South Korea has surpassed China, Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Australia and the Philippines to become Japan’s largest source of inbound tourists, contributing to a record-breaking milestone in the country’s travel sector.

Newly released figures show that visitor numbers from South Korea climbed sharply in recent months, outpacing other major markets and helping Japan achieve its highest ever level of foreign arrivals for the period measured.

The surge reflects robust flight connectivity, favourable exchange rates and strong demand for short-haul leisure travel.

Tourism authorities reported that overall inbound arrivals have exceeded previous benchmarks set before the pandemic, marking a decisive recovery for one of Asia’s most important travel destinations.

South Korean travellers accounted for the largest share of visitors, followed by tourists from Greater China, Southeast Asia and North America.

Industry analysts attribute the momentum to expanded airline capacity between major Korean and Japanese cities, simplified entry procedures and sustained promotional campaigns targeting repeat travellers.

Short city breaks, shopping tourism and seasonal cultural attractions have remained particularly popular among Korean visitors.

The shift in visitor rankings underscores evolving travel patterns in the region.

While China had historically been Japan’s dominant source market, slower outbound recovery and capacity constraints have allowed South Korea to take the lead.

Japanese tourism officials described the development as a milestone that demonstrates the sector’s resilience and growing regional integration.

With additional route expansions planned and continued demand from neighbouring economies, authorities expect inbound figures to remain strong through the remainder of the year.

The record performance strengthens Japan’s position as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations, with regional travel flows playing an increasingly central role in shaping its tourism landscape.