Photo/Illutration Skiers enjoy the slopes on Dec. 7 at a popular resort in Kutchan, western Hokkaido, which attracts many international visitors. (Takayuki Kakuno)

Spending by foreign visitors in Japan reached 8.13 trillion yen ($51.69 billion) in 2024, a 53.4 percent increase from the previous year, surpassing the 8 trillion yen mark for the first time, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

The number of visitors to the country also reached an all-time high, increasing by 47.1 percent from 2023 to 36,869,900 visitors.

According to preliminary figures released on Jan. 15, spending by international tourists in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased by 37.3 percent compared to the same period the year before, totaling 2.31 trillion yen.

The figure surged by 90.5 percent compared to the same period in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Chinese visitors spent the most, with 21.3 percent of the total spending, followed by visitors from Taiwan, South Korea and the United States.

Compared to 2019, the proportion of Chinese tourists decreased by 15 percentage points, while the proportions of visitors from Western and Southeast Asian countries increased.

On average, each inbound visitor spent 227,000 yen during their trip. The strong consumption was driven by the weak yen, as well as rising accommodation costs.

In addition to shopping, tourists also spent more on entertainment and leisure activities, including theme parks and ski resorts.