AGP Executive Report

Inbound Travel: Japan welcomed 5% fewer foreign visitors in September than a year earlier, with arrivals down 2.9% for January–September. Yet visitor spending hit a record ¥7 trillion over the same nine months. Shopping Changes: From November, Japan will replace tax-free shopping at the point of sale with refunds, a shift retailers fear could put off big spenders. Air Links: ZIPAIR is launching a Narita–Kuala Lumpur route, while Alaska Airlines plans nonstop Seattle–Osaka service in 2027. Travel Disruption: Record rain triggered Japan’s highest-level flood warning for the Koyoshi River in Akita. A separate incident at Fukuoka Airport grounded a Japan Air Commuter flight after a snake was found beneath the cabin carpet.

Visitor Spending: Foreign visitors spent a record ¥7.06 trillion in Japan from January to September, up 1.9% year on year, even as arrivals fell 2.9%. Spending per visitor rose 6.1%, while arrivals from China dropped sharply. Weather Disruptions: Typhoon Champi may bring strong winds and dangerous waves to southern Japan, including Okinawa, with flights and ferries at risk over the weekend. Travellers should check official updates. New Air Links: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines plan nonstop Seattle–Osaka flights in 2027, adding another direct option for US visitors. Winter Demand: Korean bookings for Japan winter packages more than doubled year on year, with Shizuoka itineraries showcasing Mount Fuji, hot springs and smaller-city stops. Beyond the Main Hubs: Mie Prefecture is being promoted for wellness stays, coastal scenery and Shinto heritage—an appealing alternative for travellers seeking a quieter Japan trip.

Visitor Management: Tokyo plans fines for littering as tourist numbers hit record levels, adding pressure to keep popular districts clean. New Flights: Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines will launch nonstop Seattle–Osaka service in 2027, while Zipair has opened its first Malaysia route, linking Narita and Kuala Lumpur. Autumn Escapes: Tateyama’s Murodo Plateau is at peak fall color, with vivid alpine scenery drawing hikers in Toyama Prefecture. Beyond the Big Cities: More Singaporean visitors are exploring regional Japan, helped by expanded connections to destinations including Kagoshima, Kochi and Matsuyama. Events: Osaka Comedy Festival 2026 drew 73,658 attendees, underscoring the city’s pull as a cultural destination.

Air Links: Zipair launched daily Narita–Kuala Lumpur flights on Oct. 20, opening its first Malaysia route. Air India is also set to start nonstop Delhi–Osaka service in February. 2027 Travel Picks: Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture ranked No. 2 in Expedia’s global destinations list, with searches up 95% year on year. Access & Experiences: JR Shikoku is offering discounted return tickets to a coastal station billed as Japan’s closest to the sea, while Hikone Castle is testing a chair-carry service for visitors with disabilities. At Nijigen no Mori, new Attack on Titan photo props run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 13. Tourism Pressure: A new editorial argues Japan needs a sustainable framework for private lodgings as the industry works to balance visitor demand with local needs.

Tokyo Quirk: JR East has hired goats to graze a patch of land near Yotsuya Station, turning an urban walkway into an unexpected animal-spotting stop. Flight News: Air India plans to launch nonstop Delhi–Osaka flights on Feb. 2, adding a direct option for travelers from India. Autumn Outings: Japan has plenty of quieter day-trip ideas this fall, including the folk-house villages of the Kiso Valley. Hokkaido Appeal: The northern prefecture has again topped Japan’s most attractive prefectures ranking, for the 18th year running. Tokyo Heritage: Komaba’s calm residential streets offer a change of pace, with a 1930s aristocratic mansion and folk museums near Shimokitazawa.

Anime Attractions: Nijigen no Mori in Hyogo will sell discounted pair tickets from Nov. 1 for its daytime and nighttime Attack on Titan experiences, ahead of the collaboration’s December 13 finale. New Air Link: Air India plans to launch four weekly nonstop flights between Delhi and Osaka on Feb. 2, 2027, adding a direct option for Indian visitors to Kansai. Hokkaido Appeal: The northern island has topped Japan’s most-attractive-prefecture ranking for an 18th straight year. Beyond the Icons: A new travel feature spotlights quieter Japan, from Iwate’s urushi lacquer forests to craft villages where local traditions remain part of daily life.

Air Access: Air India will launch four weekly nonstop Delhi–Osaka flights on Feb. 2, 2027, expanding options for Indian visitors and enabling open-jaw trips between Osaka and Tokyo. Visitor Management: Kyoto’s ¥10,000 tourist tax is drawing questions about how the revenue is spent, while debate over tourists sitting on Ginza sidewalks highlights pressure on busy city areas. Hiking Safety: With bear attacks rising, Japan’s Environment Ministry advises checking sighting reports, carrying bells or other noisemakers, and hiking in groups. Family Travel: A new global ranking puts Tokyo sixth and Kyoto seventh among family-friendly holiday destinations, citing their transport and meal costs.

Travel Disruptions: Typhoon Champi is approaching Japan, with airlines canceling some flights and Guam sheltering tourists as the storm nears. Crowding and Community: Debate over tourists sitting on Ginza sidewalks highlights pressure on popular areas, while a new Pepperdine program in Kyoto aims to connect students more deeply with local residents. New Connections: Air India plans four weekly Delhi–Osaka flights from Feb. 2, 2027, adding a direct option for visitors. Family Travel: Disney has named its first cruise ship to sail from Japan the Disney Imagination, expanding family travel choices in the region.

Typhoon Watch: Champi is approaching Guam, where authorities have ordered shelter measures and airlines have cancelled flights. The storm is forecast to move north toward waters south of Okinawa around Oct. 21; travelers should check weather and airline updates. Tottori Visit: Princess Aiko toured a “Case Closed” exhibition, putting a spotlight on the prefecture’s popular detective-manga attraction. Tokyo Tourism: Visitors sitting on Ginza sidewalks have stirred debate over crowding and public-space etiquette. Travel Reminder: Short-term visitors in Japan are legally required to carry their passports; failing to show one when asked can bring a fine of up to ¥100,000. New Ways to Explore: Studio Ghibli’s illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map is available at 7-Eleven stores across Japan. Disney has also named its first Japan-based cruise ship Disney Imagination, set to sail in 2029.

Tokyo Tourism: Tourists sitting on Ginza sidewalks have sparked debate over visitor behavior in the busy shopping district. Travel Disruptions: Typhoon Champi has led to flight cancellations through Monday, including services linking Guam with Narita, Haneda, Osaka and Nagoya; check with airlines before travelling. Osaka Landmark: The Glico Running Man sign is set to go dark in December for its first change in 12 years, with a new-look sign planned. New Air Link: Air India will launch four weekly nonstop Delhi–Osaka flights in February 2027, adding another direct option for travellers to Japan. Visitor Trends: Japan’s first-half foreign arrival figures were broadly flat, but new arrivals from China fell 57%.

Air Links: Air India will launch four weekly nonstop Delhi–Osaka flights on Feb. 2, 2027, becoming the only carrier on the route and adding a direct option for Indian travelers. Visitor Trends: Foreign arrivals to Japan were flat in the first half of the year, but new arrivals from China fell 57%—a shift to watch for tourism businesses and popular destinations. Osaka Landmark: The Glico Running Man sign is set to go dark in December for its first major change in 12 years, ahead of a makeover in 2027. Culture & Sightseeing: Studio Ghibli’s illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map is available at 7-Eleven stores across Japan, offering fans a new way to explore the city. Kyoto is also drawing attention to how its tourist levy, which can reach ¥10,000, is being spent. Travel Safety: As bear encounters rise, Japan is turning to AI, four-legged robots and pepper-spraying drones to help manage the risk.

Air Links: Air India will launch four weekly nonstop Delhi–Osaka flights in February 2027, adding a direct route between the cities. Travel Safety: Bear attacks are rising in Japan: 238 people were injured and 13 killed in fiscal 2025. Authorities are turning to AI alerts, patrol robots and drones; visitors in rural areas should follow local warnings. Tokyo Events: Ikebukuro’s Halloween Cosplay Festival runs October 30 to November 1, with more than 20,000 cosplayers expected. Anime Attractions: Awaji’s Attack on Titan event begins its final countdown on November 1, with special campaigns running through December 13. New Stay: NOHGA Shinjuku Gyoen is set to open in July 2027, with reservations now available and garden views from every room.

Air Links: Air India plans four weekly Delhi–Osaka flights from Feb. 2, 2027, becoming the only carrier on the route and adding a direct option for Indian travelers. Osaka Landmark: The Glico Running Man sign in Dotonbori will go dark for renovation on Dec. 1, with its updated design set to debut in spring 2027. Visitor Demand: Australians made 989,240 trips to Japan in the year to August, up 8.1%, putting the country close to the one-million mark. Cruise News: Disney has named its first Japan-based cruise ship Disney Imagination, adding a new family travel option.

Weather Watch: Japan is bracing for Typhoon No. 30, with a cold front bringing severe storms. Travelers should check local forecasts and transport updates. Air Links: Air India will launch four weekly nonstop Delhi–Osaka flights on Feb. 2, 2027, using Boeing 787-8s and adding a direct route to Kansai. Cruise Travel: Disney’s first cruise ship based in Japan, Disney Imagination, is set to sail in 2029, creating a new option for family trips. Culture Trips: A new Studio Ghibli stamp rally with exclusive merchandise is set to give anime fans another reason to explore Japan.

Weather Watch: Japan is bracing for Typhoon No. 30, with a cold front expected to bring severe storms that could disrupt travel. Cruise News: Oriental Land has named its 2029 Disney ship Disney Imagination. It will offer trips as short as two nights, targeting busy families and travelers seeking more affordable getaways. Air Links: JAL plans to order up to 26 Embraer E190-E2 jets to renew its regional fleet, while Emirates has opened a travel store in Tokyo and plans to increase flights to Japan. Visitor Pressure: Crowds and tourism-related friction are drawing attention in Tokyo, including foreign visitors sitting on Ginza sidewalks and thousands of suitcases left at airports. New Ways to Explore: A volcanic crater lake in eastern Japan has reopened after eight years and is already attracting crowds, as interest grows in local culture, nature and destinations beyond major cities.

Cruise Travel: Japan’s first Disney cruise ship, Disney Imagination, is set to begin sailing from Tokyo in spring 2029, opening a new option for visitors seeking a Disney holiday at sea. Regional Connections: Japan Airlines has ordered 16 Embraer E190-E2 jets, with options for 10 more, to replace regional aircraft and support domestic routes from Osaka starting in fiscal 2029. Where Travelers Are Looking: Expedia’s 2027 trends report puts Hyogo among the fastest-rising destinations, with searches up 95% year on year. New Stays: Hyatt Centric has opened a 216-room hotel in Sapporo, while Oita Prefecture plans to introduce a lodging tax in June 2027. Fresh Reasons to Visit: A volcanic crater lake in eastern Japan is drawing crowds after reopening following an eight-year closure; Shurijo Castle’s rebuilt main hall in Okinawa is due to open November 23. Japan has also been named the world’s top travel destination for a fourth consecutive year in a reader poll.