Hokkaido and Fukui among top spots for growing foreign visitor numbers

Foreign tourists are increasingly flocking to various regions of Japan, with newly released data showing significant increases in visitor numbers during the summer of 2024. An analysis conducted by NAVITIME Japan, based on data from its popular navigation app “Japan Travel by NAVITIME,” highlights several key areas where foreign visitor stays surged compared to the same period in 2023.

According to the analysis, Tobetsu Town in Hokkaido saw the largest increase in foreign visitor stays, experiencing a staggering 21-fold jump. This area attracted many visitors to Royce’ Cacao & Chocolate Town, a notable local attraction. Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture followed closely, recording a 20-fold increase. This growth is attributed to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, one of the world’s leading dinosaur museums, and Daishizan Seidaiji Temple, home to the Great Echizen Buddha. The extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line earlier this year likely played a role in boosting accessibility and drawing more tourists.

In third place is Utazu Town in Kagawa Prefecture, which saw its foreign visitor numbers increase by over eight times. The town is home to attractions such as the Lover’s Sanctuary Uchinomi Seaside Park and the Gold Tower, a 158-meter observation tower that offers views of the Seto Inland Sea. Proximity to airports with direct flights from Taiwan and South Korea has further supported this growth.

Okinawa Prefecture also made a strong showing, with several cities ranking in the top spots for increased foreign tourist stays. The prefecture has solidified its reputation as a desirable summer destination for international visitors.

On a prefectural level, Fukui, Okinawa, and Saga Prefectures saw the highest growth rates in foreign visitor stays. Fukui led the pack with a 2.80-fold increase, followed by Okinawa at 2.27 and Saga at 1.52. These results showcase Japan’s diverse appeal to tourists, who are increasingly venturing beyond the traditional hotspots.