Overseas Trip Spending Hits Record ¥329,000 Per Person

An estimated 572,000 Japanese citizens plan to travel abroad during the Golden Week holiday period from April 25 to May 7, 2026, according to a survey conducted by JTB. This figure represents an 8.5% increase in outbound travel.

The average expenditure per person for these overseas trips is estimated at ¥329,000. This is the highest average spending figure recorded since comparable data became available in 1996.

Inbound Tourism Trends

The increase in outbound travel occurs alongside a period of record-breaking international arrivals into Japan. In 2024, the country welcomed between 33.1 million and 36.87 million international visitors, surpassing the pre-pandemic record of 31.9 million set in 2019.

China led the surge of visitors in 2024. On average, Japan saw approximately 90,600 international arrivals per day throughout that year. During peak travel windows, such as the cherry blossom season in March and April or the autumn foliage period in October and November, daily arrivals exceeded 130,000 visitors.

Data from early 2025 indicates that this momentum has continued, with more than 3.9 million visitors arriving in April 2025 and total arrivals reaching 31.7 million by September 2025. A weaker yen has been identified as a factor that increased the appeal of inbound travel and attracted higher-spending guests.

Economic Impact of Tourism

Tourism has become a primary economic driver for Japan. In 2024, the travel and tourism sector contributed approximately 7.5% of the national GDP, with total economic output from the sector projected at ¥44.6 trillion.

Spending by international tourists also reached record levels in 2024. Reports indicate that visitor spending hit approximately ¥8.1 trillion, though other estimates place the record spending at ¥5.9 trillion.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) tracks these expenditures across several categories, including accommodation, transport, cuisine, and leisure, to analyze consumption patterns by country and area.

Future Growth Targets

The Japanese government has established an ambitious target to reach 60 million international visitors by 2030. To maintain this growth trajectory, the industry is focusing on trends in cultural and eco-tourism, as well as the development of personalized experiences for travelers.

The current landscape shows a dual trend of increasing international movement, with Japanese citizens spending more on overseas travel while the country simultaneously expands its capacity and appeal for foreign tourists.