For many, the chance to escape the every day and enjoy a well-deserved break is a precious commodity. When those few precious days of leave finally arrive each year, the question of where to spend them often becomes a significant deliberation.
We weigh the options, considering what will truly offer relaxation, new experiences, or simply a change of scenery. Whether it’s a familiar favourite or the lure of somewhere entirely different, the choice reflects our desire to make the most of that valuable time off.
It’s a personal decision, often influenced by past adventures and the yearning for something more. Lately, a new destination has captured the attention of many, offering a different kind of escape altogether.
The allure of Japan’s cherry blossoms, snow-capped mountains, and neon-lit cityscapes is proving irresistible to Australian travellers, who are increasingly choosing the Land of the Rising Sun over the tropical beaches of Bali.
The latest travel trends indicate a significant shift in Australian holiday preferences, with Japan emerging as a fierce competitor to the long-favoured Indonesian island.
In 2024, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 920,000 Australian visitors, and the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) is gearing up for an even more impressive year, anticipating the arrival of over one million Australians for the first time.
This surge in interest is reflected in the search data from Booking.com, where Tokyo has claimed the top spot for Australians travelling overseas this Easter, nudging Seminyak in Bali to second place.
Expedia and Wotif’s joint April travel outlook further supported the shift in travel patterns. The outlook also ranked Tokyo as the most popular international destination based on accommodation searches, with Bali trailing behind and Osaka securing third place.
Sarah King, an Expedia travel expert, noted that the strong Australian dollar against the Yen and competitive flight deals entice more Australians to explore Japan.
‘Japan proves to be a firm favourite for Aussie travellers, ranking as the most popular international destination over the April school holidays, overtaking Bali, which has long remained at number one,’ she said.
A recent survey by Australia’s Tourism & Transport Forum also revealed that while New Zealand remains the top international destination for Australians this autumn, Japan has overtaken Indonesia, with 12 per cent of travellers planning to visit Japan.
Bali, on the other hand, has seen a decrease in popularity. It is now sitting at the fifth spot, with 8 per cent of Australian travellers setting their sights on the island.
Margy Osmond, chief executive of the Tourism & Transport Forum, attributed Japan’s growing appeal to the favourable exchange rate, which allows visitors to stretch their budget further and enjoy a range of experiences, from shopping to local dining.
However, the attraction to Japan isn’t solely financial; the country’s ability to blend ancient traditions with modern innovation captivates the Australian traveller’s imagination.
Airbnb’s data echoed this trend, with five of the top 10 trending international destinations for Easter in Japan, including Fukuoka, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Suzuka.
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s country manager for Australia, highlighted that travellers are drawn to Japan’s rich culture, cuisine, and remote destinations outside the big city centres, particularly during the cherry blossom season.
However, with the influx of tourists, Japan urges Australians to venture beyond the typical hotspots.
Destinations like Kyoto feel the strain of overtourism, and Naoki Kitazawa, executive director of JNTO’s Australia office, encouraged travellers to explore lesser-known areas.
‘We strongly encourage Australians to consider lesser-known destinations, as well as look at shoulder travel seasons, such as autumn, as well as Japan’s summer—known locally as the “green season” where the country’s rural and regional areas come into their own,’ he said.
‘Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Golden Route offer incredible experiences, but there’s so much more to discover beyond the obvious and what’s trending on social media.’
Indonesia made a similar plea in 2023, asking Australians to discover more of the country beyond Bali. Australians are heeding the call, with Expedia reporting a rise in interest in destinations across Japan, including Nagoya, Hiroshima, and Sapporo.
‘Dubbed by Expedia as “Detour Destinations”, Australian travellers (78 per cent) sit above the global average (63 per cent) when it comes to travelling further afield, keen to visit destinations beyond the usual hotspots, and this recent data proves just that,’ King said.
These ‘Detour Destinations’ offer unique attractions, from Legoland Japan in Nagoya to the World Heritage sites of Hiroshima and the natural beauty of Sapporo.
Have you been part of the travel trend to Japan, or are you planning a trip there soon? What draws you to Japan over other destinations? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: Australians are skipping Bali for THIS ‘Number One’ international holiday spot—Find out where!
