A record 194,900 Russians visited Japan in 2025, according to data from JNTO. 🌏
That’s almost twice as many as the year before and more than 70,000 above pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Whether this figure will keep rising is still unclear. But for now, Russians are far ahead of all other countries and regions in growth rates: arrivals from Russia jumped 96.3% in 2025, compared with just 54.7% for the next fastest-growing group — travelers from the Middle East. The growth potential, it seems, is far from exhausted. 📈
Key reasons Japan is gaining popularity among Russian tourists:
📑 Visa: issued in four business days and free for Russian citizens.
💴 Exchange rate: a weaker yen alongside a stronger ruble is making trips increasingly affordable.
✈️ Transport: many convenient and relatively budget options with short or long layovers, despite the lack of direct flights. In March, another route will be added via Kazakhstan, with flights between Tokyo and Almaty twice a week.
And travelers aren’t coming only for cherry blossoms and red maples:
♨️ Winter: a chance to experience some of Japan’s best onsen (hot springs).
🏖 Summer: Okinawa’s beaches as an alternative to Turkey or the Maldives.
Original Post
Join @TranslatedRussianNews