By Hoang Vu  August 6, 2025 | 04:55 pm PT
People walk along Takeshita street at Harajuku shopping area in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 10, 2024. Photo by Reuters
Japan, voted as world’s most favorite destination last year, is on track of receiving 40 million international visitors by the end of this year, fueled by global events, weakened yen and diverse travel experiences.
More than 28.5 million travelers visited Japan during the first half of 2025, according to analysis by leading tour operator Tourist Japan, as reported by Travel Daily Media.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) recorded 3.3 million arrivals in June alone, the sixth consecutive month that visitor numbers exceeded 3 million. This marks a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
China remained Japan’s top inbound market, with 797,900 visitors in June, up 23.6% year-on-year. South Korea followed closely with 729,800 visitors, reflecting a 21.6% increase from last year.
Visitor numbers from the United States, Canada, and Singapore also reached record highs, signaling strong growth across key international markets.
Japan’s tourism boom has been driven by several factors, including the launch of the World Expo 2025 in Osaka in April, which has fueled both regional and national tourism, according to Travel and Tour World.
A weaker yen, relaxed travel restrictions, and Japan’s enduring seasonal appeal such as the iconic cherry blossom season have further contributed to the surge in foreign arrivals.
Tourist Japan predicts that the country will not only meet but likely surpass the 40 million international visitor mark in 2025, making this year a potential milestone for Japanese tourism.
Japan was named the world’s most favorite travel destination by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in the 2024 edition of the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. It logged more than 36.8 million tourist arrivals last year.
AloJapan.com