Australia Leads Visitor Surge to Japan in 2025, With JAL and ANA Boosting Flights to Meet Demand

Australia continues to lead the surge in visitor numbers to Japan, with 2025 marking a significant year for Australian tourism in the country. The rise in Australian travelers has prompted Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) to expand their flight services, ensuring more direct connections between major Australian cities and key Japanese destinations. As Australians flock to Japan’s bustling cities, serene landscapes, and historic sites, the hospitality industry is also preparing for the increase, with both international hotel chains and local accommodations ramping up to meet the growing demand. This shift highlights Japan’s continuing appeal as a top destination for Australian tourists, making it easier than ever to explore the cultural, culinary, and natural wonders of the country.

Australia Leads Visitor Surge to Japan in 2025, with Japan Airlines and ANA Increasing Capacity

Australia has become one of the leading countries around the world in international visitors to Japan in 2025, continuing positive trends of growth, and with Australians travelling to Japan in ever-increasing numbers, demands for airline and hospitality surges. In response to these trends, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are increasing the number of flights to Japan. Australians are now visiting Japan’s cities, villages, and cultural attractions in larger numbers than ever before.

Australia Leads Visitor Surge to Japan in 2025

Australia has increasingly become one of the largest groups of visitors to Japan. Reporting for the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) noted an 18.5% increase of Australians travelling to Japan, with more than 755,000 visitors arriving in September 2025, and there has been significant growth over the past year. Australia has been known for its culturally diverse cities and expansive wilderness, and visitors for Japan are looking for cultural attractions in Kyoto and more adventurous outdoor activities in Hokkaido.

Travel growth isn’t confined to more popular travel spots such as Tokyo and Osaka. Australians are increasingly venturing into Japan’s regions as well, from the historical Kanazawa to the stunning Japanese Alps. Australia’s growing interest in Japan indicates the potential for sustainable tourism development and the opportunity for the sector to offer more customized travel experiences.

The increase in the number of travelers has motivated Japanese airlines like JAL and ANA to enhance their offerings. Both airlines have launched more flights and increased the frequency of flights on the Tokyo and Osaka routes. Now, travelers have greater flexibility in trip scheduling to maximize the number of sights they can see, whether they want to spend the winter skiing in the Japanese Alps or travel to several regions for a food tour.

JAL and ANA Increasing Flights to Accommodate Customers

Responding to increases in demand, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have expanded their flight services. JAL recently announced they would be adding extra, daily flights from Melbourne to Tokyo. In contrast, ANA has expanded their winter schedule by adding flights from Perth to Tokyo. This increase in services responds to the increase in Australian tourists visiting Japan and travels to Melbourne, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.

The increase in frequency and availability of direct flights improves the experience of tourists visiting Japan. For instance, flights from Melbourne to Tokyo, which are approximately 10 hours, have extended flight options. For flights from Perth to Tokyo, which are approximately 7 hours, have extended flight options. With the pricing of flights becoming more competitive, Japan is becoming more accessible to Australian tourists.

New flight routes allow travelers more chances to interact with Japan’s regional airports. New connecting flights to Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa permit tourists to enjoy a wide range of scenery, from snowy mountains to tropical beaches, all in one trip. As airlines expand their offerings, traveling in Japan is easier than ever.

The Hospitality Industry Gears Up for More Australian Visitors

The influx of Australian visitors to Japan is transforming the hospitality industry. Accommodation sectors in tourist cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo have reported an increase in tourist volume, and this is likely to continue with the forecasted demand from overseas hospitality corporations. International chains of hotels such as Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott have announced their investments in Japan, expecting a higher volume of visitors from not only Australia, but other countries as well.

Kyoto has seen an increase in Australian tourists and new luxury accommodations and boutique hotels are responding to this demand. These hotels seek to provide experiences where one can appreciate and enjoy Japan’s rich culture and spend time in Japan’s modern facilities. One example is the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, which attempts to bridge the gap between contemporary Japanese structures and classical Japanese architecture. The hotel is an oasis, and is located in the busy portion of the city.

Kyoto is preparing for new challenges in the year 2026, one of which is the expected implementation Japan’s highest hotel tax. The expected increase in tax hotel tax will increase tax revenue from 5.2B yen to 12.6B yen. This will provide a small hotel tax increase, but will provide funds for border sustainable tourism goals. This will positively impact hotel visitors, as it will improve and preserve the city for future hotel visitors.

Updating Tourists on Hotel Taxes in Kyoto

Australian visitors should keep in mind that starting in 2026, Kyoto will be enacting a new hotel tax, which will be more complex than the single tax currently in place. This new tax will focus on the value of the beds per night in a hotel because of the beds.

Under ¥6,000 per night: ¥200 tax per person per night
¥6,000 to ¥19,999 per night: ¥400 tax per person per night
¥20,000 to ¥49,999 per night: ¥1,000 tax per person per night
¥50,000 to ¥99,999 per night: ¥4,000 tax per person per night
¥100,000 and above per night: ¥10,000 tax per person per night

For Australian visitors who will be paying the new hotel tax in a luxury hotel, they should be prepared to pay a little more than normally expected, especially in more central areas. For those who will be staying in more budget-friendly hotels, the new hotel tax will be less than expected.

This tax is expected to be used to alleviate the pressure of overtourism in Kyoto and the tax raised will go back into the city in the form of protective measures to give access to the city for future travelers.

Travel Tips for Australian Tourists Visiting Japan

The increasing number of Australian visitors in Japan leads us to provide a few insights to best enjoy their trip in Japan. Here are some travel insights and advice for tourists heading to Japan in 2025.

Book Flights as Early as Possible: As flights become more in demand due to increasing number of visitors, it become more important to purchase then as early as possible. Early bookings for flights, especially with JAL and ANA, are highly incentivized.
Explore More of Japan: Although Osaka and Tokyo are very popular, the country is filled with many other less traveled locations. Regions like Hokkaido and Okinawa have other very pleasurable weather depending on the season as well as very beautiful scenery. Flight bookings with ANA and JAL extend flights to these regions.
Hotel Tax in Kyoto: Lodging in Kyoto is also recently subjected to a hotel tax which all visitors must hold in the back of their minds as a further expense. Paying this tax will help improve the city in more sustainable and economically sound ways which is beneficial on a future visit.
Pack for the Season: Depending on the time of year and region, the weather in Japan can be wildly different. For cold weather, particularly in winter, pack for Hokkaido where you can ski. For warmer destinations, lightweight clothing is ideal for Okinawa.
Cultural Etiquette: With Japan’s heritage and culture come customs that the visitors are encouraged to observe. When going to temples and shrines, observe the dress codes and respect the silence of quiet spaces. Being polite as you travel on public transport, including Shinkansen, and not talking loudly in public are also important.
Consider Rail Passes: For travelers in Japan, the Japan Rail Pass is a good option. It covers unlimited travel on the Shinkansen as well as the rest of the country’s rail network, providing great flexibility to those who want to travel beyond the metropolitan areas.
Use Cash: It is true that bigger establishments in Japan accept credit cards, but you should expect smaller shops, restaurants, and inns to be cash only. This is especially true for rural areas. Having cash on you is a good idea, especially if you are going to be staying at a ryokan.

The Future of Australian Tourism to Japan

Australia tourists to Japan have a bright future ahead With direct flights from major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, going to Japan has never been easier. The expansion of JAL and ANA airlines and Japan’s growing domestic flights make all of Japan’s regions easy to access and explore.

The hospitality industry has also been growing to accommodate Japan’s rising tourism. Japan’s fascinating fusion of the modern and the traditional continues to motivate travelers, and with the rising number of Australians visiting Japan, tourism and hospitality growth will continue.

As the number of visitors continues to rise, there will be continued efforts to balance tourism with sustainable practices, like the new hotel tax in Kyoto. This will ensure Japan remains a premier destination to visit, and that its natural and cultural heritage will be available for we future.

Australia is leading the way in Japan’s tourism surge, with 2025 seeing a significant increase in Australian visitors. Airlines like JAL and ANA are expanding flights to accommodate the growing demand.

Wrapping up

Australia can certainly be credited with driving the tourism boom to Japan in 2025, with an unprecedented number of Australians visiting Japan. Japanese airlines and major hotel chains have also increased the frequency and range of the services they provide. Australians visiting Japan will benefit from an increased number of flights, better services to more popular and more remote tourist attractions, and more choice in accommodation. With the planned hotel tax in Kyoto, travelers should know the implications to get the most of their visit and the tax will make their visit more expensive and more enjoyable to be ont. With the increase in Japanese tourism, for Australians, there is no better time to visit. Japan is an amazing country.

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