'Significant, but not catastrophic': A fall in Chinese visitors barely dents tourism numbers to Japan

After living in Tokyo for over a year, Karin Nordin noticed something peculiar. The hot spring towns of Kusatsu and Zao — normally packed with Chinese tourists — had thinned. "We have seen less mainland Chinese tourists in Tokyo," the 33-year-old Malaysian told CNBC after returning from Japan in early 2026. Hotel prices in tourist areas appear to have stabilized and no longer spike during holidays observed by mainland China, unlike previous years. Nordin's experience is representative of Japan's wider tourism landscape, which saw Chinese tourists stay away from Asia's third largest economy amid a diplomatic spat that started last November over comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi . Data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation revealed that the number of arrivals from mainland China plunged over 60% year on year in January, but overall tourist numbers were just down 4.9% year on year. In December, the number of Chinese tourists plunged 43.3% , but the overall number of tourist arrivals from all countries climbed 3.7%. Before November, mainland Chinese tourists were one of the largest groups heading to Japan. Tourists from elsewhere Where are these other tourists coming from? JNTO numbers suggest that more tourists are coming from South Korea and Taiwan — in January alone, South Korean tourist arrivals rose 21.6%, surpassing mainland China as the largest source of overseas visitors. There were almost twice as many visitors from Taiwan than from China in January, with arrivals from Taiwan up 17%. TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 05: Tourists and shoppers walk through the Tsukiji shopping area on February 5, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. Tomohiro Ohsumi | Getty Images News | Getty Images Japan's appeal to people visiting from nearby countries lies in strong short‑haul flight links, the weak yen, and its reputation as a destination that is close, culturally familiar, and safe, said Zilmiyah Kamble, senior lecturer in hospitality and tourism management at James Coo...