Japan Sets Tourism Record, but Visits from China Plunge

Japan’s post-pandemic tourism boom reached new heights in 2025: A record 42.7 million people visited Japan last year, easily surpassing the previous high of 36.9 million visitors in 2024 and nearing the country’s goal of 60 million tourist arrivals by 2030.

“Surpassing 40 million in 2025 is a significant achievement toward reaching our target,” Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Yasushi Kaneko said at a news conference on Tuesday. The ministry reported a combined 22% increase in visitors from Europe, the U.S., and Australia last year.

Foreign travelers also spent a record 9.5 trillion yen ($60 billion) in 2025, up fron 8.1 t