By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department, compiled and reported
With Lunar New Year approaching, many people have already made plans to visit Japan for the new year. A well-known hotel booking platform has released the 2018 “Japan Travel Destinations Popularity Rise Ranking,” using the destinations that saw the most growth in accommodation bookings and attracted the most attention last year as the basis for evaluation.
With Lunar New Year approaching, many people have already made plans to visit Japan for the new year. A well-known hotel booking platform has released the 2018 “Japan Travel Destinations Popularity Rise Ranking,” using the destinations that saw the most growth in accommodation bookings and attracted the most attention last year as the basis for evaluation.
Okinawa Prefecture boasts the stunningly scenic Ogimi Bridge. (Photo / Rakuten Travel, the same below)
Okinawa Prefecture topped the popularity rise ranking due to an increase in domestic flights within Japan and its rich natural landscapes. Chiba Prefecture, which gained much attention from Japanese citizens thanks to the reopening of a major shopping mall, came in second place. Saitama Prefecture secured third place with its distinct natural beauty across all four seasons. Fourth place went to Nara Prefecture, home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Fifth place was claimed by Osaka Prefecture, which has long been popular among foodies and shopping enthusiasts.
| Rakuten Travel “2018 Japan Travel Destinations Popularity Rise Ranking” | ||
| Rank | Administrative Region | Compared2017to the same period last year, growth rate |
| 1st Place | Okinawa Prefecture | +17.7% |
| 2nd Place | Chiba Prefecture | +16.4% |
| 3rd Place | Saitama Prefecture | +15.6% |
| 4th Place | Nara Prefecture | +14.6% |
| 5th Place | Osaka Prefecture | +14.4% |
Due to an increase in domestic direct flights to Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, transportation from Tokyo, Aichi, and Fukuoka to Okinawa Prefecture has become more convenient. Additionally, several large luxury accommodations were opened in Miyako Island last year. The popularity of the “Miyako Island and Irabu Island” areas in Okinawa Prefecture increased by 32.4% compared to 2017, boosting the overall popularity of the prefecture. As a result, Okinawa Prefecture claimed the top spot on the “2018 Japan Travel Destinations Popularity Rise Ranking.”
In addition to popular attractions such as Kokusai Dori (International Street) and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa Prefecture also offers scenic drives along the “Ocean Road” and “Ogimi Bridge,” which provide plenty of laid-back travel experiences even during the off-season when ocean activities aren't possible.
In addition to popular attractions such as Kokusai Dori (International Street) and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa Prefecture also offers scenic drives along the “Ocean Road” and “Ogimi Bridge,” which provide plenty of laid-back travel experiences even during the off-season when ocean activities aren't possible.
Chiba Prefecture is home to many family-friendly attractions, such as this one at “Tokyo German Village”
Chiba Prefecture saw a 16.4% rise in popularity compared to 2017, earning it second place on the list. The prefecture is home to numerous family-friendly attractions, such as “Kamogawa Sea World,” “Tokyo German Village,” and “Mother Farm,” as well as unique facilities like restaurants and shops—including the sea-side rest stop “Umihotaru.” Additionally, the Kisarazu area in the prefecture saw the reopening of a large outlet mall with the highest number of stores in Japan after renovation, successfully drawing the attention of many travelers in 2018.
Saitama Prefecture’s “Chichibu region” enjoys convenient transportation, just a 1.5-hour train ride from Ikebukuro, Tokyo
Saitama Prefecture saw an overall popularity increase of 15.6% compared to 2017, securing third place. The “Chichibu and Ogano” areas in the prefecture are highly popular with visitors. They can be reached in just an hour and a half by train from Ikebukuro Station in Tokyo. These areas offer different natural scenery throughout the four seasons—cosmos flowers in spring, fireflies in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and icicles in winter.
Nara Prefecture’s Nara Park is home to over 1,000 wild deer
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