Australia is well on track for a record year of travel to Japan, with visitor numbers for the first quarter of this year up nearly 50 per cent on the same period in 2019.
According to new data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Aussie traveller numbers to Japan rose by 46.3 per cent between January and March – from 172,896 in Q1 2019 to 252,900 in Q1 2024.
On the back of this figure, Australia represents the seventh biggest source market for tourism to the Asian nation.
But what’s even more impressive is that travel to Japan from Australia increased by a whopping 87.4 per cent in March alone (compared to March 2019).
What’s happening?
As well as a rise in overall awareness and interest in the country as a destination, JNTO attributes the massive surge to pent-up demand for snow season travel, an increase in air capacity between the countries and favourable exchange rates for Aussie travellers.
“These figures are fantastic to see, and confirm what we had been predicting which was a strong interest in Japan as a travel destination of choice in 2024,” JNTO Sydney Office Executive Director Naoki Kitazawa said.
“The AUD is purchasing much more JPY now compared to the lows we saw in the years leading up to the pandemic pause, and this favourable exchange rate makes Japan more affordable and accessible for Australian travellers.”
Strong future
Importantly for tourism dispersion, JNTO says it expects more Australians to travel to lesser-known destinations within the Asian nation as well as travel off-peak, as the overall upward trend continues.
“We are especially excited to see that Australians are starting to dig a little deeper and explore more of Japan. There is a new generation of adventurous visitors looking further afield for unique experiences,” Kitazawa remarked.
“Japan’s rugged mountains, rocky coastlines, pristine white beaches, bamboo forests and some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls are just some of the natural highlights to be enjoyed all year round.”
Citing Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism data, JNTO reports that cruising is also booming in Japan, with cruise ship calls more than doubling in 2023 to 1,854.
For more official tourism statistics, click here.
According to JNTO data, around 613,100 Australians visited Japan in 2023, equal to 98.6 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. This holds extra significance given the huge year the country had in 2019, with its hosting of the Rugby World Cup luring more Australians than usual.
