GITNUXREPORT 2026

Japan Travel Industry Statistics

Japan's tourism industry is recovering strongly with record spending despite previous pandemic disruptions.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Tokyo Disneyland annual visitors: 17.4 million in 2019.

Statistic 2

Universal Studios Japan: 14.9 million visitors 2019.

Statistic 3

Mount Fuji climbers: 289,000 in 2019.

Statistic 4

Kyoto temples/shrines visits: 50 million annually.

Statistic 5

Onsen hot spring baths: 3,000+ facilities.

Statistic 6

Ski resorts: 500+ with 10 million skiers yearly.

Statistic 7

Anime tourism (e.g., Akihabara): 1 million+ visitors.

Statistic 8

Cherry blossom viewers: 20 million during hanami season.

Statistic 9

Sumo tournaments attendance: 500,000 per year.

Statistic 10

Sustainable tourism initiatives: 70% of prefectures involved.

Statistic 11

Wellness tourism market: valued at 1 trillion yen.

Statistic 12

Adventure tourism participants: 2 million annually.

Statistic 13

Food tourism (Michelin stars: 411 in Tokyo).

Statistic 14

Sports tourism (Olympics 2020 legacy): 10 million spectators.

Statistic 15

Rural tourism stays: up 40% post-COVID.

Statistic 16

Digital nomad visas introduced 2024: targeting 100,000 applicants.

Statistic 17

Halal tourism facilities: 1,500+ certified.

Statistic 18

LGBTQ+ friendly destinations: 100+ certified.

Statistic 19

Overtourism concerns in Kyoto: 10 million annual visitors to Gion.

Statistic 20

Eco-tourism sites: 200 national parks visitors 100 million.

Statistic 21

Night economy (izakaya visits): 30% of tourist spending.

Statistic 22

VR tourism experiences: adopted in 50 museums.

Statistic 23

Music festival tourism (Fuji Rock): 120,000 attendees.

Statistic 24

Craft beer tourism: 300 breweries visited by tourists.

Statistic 25

Stargazing tours: 100 sites with dark skies.

Statistic 26

Total hotels in Japan: 9,170 facilities with 896,000 rooms in 2022.

Statistic 27

Average hotel occupancy rate: 48.5% in 2022.

Statistic 28

Foreign guest occupancy: 55.3% in Tokyo hotels 2023.

Statistic 29

Ryokan (traditional inns): 15,775 facilities in 2022.

Statistic 30

Average daily room rate: 12,500 yen in 2023.

Statistic 31

Airbnb listings: over 50,000 in Japan as of 2023.

Statistic 32

Minpaku (private lodging) registrations: 45,000+ since 2018 legalization.

Statistic 33

Capsule hotels: 200+ facilities nationwide.

Statistic 34

Business hotel chain rooms: 300,000+ across APA, Toyoko Inn etc.

Statistic 35

Luxury hotels (5-star): 150+ properties in 2023.

Statistic 36

RevPAR (revenue per available room): 7,200 yen in 2023.

Statistic 37

Osaka hotel occupancy: 65% in 2023.

Statistic 38

Kyoto foreigner share: 40% of hotel guests in peak 2023.

Statistic 39

New hotel openings: 150 in 2023.

Statistic 40

Average stay length in hotels: 1.8 nights for foreigners 2019.

Statistic 41

Business hotels occupancy: 70% in urban areas 2023.

Statistic 42

Resort hotels in Hokkaido: occupancy 60% winter 2023.

Statistic 43

Onsen ryokan stays by foreigners: up 30% YoY 2023.

Statistic 44

Tokyo hotel rooms: 150,000+ in 2023.

Statistic 45

Nationwide guest rooms growth: 2.5% from 2019-2023.

Statistic 46

Female-only floors in hotels: 20% of facilities.

Statistic 47

Eco-certified hotels: 500+ in Japan 2023.

Statistic 48

Shared houses for long-stay tourists: 1,000+ listings.

Statistic 49

High-end ryokan rates: average 50,000 yen/night.

Statistic 50

International tourism receipts reached 4.81 trillion yen in 2019.

Statistic 51

Per capita spending by foreign visitors: 159,395 yen in 2019.

Statistic 52

Shopping accounted for 32.5% of total spending in 2019.

Statistic 53

Accommodation spending: 21.8% of total in 2019.

Statistic 54

Food and beverage: 20.1% of spending in 2019.

Statistic 55

Transportation spending: 12.4% in 2019.

Statistic 56

Entertainment: 7.2% of total spending in 2019.

Statistic 57

In 2023, total inbound spending: 5.3 trillion yen.

Statistic 58

Chinese tourists' average spend: 221,000 yen per trip in 2019.

Statistic 59

South Korean average spend: 112,000 yen in 2019.

Statistic 60

Taiwanese average: 168,000 yen in 2019.

Statistic 61

US tourists average spend: 245,000 yen in 2019.

Statistic 62

Luxury goods shopping by Chinese: 40% of their total spend in 2019.

Statistic 63

Domestic tourism spending: 23.1 trillion yen in 2019.

Statistic 64

Tourism GDP contribution: 7.3% in 2019.

Statistic 65

Employment supported by tourism: 4.26 million jobs in 2019.

Statistic 66

2023 inbound spending growth: 47.7% YoY.

Statistic 67

Per capita spend in 2023: 178,000 yen.

Statistic 68

Overtime worker spending on travel: 15% increase in 2023.

Statistic 69

Regional inbound spending outside Tokyo: 2.8 trillion yen in 2023.

Statistic 70

Hotel room occupancy rate for foreigners: 78.2% in 2019.

Statistic 71

Duty-free shopping sales: 5.5 trillion yen in 2019.

Statistic 72

Cosmetics top purchase: 25% of shopping spend.

Statistic 73

Alcohol/tobacco: 8% of shopping in 2019.

Statistic 74

Fashion items: 22% of shopping spend.

Statistic 75

Food souvenirs: 18% of shopping.

Statistic 76

Medicines: 12% of shopping spend in 2019.

Statistic 77

Shinkansen passengers: 353 million annually pre-COVID 2019.

Statistic 78

Narita Airport passengers: 42.3 million in 2019.

Statistic 79

Haneda Airport: 85.9 million passengers 2019.

Statistic 80

Kansai Airport: 30.5 million in 2019.

Statistic 81

Domestic flights: 160 million passengers 2019.

Statistic 82

LCC share of domestic market: 40% in 2023.

Statistic 83

JR Pass sales to foreigners: 2.8 million in 2019.

Statistic 84

Taxi rides by tourists: 10% of total urban taxis.

Statistic 85

Rental car usage by foreigners: up 25% in 2023.

Statistic 86

Bus tours for tourists: 5 million participants annually.

Statistic 87

Cruise ship port calls: 3,500 in 2019.

Statistic 88

Foreign cruise passengers: 1 million in 2019.

Statistic 89

High-speed ferry routes: 20+ connecting islands.

Statistic 90

Tokyo Metro daily ridership: 6.8 million pre-COVID.

Statistic 91

Bicycle rentals in cities: 100,000+ bikes available.

Statistic 92

Electric vehicle rentals for tourists: growing 50% YoY.

Statistic 93

Airport limousine bus services: 200 routes.

Statistic 94

2023 air passengers recovery: 90% of 2019 levels.

Statistic 95

International flight seats: 50 million available 2024 forecast.

Statistic 96

Shinkansen foreign user rate: 15% in 2023.

Statistic 97

Ride-sharing apps adoption: limited but Uber in Tokyo.

Statistic 98

New maglev line under construction: Tokyo-Nagoya by 2027.

Statistic 99

Hokkaido Shinkansen extension: to Sapporo 2031.

Statistic 100

Tourist train experiences: 50+ scenic routes.

Statistic 101

Port of Yokohama cruise passengers: 500,000 in 2019.

Statistic 102

Domestic Shinkansen km: 2,900 km operational.

Statistic 103

Foreign language signage on trains: 80% of major lines.

Statistic 104

In 2019, Japan welcomed a record 31.88 million international visitors, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year.

Statistic 105

South Korea was the top source market for Japan with 7.56 million visitors in 2019, accounting for 23.7% of total inbound tourism.

Statistic 106

Chinese tourists numbered 9.60 million in 2019, but dropped sharply due to bilateral tensions and COVID-19.

Statistic 107

In 2023, international arrivals recovered to 25.07 million, 78.6% of 2019 levels.

Statistic 108

Taiwan sent 4.96 million visitors to Japan in 2019.

Statistic 109

Hong Kong contributed 2.16 million visitors in 2019.

Statistic 110

The United States ranked 6th with 1.18 million visitors in 2019.

Statistic 111

Australia sent 623,000 visitors in 2019.

Statistic 112

In October 2023, monthly arrivals hit 3.41 million, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Statistic 113

Europe totalled 1.27 million visitors in 2019.

Statistic 114

ASEAN countries contributed 3.45 million visitors in 2019.

Statistic 115

First-time visitors made up 52.3% of total in 2019.

Statistic 116

Repeat visitors were 47.7% in 2019.

Statistic 117

Average length of stay for international visitors was 8.25 nights in 2019.

Statistic 118

In 2023, arrivals from China reached 2.38 million for the year.

Statistic 119

South Korean arrivals in 2023 totalled 6.26 million.

Statistic 120

Taiwanese visitors in 2023: 4.46 million.

Statistic 121

US visitors in 2023: 1.97 million.

Statistic 122

Visa-free visitors comprised 70% of total in 2019.

Statistic 123

Overnight stays by foreign visitors reached 135.75 million in 2019.

Statistic 124

Day-trip visitors were 18% of total in 2019.

Statistic 125

Female international visitors: 48.5% in 2019.

Statistic 126

Visitors aged 20-29: 22.4% in 2019.

Statistic 127

Visitors aged 30-39: 24.1% in 2019.

Statistic 128

In 2023 November, arrivals: 3.47 million.

Statistic 129

2023 December arrivals: 3.13 million.

Statistic 130

Q1 2024 arrivals: 8.64 million.

Statistic 131

March 2024 single-month record: 3.50 million.

Statistic 132

Singapore visitors 2019: 510,000.

Statistic 133

Thailand visitors 2019: 742,000.

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Though Japan's tourism roared back with record-breaking monthly arrivals in late 2023, the full story of its recovery is painted by the intricate statistics of who visits, how they spend, and what it means for the nation's future.

Key Takeaways

In 2019, Japan welcomed a record 31.88 million international visitors, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year.
South Korea was the top source market for Japan with 7.56 million visitors in 2019, accounting for 23.7% of total inbound tourism.
Chinese tourists numbered 9.60 million in 2019, but dropped sharply due to bilateral tensions and COVID-19.
International tourism receipts reached 4.81 trillion yen in 2019.
Per capita spending by foreign visitors: 159,395 yen in 2019.
Shopping accounted for 32.5% of total spending in 2019.
Total hotels in Japan: 9,170 facilities with 896,000 rooms in 2022.
Average hotel occupancy rate: 48.5% in 2022.
Foreign guest occupancy: 55.3% in Tokyo hotels 2023.
Shinkansen passengers: 353 million annually pre-COVID 2019.
Narita Airport passengers: 42.3 million in 2019.
Haneda Airport: 85.9 million passengers 2019.
Tokyo Disneyland annual visitors: 17.4 million in 2019.
Universal Studios Japan: 14.9 million visitors 2019.
Mount Fuji climbers: 289,000 in 2019.

Japan's tourism industry is recovering strongly with record spending despite previous pandemic disruptions.

Cultural and Emerging Trends

Tokyo Disneyland annual visitors: 17.4 million in 2019.
Universal Studios Japan: 14.9 million visitors 2019.
Mount Fuji climbers: 289,000 in 2019.
Kyoto temples/shrines visits: 50 million annually.
Onsen hot spring baths: 3,000+ facilities.
Ski resorts: 500+ with 10 million skiers yearly.
Anime tourism (e.g., Akihabara): 1 million+ visitors.
Cherry blossom viewers: 20 million during hanami season.
Sumo tournaments attendance: 500,000 per year.
Sustainable tourism initiatives: 70% of prefectures involved.
Wellness tourism market: valued at 1 trillion yen.
Adventure tourism participants: 2 million annually.
Food tourism (Michelin stars: 411 in Tokyo).
Sports tourism (Olympics 2020 legacy): 10 million spectators.
Rural tourism stays: up 40% post-COVID.
Digital nomad visas introduced 2024: targeting 100,000 applicants.
Halal tourism facilities: 1,500+ certified.
LGBTQ+ friendly destinations: 100+ certified.
Overtourism concerns in Kyoto: 10 million annual visitors to Gion.
Eco-tourism sites: 200 national parks visitors 100 million.
Night economy (izakaya visits): 30% of tourist spending.
VR tourism experiences: adopted in 50 museums.
Music festival tourism (Fuji Rock): 120,000 attendees.
Craft beer tourism: 300 breweries visited by tourists.
Stargazing tours: 100 sites with dark skies.

Cultural and Emerging Trends Interpretation

While Japan's tourism industry impressively juggles the epic quests of millions scaling culinary heights and virtual worlds, it quietly measures its ultimate success not just in staggering theme park crowds, but in the growing number of visitors who pause for a quiet star, a rural stay, or a sustainable path—proving that the soul of travel is found as much in the spaces between the spectacles as in the spectacles themselves.

Hotel and Accommodation

Total hotels in Japan: 9,170 facilities with 896,000 rooms in 2022.
Average hotel occupancy rate: 48.5% in 2022.
Foreign guest occupancy: 55.3% in Tokyo hotels 2023.
Ryokan (traditional inns): 15,775 facilities in 2022.
Average daily room rate: 12,500 yen in 2023.
Airbnb listings: over 50,000 in Japan as of 2023.
Minpaku (private lodging) registrations: 45,000+ since 2018 legalization.
Capsule hotels: 200+ facilities nationwide.
Business hotel chain rooms: 300,000+ across APA, Toyoko Inn etc.
Luxury hotels (5-star): 150+ properties in 2023.
RevPAR (revenue per available room): 7,200 yen in 2023.
Osaka hotel occupancy: 65% in 2023.
Kyoto foreigner share: 40% of hotel guests in peak 2023.
New hotel openings: 150 in 2023.
Average stay length in hotels: 1.8 nights for foreigners 2019.
Business hotels occupancy: 70% in urban areas 2023.
Resort hotels in Hokkaido: occupancy 60% winter 2023.
Onsen ryokan stays by foreigners: up 30% YoY 2023.
Tokyo hotel rooms: 150,000+ in 2023.
Nationwide guest rooms growth: 2.5% from 2019-2023.
Female-only floors in hotels: 20% of facilities.
Eco-certified hotels: 500+ in Japan 2023.
Shared houses for long-stay tourists: 1,000+ listings.
High-end ryokan rates: average 50,000 yen/night.

Hotel and Accommodation Interpretation

Japan's hotel industry is a fascinating paradox, where a vast sea of nearly a million rooms sits half-empty on average, yet in its iconic cities, foreign guests are propping up occupancy rates and paying a premium for everything from capsule bunks to lavish ryokan soaks, proving the tourism market is as segmented and dynamic as the country itself.

Spending and Revenue

International tourism receipts reached 4.81 trillion yen in 2019.
Per capita spending by foreign visitors: 159,395 yen in 2019.
Shopping accounted for 32.5% of total spending in 2019.
Accommodation spending: 21.8% of total in 2019.
Food and beverage: 20.1% of spending in 2019.
Transportation spending: 12.4% in 2019.
Entertainment: 7.2% of total spending in 2019.
In 2023, total inbound spending: 5.3 trillion yen.
Chinese tourists' average spend: 221,000 yen per trip in 2019.
South Korean average spend: 112,000 yen in 2019.
Taiwanese average: 168,000 yen in 2019.
US tourists average spend: 245,000 yen in 2019.
Luxury goods shopping by Chinese: 40% of their total spend in 2019.
Domestic tourism spending: 23.1 trillion yen in 2019.
Tourism GDP contribution: 7.3% in 2019.
Employment supported by tourism: 4.26 million jobs in 2019.
2023 inbound spending growth: 47.7% YoY.
Per capita spend in 2023: 178,000 yen.
Overtime worker spending on travel: 15% increase in 2023.
Regional inbound spending outside Tokyo: 2.8 trillion yen in 2023.
Hotel room occupancy rate for foreigners: 78.2% in 2019.
Duty-free shopping sales: 5.5 trillion yen in 2019.
Cosmetics top purchase: 25% of shopping spend.
Alcohol/tobacco: 8% of shopping in 2019.
Fashion items: 22% of shopping spend.
Food souvenirs: 18% of shopping.
Medicines: 12% of shopping spend in 2019.

Spending and Revenue Interpretation

Japan's tourism industry thrives on visitors' wallets being enthusiastically emptied for everything from luxury handbags to hotel pillows, with shopping carts leading the charge while the economy happily rings up nearly a trillion dollars in sales.

Transportation

Shinkansen passengers: 353 million annually pre-COVID 2019.
Narita Airport passengers: 42.3 million in 2019.
Haneda Airport: 85.9 million passengers 2019.
Kansai Airport: 30.5 million in 2019.
Domestic flights: 160 million passengers 2019.
LCC share of domestic market: 40% in 2023.
JR Pass sales to foreigners: 2.8 million in 2019.
Taxi rides by tourists: 10% of total urban taxis.
Rental car usage by foreigners: up 25% in 2023.
Bus tours for tourists: 5 million participants annually.
Cruise ship port calls: 3,500 in 2019.
Foreign cruise passengers: 1 million in 2019.
High-speed ferry routes: 20+ connecting islands.
Tokyo Metro daily ridership: 6.8 million pre-COVID.
Bicycle rentals in cities: 100,000+ bikes available.
Electric vehicle rentals for tourists: growing 50% YoY.
Airport limousine bus services: 200 routes.
2023 air passengers recovery: 90% of 2019 levels.
International flight seats: 50 million available 2024 forecast.
Shinkansen foreign user rate: 15% in 2023.
Ride-sharing apps adoption: limited but Uber in Tokyo.
New maglev line under construction: Tokyo-Nagoya by 2027.
Hokkaido Shinkansen extension: to Sapporo 2031.
Tourist train experiences: 50+ scenic routes.
Port of Yokohama cruise passengers: 500,000 in 2019.
Domestic Shinkansen km: 2,900 km operational.
Foreign language signage on trains: 80% of major lines.

Transportation Interpretation

Japan’s travel ecosystem—where bullet trains move a small nation’s worth of people, low-cost carriers democratize the skies, and everyone from cruise-goers to e-bike renters jostles for space—proves that moving millions efficiently is an art form the Japanese have perfected, even if finding a taxi in all that organized chaos remains a delightful challenge.

Visitor Arrivals

In 2019, Japan welcomed a record 31.88 million international visitors, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year.
South Korea was the top source market for Japan with 7.56 million visitors in 2019, accounting for 23.7% of total inbound tourism.
Chinese tourists numbered 9.60 million in 2019, but dropped sharply due to bilateral tensions and COVID-19.
In 2023, international arrivals recovered to 25.07 million, 78.6% of 2019 levels.
Taiwan sent 4.96 million visitors to Japan in 2019.
Hong Kong contributed 2.16 million visitors in 2019.
The United States ranked 6th with 1.18 million visitors in 2019.
Australia sent 623,000 visitors in 2019.
In October 2023, monthly arrivals hit 3.41 million, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Europe totalled 1.27 million visitors in 2019.
ASEAN countries contributed 3.45 million visitors in 2019.
First-time visitors made up 52.3% of total in 2019.
Repeat visitors were 47.7% in 2019.
Average length of stay for international visitors was 8.25 nights in 2019.
In 2023, arrivals from China reached 2.38 million for the year.
South Korean arrivals in 2023 totalled 6.26 million.
Taiwanese visitors in 2023: 4.46 million.
US visitors in 2023: 1.97 million.
Visa-free visitors comprised 70% of total in 2019.
Overnight stays by foreign visitors reached 135.75 million in 2019.
Day-trip visitors were 18% of total in 2019.
Female international visitors: 48.5% in 2019.
Visitors aged 20-29: 22.4% in 2019.
Visitors aged 30-39: 24.1% in 2019.
In 2023 November, arrivals: 3.47 million.
2023 December arrivals: 3.13 million.
Q1 2024 arrivals: 8.64 million.
March 2024 single-month record: 3.50 million.
Singapore visitors 2019: 510,000.
Thailand visitors 2019: 742,000.

Visitor Arrivals Interpretation

Despite its impressive resilience, Japan's tourism industry still craves the return of Chinese spenders, proving that geopolitics can hit the wallet just as hard as a pandemic.

Sources & References

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