JAPAN TODAY


 

Overseas travel from Japan is projected to continue rising in 2026, albeit at a slower pace due to the weak yen, with nearby Asian destinations favored as more affordable, according to a recent survey by major travel agency JTB Corp.

Meanwhile, the number of domestic trips is expected to decrease slightly as rising accommodation costs and inflation increase travel expenses, falling 2.2 percent from the previous year to 307 million.

The recovery of overseas travel from the effects of the pandemic is slowing due to the yen's weakness against the U.S. dollar.

Although the number of trips abroad is expected to increase by 2.6 percent, reaching 15.5 million, the figure is still just under 80 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019.

Furthermore, the expected growth is significantly smaller than the estimated 16.1 percent rise in 2025.

According to the survey, which has been conducted annually since 1981, average overseas travel spending is projected to rise 4.5 percent to 317,200 yen -- more than 30 percent higher than before the pandemic.

South Korea is the most popular overseas destination among respondents, followed by Taiwan, Europe, Hawaii and Southeast Asia.

"As travelers become accustomed to the weak yen, we are beginning to see a recovery in medium- to long-haul destinations," a JTB official said.
Meanwhile, average spending per domestic traveler is expected to increase 2.9 percent to 52,900 yen amid higher prices.

Around a quarter of respondents said they would not travel domestically in 2026, while 77 percent said they had no plans to go abroad, citing reasons such as high costs.

The online survey conducted in late November analyzed the travel intentions of people planning trips of at least one night in 2026. It targeted individuals aged between 15 and 79, and received valid responses from 2,067.