Toronto, February 2, 2026 - The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is proud to announce another landmark year for Japanese tourism. Newly released statistics confirm that 2025 set multiple records, with total Canadian arrivals surpassing 688,000, an impressive 18% increase over 2024’s 579,445 visitors. Globally, Japan welcomed approximately 42.7 million inbound travellers, a 16% rise over the previous year, marking a second consecutive all-time high.
“We are deeply appreciative that so many travellers chose Japan last year,” said Ms. Yuka Suzuki, Executive Director of the JNTO Toronto office. “Canadian travellers have long connected with Japan’s rich cultural experiences and we were thrilled to see such strong enthusiasm from this market. We will continue to shine a spotlight on the country’s many rural treasures in the year to come.”
Visitor spending also reached new heights, exceeding 84 billion CAD, solidifying inbound tourism as Japan’s second-largest export industry, following automobiles. This momentum reflects the success of the national tourism strategy which Japan introduced in March 2023, which focuses on three key pillars: sustainable tourism, enhanced accessibility, and greater regional dispersal. Through close collaboration with partner agencies, JNTO has helped surpass government targets for travel spending and overnight stays. With regional tourism playing an increasingly vital role in balanced national growth, Japan aims to welcome 60 million inbound visitors by 2030.
Amidst the boom in visitor numbers, relations between Japan and the Canadian market continue to grow. In December 2026, Air Canada will launch its first-ever non-stop service to Sapporo, Hokkaido, offering Canadian travellers direct access to world-class winter sports, vibrant festivals, renowned seafood and ramen, and the iconic beer that shares the city’s name. The thrice-weekly service will operate from Vancouver (YVR) through March 2027.
You can learn more about travelling to Japan at https://www.japan.travel/en/ca/.
