Russian tourism in Japan has seen a significant surge in 2024, with over 64,000 visitors from Russia compared to 27,070 in the same period last year. This increase comes as Japan lifted all Covid-19 travel restrictions in April 2023, signaling a return to pre-pandemic tourism levels.
In 2019, before the pandemic, Japan welcomed a record 120,000 Russian tourists. In 2024, Japan has received almost 27 million visitors, with South Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese tourists leading the way.
Despite the tourism boost, tensions between Japan and Russia remain high due to economic sanctions imposed by Japan over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The countries are also in dispute over the Kuril Islands.
This increase in Russian tourism highlights the resilience and appeal of Japan as a top destination in East Asia, attracting visitors from around the world despite geopolitical challenges.