Shirakawa-go, located in central Japan, is a popular tourist destination known for its traditional houses and stunning natural scenery. (Pixabay/CCL)
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Japan welcomed 33.38 million foreign visitors from January to November 2024, surpassing its previous annual record of 31.88 million set in 2019 before the pandemic, according to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on December 18.
South Koreans accounted for the largest share, with 7.95 million visitors (23.8%), followed by China (6.38 million), Taiwan (5.55 million), the United States (2.49 million), and Hong Kong (2.4 million). This marks a significant shift from 2019, when Chinese visitors outnumbered South Koreans by nearly double.
Senso-ji, a tourist attraction in Tokyo, Japan (Yonhap)
JNTO attributed the reversal to robust South Korea-Japan relations, with South Korean visitor numbers already reaching an all-time high by November. In contrast, China’s slower economic recovery and limited flight capacity—at 70% of pre-pandemic levels—have curtailed travel to Japan.
In November alone, 3.19 million foreign visitors arrived in Japan, a 30.6% increase compared to the same month last year.
In July, then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida projected that Japan would host 35 million foreign visitors in 2024, with their spending expected to reach ¥8 trillion (approximately KRW 74.9 trillion), setting new all-time highs in both categories.
The surge in tourism underscores Japan’s recovery as a global travel destination, driven by renewed international demand and improving regional relations.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
