# Foreign Tourists Spend Record Sum in Japan as Chinese Arrivals Drop

- URL: https://unnienote.app/en/news/japan-record-visitor-spending-despite-fewer-chinese-tourists-22d27f
- Published: 2026-10-23T00:17:53.067Z
- Publisher: Unnie Note

> Foreign visitors spent a record amount in Japan from January to September 2026 even as overall arrivals fell, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

## Key points

1. Total spending reached 7.0574 trillion yen, up 1.9%
2. Chinese arrivals fell 55.5% since November 2025
3. South Korean visitors rose 25.6% in September

## What happened with foreign tourism in Japan?

Foreign visitors to Japan from January to September 2026 totaled 30,732,000, down 2.9% from a year earlier, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Still, the money they spent rose to a record 7.0574 trillion yen, up 1.9%.

## Why are Chinese visitors declining?

Chinese arrivals fell 55.5% over the nine-month period. The drop followed a cooling in China-Japan relations after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November 2025 that Japan could get involved in a Taiwan contingency. Local media say the decline could push 2026 annual arrivals below last year's record of 42.68 million if the trend continues.

## How did September look?

| Country/Region | September 2026 Visitors | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 842,300 | +25.6% |
| Taiwan | 595,600 | +13.0% |
| China | 430,800 | -44.5% |
| All foreign visitors | 3,103,700 | -5.0% |

South Korea was the largest source market, and seven countries and regions including South Korea and Taiwan set record September figures.

## Why is spending holding up?

According to the report, the weak yen has made shopping and other purchases less of a burden for foreign visitors, which helped lift spending even as the number of tourists dropped.

## For international fans

The figures show that South Korean and Taiwanese travelers are a growing share of Japan's inbound tourism, a shift that is changing which destinations and shopping districts see the most demand.

## FAQ

### Why did foreign tourist spending rise even though arrivals fell?

According to the report, visitors spent more per trip, helped by a weak yen that made purchases like shopping cheaper for them.

### Which country sent the most tourists to Japan in September 2026?

South Korea sent the most, with 842,300 visitors, up 25.6% from the previous year.

## Sources

- [Yonhap News](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261021154000073)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._