The last two years of data show a 40% spike from 2023 to 2025 in Indians travelling to Japan.
Many travel agencies also reported high bookings. Dimaak Tours is confirming a sharp rise in Japan-bound bookings.
Trends and experiences drive the surge in travellers. Millennials and Gen Z are looking for something new and more meaningful than the usual sightseeing trips. Japan now attracts everyone not just with its typical Tokyo, but with the unique cultures of every city and small village.
Srivathsan GK, Dimaak Tour’s CEO, says why Indians are showing interest in Japan.
“Japan was once seen as a distant dream, but it is now as affordable as a trip to the Maldives, with the yen weakening. Along with social media fueling FOMO, highlighting Japan’s attractions, and more direct flights from Indian cities, Japan is becoming a top choice for Indian travellers”.
He adds:
“Our customers come to us with good destination knowledge. They ask for romantic snow villages, a private onsen, and a premium honeymoon without European prices. We guide them, give suggestions and make their dream come true.
Japan was not in our list of destinations. Back in 2024, we saw the rise, and by 2025, Japan was our customers’ favourite destination. In September 2025, we organised group tours, which received positive feedback.
In response to high customer demand, we are organising group tours for 2026. The February tour focuses on Shirakawa-go, the famous show village, March for cherry blossom and April exclusively for Indians with a school vacation time.”
Affordable visa sets the record growth in Indians preferring Japan
VFS Global provides straightforward assistance in India. The process takes 5 – 6 days with only 1,250 INR for visa and VFS fee.
Meanwhile, for European or Schengen, it takes 15 days to receive a visa and the cost can be anywhere around 15,000 INR.
This easy visa process and cost leading to more Indians choosing Japan.
Anime Craze Fuels Indian Travelling to Japan
Japanese pop culture is making a big splash among young Indian travellers. Popular shows like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Naruto are now widely available in India.
For fans, there’s a genuine excitement about seeing the places from their favourite anime shows in real life and clicking a picture of them in that exact spot.
In Japan, this trend of visiting anime spots is called “Seichi Junrei”(pilgrimage to sacred places).
The heartwarming 2016 movie, Your Name, was the pilgrimage trend in 2025. Many fans and influencers visited Tokyo to see the famous staircase featured in the movie, took photos, and posted on social media.
What began as a fun hobby has become a fast-growing travel trend in India.
Exploring Japan beyond the usual cities
Most Indian tourists stick to well-known destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. But JNTO wants visitors to see more of the country. Places like Hokkaido are famous for snowy winters and beautiful flower fields, Tohoku glows with bright autumn colours, and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route offers the impressive “Snow Wall.”
Japan’s changing seasons are drawing more visitors than ever
Spring brings famous cherry blossoms, while autumn is known for its colourful leaves. Winter turns places like Hokkaido into a snowy paradise, and summer is packed with lively festivals. Because of these seasonal changes, many people want to return to Japan to experience it all.
Even though February is typically a slower month, in 2025, visitor volume jumped 29% compared with last year, which is surprising given that it is a winter month.
The role of specialised travel services comes in
Travel companies are noticing the rise of standard group tours and are offering more customised trips. Companies focusing on real experiences, local culture, and flexible plans.
This approach is gaining popularity among honeymooners who want more than just the usual romantic spots. They’re choosing personalised Japan honeymoon packages.
These travel services give complete freedom to tailor their trip to their liking, including private cherry-blossom picnics, stays at traditional inns, and other unique experiences that let them explore Japanese culture.
Easy accessibility lets Indians visit Japan to explore the culinary
Japan is now easier to reach than before, with direct flights from major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Travel costs are also falling. The Japanese yen has weakened against the Indian rupee, making travel to Japan more affordable for Indians.
This makes it convenient for Indians to visit Japan in person rather than through anime.
Imagine an easy, short trip to Japan that lets you dine on world-famous cuisine. We know there has been a rise in Japanese restaurants in India, with a 5% increase by 2023. But people are chasing authentic cultural experiences and are willing to pay for that.
Japan offers everything from fancy kaiseki meals to quick street ramen, mochi, sushi, and matcha desserts, all available on every corner. This attracts thousands of Indians to Japan every month.
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