Summary: Chinese tourism to Japan fell by roughly 60% during the 2026 Lunar New Year period, largely because of rising diplomatic tensions and Chinese government travel advisories, delivering a significant blow to hotels, retail, transport and duty-free spending in major Japanese cities.

Chinese tourism to Japan fell by about 60% during the 2026 Lunar New Year, one of Asia’s busiest travel seasons. The drop has been linked mainly to escalating diplomatic disputes between China and Japan and to travel warnings issued by Chinese authorities, and local tourism businesses in cities such as Tokyo and Fukuoka report sharp declines in bookings and visitor numbers.

Diplomatic Tensions and Official Advisories

Industry observers attribute the severe reduction primarily to the recent strain in China–Japan relations. As political disputes intensified in the months leading up to the Lunar New Year, Chinese authorities issued travel advisories advising caution for trips to Japan. Those advisories appear to have discouraged many potential travelers during a period that normally draws large outbound numbers from China.

How Major Destinations Were Affected

Cities that have traditionally benefited from proximity to China and high volumes of group travel reported the most visible impact. Fukuoka, long a popular short-haul option for Chinese tourists, saw a marked fall in organized tour groups and a lower-than-expected visitor count. Tokyo, Kyoto and other tourist hubs likewise recorded fewer advance reservations and lower footfall across tourist precincts.

  • Group tour bookings: Significant reductions across key cities
  • Hotels: Lower occupancy rates in Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka
  • Retail and duty-free: Noticeable drop in spending by typical Chinese shoppers
  • Transport: Fewer long-distance train and flight bookings

Retailers dependent on tourists reported weakened sales, with duty-free outlets particularly affected because Chinese visitors have historically been among their largest customers. Smaller local businesses that rely on tourist traffic have also felt the downturn.

Empty or less crowded shopping street in a major Japanese city during Lunar New Year, reflecting lower Chinese tourist numbers
Reduced visitor numbers in shopping districts and tourist areas during the 2026 Lunar New Year period

Economic Effects Across the Travel Sector

The hospitality industry is seeing weaker occupancy in peak-season windows that would normally be filled by international guests. Airlines and rail operators have reported fewer bookings on routes that usually attract Chinese travellers, and businesses that sell luxury goods and cosmetics are anticipating revenue shortfalls tied to the decline in tourist spending.

  • Hotels face increased vacancy during peak season
  • Duty-free and luxury retail expect lower takings
  • Transport providers see softer demand on China–Japan routes

Wider Trends and Potential Recovery Paths

The slump highlights how geopolitical frictions and government advisories can quickly reshape travel flows, particularly during high-demand periods. Industry sources say Japan’s reliance on the Chinese market exposed the sector to concentrated risk, and that recovery will likely require diplomatic easing as well as targeted efforts to broaden source markets.

Some experts recommend diversifying marketing toward other countries and investing in products that attract a wider range of international visitors, while policymakers may need to pursue steps to rebuild confidence between governments to restore previous travel levels.

Why this matters: For travelers and tourism businesses, the decline underlines how political developments and official travel advisories can directly affect destination choices, availability and prices. Travelers should monitor advisories and consider flexibility in plans; industry stakeholders should accelerate diversification to reduce dependence on any single source market.