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Japan outbound tourism is a dynamic sector, reflecting the country’s rich cultural enthusiasm and economic prowess. As international travel rebounds, Japanese travelers are again exploring global destinations, driven by a strong yen and extensive international air connectivity. Notably, popular destinations for Japanese tourists include nearby Asian countries, Europe, and the United States, where they seek both traditional sightseeing and unique local experiences. The government actively promotes outbound tourism through relaxed travel advisories and supportive policies, enhancing Japan’s global footprint. This outbound tourism not only boosts global understanding and cultural exchange but also significantly contributes to the world economy.
Japan secures the 13th position in the latest Passport Henley Index, according to recent data. Despite ranking 13th, the Japan Tourism Industry boasts impressive access, with Japanese passport holders enjoying visa-free travel to 192 countries. With an economic mobility score of 78.53%, Japan shows strong economic resilience. The country’s GDP growth stands at 4.216%, reflecting a robust economic climate. This extensive travel freedom underscores Japan’s powerful passport and its substantial global influence.
By 2024, the revenue from Japan’s Travel & Tourism sector is projected to reach $42.38 billion, growing annually at 3.34%, and is expected to hit $49.94 billion by 2029. In 2021, the industry contributed 9.8 trillion yen to Japan’s GDP.
Japanese Outbound Travel Spending in 2023 Japanese travelers on outbound trips spent approximately 0.9 trillion Japanese yen in 2023, a marked decline from the spending levels before the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease underscores the reduced number of Japanese travelers venturing overseas and the persistent difficulties affecting international travel.
2022 Outbound Travel Data Japan Tourism’s recent figures reveal that in 2022, Japanese citizens logged 2,771,770 international trips, demonstrating a slow rebound in global travel activity among Japanese residents.
April 2024 Japanese Visits Abroad Japanese residents embarked on approximately 888,767 international journeys in April 2024. From January through April 2024, they accumulated a total of 3,926,021 visits abroad. In 2023, Japanese travellers spent 0.9 trillion yen on international trips.
Top Destinations in April 2024 The favoured destinations for Japanese tourists in April 2024 were:
South Korea: 229,252 visits
United States: 122,897 visits
Thailand: 62,360 visits
South Korea emerged as the most popular destination.
Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Nara serve not only as major tourist attractions in Japan but also as principal points of departure for international travel. These cities, equipped with international airports and extensive rail networks, are the preferred gateways for many Japanese heading abroad, whether for business or leisure.
Updated Visa Free List for Japanese Passport Holders:
Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, eSwatini, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French West Indies, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China), Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (SAR China), Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niue, North Macedonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Oman, Palestinian Territory, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion, Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia.
Visa on Arrival:
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nepal, Palau Islands, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, St. Helena, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Zimbabwe
Electronic Travel Authorization:
American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, United States, US Virgin Islands
Japan Airlines (JAL) recently finalized a purchase agreement with Airbus, securing 20 widebody A350-900s and 11 A321neo single-aisle aircraft. This transaction, initially disclosed at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, enhances JAL’s existing fleet, allocating the A350-900s for international routes and the A321neos for domestic flights across Japan. JAL operates major hubs in Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport, and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, offering extensive domestic and international flights to Europe, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, revealed plans to introduce three new direct routes from Tokyo to Milan, Stockholm, and Istanbul starting December 2024. This expansion aims to cater to the growing number of international tourists visiting Japan. ANA has been recognized as a 5-Star airline for 11 consecutive years and continues to expand its global footprint.
Major Airports in Japan
Haneda International Airport (HND)
Location: Ōta, Tokyo
Details: Also known as Tokyo International Airport, Haneda ranks among the world’s busiest airports and serves as the primary domestic base for Japan Airlines (Terminal 1) and All Nippon Airways (Terminal 2). RegionalPlus Wings Corp. (Air Do and Solaseed Air), Skymark Airlines, and StarFlyer also operate here. In 2023, Haneda was the second-busiest airport in Asia and recorded a high of 19.1 million international flight passengers.
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Location: Narita, Chiba
Details: Serving as a key international gateway for the Greater Tokyo Area, along with Haneda Airport, Narita experienced a 72% increase in passengers in fiscal 2023, reaching 35,259,433 travelers.
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