Japan experienced a surge in international visitors last month, welcoming a record 3.31 million tourists in October, according to official data released on Wednesday. This marks a significant boost in tourism, driven in part by the weaker yen, which has made travel to Japan more affordable for foreign visitors.
The number of visitors in October exceeded the previous monthly record of 3.29 million set in July, and also represented a notable increase from September’s 2.87 million. The data, provided by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), highlights a strong recovery in the country’s tourism sector following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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As of October, Japan has welcomed around 30.2 million tourists this year, closing in on the pre-pandemic record of 31.9 million visitors set in 2019. The rise in tourism was particularly influenced by Japan’s iconic autumn leaf season, which drew visitors from across Asia, Europe, and North America, the JNTO noted. Additionally, 11 countries and regions have already surpassed their annual records for sending tourists to Japan.
Tourism spending is also seeing a remarkable uptick. Preliminary data shows that travelers spent a total of 5.86 trillion yen (approximately $37.72 billion) in Japan through September 2024, surpassing the total spending of 5.3 trillion yen in all of 2023. This marks a new high in tourism-related revenue, making tourism spending a growing contributor to Japan’s economy.
With tourism increasingly becoming Japan’s second-largest export sector, just behind autos and ahead of electronic components, the country is well-positioned to continue benefiting from this influx of visitors. As global travel continues to recover, Japan’s tourism sector is expected to remain a key driver of economic growth.
Key Points:
Record 3.31 million visitors came to Japan in October 2024, setting a new monthly tourism record.
Tourism boom driven by the weak yen, making travel to Japan more affordable.October’s visitor numbers surpassed the previous record of 3.29 million set in July and were up from 2.87 million in September.
30.2 million tourists have visited Japan through October, nearing the pre-pandemic annual record of 31.9 million set in 2019.
Japan’s autumn foliage season contributed to increased tourism from Asia, Europe, and North America.11 countries and regions have already surpassed their annual records for sending visitors to Japan.
Tourism spending reached 5.86 trillion yen ($37.72 billion) through September 2024, surpassing the full-year 2023 total of 5.3 trillion yen.
Tourism is now Japan’s second-largest export sector, following autos and ahead of electronic components.
