Foreign arrivals to Japan achieved a record-breaking 3,908,900 visitors in April 2025, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). This represents an all-time monthly high and a 28.5 percent increase from April 2024.
American travelers have shown exceptional interest, with visits increasing by 43 percent compared to April 2024. The period from January to April 2025 has already seen more than one million U.S. visitors to Japan. Building on this momentum, JNTO now seeks to direct travelers beyond major cities toward less-traveled regions with distinctive experiences.
Events are Big in Japan
EXPO 2025 in Osaka has drawn nearly five million visitors since opening on April 13. The event will continue through Oct. 13, 2025, offering access to cutting-edge technologies and cultural presentations from 158 participating nations. The EXPO’s central theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” guides exhibitors in creating experiences where visitors can envision future societies. The Japan Pavilion features a circular structure that embodies the cycle of life, with numerous wooden planks connecting the exterior and interior spaces. This design element relates to the pavilion’s theme of “Between Lives,” exploring connections between nature and aesthetic sensibility.
Various private sector pavilions add to the EXPO’s diversity. The Panasonic Group presents “NOMO NO KUNI,” helping younger visitors discover hidden potential, while the Mitsubishi Pavilion centers on “Keeping the world vibrant.” YOSHIMOTO KOGYO HOLDINGS focuses on laughter as a universal language through their “Waraii Myraii” concept, seeking to connect children across national borders.
Running concurrently, the Setouchi Triennale offers a different cultural experience. This premier contemporary art festival is open over 100 days, from Nov. 9, 2025, to Jan. 8, 2026, across multiple islands in the Seto Inland Sea. The extended timeframe allows visitors to appreciate the Setouchi region during spring, summer, and fall seasons.
For more information, visit japan.travel.Â
