TOKYO, March 18, 2026 – Japan’s tourism sector continues its robust recovery and growth, welcoming a record-breaking 3,466,700 overseas visitors in February 2026. Released today by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the preliminary figures represent a 6.4% increase compared to the same month last year, setting a new all-time high for the month of February.
Lunar New Year Shift Drives Inbound Surge
While February is traditionally a low season for European travel, the shift of the Lunar New Year from late January in 2025 to mid-February in 2026 played a pivotal role in boosting visitor numbers. This holiday shift fueled a significant surge in travel demand from East Asian markets—particularly South Korea and Taiwan—as well as Southeast Asian nations like Singapore and the Philippines. Continued strong interest from North American markets, specifically the United States and Canada, also pushed overall figures upward.
Remarkably, 18 separate markets achieved record-high visitor numbers for the month of February. These leading markets include South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the Nordic region.
Top Performing Markets in February 2026
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South Korea: Solidified its position as the top source market with 1,086,400 visitors, reflecting an impressive 28.2% year-on-year increase.
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Taiwan: Reached 693,600 arrivals, surging 36.7% compared to February 2025 due to holiday travel and flight increases.
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United States: Welcomed 219,700 visitors, a 14.7% increase, supported by high demand for winter sports and the sustained popularity of Japan.
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Hong Kong: Saw a 19.6% jump, bringing in 233,900 visitors.
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China: In contrast to the broader upward trend, visitors from mainland China dropped sharply to 396,400 (a 45.2% decrease). The JNTO attributed this decline to reduced flight capacity and travel advisories issued by the Chinese government regarding travel to Japan.
