Japan’s inbound tourism continued its strong momentum in November, welcoming 3,518,000 international visitors, a 10.4% increase year-on-year. With this result, the cumulative total from January to November reached 39,065,600 visitors, officially surpassing the previous full-year record of 36,870,148 set in 2024, marking a new all-time high for annual inbound travel.
Strong Autumn Travel Demand Across Key Markets
November corresponds to the latter half of Japan’s autumn foliage season, a peak travel period that attracts visitors from around the world. Strong demand was seen particularly from Europe, North America, Oceania, and the Middle East, while several Asian markets also showed solid growth.
Key contributors to November’s growth included:
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East Asia: South Korea and Taiwan
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Southeast Asia: Malaysia and Indonesia
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North America & Oceania: The United States and Canada
Record-Breaking Markets and Milestones
In November, 19 markets, including South Korea, the United States, and Taiwan, recorded their highest-ever visitor numbers for the month of November.
On a cumulative basis through November:
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17 markets achieved their highest annual visitor totals on record
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The United States surpassed 3 million visitors for the first time, becoming the fourth market, after China, South Korea, and Taiwan, to exceed 3 million visitors in a single year
Outlook
Japan’s inbound tourism performance in 2025 continues to demonstrate broad-based growth across Asia, Europe, and North America. With seasonal attractions such as autumn foliage driving demand and long-haul travel recovering strongly, Japan remains one of the world’s most attractive destinations for international travelers heading into the year-end period.
