Year-on-year growth of 35.2% underscores India’s rising significance as a key outbound market
Japan has achieved a landmark in the Indian outbound travel market, with total arrivals from India surpassing 315,000 in 2025—marking the first time the 300,000 threshold has been crossed. This represents a 35.2% increase compared to 233,061 arrivals in 2024 and nearly 80% higher than pre-COVID levels of 175,896 in 2019.
In a statement, the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) Delhi office attributed the record performance to enhanced air connectivity, strategic engagement with the Indian travel trade, and growing interest in destinations beyond the traditional Golden Route of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima.
“The Indian market continues to demonstrate strong and sustained growth. By highlighting diverse regions, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and all-season travel opportunities, Japan is emerging as a year-round destination for Indian travellers,” the statement said.
Seasonal Trends and Emerging Travel Windows
May 2025 proved to be a particularly notable month, with 43,040 Indian arrivals—the highest single-month figure ever recorded, even after the conclusion of the cherry blossom season. This indicates a shift in travel patterns, with Indian tourists increasingly exploring Japan outside the spring bloom period. The months of May and June are emerging as key travel periods, driven by summer holidays, fewer crowds after Golden Week, and improved access to accommodations and attractions.
March and April also demonstrated strong growth. March saw 32,967 arrivals from India, a 20% increase over March 2024, while April surged 61% year-on-year to 37,352 visitors, largely due to the peak cherry blossom season.
Autumn travel is similarly gaining traction among Indian travellers. November arrivals reached approximately 28,900, up 22%, while December registered 23,300, reflecting a 37% increase. Snow destinations such as Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps are attracting Indian families and honeymoon travellers, drawn to powder snow, winter illuminations, and seasonal sports.
Beyond the Golden Route
JNTO noted a rising interest among Indian travellers in destinations beyond the traditional Golden Route. Popular alternatives now include the Alpine Route, Okinawa, and Hokkaido, supported by enhanced hospitality infrastructure, multilingual signage, Indian cuisine options, tax-free shopping, and curated cultural experiences.
The growth also reflects Japan’s continued positioning as a luxury destination combining culture, nature, and modern urban experiences. Visitors are increasingly balancing classic urban itineraries with unique regional explorations.
Connectivity and Market Initiatives
Enhanced air connectivity has been a key enabler of growth. Japan Airlines (JAL) has added a new Narita route alongside its Haneda services, while All Nippon Airways (ANA) plans to operate daily Mumbai–Narita flights in 2026. Additional code-share agreements and regional connections through Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Hong Kong have further facilitated travel from India.
JNTO’s sustained promotional activities in India—including consumer-facing events like Japan Travel Fair 2026, advertising campaigns, trade seminars, familiarisation tours, and collaboration with travel partners—have also contributed significantly to building awareness and driving arrivals.
With record-breaking arrivals and growing interest in diverse regions, India is now firmly established as a strategic market for Japan’s tourism sector, with all-season travel, luxury experiences, and off-the-beaten-path destinations poised to sustain momentum into 2026.
