Taiwanese tourists registered approximately 2.4 million overnight stays in Hokkaido in 2025 — the highest total of any foreign market — overtaking South Korea and China to claim the top position, according to tourism statistics from Japan's Hokkaido Bureau of Transportation. Officials noted that Taiwan's visitors stood out not only for sheer volume but also for their exceptionally high spending power throughout the region.
The figures point to a broader shift: many Taiwanese travelers who once defaulted to Tokyo or Seoul are increasingly choosing Hokkaido as their destination of choice for an overseas trip to Japan.
Hokkaido Shatters Foreign Visitor Records With 29% Surge
The milestone came in a broadly exceptional year for Hokkaido. According to NHK and the Nikkei, total overnight stays across the prefecture reached approximately 46.5 million in 2025 — up 4.2% from 2024 and the highest figure on record since data collection began in 2007. International visitors drove much of that momentum: foreign overnight stays climbed to roughly 13.3 million, a 29% jump from the prior year that itself set a new record for inbound tourism to the region.
Within that surge, Taiwan's lead was narrow but decisive. South Korea ranked second with around 2.37 million overnight stays, while China placed third at close to 2 million.
Restored Flights and Hokkaido's Seasonal Appeal Seal Taiwan's Lead
The Hokkaido Bureau of Transportation credited the strong showing from both Taiwan and South Korea largely to the complete restoration of scheduled international air routes connecting each market to Hokkaido — a return to pre-pandemic service frequencies that has made the region far more accessible. That improved connectivity, combined with the prefecture's four distinct seasons, varied natural scenery, and a food culture celebrated for its fresh seafood and rich dairy products, has proven a compelling package. For Taiwanese tourists, Hokkaido has come to occupy a firm place as the go-to destination for a Japan holiday — one that increasingly rivals, and in many cases displaces, the conventional appeal of Tokyo or Seoul.
