Kyoto Tourism Reaches Record Highs Driven by International Travelers
Published June 15, 2026
Kyoto experienced a record-breaking year in tourism, with 62.79 million visitors and 2.0474 trillion yen in spending, primarily due to longer stays by foreign tourists.
Kyoto Achieves Record Tourism Figures
Kyoto welcomed a record 62.79 million visitors last year, representing an increase of approximately 6.7 million from the previous year. Total tourism spending also reached an all-time high of 2.0474 trillion yen, as reported by News On Japan.
International Visitors Fuel Growth with Longer Stays
The surge in tourism was largely driven by foreign visitors, particularly those from Europe and the United States, who opted for longer stays in the city. Conversely, the number of Chinese tourists saw a sharp decline after November, attributed to deteriorating Japan-China relations, according to News On Japan.
Domestic Travelers Shift to Day Trips Amid Rising Costs
While international tourism boomed, domestic travelers exhibited a trend towards day trips, a shift influenced by rising prices, as noted by News On Japan.
Key Takeaways
- Kyoto saw 62.79 million visitors last year, a new record.
- Tourism spending reached a new high of 2.0474 trillion yen.
- Growth was primarily driven by longer stays from European and U.S. visitors.
- Chinese tourist numbers declined significantly after November.
- Domestic travelers favored day trips due to increasing prices.
Sources & further reading
- Kyoto Tourist Numbers Hit Record High as Foreign Visitors Stay Longer | News On Japan — newsonjapan.com (June 13, 2026)