Record Number of Indian Tourists Visit Japan in April 2025, Marking a Blossoming Friendship

New Delhi May 21, 2025

April in Japan is a season painted in delicate shades of pink and white. It's when cherry blossoms—sakura—blanket parks, riversides, and ancient temples, drawing millions of tourists from around the globe. This year, Indian tourists in Japan arrived in record numbers, turning their dream of experiencing cherry blossom season in Japan into reality.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), an estimated 37,300 Indian travelers visited Japan in April 2025, the highest ever recorded for any April, and the highest in a single month for India-Japan tourism to date. The announcement came via a press release issued on May 21, reflecting growing enthusiasm among Indian tourists for Japan travel during spring. “This number marks a significant milestone and is a clear indication of the deepening interest Indians have in Japan as a travel destination,” informed JNTO Delhi Office.

The surge coincides not only with the peak Sakura season, which holds a magical allure for travelers across generations, but also with the spring holiday period in India, making April a sweet spot for travel from India to Japan.

A New Chapter in People-to-People Ties

The Embassy of Japan in India welcomed the news, expressing hope that more Indian travelers will explore Japan in the years ahead. The rise in India-Japan tourism is seen as a vital bridge in strengthening India-Japan relations—not just commercial, but culturally.

April Breaks All-Time Record for Foreign Visitors

It wasn’t just India. Japan’s tourism statistics show total international tourist arrivals reached 3.9 million in April, breaking the country’s all-time monthly record. That figure reflects a 28.5% increase compared to the same month last year, and it is the first time the country has crossed the 3.9 million visitor threshold in a single month.

This boom was driven by strong demand from markets across East Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia, coinciding with both the cherry blossom season in Japan and the Easter holiday travel rush. Ten markets including Canada and the UK posted new monthly records, while eleven others such as South Korea, China, and Singapore saw their best-ever April.

Tourism with a Purpose

The upswing aligns with Japan’s Fourth Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan, launched in March 2023. With a focus on sustainable tourism in Japan, increasing travel spending, and encouraging regional tourism in Japan, the plan aims to expand Japan’s tourism appeal beyond major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

To reach these goals, Japan is strategically analyzing market trends, adjusting its outreach efforts, and ensuring tourists enjoy not just popular landmarks but lesser-known gems across the country. These efforts are especially important as travel from India to Japan increases steadily.

Looking Ahead

From ancient shrines and bustling cities to serene countryside towns, Japan offers a rare blend of tradition and modernity. For Indian travelers, it’s a destination that feels both deeply foreign and strikingly familiar—offering vegetarian food, spiritual sites, and unmatched hospitality.

If April 2025 is any indication, Japan’s cherry blossom season is now firmly on the Indian tourist calendar, and the relationship between the two nations is only expected to grow 'One Flight, One Experience, and One Sakura petal at a time".