Travel Trends for the Year-End and New Year Holiday Season in Japan

Year-End New Year Travel Trends in Japan: December 20, 2025 - January 5, 2026

As we approach the year-end and New Year period of 2025, JTB has released its projections for the travel behaviors reflected among those planning trips of one night or more. Based on surveys, economic trends, and tourism-related data collected since 1969, this analysis highlights what to expect during this holiday season.

Notable Changes for 2025

This year, the observation period has shifted from the previous December 23 - January 3 to the new December 20 - January 5 timeframe, aligning with current trends in travel behavior. With over 39.87 million travelers expected, representing a 102.5% increase from the previous year, the anticipated total travel expenditure is approximately 1.9858 trillion yen, which marks an increase of 108.4%.

Domestic Travel Trends

Domestic travel continues to thrive, with around 38.86 million people expected to travel within Japan, a slight increase of 102.0% from the last year. The average spending per trip is estimated to be 44,000 yen, 102.3% higher than in the previous year, contributing to a total domestic travel expenditure of 1.7099 trillion yen.

Families are at the core of this year's travel intentions, with popular trends centering on short-distance travel, primarily through car travel, to enjoy natural surroundings, gourmet experiences, and relaxing hot springs. The focus on spending time with family is expected to increase as people seek to unwind and appreciate leisure activities related to nature and culinary delights.

Overseas Travel Insights

International travel is projected to draw about one million travelers this holiday season — a significant surge of 131.5% from 2024. Average spending for overseas travel is projected at 275,000 yen, making it the highest recorded since the early 2000s. Total spending on overseas trips is expected to hit 275.8 billion yen, reflecting a dramatic 142.9% rise compared to last year.

The popularity of distance travel is evident, with longer stays now more common, especially with the allure of destinations like Hawaii and Europe, leading to a rising average trip cost.

Factors Influencing Travel Choices

Calendar Considerations

The 2025 calendar presents various opportunities for extended travel. With January 1-3 being public holidays and the weekends adjacent to these dates, those on leave from December 29-31 are positioned for a potential nine-day vacation, facilitating travel increases.

Surveys reveal that 25.1% of respondents plan to travel this season, marking a 2.4-point increase from last year. The intent for year-end travel appears strongest among younger demographics. Interestingly, those opting for trips outside the traditional New Year days (Dec 20-31 or Jan 6-31) indicates a broader trend of traveling both before and after the holiday break.