Japan continues to break tourism records and Malaysians are playing a bigger role than ever in that surge.
According to Japan National Tourism Organization preliminary figures, over 636,600 Malaysians visited Japan in 2025, marking a 25.6 percent increase compared to 2024.
This places Malaysia among Japan’s fastest growing tourist source markets for the year.
In December 2025 alone, 100,600 Malaysians traveled to Japan, a sharp jump of 40.4 percent compared to December 2024.
The steady growth reflects how Japan remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for Malaysians, especially during winter, shopping seasons, and year end school breaks.
Japan sees record breaking tourism year
According to Zaobao, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that total visitor arrivals in December 2025 hit a historic high, closing the year with an estimated 42.7 million international visitors.
This is the first time Japan has surpassed the 40 million annual tourist mark.
However, not every market saw growth.
Chinese tourist arrivals in December dropped by over 45 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
Reports suggest this decline follows diplomatic tensions after Japanese political statements regarding regional security issues, which prompted Beijing to advise its citizens to avoid travel to Japan in recent months.
Despite this, overall international arrivals remained strong, driven by other Asian markets and long haul travelers.
Strong ringgit makes Japan more affordable for Malaysians
From a Malaysian perspective, one key factor behind the travel boom is the strengthening ringgit against the Japanese yen throughout 2025.
With a stronger currency, accommodation, shopping, food, and transport in Japan became noticeably more affordable for Malaysians.
Travel agencies in Malaysia have also reported higher demand for Japan tour packages, especially for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and smaller countryside towns that went viral on social media.
Direct flight availability between Malaysia and Japan has further supported the growth, with multiple daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and Penang to major Japanese cities.
Malaysians continue choosing Japan for holiday trips
The latest figures confirm a trend many Malaysians already feel on the ground.
Japan has become a repeat travel destination, not just a once in a lifetime trip.
From winter snow experiences to anime themed attractions, halal friendly dining options, and efficient public transport, Japan offers a travel style that appeals strongly to Malaysian tourists.
If the ringgit remains stable and flight capacity continues expanding, tourism analysts expect Malaysian visitor numbers to Japan to grow further in 2026.
