Japan saw a record 3.26 million international visitors in February 2025, driven by a 16.9% rise, fueled by travelers from China, US, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Japan saw a record-breaking 3.26 million international arrivals in February 2025, marking a 16.9% year-on-year rise. This increase was largely driven by a surge in Chinese visitors during the Spring Festival, along with strong interest from U.S. and Australian tourists drawn to Japan’s ski resorts.

Breaking down the data by region, South Korea led with 847,300 visitors, followed by mainland China at 722,700, Taiwan at 507,300, the U.S. at 191,500 (a 28.8% increase), and Australia at 88,800 (up 33.5%).

In total, 1.703 million Chinese tourists traveled to Japan in January and February, nearly doubling the number from the same months in 2024.

Despite China’s sluggish economic recovery and ongoing real estate challenges, Japan remains a top outbound travel destination. Increased international flight connections to key airports such as Narita and Fukuoka have played a significant role in fueling this demand.

A survey by Japan’s IntaSect Communications on WeChat revealed that one-quarter of Chinese travelers planning trips abroad for the Spring Festival chose Japan as their destination.