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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Japan sees record 21.5 million tourists in first six months
TOKYO: A record 21.5 million tourists visited Japan in the first six months of the year, a 21-per cent increase year-on-year, official figures showed Wednesday, despite visitors from Hong Kong dropping by a third last month over rumours of a quake. "The number exceeded 20 million in six months, the fastest pace ever," the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) said in a statement. The figure in June alone jumped 7.6 per cent to record 3.4 million, due to "increased demand to coincide with school holidays," it said. The number was boosted by a jump year-on-year in tourists from China, South Korea, Singapore, India, the United States and Germany. But the number of travellers from Hong Kong plunged 33.4 per cent in June, with the JNTO citing online rumours warning of a huge quake in Japan. The number of travellers from Hong Hong in the first six months declined 0.4 per cent to 1.27 million people. People from Hong Kong made nearly 2.7 million trips to Japan in 2024. Although it is impossible to know exactly when earthquakes will hit, fear-inducing predictions have spread widely among the Chinese city's residents. Some posts cited a Japanese manga comic that predicts a major natural disaster this month (July) — based on the author's dream. Japanese authorities have repeatedly said the rumours are false. The government has set an ambitious target of almost doubling tourist numbers to 60 million annually by 2030. Authorities say they want to spread tourists more evenly around the country, and to avoid a bottleneck of visitors eager to snap spring cherry blossoms or vivid autumn colours.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Japan sees record 22 million visitors in first half of 2025
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The surge in visitors has created various challenges for Japan, including overtourism. TOKYO – Japan saw a record 21.5 million visitors in the first half of 2025, government data showed on July 16, with travel demand remaining strong even outside peak seasons. Visitor numbers for the first six months of 2025 topped the previous record of 17.78 million set a year earlier, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation. The number of visitors in June reached 3.38 million, up 7.6 per cent from a year earlier and the highest ever for the month. By country and region, South Korea accounted for the highest number of visitors in the first half at 4.8 million, followed by China at 4.7 million and Taiwan at 3.3 million. All markets exceeded their figures from the previous year, with China seeing a notable 53.5 per cent increase. The surge in visitors has created various challenges for Japan, including overtourism affecting the quality of life for locals in popular destinations. Meanwhile, spending by foreign visitors in the April-June quarter totaled around 2.5 trillion yen (S$22 billion), up 18 per cent from the same period a year earlier, according to estimates from the Japan Tourism Agency. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore New network links Home Team psychologists, mental health bodies to boost emergency response Singapore Strong argument for cockpit video recording, says Iata chief in wake of Air India crash report Singapore Qantas flight from Singapore to Sydney delayed for days due to mechanical issues Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Singapore Jail for drunken man who shoved stranger into Singapore River, causing him to drown Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Singapore Maid admits to abusing employer's year-old son on more than 20 occasions in 2024 Chinese visitors led spending, accounting for 20.4 per cent of the total at 516 billion yen, followed by Americans at 357 billion yen and Taiwanese at 292 billion yen. Visitors to Japan spent around 239,000 yen per person on average, with Britons spending the most at around 444,000 yen, followed by Italians at 398,000 yen and Germans at 396,000 yen. KYODO NEWS
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Time of India
Why are record number of Australian tourists flocking to Japan? Check attractions behind the trend
Japan attracts a large number of tourists from Australia. In 2024, 920,000 Australians visited the country. The number is expected to reach one million by the end of 2025. Many Australians visited Japan in May 2025. Tourists are exploring beyond Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Ishikawa, Gifu, and Wakayama prefectures are also seeing an increase in Australian visitors. Statistics prove that Australians have a special liking for Japan, as a record number of tourists flocked to the East Asian country. In 2024, a total of 920,000 Australians visited Japan, and the number is expected to reach one million by the end of 2025. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What makes Japan special for tourists Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From shopping and dining to culture, a country like Japan has everything to attract tourists from around the world. These reasons, among many others, have successfully attracted tourists from Australia as well. Statistics prove that Australians have a special liking for Japan, as a record number of tourists flocked to the East Asian country. In 2024, a total of 920,000 Australians visited Japan, and the number is expected to reach one million by the end of Japan National Tourism Organisation said that 78,900 Australians visited Japan during May 2025 alone, according to Sky News Australia. This is an increase of 18.7 percent from the same month in cherry blossom season is a tourist attraction, but Aussies are exploring many other things about the country. Known as the Land Of The Rising Sun, Japan is a big mix of cosmopolitan cities and calm villages, keeping the traditions and the natural beauty festivals and cultural experiences to powdery snow and astonishing scenery and cuisines, Japan has it all to attract tourists. Tall skyscrapers in Japan's capital city, Tokyo, stand right next to peaceful old temples, quiet museums, and calm in several cities, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, are available at pocket-friendly rates to suit the budget of tourists. According to Sky News Australia, a person can pay $850-plus a night for a room at the Mandarin Oriental or as little as $32 to $60 at one of the many low-budget capsule hotels. As far as food and shopping are concerned, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited tourists in Japan get to experience a carnival atmosphere at night. All the food lovers have an option to try affordable street food like yakitori and ramen or more upscale restaurants offering anything from vegetarian to fish dishes, sushi, eel, tempura, soba, udon, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku, among others. What makes the country special is that each region has its own local specialities and culinary to Japan tourism chiefs, travellers from Australia are now exploring beyond the regular Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto route to discover other diverse prefectures. Japan Tourism Agency's data suggests that Australian visitor arrivals to Ishikawa Prefecture increased 92.8 percent to 131,260 in the last 12 months. There were big jumps also in visits by Aussies to Gifu and Wakayama prefectures.
Sky News AU
10-07-2025
- Sky News AU
'Meat lovers mecca': Qantas expands its flight schedule to Japan, as rising number of Australians flock to its safe and clean cities for affordable food and digs
Australians are having a love affair with Japan with record numbers of tourists flocking to the Land of the Rising Sun. A total of 920,000 Australians visited Japan in 2024, and the number is expected to top one million by the end of this year. The Japan National Tourism Organisation said this week that 78,900 Australians visited Japan during May alone, an increase of 18.7 per cent on the same month last year. The cherry blossom season is a tourist drawcard, but savvy Aussies are discovering much more. Japan is a land of endless contrasts with cosmopolitan cities, quaint rural villages and a fascinating history. There are festivals and cultural experiences, mind-blowing scenery, powdery snow and famous cuisine. Tokyo's cloud-piercing skyscrapers may sit cheek-by-jowl with pockets of tranquility in ancient temples, quiet museums and parks. Japan is exotic. It's clean, it's safe and the Japanese are courteous and welcoming. And unlike much of Europe, it is not so overcrowded. Pay $850-plus a night for a room at the Mandarin Oriental or as little as $32 to $60 at one of the many low budget capsule hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping and dining. There is a carnival atmosphere at night. Slurp a bowl of ramen noodles or open your lungs in a karaoke bar. Food lovers may be surprised to learn that Japan has the highest number of Michelin starred restaurants in the world. Japan's culinary traditions are epic. Try affordable street food like yakitori and ramen or more upscale restaurants offering anything from vegetarian to fish dishes, sushi, eel, tempura, soba, udon, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakiniku and more. Each region also has its own local specialties and culinary traditions. Leave the city for a break in the onsen district noted for their communal hot steam baths. Stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms, futon beds, communal baths (often hot springs), and traditional Japanese meals. Japan tourism chiefs say Australian travellers are now going beyond the regular Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto route to discover other diverse prefectures. Data from the Japan Tourism Agency shows Australian visitor arrivals to Ishikawa Prefecture increased 92.8 percent to 131,260 in the last 12 months. There were big jumps also in visits by Aussies to Gifu and Wakayama prefectures. From Tokyo, it takes two hours and 35 minutes on the exciting Hokuriku Shinkansen fast train to reach Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on Honshu's northern coast. It is known for its arts scene, its 'strolling gardens', traditional teahouses and sweets. Visitors can try their hand at the region's traditional gold leaf craft or visit Omicho indoor market with 200 stalls dishing up local flavours and fresh seafood such as sashimi, scallops with sake and grilled oysters. Ishikawa has a Museum of Contemporary Art and four hot spring villages and other town showcasing traditional ceramics and lacquerware. Australians are also heading to the mountains in Gifu Prefecture to experience the fairytale village of Shirakawa-go with its "gassho-style" houses with thatched, steeply sloped roofs. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a meat lover's mecca where you find Hida beef, also known as Hidagyu, a premium Japanese wagyu brand noted for its high marble score. Travellers to Gifu can step back in time on the scenic Nakasendo trail that dates back to the Edo period. This is slow-motion travel along a road once travelled by monks, samurai warriors and royalty. Wakayama Prefecture is home to a sacred Buddhist region with more than 100 temples. At the heart of it is Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travellers may stay in one 50 traditional temple lodges. Wakayama is also home to the white sand beach of Shirahama, not well known outside of Japan. It is a sister beach to Hawaii's Waikiki.
Courier-Mail
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Nostalgic reason Aussies are heading to Japan
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. If you haven't been to Japan this year, chances are you know someone who has. According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, the first few months of 2025 saw 429,000 Australian arrivals in Japan - a 28.6% increase from the same period in 2024. And, there are plenty of reasons for this. Japan has delicious food, a unique blend of modern and traditional experiences, and a great exchange rate. But, it turns out there's one more nostalgic aspect drawing Aussies there - and honestly, it might convince me. Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. Image: TikTok / @maybemackenzie RELATED: Aussies sick of frustrating act targeting bushland 'They have the cheese toast!' Aussie TikTok creator @maybemackenzie shared his experience this week heading to a Sizzler in Japan. 'When I saw there was a Sizzler in Japan, I thought, I have to go in,' he said. 'And, they have the cheese toast!' An absolute Aussie icon - despite first opening in the US back in 1958 - Sizzler was open Down Under from 1985 until November 2020, when it was unfortunately a victim of the pandemic. 'I'm pretty sure every Australian has been to Sizzler, and I really miss it,' he said. A Sizzler restaurant in Brookside, QLD before its closure in 2017. Image: Josh Woning. 'I think I need to go to Japan now' Aussies in the comments were shocked to see a Sizzler in Japan. 'I'm beyond jealous, you win at life,' said one person. 'THE CHEESE TOAST,' another said. 'I miss Sizzler so much,' said a third (and don't we all). 'MY CHILDHOOD,' another commenter said. Others said they hoped they'd be able to incorporate it into their own Japan trips. 'Excuse me sir WHERE IS THIS - research purposes obvi,' one person said. 'I think I need to go to Japan now,' said another. 'That's it, I'm going to Japan for Sizzler,' another person said. They're everywhere! In (kinda) good news for Aussies, it's not just in Japan that you can find a Sizzler. Once upon a time, you could find Sizzlers in Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, and China - in addition to Australia. However, all of these have now closed. Now, there remain locations in Japan, Thailand, and across the United States. Originally published as Nostalgic reason Aussies are heading to Japan
