Osaka Beats Tokyo? Agoda Reveals India’s Surprising New Favourite City In Japan

For years, Tokyo has reigned supreme on the bucket lists of Indian travellers heading to Japan. But according to new Agoda data, there’s a twist in the story this year: while searches for Tokyo grew a healthy 59% between May and August 2025, Osaka stole the spotlight with a staggering 158% surge.

While searches for Tokyo grew a healthy 59% between May and August 2025, Osaka stole the spotlight with a staggering 158% surge.

Agoda reports a 68% overall year-on-year rise in Indian searches for Japan, showing that the country is no longer just about Tokyo’s neon glow or Kyoto’s temples. From Osaka’s street food stalls to Okinawa’s beaches, Indians are discovering that Japan has far more to offer, and they’re hungry for it.

Osaka: India’s New Darling In JapanMove over, Tokyo; Indians have a new crush. Osaka’s appeal is easy to understand. It’s a city that thrives on energy, from the bustling food heaven of Dotonbori to the family-friendly thrills of Universal Studios Japan. And when travellers want a break from the city buzz, Nara’s friendly deer park is just a short trip away.

Agoda reports a 68 overall year-on-year rise in Indian searches for Japan Agoda reports a 68% overall year-on-year rise in Indian searches for Japan

Osaka is also less intimidating than Tokyo since its more warm, paced, walkable, and a little more relaxed. For Indian families, couples, and groups of friends, it’s the perfect mix of city adventure and easy day trips.

Beyond Tokyo And Kyoto: Indians Branch OutWhile Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto remain the holy trinity of Japanese travel, Agoda’s data shows Indian travelers are widening their gaze:

Fujikawaguchiko (+36%) – A gateway to Mt. Fuji, with postcard-perfect lake views.Sapporo (+18%) – Famous for its beer, snow festivals, and mountain landscapes.Hakone (+46%) – Famous for hot springs and romantic views of Mt. Fuji.Okinawa (+47%) – Tropical beaches and Ryukyu culture make it a top beach getaway.Nagoya (+41%) – Entering the top 10 for the first time, thanks to its history and castles.This shift reflects a growing Indian appetite for nature, culture, and coastal escapes, not just urban thrills. Okinawa Okinawa

Why The Japan Boom Now?“Japan’s mix of modern cities, cultural heritage, and natural beauty is striking a chord with Indian travelers like never before,” said Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda. And he’s right. Japan offers something for everyone. According to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Delhi Office, a record 233,000 Indian tourists visited Japan between January and December 2024, a jaw-dropping 40% surge in Indian tourists. And why wouldn’t it? Whether it’s anime dreams, cleanliness that would put us all to shame, or just a love for sushi, Japan has never been hotter on the Indian travel radar.

Fujikawaguchiko

Travellers also made the most of a weak yen, which had slumped to the lowest level in 2024 since 1986, and people haven’t been afraid of opening their wallets to snap up bargains from hotels and destinations. And if Agoda’s numbers are any indication, 2025 is the year Indians are embracing Japan like never before. Tokyo may always be iconic, but it’s Osaka, with its neon nights, savoury takoyaki, that is winning our hearts.

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