Published: 17.10.2024
Updated: 17.10.2024
3 min read

Why Japan is proving a strong rival to Bali and Indonesia for travel-hungry Australians

‘It’s a clear sign that Australians are looking for more than just a getaway’.
Perth mum Melissa Anderson, husband Nathan and their children Riley, 13, and Brandon, 11, visited Japan in October.

Why Japan is proving a strong rival to Bali and Indonesia for travel-hungry Australians

‘It’s a clear sign that Australians are looking for more than just a getaway’.

Indonesia — including Bali— has retained its title as Australia’s most popular holiday hotspot — but another country famed for its culinary options, stunning natural wonders and big city adventures is proving just the antidote for a growing number of people bitten by the travel bug.

Close to 730,000 Australians visited Japan in the 12 months to August, double the number from 12 months prior, according to a new report by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA).

Travel figures show Australians are throwing themselves at international opportunities that were closed off during COVID-19 border restrictions, and the association says our growing love affair with the East Asian country is a sign we are hungry for new destinations and experiences.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Download today

“The incredible 30.4 per cent year-on-year rise in travel to Indonesia, our top overseas destination, shows how much demand for international travel has skyrocketed,” ATIA chief executive Dean Long said.

“But it’s the growth in new and emerging markets that really tell the story of 2024.

“The 103.4 per cent surge in travel to Japan is a clear sign that Australians are looking for more than just a getaway — they’re seeking cultural immersion and unique experiences.”

Long said there has been a shift towards “more adventurous and diversified travel”, with Thailand and Vietnam growing by 20.2 per cent and 40.1 per cent, respectively.

Japan is a “country of contrast”, mixing longstanding tradition and modernity, ANU Australia-Japan Research Centre director Shiro Armstrong told 7NEWS.com.au.

He said the country’s weak yen and 25 years of deflation made it affordable for families juggling soaring costs back home.

And a combination of other factors — safety, cleanliness, a smooth-running public transport system, food options, big cities and smaller, older towns — means Australians are increasingly comfortable exploring a country that is “very different culturally”.

“Many Australians were choosing Japan for its skiing and snowboarding seasons, but now it’s all year round with more flights being put on,” he said.

“You hear stories that flights are being filled quickly.”

Mt Fuji and the Tokyo skyline.
Mt Fuji and the Tokyo skyline. Credit: Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty Images
Cherry blossom, or sakura, time at Himeji Castle, which is the largest and most visited castle in Japan.
Cherry blossom, or sakura, time at Himeji Castle, which is the largest and most visited castle in Japan. Credit: John W. Banagan/Getty Images

Perth mother Melissa Anderson travelled to Japan earlier this month with husband Nathan and her two sons.

Originally planning a holiday to Hawaii, she was swayed into visiting the Land of the Rising Sun by “how much there was for us to do as a family” and the chance for her boys to experience a different culture.

Anderson said Riley, aged 13, and Brandon, 11, were inspired to try things they would not usually do and soaked up countless new experiences.

They stayed in Osaka and Tokyo over two weeks, checking out theme parks, arcades, local restaurants and architecture and famous landmarks including Osaka Castle, Bamboo Forest and Nara Park.

They rode a bullet train and attended Shinagawa Aquarium, Tokyo Sky Tree, Disneyland and much more — saying they barely scratched the surface.

Anderson said the country had an undeniable wow-factor.

“Everything is inspiring, everything is decorative and on show, Every part of the city is like a theme park in the street,” she said.

Importantly while overseas, she said she felt “safe” and “that my kids were safe”.

Perth mum Melissa Anderson, husband Nathan and their children Riley, 13, and Brandon, 11, visited Japan in October.
Perth mum Melissa Anderson, husband Nathan and their children Riley, 13, and Brandon, 11, visited Japan in October. Credit: Melissa Anderson

The ATIA report reinforced the popularity of perennial favourite tourist destinations New Zealand and the US, which recorded travel growth rates of 10 per cent and 16.7 per cent respectively.

“Australians have a renewed confidence in international travel, and they’re eager to explore both near and far-flung destinations,” Long said.

“Whether it’s the lure of vibrant cities, natural landscapes or cultural attractions, Australians are travelling more frequently and to a wider range of destinations than we’ve seen in recent years.

“This strong momentum in outbound travel reflects a significant mindset shift compared to this time last year.”

Those comments are supported by figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing Australians left our shores on 1.69 million occasions in August compared with the 1.52 million overseas trips 12 months prior.

In August 2022, less than one million people left our shores and the figures were basically rock bottom during COVID border restrictions in 2020 and 2021.

Long said the travel momentum — which includes growth in business travel and visits to friends and family — was not a short-term rebound.

“It’s a long-term trend that shows Australians are eager to make up for lost time,” he said.

Stream free on

7plus logo
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top