Are fewer tourists going to Japan? August 2026: total down 9.6%, but Malaysians up 23% (26,000)

This week's news · Checked 2026-09-21

Short answer. Fewer in total, yes; fewer from Malaysia, no. JNTO said on 16 September 2026 that Japan received 3,098,900 foreign visitors in August 2026, down 9.6% on August 2025 (preliminary JNTO estimate). Almost all of the drop is one market: China 418,000, −59.0%. Most others grew: South Korea 850,500 (+28.7%), Taiwan 666,000 (+7.3%), Hong Kong 247,300 (+9.4%). Malaysia 26,000, +23.0%, and 421,100 for January–August (+15.9%). In Southeast Asia, Malaysia grew fastest that month; Thailand (−9.3%), the Philippines (−11.6%) and Vietnam (−7.5%) fell.

What it means for you.

• "Japan is empty now" is not accurate. 3.1 million a month is still high, and visitors from Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong are up. Kyoto and Osaka in autumn-leaves season will still be crowded.
• More Malaysians are going, so rooms for four go first. Family rooms are scarce in Japan. For the December school holidays, lock the room first, flights second. Real price comparison: [Kyoto hotels for a family of four](/kyoto-hotels-for-families-real-prices/) and the "sleep in Osaka, play in Kyoto" trick.
• These figures say nothing about hotel prices. I won't claim prices fell without data; check your own dates: rooms for 2 adults + 2 children in Osaka on Trip.com.

Affiliate links may be used; your price does not change. Source: JNTO, "Number of visitor arrivals to Japan 3,098,900 in August 2026" (English, 16 September 2026; 2026 figures are preliminary estimates). Checked 21 September 2026.