The 2025 hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season in Japan is expected to generate a staggering 1.39 trillion yen (US$9.43 billion) in economic impact nationwide, fueled by a surge in international visitors that could reach a historic high of over 25% of total tourists.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan welcomed 5.48 million international visitors in January and February 2025 alone, a remarkable 28.5% increase year-on-year, defying the traditional off-peak season. This influx of foreign travelers is set to transform the upcoming cherry blossom festivities into a record-breaking economic bonanza.
Kansai University’s Katsuhiro Miyamoto predicts that the 2025 hanami season will witness the highest ratio of overseas visitors ever recorded, with more than a quarter of all attendees hailing from abroad. This international tourism boom is already evident in the cruise industry, where inbound passengers accounted for 45% of all cherry blossom cruises along Tokyo’s Meguro River in March, up from 41% the previous year.
To cater to the high-end market, new services have emerged, such as the Sakura Ride Plan, which offers a private chauffeur-driven car around Tokyo’s blossom sites “free from rain, pollen and crowds” with champagne, priced at 56,000 yen.
The allure of Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms has also inspired international visitors to “follow the blooms” across the country, extending their economic impact beyond the traditional Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku regions. As the peak season in Tohoku and Hokkaido arrives in mid-April and late April/early May, respectively, these northern destinations are poised to reap the benefits of this extended hanami season.
With a surge in international visitors, the 2025 cherry blossom season is poised to generate a record economic impact.
