Published on
September 22, 2025
United States, South Korea, China, and Taiwan have emerged as the top sources of international visitors to Japan, driving the country’s tourism sector to new heights. This surge in travel has not only bolstered the demand for flights, with airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL), ANA, and Delta Airlines expanding their international routes, but has also fueled substantial growth in Japan’s hospitality industry. Luxury hotel brands such as Marriott, Four Seasons, and MGM Resorts are seeing increased revenue, as tourists flock to iconic cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, along with lesser-known regional gems. With a growing number of travelers seeking unique cultural experiences, Japan’s dynamic tourism market is flourishing, attracting both global visitors and significant investments in infrastructure and service offerings.
Japan’s tourism has recently exploded, with a record number of visitors from America, South Korea, China, and Taiwan. This sudden increase in travelers has fundamentally changed tourism and has greatly increased air traffic to and from Japan, benefiting Japan Airlines, ANA, Delta, and several other air carriers. Simultaneously, Japan has seen a major increase in revenue from tourism, with Marriott, Four Seasons, MGM resorts and other major international hotel chains greatly benefiting as well.
The growing tourism to Japan has a positive impact on other bordering countries too. With more people flying in and out of Japan, as well as traveling to surrounding countries, there has been a major boost in business, for airlines… So, as the worldwide hospitality sector benefits more and more, the real question remains, what has this done for travelers? Let’s examine in more detail.
Why Tourists Are Flocking to Japan
Japan offers globe commas spanning splendid sites alongside mouthwatering dishes, surrendering travelers to Japan’s hospitality. South Korea, China, Taiwan, and the United States mark Japan’s 2024 international visitation’s prime origin countries, accounting for 36.9 million visitors and a 47.1% surge from the previous year. Here’s a breakdown of paying attention to each country’s newcomers.
South Korea: Relying on traveling Japan for a Tokyo-and-Osaka fix, South Korea passports boomeranging from a pandemic to 26.7% hike. look to away on the Tripper express to hungry for Instagram-famous selfies along Japan’s secret stashes.China: The subsequent 187.9% jump solidifying Chinas role on Japan’s prime tourist packet proves nothing is boom stands still. From the vibrant Kyoto and Nara, paired marvels Tokyo and Yokohama, ready to behold Japan’s cultural and modern world.3. Taiwan: For an extensive period, Taiwan has been a primary contributing factor for visitors going to Japan. The percentage of Taiwanese visitors has grown to 43.8%. Travelers are going to Hokkaido and the Okinawa islands. The Taiwan proximity, as well as the shared language and culture, makes Japan easy to visit.United States: U.S. tourists are a major part of the inbound tourism industry which helps to sustain the growing luxury tourism market. The U.S. tourists are expected to reach 2.7 million in 2024, a 33.2% increase compared to the previous year. The U.S. tourists visit Japan for high-end shopping in Tokyo as well as hiking in the Japanese Alps.How Airlines Are Responding
The increase in international tourism is alongside an increase in demand in aviation. Both Taiwanese and foreign airlines are widening the scope of their services to meet the high tourist traffic. JAL,ANA and Delta Airlines have increased their international services and improved their international connections by increasing thnumber of flights offered.
Japan Airlines (JAL): JAL has always focused on international travelers as one of Japan’s top airlines. They added more flights to Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo to accommodate the increasing demand. They still strive to deliver service and customer care which makes JAL popular for spending free time in Japan.All Nippon Airways (ANA): Other Key airlines in Japan. ANA has deepended its international flights for Toronto, San Francisco, Paris, and Sydney. All Nippon Airways implemented new international routes to focus on the growing demand of international flights. They are much easier to fly because of their convenient times and premium service.Delta Airlines: With the growth in Japan’s tourism recently, Delta put their focus on that. They increased their service to cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle. They added more flights to these areas that are in high demand. Delta now has direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka which is much easier for the American tourists to reach Japan’s popular cities.Outstanding Hospitality: The Pioneers of Hospitality Boom: Marriott, Four Seasons, MGM Resorts, and More
The swift rise in international tourism, especially in luxury boutiques and mid-range markets, is driving growth in Japan’s hotel sector. In Japan, Marriott, Four Seasons, and MGM Resorts make profits from international tourism in hot spots like Osaka and Kyoto.
Marriott International: Japan is one of the target developing markets for Marriott. The mid-range and international luxury travelers is the target market for Japan’s Ritz-Carlton and W Osaka, especially during the Olympic Games. Today, Marriott’s Japan portfolio features over 50 hotels and developments.Four Seasons: Four Seasons has long been recognized for having the best hotels in Japan’s major cities. The recent 2023 opening of the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi strengthened the company’s luxury offerings in Japan. The brand’s remarkable reputation is made for having the best hotels in the world, celebrating world-class culture and sophisticated world travelers.MGM Resorts: MGM’s plans for Japan include their upcoming integrated resort and casino in Osaka. MGM Osaka will open in 2030 and boasts 2,500 guest rooms along with a casino and other entertainment facilities. This addition will help attract an influx of tourists interested in luxury experiences in Japan’s undeveloped regions.Travel is Made Easy for Tourists
There are innumerable activities travelers can participate in for maximum enjoyment. Here are some important travel recommendations along with tips.
Regional Tourism: Though many travelers visit only Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan’s undeveloped areas are emerging onto the tourism radar. Tourists can visit Nara, Kanazawa, and Nagasaki to experience some of Japan’s less-visited cities distinguished by their history and culture. Tourists may savor both luxury and authenticity while staying in the international hotels mentioned above.Culinary Experiences: From ramen to kaiseki, Japan is famous for its rich and diverse offerings. There are traditional multi and single meals to delight any guest. The most enthusiastic lovers can take part in cooking classes or guide tours like in the Tsukiji Fish Market or Dotonbori, in Osaka, which allows one to dive into Japan’s diverse food culture.Seasonal Travel: Japan has unique and diverse seasons which cater to vary types of tourists. Particularly, the cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves are the most known. If tourists want something other than the scenery, there are also winter activities in Hokkaido or hiking in the Japanese Alps for the adventurers.Luxury and Wellness: The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons cater to clients seeking more luxurious experience and provide luxurious personalized services like private guides, personalized itineraries, and spa treatments. Wellness tourism is also taking off in Japan, with its hot spring resorts and meditation retreats increasingly popular.
Transportation System: Bullet trains (called Shinkansen in Japanese) have gained a reputation as one of the fastest methods of travel for going other cities. For smaller municipalities and other border regions, local trains and buses are easily accessible. Many, mostly for tourism, travel around the country using the Japan Rail Pass enabling access to unlimited Shinkansen (bullet train) and other rail services.
Japanese Tourism in the Upcoming Years
Japan’s position in the international market keeps improving in tandem with a large influx of international tourism. Japan’s government plans to increase this number to 60 million per year for 2030, and, with the investments in hospitality, infrastructure, and transportation that Japan is making, it seems that there is a good chance for success.
South Korea, China, Taiwan, and the United States are leading the charge in Japan’s tourism boom, significantly boosting demand for flights and luxury accommodations. Airlines like JAL, ANA, and Delta, along with top hotels like Marriott and Four Seasons, are thriving in this expanding market.
Wrapping Up
Japan remains accessible to millions of passengers from all over the globe. Airlines and the hospitality industry share the responsibility of providing a satisfying experience to the visitors. Passengers can fly with ANA, JAL, and Delta Airlines and stay at hotels like the Marriott and the Four Seasons. There is something for everybody. All these hotels have a rich experience and have something for all the travellers. Ranging from cultural visits to immense natural beauty all endeavours lead to Japan. All these aspects make Japan a wonderful place for one and all.
Book your tickets and discover a wonderful country.
