News
The Japanese ruling parties specify a rise in departure tax to 3,000 yen in the Tax Reform Outline for FY2026
The Japanese ruling parties specify a rise in departure tax from 1,000 yen currently to 3,000 yen on July 1 2026 in the Tax Reform Outline for FY2026 to drive the national tourism policies.
Abolition of the duty-free system may force Japan to lose 1.6 million international arrivals and GDP of 847 billion yen
If the current tax-free shopping (TFS) system for foreign visitors to Japan is abolished, Japan may lose 847 billion yen of GDP and 1.6 million international arrivals, according to Japan Shopping Tourism Organization.
Shizuoka was the top airport international travelers from Asia arrived-NAVITIME JAPAN analysis
According to NAVITIME JAPAN data, Shizuoka was the top airport international travelers from Asia arrived , and Naha from Europe, U.S. and Australia.
Italy-based certification organization Vireo launched Vireo Japan to support hotels and destinations in Japan for acquisition of GSTC certificate
Italy-based certification organization Vireo launched Vireo Japan in partnership with Sasutena Certification Center of Japan to launch GSTC certification services in Japan.
Japanese international travelers were up 13% year on year to 1.33 million in November 2025
The number of Japanese international travelers in November 2025 was up 13.2% year on year to 1,330,000, still down 19.0% compared to November 2019.
International arrivals in Japan reached 39 million in total with 3.5 million in November 2025, already breaking the previous annual record
The number of international arrivals in Japan in November 2025 was up 10.4% year on year to 3,518,000. The total for the first 11 months of 2025 reached 39,065,600, already breaking the previous annual record.
Admission ticket types and prices for GREEN×EXPO2027 in Yokohama are decided
admission ticket types and prices for GREEN×EXPO2027, which will be held in Yokohama from March 19 to September 26 2027, have been decided.
Uber Japan links with Rakuten ID for ride-hailing and food delivery services, returning Rakuten points to the linked users
Rakuten Group, Uber Japan, and Uber Eats Japan formed a strategic partnership with the linkage of Rakuten IDs. They expect that a variety of possibilities in the Rakuten Ecosystem will happen.
Hotel room rate in Japan is still lower globally, and newly built hotels were limited due to a rise in construction cost-JLL analysis
JLL explained that the occupancy rate (OCC) of hotels in Japan for the first nine months of 2025 was up 3.2 points year on year, and the average daily rate (ADR) was up 10.8%.
45% of International travelers arriving in Kansai Airport book local experiences in Japan before their departures
According to Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB), 45% of international travelers arriving in Kansai Airport booked them before their departures. The most-used booking platform was Klook.
International congresses and conventions held in Japan were ranked the 7th MICE market globally, up 1.2 times to 1,702 in 2024
The number of international conventions organized in Japan increased by 1.2 rimes year on year to 1,702 in 2024 . The number of participants was also up 1.2 times to 1.24 million.
The fiscal 2025 supplementary budget for Japan Tourism Agency amounts to 22.5 billion yen including 6.8 billion yen for over-tourism countermeasures
A FY2025 supplementary budget for Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) amounts to 22.5 billion yen to implement initiatives to resolve issues, such as over-tourism, for which 6.8 billion yen is allocated.
LINE Yahoo! integrates communication windows into AI agents to support clients seamlessly from design to target in advertising
LINE Yahoo! (LY) held the corporate event "LINE Yahoo! BIZ Conference 2025" to explain the concept of ‘AI First.’ LY is forming a platform that AI agents autonomously guide customers through purchases, reservations, and various conversions.
The hotel occupancy rate in Kyoto City may be down 5 points in December 2025 if Chinese guests halve
The occupancy rate of 112 hotels in Kyoto City was up 1.3 points year on year to 90% in October 2025, which was record-high after the end of the pandemic. If Chinese guests halve, DMO KYOTO has estimated that the occupancy rate will be down to 84.4% in November.
Japanese travelers during this coming New Year holidays are estimated at 39.9 million with a 32% increase in international travelers
JTB has forecasted that the number of Japanese travelers during this coming New Year holidays (December 20 2025 to January 5 2026) will be up 2.5% year on year to 39.9 million. The total amount of consumption up 8.4% to 1,986 billion yen.
30% of Japanese people are interested in domestic dual-residence, selecting a preferred travel destination within 90 minutes from home
EY Strategy and Consulting released the survey report on a dual-residence trend in Japan. 25.8% were interested in dual-residence in Japan, and 8.7% have already experienced dual-residence. Dual-residence should be regarded as part of tourism policy.
Bounce launches a service to deliver travelers’ luggages from four airports in Japan to 3000 Yamato branch offices nationwide
Bounce has started a new service to deliver travelers’ luggages from Haneda Airport, Centrair AIrport, Fukuoka Airport and Naha Airport to about 3,000 Yamato Transport branch offices nationwide.
Japanese domestic travel consumption was up 9% in the Q3 of 2025 with a 4% rise in spending per traveler
The total amount of Japanese domestic travel consumption was up 9.0% year on year to 8 trillion yen in the 3rd quarter of 2025. The total number of Japanese domestic travelers in Japan was up 4.6% year on year to 161 million.
A new tourist double-deck bus line in Kyoto City is opened to separate visitors from citizens on the local community route
A new ‘Purple Line’ of the double-deck ‘Sky Hop Bus Kyoto’ was opened in Kyoto City, connecting tourist destinations of Arashiyama, Kinkakuji Temple, Daitokuji Temple and Nijo Castle.
Hospitality Tech EXPO, a travel and hospitality tech exhibition combined with a food industry event, will be hosted on December 2 to 4 2026
Hospitality Tech EXPO,’ an exhibition of AI, DX and robot for the hospitality industry, will be held in Ariake, Tokyo on December 2 to 4 2026, integrating ‘Tourism DX Marketing EXPO’ for the tourism and hospitality industry and ‘Innovation Week for the food industry,’
