granted for weekday travel in its nationwide travel support programme. Now that the spread of teleworking has made it feasible to combine work and travel on weekdays, the creation of new incentives, such as work holidays, could also help to balance out travel demand.

Diversification of tourist destinations is another important issue. Pre-pandemic, the occupancy rate of accommodation facilities in Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka – where tourists are concentrated – rose to nearly 80%, and the negative effects of overtourism were being called out.

However, in many prefectures located along the typical tourist routes for foreign visitors, the occupancy rate of accommodation facilities was less than 50%, resulting in regional differences. In the future, it will be important to bridge these regional differences by promoting Japan's diverse destinations, and to increase the number of people visiting non-representative tourist destinations by attracting repeat visitors.

Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021: Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future

Looking to a new future for japan tourism.

The World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021: Rebuilding for a Sustainable and Resilient Future ranked Japan first in the development index ranking due to the speed with which the travel and tourism industry has recovered from the devastation caused by the pandemic.

Assuming that the travel and tourism industry will play an important role in global economic and social development, the report emphasizes that investment in the drivers of the industry’s development will be crucial in the future.

Meanwhile, Atsushi Takahashi of JR East Japan Planning Inc sounded an alarm bell on the past Japanese approach to tourism and instead urged a new way of thinking. “We have long made decisions based on intuition, experience and assumptions. We have been making decisions for a long time without looking at data,” he said.

“The original marketing is to choose the best solution at the time from multiple hypotheses that emerge depending on how the data is viewed and interpreted. However, in the field of tourism, I feel that this is still too shallow.”

His observations stress his belief that data-based initiatives in Japan's tourism industry are also essential to solving issues facing the sector today, as well to providing new forms of tourism services altogether.

Pre-pandemic, China ranked first in the number of foreign visitors to Japan by nationality and region, accounting for a 25.6% share . Currently, there are restrictions on issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, but if these restrictions are lifted in the future, the number of visitors from China is expected to increase rapidly.

In addition, the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai – which will be held for six months and centre around the theme of 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives' – is expected to attract 3.5 million foreign tourists.

With these expected surges in visitor numbers, the question will be how Japan can solve the problems facing hospitality and tourism, while also creating and providing services that place value on new forms of tourism.

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Japan-bound Statistics

Time series data-set related to Overseas Residents’ Visit to Japan can be downloaded.

Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan 10 April 2024

• According to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the estimated number of international travelers to Japan in February 2024 was 2,788,000 (+7.1% compared to 2019).

Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan (Estimated figures)

2,788,000 Visits

YOY　 +89.0％

January to February

5,476,100 Visits

1.1 Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan by month

Source : Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

1.2 Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan by year　 Annual

Overseas residents' visits to japan by country and region 12 april 2024.

• Looking at the number of international travelers to Japan by country/region in February 2024, South Korea had the highest number of foreign visitors to Japan at 818,500, followed by Taiwan at 502,200, and China at 459,400.

1.3 Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan by Country and Region

Source : Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Figures until December 2023 are provisional. Figures up to January 2024 are estimate.

1.4 Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan by country or region, 2023　 Annual

Source : Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) *Provisional

1.5 Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan by Region　 Annual

Source : Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Figures until 2022 are final. Figures in 2023 are provisional.

Download time series dataset .xlsx

Statistics of Overseas Residents' Visits to Japan (Historical figures/by Country/by purpose)

EXCEL formatted file/ 810kB Modified: 05 April 2024

Japan Tourism Revenues

Tourism revenues in japan decreased to 10501000 jpy thousand in january from 14949000 jpy thousand in december of 2023. tourism revenues in japan averaged 5687118.28 jpy thousand from 1985 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 29067000.00 jpy thousand in october of 2019 and a record low of 39000.00 jpy thousand in may of 2020. source: ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism, japan,   markets,   gdp,   labour,   prices,   money,   trade,   government,   business,   consumer,   housing,   taxes,   health,   climate.

Japan is swamped with tourists. Now visitors are going off the beaten track

Tour operators are touting Japan’s less explored regions as surging visitor numbers put strain on popular sites.

Tokyo, Japan – When Paul Christie started conducting tours on Japan’s Nakasendo, an old trade route along the post towns of Nagano Prefecture’s Kiso Valley, few travellers frequented the trail.

Christie, who has lived on and off in Japan since the late 1980s, viewed the route as a great opportunity for tourists to see a more authentic side of Japan, allowing them to explore the country’s history, nature and geography on foot.

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Since taking over as CEO of tour operator Walk Japan in 2002, Christie has been on a mission to spread tourists more evenly across the archipelago.

“We’ve been doing this for 20 years and we tend to go to places that are not touristy, so we’re teasing out the interesting parts of Japan,” the United Kingdom native told Al Jazeera.

“This addresses the problems Japan is experiencing with ‘overtourism’.”

“Overtourism” was a common talking point in Japan’s tourism industry before the COVID-19 pandemic.

After eight consecutive years of inbound growth, Japan received a record 32 million visitors in 2019.

But the rising tide did not raise all boats. Most travellers flocked to the Golden Route, running from Tokyo through the Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe conurbation, putting historical districts, Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and popular museums under strain.

Since Japan lifted its pandemic-era border restrictions in October last year, concerns about unsustainable tourism have returned.

Visitors have rushed back in droves: 2.3 million foreign tourists arrived in July, the highest figure for any month since 2019.

China’s decision last month to lift its three-year ban on group tours to Japan is expected to result in a further spike in arrivals.

In 2019, 9.2 million Chinese tourists travelled to Japan, accounting for nearly one-third of all visitors, spending 1.8 trillion yen ($12.2bn) in the process.

“Our head office is located in the centre of Kyoto and we feel there are as many tourists as before COVID,” Hiroshi Kawaguchi, the general manager at tour operator Oku Japan, told Al Jazeera.

“This is a similar situation where major sightseeing spots are overcrowded and public buses are lining up.”

Though Kawaguchi says his company’s vision is not focused on alleviating overtourism, Oku Japan’s business model is attuned to such concerns.

“The main part of our itineraries are off the beaten track,” Kawaguchi told Al Jazeera.

“More importantly, every tour we offer includes the element of community interactions… We call these experiences fureai, and this is particularly important not only for the enjoyment of clients but also the local community.”

Tour operators focused on less-explored regions also believe in the power of tourism to have a positive impact on rural communities and spur chiho-sosei, or regional revitalisation.

In 2007, Walk Japan launched the Community Project to reinvigorate two neighbouring valleys on the Kunisaki Peninsula, where the company is based.

Alongside conducting group tours in the region, Walk Japan carries out development projects, from helping local farmers cultivate rice and shiitake mushrooms, to providing English education for schoolchildren and refurbishing old buildings.

Revitalisation is “part of the company DNA,” Christie said.

“We want to provide an example of what’s possible and perhaps inspire others.”

As Japan’s population greys, many small villages are on the brink of extinction. For such communities, tourism can be a welcome and much-needed rejuvenating force.

“With the right support, some communities genuinely want [tourists] to experience their hospitality and their local lifestyles and find out about their region, as long as they aren’t overwhelmed by visitors and the quality of life isn’t degraded,” Alex Bradshaw, founder and chief consultant at travel and tourism consultancy Gotoku, told Al Jazeera.

“Even if a village doesn’t survive into the future, the fact that it’s been remembered by somebody is incredibly powerful; that people lived here and they had this lifestyle and we shared a little time together. That kind of human interaction is very important.”

Overtourism is not restricted to Japan’s urban areas.

Rural World Heritage sites, subtropical islands, popular hiking trails and national parks have also been negatively affected.

Fuji-Hakone-Izu, for example, receives nearly half of all national park visitors in Japan, owing to its proximity to Tokyo and as the site of Mount Fuji.

Michelle Lyons, founder of Point North, a specialist branding firm supporting businesses passionate about Japanese culture, is working on a campaign to spread tourism – and its economic benefits – more equitably among Japan’s 34 national parks.

“I wanted to find a way to promote all the parks as though it’s a network of destinations that are all equal to each other,” Lyons told Al Jazeera.

“And by presenting them in this way I’m hoping the more popular parks will help raise the profile of the less popular parks.”

Lyons is developing collectable pins and patches for each park and a trading card game. She wants these collectable souvenirs to showcase the individual merits of each park and serve as educational tools.

“The management of the parks is really fragmented, so it’s difficult for them to coordinate their efforts… There needs to be a series of different solutions that creates value for the unique groups involved; a blanket approach isn’t going to work,” she said.

“In terms of increasing expenditure in the parks, gift shops could play a big part in that if they’re more strategic with what they’re selling, and think about what tourists actually want and find appealing.”

Stereotypical images

It’s a common refrain in the industry that Japan does not understand how to market itself to foreign travellers but Bradshaw thinks Western media is also at fault for presenting stereotypical images of the country.

“I see how Japan is presented and I’m kind of confused by it. I just wonder what part of Japan that is, because they do rely on the kitsch, the odd side of it, or culture tropes… It’s all maid cafés, geisha, tea ceremonies and ninja,” he said.

“It would be my hope that people would find a deeper side of Japan. But I understand why that is difficult for the tourism industry as well. When you’ve got to prioritise what sells as opposed to what’s authentic and necessarily good for regional communities.”

Some areas have implemented initiatives to specifically tackle overcrowding.

Kyoto, known as Japan’s cultural capital, is set to abolish its One-Day Bus Pass for tourists, sales of which will cease in October.

Iriomote, widely feted as the most beautiful of the Ryukyu Islands, has limited the number of daily visitors to 1,200.

In Yamanashi Prefecture, the local government has considered restricting the number of hikers on Mt Fuji’s Yoshida trail if it becomes too congested.

Last month, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the government would devise nationwide countermeasures to mitigate overtourism this autumn.

Kumi Kato, a tourism professor at Wakayama and Musashino universities, said the government has made moves in the right direction – such as organising cross-ministry meetings on spreading the benefits of tourism – but there is much work to be done.

“Destination wellbeing should be the goal and benchmarking concept,” Kato told Al Jazeera.

“Promoting the night and early morning economy and secondary destinations will disperse tourism into regional areas but that alone cannot lead to successful regional tourism.”

“It’s critical that the target should be clearly set… high-end tourists, or tourists with wealth, are often talked about, but it should not be misunderstood that only wealthy tourists are valuable,” Kato added.

“Value should be added to high-quality products and authentic experiences [which will] raise visitor spending rather than increase numbers. The government does set a target stay – number of days – and spending per visitor, but strategically ‘what kind of tourists’ should be clearer.”

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism expenditure distribution in Japan 2013-2022, by segment

How does japan’s inbound tourism industry compare internationally, which sectors of domestic tourism generate revenue, distribution of domestic and foreign travelers' contribution to tourism expenditure in japan from 2013 to 2022, by segment.

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Leisure Travel

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• Distribution of domestic travels in Japan 2021, by type
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• Number of inbound tourist arrivals in Japan 2022, by purpose of stay
• Share of people going on domestic overnight leisure travels in Japan 2017-2022
• Share of people doing domestic overnight leisure travels Japan 2022 by gender and age
• Average number of overnight leisure travels per person in Japan 2016-2022
• Share of people going on domestic one-day leisure travels in Japan 2017-2022
• Share of people doing domestic one-day leisure travels Japan 2022, by gender and age
• Average number of one-day leisure travels per person in Japan 2016-2022
• Number of domestic overnight trips for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Number of domestic overnight trips for recreation in Japan 2022, by age
• Monthly number of domestic overnight trips for recreation in Japan 2022
• Number of domestic overnight leisure travels in Japan 2022, by type
• Number of domestic one-day trips for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Number of domestic one-day trips for recreation in Japan 2022, by age
• Monthly number of domestic one-day trips for recreation in Japan 2022
• Tourism spending in Japan 2022, by travel type
• Domestic leisure travel expenditure in Japan 2021, by prefecture
• Expenses on domestic overnight travel for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Expenses on domestic overnight travel for recreation in Japan 2022, by age
• Expenses on domestic one-day travel for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Expenses on domestic one-day travel for recreation in Japan 2022, by age
• Unit price of domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2016-2022
• Per trip expenditure during domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2022, by type
• Per trip expenditure on domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2022, by age
• Per trip expenditure on domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2022, by type
• Unit price of domestic one-day leisure travel in Japan 2016-2022
• Per trip expenditure during domestic one-day leisure travel in Japan 2022, by type
• Leading activities of domestic overnight leisure travelers in Japan FY 2021
• Leading travel constellations for domestic overnight travel in Japan FY 2021
• Impact of COVID-19 on domestic leisure travel in Japan 2020-2023, by month
• Desired information when deciding on travel destination in Japan 2022
• Leading reasons to suspend domestic travels in Japan 2021
• Market value of the travel agency industry in Japan 2015-2022
• Transaction value of agent-organized tours in Japan 2013-2022
• Use of travel agencies on domestic overnight leisure trips in Japan 2022, by type
• Use of travel agencies on domestic one-day leisure trips in Japan 2022, by type
• Average unit price of agent-organized domestic tours in Japan 2013-2022
• Average unit price of agent-organized outbound tours in Japan 2013-2022
• Average unit price of organized tours for foreign visitors in Japan 2013-2022

Other statistics that may interest you Leisure travel in Japan

• Premium Statistic Number of domestic travels in Japan 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Distribution of domestic travels in Japan 2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic holiday, leisure and recreational trips in Japan 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of Japanese overseas travelers 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Distribution of outbound travelers from Japan 2019, by purpose of travel
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound tourist arrivals in Japan 2022, by purpose of stay

Travel participation

• Premium Statistic Share of people going on domestic overnight leisure travels in Japan 2017-2022
• Basic Statistic Share of people doing domestic overnight leisure travels Japan 2022 by gender and age
• Premium Statistic Average number of overnight leisure travels per person in Japan 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Share of people going on domestic one-day leisure travels in Japan 2017-2022
• Premium Statistic Share of people doing domestic one-day leisure travels Japan 2022, by gender and age
• Premium Statistic Average number of one-day leisure travels per person in Japan 2016-2022

Number of trips

• Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight trips for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight trips for recreation in Japan 2022, by age
• Premium Statistic Monthly number of domestic overnight trips for recreation in Japan 2022
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight leisure travels in Japan 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic one-day trips for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic one-day trips for recreation in Japan 2022, by age
• Premium Statistic Monthly number of domestic one-day trips for recreation in Japan 2022

Overall expenditure

• Premium Statistic Tourism spending in Japan 2022, by travel type
• Premium Statistic Domestic leisure travel expenditure in Japan 2021, by prefecture
• Premium Statistic Expenses on domestic overnight travel for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Expenses on domestic overnight travel for recreation in Japan 2022, by age
• Premium Statistic Expenses on domestic one-day travel for recreation in Japan 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Expenses on domestic one-day travel for recreation in Japan 2022, by age

Trip expenses

• Premium Statistic Unit price of domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Per trip expenditure during domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Per trip expenditure on domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2022, by age
• Premium Statistic Per trip expenditure on domestic overnight leisure travel in Japan 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Unit price of domestic one-day leisure travel in Japan 2016-2022
• Premium Statistic Per trip expenditure during domestic one-day leisure travel in Japan 2022, by type

Travel characteristics and trends

• Premium Statistic Most desired destinations for domestic overnight travel in Japan 2023
• Premium Statistic Leading activities of domestic overnight leisure travelers in Japan FY 2021
• Premium Statistic Leading travel constellations for domestic overnight travel in Japan FY 2021
• Premium Statistic Impact of COVID-19 on domestic leisure travel in Japan 2020-2023, by month
• Premium Statistic Desired information when deciding on travel destination in Japan 2022
• Premium Statistic Leading reasons to suspend domestic travels in Japan 2021

Package tours and agencies

• Premium Statistic Market value of the travel agency industry in Japan 2015-2022
• Premium Statistic Transaction value of agent-organized tours in Japan 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Use of travel agencies on domestic overnight leisure trips in Japan 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Use of travel agencies on domestic one-day leisure trips in Japan 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Average unit price of agent-organized domestic tours in Japan 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Average unit price of agent-organized outbound tours in Japan 2013-2022
• Premium Statistic Average unit price of organized tours for foreign visitors in Japan 2013-2022

Further related statistics

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• Premium Statistic Per capita daily spending of inbound visitors in El Salvador 2010-2021
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• Premium Statistic Nights stayed by international visitors to Australia 2020, by country of residence

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As visitors surge, Japan seeks ways to make tourism eco-friendly

Nestled in the heart of Okinawa Island, Onna is a pleasant village of just over 10,000 people, with a stunning, elongated coastline that makes it a sought-after tourist destination, as demonstrated by its numerous resort hotels.

On a visit to the renowned Nakayukui market two years ago, however, the scene at the food court was markedly different. There were no lines in sight; the pandemic had kept Japan closed to inbound travelers.

"It's lovely to relish the serenity of the village, but a few more customers would probably help," remarked a young coffee shop owner.

With the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic and inbound tourism in Japan has rebounded — and then some. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the estimated number of international travelers to Japan in March surged to 3.08 million, a remarkable 11.6% increase compared with the same month in 2019 and the highest monthly figure since record-keeping began in 1964.

But as tourist arrivals reinvigorate local economies, a pressing concern has also reemerged: the resulting overtourism not only harms the daily lives of local residents, but also puts enormous stress on the environmental resources upon which that tourism depends, raising key questions about sustainability as tourism becomes an ever-more integral part of the Japanese economy.

Sustainable travel hub

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the vulnerabilities of the tourism industry, and for some it provided a window of opportunity to rethink the sector.

In 2021, Kazumasa Namekata, former senior managing director of travel agency H.I.S., launched Sustabi, an online travel information platform advocating for eco-conscious travel that respects local communities. While still in its nascent stage, Sustabi has gained traction among like-minded individuals and local communities.

Namekata is one of the founding members of H.I.S., but prior to his involvement with the travel agency, he took a yearlong overland journey around the world.

“I started this journey seeking to understand the differences between Japanese and others," Namekata reflected. "However, what I discovered was that deep down, human beings are the same. This realization had a big impact on my life and career choices.

“It instilled in me a profound belief in the enormous value of travel," he added. “Through exploration of different locales and engagement with inhabitants, travel can challenge stereotypes, mitigate conflicts and promote peace.”

While H.I.S., which was founded in 1980, initially began as a venture aimed at backpackers, soaring demand and profits quickly led to the proliferation of group and package tours. Following his retirement from H.I.S. in 2019, Namekata established his own travel company, Peace Travel Project, which invested in startups such as Matcha (a Japan travel information site for international visitors) and Sagojo (a platform matching travelers with temporary jobs). The core initiative of Peace Travel is Sustabi, a portmanteau of “sustainability” and “tabi,” which is Japanese for “trip” or “journey.”

When asked about the inspiration behind the launch of Sustabi, Namekata explained that it stemmed from his concern about the growing sense of isolation pervading many countries during the pandemic.

He also noted that the tranquility enjoyed by residents of popular travel destinations amid the pandemic-linked travel restrictions underscored a newfound aversion to mass tourism.

“The resumption of travel post-pandemic does not have to mean a return to the status quo,” he said. “Consequently, there arose a need to educate travelers to adopt a more sustainable approach to travel, one that is not only environmentally friendly, but also supports small-scale businesses deeply ingrained within local communities and dedicated to community enhancement.”

According to the Sustainable Travel Report 2023 by Booking.com, sustainable travel remains a top priority for three-quarters of global travelers, who believe urgent action is required to safeguard the planet for future generations. But a key question remains: How can this goodwill be turned into action in order to usher in real change for an industry that is responsible for roughly 8% of global emissions?

Transportation is tourism’s main source of greenhouse gas emissions, and while​​ accelerating climate action in tourism is therefore of utmost importance for the resilience of the sector, there is a long list of other outstanding damages to the environment caused by it. These include waste generation, water pollution, soil erosion, attrition of natural resources and general strain on infrastructure in and around tourism hot spots.

To that end, Sustabi provides 20 guidelines with practical tips for sustainable travel, advocating for actions like utilizing public transportation, employing reusable bags and exploring lesser-known attractions rather than staying on the beaten path. Moreover, it showcases accommodations, restaurants and activities in Japan that align with these guidelines to aid users in pursuing a sustainable travel experience.

The platform aggregates information and reports from local business owners, travelers and Sustabi team members, allowing users to easily search for information based on location or purpose.

With the diversification of travel interests and styles today, Namekata thinks it is necessary to foster a paradigm shift among tourism stakeholders that include not just travel agencies and hotels, but local community representatives, businesses, farmers, artists and nonprofits.

"The key lies in fostering collaboration among all stakeholders within local communities to devise community-led solutions,” Namekata said.

Grow local, eat local, experience local

Japan has set an ambitious target of welcoming 60 million inbound tourists by 2030, nearly double the previous record of 31.9 million in 2019.

But as cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka grapple with overtourism, and with rural depopulation pushing many towns to the brink of extinction, the central government is making a push to draw overseas tourists to lesser-known locales.

Enter Ogawa, a picturesque town in Saitama Prefecture surrounded by the scenic Sotochichibu Mountains, whose approach to sustainable travel — both in terms of the numbers of tourists and their environmental impact — could make it a model for other places across the country.

Often referred to as the "Little Kyoto of Musashi," Ogawa is steeped in history and renowned for its traditional industries. Among its notable offerings are Hosokawa-shi, one of Japan's three UNESCO-listed washi (traditional paper) varieties, as well as local methods of silk production and sake brewing.

Despite its natural beauty and historical allure, Ogawa has been overlooked by domestic and international tourists.

“Ogawa is just an hour’s train ride from (Tokyo’s) Ikebukuro, yet it is unknown to mainstream travelers,” said Minori Koda, the 30-year-old CEO of the local nonprofit Shimosato School. “We are working with other local business and nonprofit players to showcase the unique 'Ogawa elements' that appeal to tourists seeking to explore the town, appreciate its charm and contribute to its enhancement.”

As a pivotal player in community revitalization and tourism promotion, Shimosato School spearheads diverse initiatives, including the redevelopment of a defunct elementary school building and the operation of Ogawa tourist information centers and migrant consultation services.

Organic agriculture is a hallmark of Ogawa's identity. While organic farming encompasses less than 0.5% of Japan's agricultural landscape, Ogawa defies the odds, with 19% of its fields dedicated to organic cultivation. Ogawa owes its success not only to its clean water and rich biodiversity, but also to Yoshinori Kaneko, the pioneering founder of Shimosato Farm.

Kaneko, who died in 2022 at age 74, began practicing organic farming in Ogawa back in the 1970s when the use of fertilizers and mass production was the standard in Japan. Soon, farmers from across the nation were coming to Ogawa to become his apprentice, and forged lasting connections with him.

Shimosato farm is self-sufficient in energy, utilizing solar power and biogas. Waste cooking oil collected from local tempura shops is reused as fuel for tractors, while human waste is decomposed in tanks containing microorganisms, and the resulting water, after complex fermentation, is utilized as liquid fertilizer rich in enzymes and proteins.

Organic produce from Shimosato Farm and other local farms adorns the shelves of local markets, shops and restaurants in the town, showcasing Ogawa's commitment to sustainable living. Warashibe, a local eatery housed within a historic sericulture training center dating back to 1888, sources ingredients exclusively from local purveyors, including organic vegetables, free-range eggs and organic wine. Zakkoku Koubou, a brewpub, harnesses organic grains from Shimosato Farm and locally sourced organic crops, fruits and herbs to craft artisanal beers.

Organic farming also serves as a conduit for immersive tourist experiences. Shimosato Farm annually allows people to engage in every facet of sake production, from rice planting and weeding to creating their own labels.

Indeed, the mantra of “grow local, eat local and experience local” helps synergize diverse small businesses united by a common ethos.

It’s also clear that this is not a destination for package tourists: There are no hotels in Ogawa, only guesthouses ranging from compact dormitories to two-floor renovated historic houses. Guesthouses don’t offer dining; instead, they recommend that guests go out and experience local food, hot springs and, above all, nature.

“You can meet many interesting people here, and then you want to start something with them,” said Kano Takahashi, a Shizuoka Prefecture native who runs the Ogawa Machiya guesthouses. Takahashi discovered Ogawa through her father, a disciple of Kaneko, and quickly fell in love with the town.

Government support is pivotal to Ogawa's promotion, including through what are known as Community-Reactivating Cooperator Squads put together through an initiative under the the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Members of the squad help promote the charm of the area, engage in agriculture and fishing activities, and organize events and festivals.

According to Isao Tokutake, tourism promotion officer of the Ogawa squad, visitors to the town can receive a free guided walking tour led by volunteer staff members at the tourist information center.

"We listen to visitors' interests and decide on a walking course with them,” he said. “There are increasing numbers of visitors from Tokyo and neighboring prefectures after the pandemic. Most people long for the healing power of ... the beautiful nature in Ogawa, but some are attracted by the local sake brewery tour and farming experience.

“My goal is to have first-time visitors become regulars and ideally return four times a year, as each season offers different attractions and experiences."

Sustabi’s Namekata discovered Ogawa’s charm after receiving a guided tour by Koda and his team two years ago.

"I think the best place for tourists is where local residents can live a happy life that promotes their own well-being," Namekata said.

The next step for Sustabi, and perhaps Japan’s sustainable tourism industry as a whole, is to discover more places like Ogawa and work together with local communities on information dissemination and tourist education. "Global surveys indicate that Japanese travelers' awareness on sustainable travel is lacking,” Namekata said. “Our primary aim is to enlighten travelers.​​"

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Japan blocks overcrowded selfie spot, bans tourists from traditional areas to cope with explosion of travellers

After fears that tourist numbers would never return to pre-pandemic levels, it may now be a case of too much of a good thing for Japan.

A combination of a weak yen, more affordable airfares, the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions and "revenge travel" has led to monthly visitors to Japan hitting a record high.

Over-tourism is now such a problem for one Japanese town it has erected a barrier to block snow-capped views of Mount Fuji, after locals complained about the bad behaviour of selfie-seeking visitors.

So, what measures have been implemented to curb over-tourism?

How is Japan handling over-tourism?

Over-tourism happens when so many visitors are attracted to an area that life becomes unpleasant for the locals, despite any economic or other ostensible benefits.

One of Japan's busiest tourist periods of the year ended on Monday.

Golden Week — which ran from April 27 to May 5 — coincided with multiple public holidays and near-perfect spring weather.

To help deal with all the international tourists in the country during one of Japan's busiest periods, authorities have tried a range of measures.

In Kamakura, a popular temple city, English-speaking guides have been helping to direct tourists to stop them obstructing busy train stations, according to Nikkei.

Kyoto's traditional neighbourhood, Gion, recently banned visitors from its small private alleys. 

Locals had complained of snap-happy tourists harassing the city's immaculately attired geisha, who had to remind them it was "not a theme park".

Authorities in Kyoto have also reportedly installed screens at the main train station showing live feeds of tourist areas so visitors can assess crowds and plan their trips better.

Many people visit the small, scenic Japanese town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, causing chaos on local streets while trying to photograph Mount Fuji.

Authorities said they had had enough of the excessive number of foreigners littering, ignoring traffic regulations and even climbing on roofs of office buildings in search of the perfect selfie spot.

Exasperated town officials eventually blocked the view of Mount Fuji with a 2.5-metre-high black barrier.

"It's regrettable we have to do this because of some tourists who can't respect rules," a town official said.

Hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji, where the climbing season begins in July, will be charged 2,000 yen ($19.50).

Numbers will be capped.

Where are Japan's visitors from?

The January earthquake in the western prefecture of Ishikawa had minimal impact on 2024 arrivals, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).

Tourist numbers have quickly rebounded, and apart from Australia, Japan has had a large influx of visitors from South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Street Kart, which offers rides for tourists in Tokyo, Okinawa and Osaka, said most were from Australia, the US, Canada and the UK — with decent numbers from Europe and Asia.

"The demand for our activity has risen significantly [this year] in conjunction with the increase of visitors to Japan," Street Kart spokesperson Mai Ishido told the ABC. 

However, tourism from China has stayed well below pre-pandemic levels.

The JNTO said visitors from China, which had made up nearly a third of all visitors and 40 per cent of tourist spending, were slowly returning.

The April numbers aren't out yet, but in March, visitors to Japan hit a record high of 3.08 million visitors, according to the JNTO.

The previous record of 2.99 million was set in July 2019 during a year that Japan welcomed a record 31.9 million visitors.

It's a stark contrast from the early days of the pandemic, when Tokyo banned spectators from the postponed Olympics in 2021 .

Tourists have been making the most of Japan's weak yen, which fell to a three-decade low against the US dollar last month. 

Even Australia's faltering currency still has buying power in Japan, with one dollar converting to almost 102 yen, up more than 10 per cent from a year ago.

A hearty dinner on Tokyo's famous Ramen Street will set you back around 1,080 yen ($10.55) while a bus ride in Kyoto costs 230 yen ($2.25) — both cheaper than Australia's capital cities.

What have other countries done?

Over-tourism has also affected other popular Asian destinations, like Bali and Thailand, with international travel returning to normal after the pandemic.

A new $15 tourism tax was introduced to Bail in February, after a series of incidents involving visitors desecrating holy sites and behaving badly.

In Thailand's Maya Bay, which was made famous by The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, a maximum of 375 visitors are allowed at one time.

Even though access had earlier been restricted and it was later closed for three years, an estimated 80 per cent of the coral reefs there died due to over-tourism.

While there are plenty of plans to restrict and control tourist numbers, not everyone in Japan is sick of all the foreign visitors.

Ms Ishido from Street Kart said there was no such thing as having too many tourists and that everyone was welcome.

"We hope to see many more happy smiling faces coming to and from our shops," spokeswoman Ms Ishido told the ABC.

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Golden Week wraps as post-COVID tourism boom overcrowds stations

Train stations and airports were bustling with travelers returning from trips Monday, the last day of Japan's Golden Week holidays, with people experiencing the first spring holiday period completely unaffected by coronavirus-related travel restrictions in four years.

Despite higher costs resulting from the yen's sharp decline against other currencies, many travelers opted for overseas destinations nearly a year after the government downgraded COVID-19 to a lower-risk disease category.

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Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Editing by Tom Hogue

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