(Yicai) Feb. 21 -- Japan welcomed more Chinese than South Korean tourists last month for the first time in two and a half years, driven by Chinese New Year travel, increased flights, and lower ticket prices.

Some 980,300 people from China's mainland visited Japan in January, accounting for about 26 percent of all tourists, the Japan National Tourism Organization announced yesterday.

Previously, South Korea had consistently outpaced China as a source country for tourists in Japan since July 2022, following improved relations between Japan and South Korea.

Japan recorded 3.8 million foreign visitors in January, up 41 percent from a year ago, the JNTO said, adding that the annual number could exceed 40 million this year. The organization attributes January's increase primarily to Spring Festival holidays in many Asian countries, especially China.

Data from flight and hotel platforms Trip.Com and Tongcheng Travel show that Japan is the most popular travel destination for Chinese tourists this year, surpassing Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea.

Increased route options and lower ticket prices have also benefited Chinese tourists. During the recent Chinese New Year holiday, which ended on Feb. 4, Eastern Airlines increased its Japan routes by 54 percent, while Spring Airlines saw a 76 percent surge in outbound passengers, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Revenue from Chinese routes at All Nippon Airways, Japan's largest air carrier, jumped by more than half during the Chinese New Year holiday compared to a year ago, Chief Financial Officer Kimihiro Nakahori said on Feb. 3. The executive also expressed optimism about continued strong growth. This year, ANA began offering free domestic transfers for Chinese tourists entering Japan to boost regional tourism.

The influx of Chinese tourists has caught the attention of local shopping malls. Japanese department store chain Takashimaya reported "extremely strong" Chinese tourist spending during the holiday, with duty-free sales increasing by 50 percent compared to last year's Spring Festival.

Beyond shopping, Japan is renowned for winter sports. Last month, visitor numbers from Australia and the United States rose by 35 percent and 38 percent, respectively, mainly due to the appeal of skiing resorts, the JNTO noted.

Editor: Emmi Laine