Japan welcomed a record 3.91 million tourists in April 2025, thanks to the stunning cherry blossoms, a weaker yen, and growing global interest in its culture and food.
Nearly a million tourists visited Japan last month, breaking the previous record for April visitors. What drew them in? Japanese cherry blossoms, discounts from the weak yen, and Japanese culture’s special appeal make the place interesting.
Cherry Blossoms Steal the Show
Every year in spring, Japan turns into a land of blooming cherry blossoms. This year, the sakura season lined up perfectly with school and work holidays in many countries, drawing tourists from across the globe. Many travelers came to Ueno Park in Tokyo and Maruyama Park in Kyoto to enjoy the brief but lovely blossoms.
Travel Deals and a Weaker Yen
Because the Japanese yen has weakened, making travel and shopping less expensive for many overseas tourists, this is another factor leading to a tourist surge. Because hotels, meals, and souvenirs are more affordable, people come and spend more time there.
Where People Came From
Visitors came from far and wide, particularly from the U.S., Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, the U.K., and even China, showing a truly global love for Japan. Many were first-time visitors, while others were returning to experience more of what the country has to offer.
Tourism Boosts the Economy
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the surge in tourists is due to people from Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia now wanting to travel to Japan more. Because of the Easter holidays, many travelers finally had a good opportunity to make their Japan trip dreams a reality.
Tourism is now one of Japan’s biggest economic drivers. In just the first three months of 2025, foreign visitors spent over 2.27 trillion yen (about USD 16 billion), a massive 28% jump from the previous year. That makes tourism Japan’s second-largest “export,” behind only the car industry.
What’s Next?
With this April record, Japan is on track to beat its previous yearly tourism record of 36.87 million visitors. Officials are now expecting over 40 million tourists by the end of 2025. And with the Olympics on the horizon and more festivals coming up, that number might just climb even higher.
Whether it’s the beauty of the cherry blossoms, the thrill of exploring a new culture, or just the joy of a good bowl of ramen, Japan has never been more popular, and for good reason.
