Indian Travel to Japan Breaks All Records in 2025, Marking a Defining Year of Growth, Connectivity, and All-Season Appeal
From January to December 2025, a total of 315,100 Indian visitors travelled to Japan — the first time in history that arrivals from India have crossed the 300,000 mark. This record-breaking achievement represents a sharp rise of 35.2% from 233,061 in 2024, and nearly 80% higher than the pre-COVID benchmark of 2019 (175,896). The milestone underscores the growing enthusiasm of Indian travellers for Japan, fueled by improved air connectivity, deeper travel trade engagement, and expanding awareness of destinations beyond the traditional Golden Route.
May 2025 set a new record with 43,040 Indian arrivals to Japan — the highest ever in a single month, even after the cherry blossom season had ended. The surge highlights Japan’s growing appeal beyond spring blooms, with May and June emerging as prime travel months for Indians thanks to summer vacations, lighter domestic crowds after Golden Week, and easier access to accommodations and attractions. Together, these factors are positioning Japan as a truly all-season destination. March recorded 32,967 arrivals, while April surged by 61% growth to 37,352 arrivals, driven by the cherry blossom season. Indian families and leisure travelers flocked to iconic regions to witness the blooms.
The vibrant autumn foliage is increasingly drawing Indian travelers, marking autumn as a rising season for tourism. November welcomed approx. 28,900 arrivals showing growth of 22%, while December climbed by 37% to approx. 23,300 arrivals, both showing strong growth. Snow destinations such as Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps are gaining popularity, with Indian families and especially honeymoon travelers embracing powder snow, winter illumination and winter sports.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Delhi Office believes that several key factors have contributed to this record-breaking performance in 2025. These include a sustained overseas travel boom in the Indian market and Japan’s growing reputation as a unique luxury destination that blends culture, modernity, and nature. The enduring appeal of the Golden Route (Tokyo–Osaka–Kyoto–Hiroshima) continues to draw interest, while there is also a noticeable rise in travel to off-the-Golden Route destinations such as the Alpine Route, Hokkaido and Okinawa. Additionally, Japan’s strengthened hospitality infrastructure and increasingly India-friendly environment—including the growing availability of Indian cuisine, multilingual signage, unique cultural experiences, tax-free shopping, etc—have made the country even more appealing to Indian travellers.
Japan Airlines (JAL), with its new Narita route alongside the existing Haneda service, and All Nippon Airways (ANA), set to launch daily Mumbai–Narita flights in 2026, are driving improved air connectivity between India and Japan. Their expanded services will give Indian families greater convenience and flexibility when travelling. This growth is further supported by increased networks through code-share agreements between airlines and the rising use of connecting flights via Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.
JNTO Delhi Office continuous promotional efforts including consumer-facing events like: Japan Travel Fair 2026 (JTF), advertising campaigns, trade seminars, FAM tours and collaboration with trade partners—have significantly raised awareness of Japan in India.
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