Foreign tourists in Japan spending more on experiences: white paper

Per-visitor consumption jumps 30% on higher entertainment ticket sales

Foreign tourists in Japan are spending more on such activities as watching sports or visiting museums. (Photo by Shogo Tamura)

HIROFUMI KANAOKA, Nikkei staff writer

June 19, 2024 05:50 JST

TOKYO -- International travelers to Japan are growing more interested in spending on experiences, such as visiting theme parks and museums, giving rural areas the potential to lure more visitors with special tours, the government says in its latest annual white paper on tourism.

With inbound travelers resurging from 2022, spending per tourist rose to 204,000 yen (about $1,300 at current rates) in 2023 -- up 31% from the 155,000 yen in 2019. The 2024 report was published Tuesday.