Japan February tourism hits record 3.46 million visitors

Japan set a new record for inbound tourism in February, welcoming nearly 3.5 million visitors despite a sharp decline in arrivals from the mainland. According to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), total visitors reached 3.46 million, representing a 6.4% increase from the same month last year. The growth was significantly supported by the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday, which fell in February this year compared to late January in the previous year.

The overall record was achieved despite a 45% drop in visitors from China, which fell to 396,400 amid persistent diplomatic tensions between the two nations. However, the surge in travelers from other regional markets helped offset this downturn.

South Korea remained the primary source of international visitors, with arrivals rising 28% to reach 1.08 million. Travel from Taiwan also showed strong growth, increasing by 37% to 693,600 visitors during the month.

Local attractions, such as the Kawazu Sakura Festival in eastern Japan, reflected these shifting demographics. Known for its early-blooming cherry blossoms, the festival saw a notable decrease in Chinese tourists but still achieved its highest attendance since 2022. Hoshi Mori, the director of the town’s tourism association, noted that the event drew approximately 630,000 people, bolstered by domestic travelers and visitors from Taiwan.

Still, the festival drew about 630,000 visitors, its highest attendance since 2022, thanks to an increase in domestic tourists and those from Taiwan, Mori said.

The diversification of the visitor base underscores the resilience of the Japanese tourism sector as it continues to attract record numbers of global travelers.