(Source: JNTO)
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan in December 2025 totaled 3,617,700, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.7%. This marked the highest level ever recorded for December. Many markets saw an increase in travel demand aligned with school holidays, Christmas, and the year-end and New Year period. In particular, in many markets school holidays began toward late December, overlapping with vacation periods and contributing to the rise in inbound travel to Japan. Compared with November, when visitor numbers stood at 3,518,000, the total increased by approximately 99,000 month on month, indicating a further strengthening of inbound demand toward the end of the year. The total number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2025 reached 42,683,600, up 15.8% from the previous year. This marked the first time annual arrivals exceeded 42 million, surpassing the previous record of 36,870,148 in 2024 by more than 5.8 million and setting a new all-time high on an annual basis.
(Compiled based on JNTO materials)
By country and region, arrivals from South Korea totaled 974,200, an increase of 12.3% year on year and the highest monthly figure on record. In addition to sustained popularity of travel to Japan, the increase was supported by expanded airline seat capacity, including additional services on the Gimpo–Kansai and Incheon–Kansai routes, as well as rising demand among university students. Taiwan recorded 588,400 visitors, up 19.8% year on year, setting a new December record. This growth was driven by continued strong interest in travel to Japan and increased airline capacity, including new routes from Tainan to Kumamoto and Naha and additional flights from Taipei Taoyuan to New Chitose, including regional routes. In contrast, visitors from China totaled 330,400, down 45.3% year on year. In addition to the seasonal lull in demand, travel advisories issued by the Chinese government and reductions in flight services contributed to a significant decline compared with the same month of the previous year.
In Southeast Asia, Malaysia recorded 100,600 visitors, up 40.4% year on year, while Thailand saw 174,000 visitors, up 18.6%, reflecting increased travel demand toward the year-end holiday period. In Thailand, longer holiday periods resulting from consecutive public holidays and additional holidays at the beginning of 2026, along with the resumption of flights between Bangkok and Sendai and increased services to Haneda, Narita, and Kansai, contributed to the rise in arrivals. The Philippines recorded 115,600 visitors, up 6.5%, supported by school holidays and the resumption of flights between Manila and New Chitose. Indonesia recorded 81,700 visitors, up 8.9%, and Vietnam recorded 43,700 visitors, up 9.1%, with both markets setting new December records amid increased airline capacity and continued popularity of travel to Japan.
In the Europe, North America, and Oceania markets, arrivals from the United States totaled 270,700, an increase of 13.5% year on year, marking the highest December figure on record, supported by increased airline seat capacity and school holidays beginning in late December. Canada recorded 57,200 visitors, up 18.5%, the United Kingdom 34,600 visitors, up 14.1%, France 26,000 visitors, up 25.5%, and Germany 20,400 visitors, up 29.3%, with all showing solid growth driven by diversified connecting flight options and holiday-season demand. The Middle East recorded 17,400 visitors, up 38.4%, while the Nordic region recorded 13,300 visitors, up 25.1%, with multiple markets setting new December records amid increased direct flight services and the impact of school holidays in each country.
Overall, December saw expanding inbound demand across a wide range of markets, particularly in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, with 20 markets recording all-time highs on a cumulative annual basis. JNTO stated that it will continue to pursue strategic inbound tourism promotion based on close analysis of market trends, in line with the objectives of the Fourth Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan, which emphasizes sustainable tourism, increased visitor spending, and the promotion of regional destinations. The sustained high level of inbound demand in December and throughout the year highlights the continued broadening of Japan’s inbound market and progress toward greater regional dispersion.