Tokyo, 13 April: Japan is witnessing an unprecedented surge in inbound tourism, driven largely by the continued weakness of the yen, which has made the destination significantly more affordable for international travellers.
Major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are reporting record visitor numbers, with strong inflows from South Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and Western markets. The affordability factor has encouraged longer stays and higher spending among tourists, boosting local economies.
However, the surge has also raised concerns around overtourism, particularly in heritage destinations like Kyoto, where infrastructure is struggling to cope with the influx. Authorities are now focusing on dispersing tourism to lesser-known regions and promoting rural travel experiences.
The Japanese government is also investing in infrastructure upgrades, including improved airport capacity, digital tourism platforms, and multilingual services to enhance visitor experience.
Tourism stakeholders believe that Japan’s current momentum could position it as one of the top global destinations in the coming years, provided sustainable tourism management practices are implemented.