Japan

Market Background

Japanese leisure travellers are most interested in visiting Canada between July-August (32% of travellers) and September-October (26%). 

Top factors influencing Japanese leisure travellers choice to come to Canada include the opportunity to unwind, wanting to visit friends and family, and destination safety. In general, Japanese leisure travellers are most interested in participating in nature-based experiences – hiking or waking in nature, seeing mountains or waterfalls, witnessing the northern lights, visiting nature parks, and immersing themselves in fall colours. Historical sites, culinary and city themes are also popular to combine with nature-based experiences. 

Travel agents and tour operators play a substantial role in supporting travel from Japan to Canada, with 89% of potential Japanese leisure visitors indicating that they are likely to use a travel agent to research or book a trip to Canada. 

Preference to travel fully independently on a trip to Canada has drop (27%). Guided tours/excursions, either as part of independent travel (19%) or as fully organized group tour packages via a travel agent or tour operator (19%), are also popular types of travel for Japanese leisure travellers.  

For more information on ongoing travel recovery and anticipated visitation from Japan in 2023, please refer to Destination Canada’s latest Tourism Outlook.