Q.Which countries do most of Nara's foreign visitors come from?
Published 2026-06-19
Answer
In 2024, China was by far the top source of overnight foreign visitors to Nara City, with 153,700 people (45.2% of the total). The United States ranked second (38,300; 11.3%) and Taiwan third (27,800; 8.2%). Nationwide, however, South Korea led all markets in 2024 (about 8.82 million), so Nara's profile differs notably from Japan's overall.
China dominates Nara's overnight foreign visitors (2024)
According to Nara City's 2024 tourism visitor survey, China topped the list of overnight foreign visitors by nationality in 2024 with 153,700 people, an outsized 45.2% share. It was followed by the United States (38,300; 11.3%), Taiwan (27,800; 8.2%), France (26,400; 7.8%), Hong Kong (21,400; 6.3%) and South Korea (20,600; 6.1%). Several Western markets feature near the top.
153,700China (1st), people
45.2%China's share
38,300United States (2nd), people
27,800Taiwan (3rd), people
- China153700people
- United States38300people
- Taiwan27800people
- France26400people
- Hong Kong21400people
- South Korea20600people
| Rank | Country/Region | Overnight visitors | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 153,700 | 45.2% |
| 2 | United States | 38,300 | 11.3% |
| 3 | Taiwan | 27,800 | 8.2% |
| 4 | France | 26,400 | 7.8% |
| 5 | Hong Kong | 21,400 | 6.3% |
| 6 | South Korea | 20,600 | 6.1% |
How the mix changed before and after the pandemic
In 2019, China made up an overwhelming 69.5% of Nara City's overnight foreign visitors (259,400 people), but that fell to 45.2% by 2024, with Western markets such as the US, Europe and Australia gaining share. Overall, Nara City recorded 445,000 overnight foreign visitors in 2024, a record high (+0.5% vs 2019), while total foreign visitor numbers reached 2.977 million, up 161.4% year on year.
69.5%China share (2019)
45.2%China share (2024)
445,000Overnight foreign visitors (2024, record)
2.977MTotal foreign visitors (2024)
| Year | China's share | China overnight visitors |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 69.5% | 259,400 |
| 2024 | 45.2% | 153,700 |
Nationwide, South Korea leads
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Japan welcomed a record 36,869,900 foreign visitors in 2024 (+15.6% vs 2019). By market, the leaders were South Korea (8,817,800), China (6,981,200), Taiwan (6,044,400), the United States (2,724,600) and Hong Kong (2,683,500). Nationwide, South Korea is the largest market and China second, yet in Nara South Korea ranks only sixth among overnight visitors, a striking difference.
36.87MTotal foreign visitors to Japan (2024, record)
8.82MSouth Korea (1st nationwide)
6.98MChina (2nd nationwide)
- South Korea8817800people
- China6981200people
- Taiwan6044400people
- United States2724600people
- Hong Kong2683500people
| Rank | Market | Visitors to Japan (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Korea | 8,817,800 |
| 2 | China | 6,981,200 |
| 3 | Taiwan | 6,044,400 |
| 4 | United States | 2,724,600 |
| 5 | Hong Kong | 2,683,500 |
Why Nara and Japan differ
In Nara, China accounts for 45.2% of overnight visitors (2024) and stands out, whereas nationwide South Korea is the largest market and China second. The fact that South Korea ranks only sixth among Nara's overnight visitors suggests that nearby South Korea behaves differently from the national pattern in terms of stay habits. In numbers, Nara's foreign visitors are anchored by China with a notably strong Western contingent.
45.2%China's share in Nara (2024)
6thSouth Korea's rank in Nara (overnight, 2024)
1stSouth Korea's rank nationwide (2024)