By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department, compiled and reported
The “Setouchi Triennale” features a variety of artistic creations that incorporate the characteristics of the islands. (Image provided by Yodogawa Technique, "Black Porgy in Uno," Photo by Osamu Nakamura)
Coming in second place was Okayama City in Okayama Prefecture, which benefits from an excellent location in the Kansai region. Its visitor numbers surged significantly this year due to new flight routes added by Taiwanese low-cost carriers. In third place was Fukuoka City in Fukuoka Prefecture (Tenjin), which saw a notable increase thanks to the opening of a new direct flight route from China, showing the strongest growth among major cities.
Okayama Prefecture’s Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, known as the “Castle in the Sky,” is a one-star attraction in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. (Image provided by Okayama Prefecture Tourism Division)
In the 2016 rankings, it was found that areas surrounding major popular tourist spots such as Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka—but not part of the “golden route”—made up half of the list, indicating that tourists are increasingly seeking new travel trends with unique personal styles.
Fukuoka JR Hakata City. (Image provided by Fukuoka City)
|
Ranking
|
Prefecture
|
Year-on-Year Growth Rate
|
|
1st Place
|
Takamatsu, Sanuki, and Eastern Kagawa Prefecture in Kagawa Prefecture
|
+241.6%
|
|
2nd Place
|
Okayama City in Okayama Prefecture
|
+200.0%
|
|
3rd Place
|
Fukuoka City in Fukuoka Prefecture (Tenjin)
|
+178.7%
|
|
4th Place
|
Tokyo Station, Ginza, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara in Tokyo
|
+163.2%
|
|
5th Place
|
Fukuoka City in Fukuoka Prefecture (Hakata, Ohori Park, Uminonakamichi), Dazaifu, and Nikko
|
+145.5%
|
|
6th Place
|
Shinagawa, Kamata, and Haneda Airport in Tokyo
|
+138.2%
|
|
7th Place
|
Otaru, Yoichi, Shakotan, and Kiroro in Hokkaido
|
+135.4%
|
|
8th Place
|
Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture
|
+125.6%
|
|
9th Place
|
Wakayama Prefecture’s Nanki-Shirahama and Ryujin
|
+123.4%
|
|
Ranked #10
|
Southern Osaka Prefecture (X:, Izumiotsu, Kansai Airport)
|
+122.3%
|
The Ribbon Chapel in the Seto Inland Sea, a dreamlike church designed around the concept of a ribbon, symbolizing marital happiness. (Image source / ignant)
Takamatsu, Sanuki, and eastern Kagawa Prefecture saw an annual growth rate of 241.6% (approximately 3.5 times), driven by the popularity of the “Setouchi Triennale,” an international art festival held across Kagawa Prefecture and islands such as Naoshima starting in 2016, making transportation hub Takamatsu one of the key tourist destinations. Additionally, 2016 being a leap year, the reverse pilgrimage known as “gyakusanpai,” believed to make wishes come true, also took place in the area, attracting many visitors for pilgrimage-themed travel.
Juicy and sweet white peaches and grapes are both famous specialties of Okayama Prefecture. (Image provided / Okayama Prefecture Tourism Division)
- 1
- 2