Japan Hits 3.27 Million Visitors in September 2025, Reaching Fastest 30‑Million Milestone

Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) has announced that international arrivals to Japan reached 3,266,800 in September 2025, up 13.7 per cent year on year, marking the first time the country has surpassed three million visitors in September. For the first nine months of the year, total arrivals stood at 31.7 million, representing the quickest attainment of over 30 million visitors on record.

JNTO noted that inbound travel continued to expand, even though several flights from East Asia were cancelled due to typhoons. The largest source market in September was China, with 775,500 visitors (up 18.9 per cent), followed by South Korea with 670,500 (up 2.1 per cent), Taiwan with 527,000 (up 12.0 per cent), the United States with 224,700 (up 17.1 per cent), and Hong Kong with 149,500 (down 12.2 per cent).

Visitor numbers from the Middle East surged by 109.2 per cent to a record 29,700, ahead of India with 25,400 arrivals (up 42.2 per cent year on year) and Spain with 24,700 (up 29.6 per cent). For January–September 2025, India recorded 233,400 visitors, a 36.6 per cent rise compared with the same period in 2024, underscoring its growing significance as a key South Asian source market. The steady rise in Indian arrivals reflects enhanced air connectivity, streamlined visa processes, and increasing traveller interest in Japan’s culture, leisure and business offerings.

Overall, visitor arrivals from 18 source markets reached record highs for September, underscoring Japan’s strong recovery trajectory and continued appeal as a global travel destination.