Osaka Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 11 November 2025

In Osaka, Japan’s bustling metropolis, visitors can discover historic sites such as Osaka Castle, savour street food in Dotonbori, and enjoy exciting attractions at Universal Studios Japan.

How many people visit Osaka each year?

Over 14 million international tourists visit Osaka each year.¹

• In 2019, Osaka welcomed 12.31 million international visitors, marking the highest number recorded before the pandemic.

• When the pandemic began in 2020, the number of visits dropped by 83% to 2.1 million.

• By 2021, Osaka had experienced a further 87% decrease in international tourists, with just 270,000 visitors.

• Inbound tourism began to recover with 1.8 million visitors in 2022 and surged to 9.86 million in 2023 (80% of 2019 levels).

• 2024 marked a complete recovery with 14.58 million visitors, exceeding 2019 by 18%.

How many people visited Osaka in 2025?

• In the first quarter of 2025, Osaka welcomed 4.17 million international visitors, representing a 35% year-over-year increase and averaging 46,300 visitors per day.

How many people visited Osaka in 2024?

• Osaka welcomed a total of 14.58 million international visitors in 2024. This represented a 48% increase from 2023 and an 18% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.

How much do tourists spend in Osaka every year?

Tourism in Osaka generates over ¥1 trillion in revenue each year.

• In 2024, tourism generated approximately ¥1.1 trillion in revenue, representing 12% growth from 2023.

• Annual revenue reached ¥980 billion in 2023, a recovery from pandemic lows, with ¥400 billion in 2022.

• Before the pandemic, ¥804 billion in revenue was generated in 2019, which dropped to approximately ¥275 billion in 2020 and approximately ¥112 billion in 2021 during the pandemic.

How much does Osaka make from tourism in 2024?

• Osaka generates over ¥1.1 trillion annually from total tourism (both international and domestic) in 2024, making it Japan’s second-highest earning prefecture for tourism revenue after Tokyo.

How much does it cost to visit Osaka?

Tourists spent an average of ¥100,500 ($680) per trip. This estimate reflects the island’s strong tourism recovery and rising spending trends following record visitor arrivals.

• Domestic visitors: The average expenditure per domestic traveler was around ¥95,000 ($640) per trip, typically covering 3 to 3.5 nights of accommodation, dining, local transportation, and activities, averaging about ¥30,000 per day.

• International visitors: Overseas tourists spent approximately ¥105,000 ($710) per trip, staying an average of 4 to 5 nights and spending about ¥22,000 per day on lodging, sightseeing, and shopping.

Which countries visit Osaka the most?

The leading sources of foreign tourists to Osaka are China, followed by South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Hong Kong.

• In 2024, China was the top source of international visitors to Osaka, accounting for 5.8 million visits with 40% of the market share.

• South Korea contributed approximately 22%, with 3.2 million tourists.

• Taiwan accounted for 1.8 million international visits with a market share of 12%.

• The United States contributed 1.2 million visitors with 8% market share.

• Hong Kong provided 900,000 visitors with 6% market share.

How many days should tourists spend in Osaka?

• Generally, tourists spend between 3 and 5 days exploring Osaka’s popular cities and attractions.²

Asia & Global Travel Resources

How far is Osaka from Tokyo?

The direct distance between Osaka and Tokyo is about 397 kilometres, the actual travel distance can vary significantly based on the chosen method of transportation.

• Air Travel: The straight-line distance (or air travel distance) is approximately 397 kilometres (about 247 miles)

• Shinkansen (Bullet Train): The travel distance by Shinkansen is roughly 515 kilometres (approximately 320 miles), with journey times ranging from 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the service type.

• Driving Distance: If travelling by car, the distance is around 500 kilometres (about 310 miles), and the drive typically takes about 6 to 8 hours, depending on traffic conditions 

Why do people visit Osaka?

Osaka attracts visitors primarily for food and dining experiences (45%), with tourists enjoying its legendary cuisine, street food culture, and local specialties in 2024.

• Shopping accounts for 28% of visitors, making it the second-largest travel purpose

• Sightseeing and cultural experiences represent 18% of visitors, exploring landmarks like Osaka Castle and Dōtonbori

• Theme park visits and other purposes comprise the remaining 9% of visitors

When is the best time to visit Osaka?

The best time to visit Osaka depends on weather preferences and crowd tolerance.

• April (Spring): Peak cherry blossom season with ideal conditions but the highest crowds. April often represents over 10% of annual visitors.

• October-November (Autumn): Pleasant weather with autumn foliage and moderate crowds.

• July-August (Summer): Summer festival season, including the famous Tenjin Matsuri, but hot and humid weather.

• January-February (Winter): Low season with mild weather, fewer crowds, except during the Chinese New Year period.

What are the peak tourist months in Osaka?

April was the peak month for tourism in Osaka in 2024.

• April was the busiest month with approximately 1.46 million visitors in 2024, followed by July with 1.36 million and October with 1.31 million.

• August attracted around 1.26 million visitors, while September drew 1.22 million visitors.

How popular is Osaka as a tourist destination?

Osaka has increasingly been recognised on the global tourism stage for its strong appeal—combining culture, cuisine, hospitality and vibrant urban energy. Recognized as #2 most visited prefecture in Japan by foreign tourists (after Tokyo)

2025 – World’s Most Attractive Tourism City

• Osaka was ranked #1 in the world on the Global Tourism City Attractiveness Index by Yanolja Research.

• Osaka rose from 3rd place in 2024 to the top position in 2025, surpassing global icons such as Kyoto, Paris, and New York.

• Major global travel and news outlets highlighted Osaka’s achievement, describing it as the most attractive and desirable tourism city in the world for 2025.

• The city was praised for its balance of tradition and innovation, its food culture, and its friendly and lively local character.³
  

Osaka Tourist Attractions

• Universal Studios Japan (USJ), Asia’s first Universal Studios theme park, opened in 2001 and is now one of Japan’s most popular amusement parks.

• Minami, near Namba Station, is a major city centre known for its entertainment, dining, and shopping.

• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, in Tempozan Harbor Village, is a renowned aquarium showcasing Pacific Rim marine life.

• The Tenjin Festival, held annually on July 24-25, is one of Japan’s top three festivals, featuring a grand procession and fireworks.

• Osaka Castle, built in 1583, was intended as the centre of a unified Japan under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Japan Travel Statistics Resources

• Japan Statistics
  • Tokyo Statistics
  • Hokkaido Statistics
  • Okinawa Statistics
    
    

Asia Travel Statistics Resources

• China Statistics
• Dubai Statistics
• Hong Kong Statistics
• India Statistics
• Indonesia Statistics (incl. Bali)
• Israel Statistics
• Japan Statistics (incl. Hokkaido, Okinawa, Osaka, Tokyo)
• Malaysia Statistics
• Saudi Arabia Statistics
• Singapore Statistics
• South Korea Statistics
• Sri Lanka Statistics
• Thailand Statistics (incl. Bangkok)
• Turkey Statistics

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References

1. JNTO: Tourism Figures in Osaka ↩︎
2. JO: Minimum stay to explore Osaka ↩︎
3. TET: Must Visit Places in Japan: Osaka Ranking ↩︎