Japan recorded a historic surge in inbound tourism in February, welcoming nearly 3.5 million visitors—the highest ever for the month—despite a sharp decline in arrivals from China.
According to data released বুধবার by the Japan National Tourism Organization, total foreign visitors reached 3.46 million in February, marking a 6.4% increase compared to the same period last year.
However, the number of tourists from China dropped significantly by 45% to 396,400, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Officials said the overall increase was partly driven by the timing of the Lunar New Year, which fell in February this year, boosting travel demand across the region.
At the popular Kawazu Sakura Festival, known for its early-blooming cherry blossoms, the absence of Chinese tourists was noticeable. Still, the event attracted around 630,000 visitors—its highest attendance since 2022—thanks to a rise in domestic travelers and visitors from Taiwan.
South Korea remained the largest source of tourists, with arrivals jumping 28% to 1.08 million. Meanwhile, visitors from Taiwan surged 37% to 693,600.
Tourism officials say the strong figures highlight Japan’s continued appeal as a global travel destination, even as geopolitical tensions affect visitor patterns from certain countries.