Japan, a tourism hot spot, is losing its passion for travel

Leave restrictions, costs and more leisure options contribute to drop in trips

20240916N Japanese departing from Haneda

The number of Japanese traveling overseas remains at around 60% of pre-COVID levels. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)

HITOMI ISHINABE, Nikkei senior staff writer

TOKYO -- Even as the influx of international tourists into Japan continues to set new records, Japanese citizens are showing a growing preference for staying home.

Travel has been a go-to recreational choice for Japanese nationals since the economic boom era. Domestic trips were the top pastime last year in terms of participation rate, according to a white paper published by the Japan Productivity Center.

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