Unstoppable Surge in Pinoy Visa Applications to Japan Shocks Travel Industry
JAPAN – A massive wave of Filipino tourists is setting its sights on Japan, causing visa applications to soar to historic levels.
Visa applications from Filipinos bound for Japan have surged to record-breaking numbers, reflecting a growing travel trend among Pinoy tourists in recent years.
Photo Source: Nikkei Asia
The Japan Embassy described the increase in Filipino tourists as reaching “unprecedented levels,” highlighting the remarkable spike in interest.
In 2026, visa applications have poured in as many Filipinos plan to witness the much-anticipated Cherry Blossom season, also known as the Sakura Festival. The peak travel period has significantly contributed to the overwhelming demand for visa processing.
Earlier, an official from a local travel agency group reported that visa application schedules for Filipino travelers are already fully booked until April 2026. Some travel agencies have even announced that they will only reopen available slots by June 2026 due to the high volume of applicants.
“Visa applications from Filipinos to visit Japan have increased to unprecedented levels, excluding the level during the pandemic period [2019],”
Statistics further reveal that the number of Filipino visitors to Japan grew by 8.1 percent in 2025 compared to the 818,000 recorded in 2024.
“The Embassy of Japan welcomes our Filipino friends’ growing interest in visiting Japan, with the number of Filipino visitors reaching a record high of 880,000 in 2025.”
Photo Source: Nikkei Asia
Additional data from the embassy shows a dramatic rise in short-stay visa holders over the past decade. From just five digits in 2013, the number expanded to six digits by 2023. Records indicate that the number of Filipino travelers rose from 73,143 in 2013 to 450,000 in 2023. It further increased to 490,907 in 2025.
To address the growing demand, Japan implemented a “fundamental overhaul” of its visa processing system in April 2025. A visa application center was opened to streamline and speed up the issuance process. In December 2025, the Japan Embassy also launched an e-visa system for organized groups of Filipino travelers arranged by designated travel agencies, further improving efficiency amid soaring applications.
READ ALSO:
Japanese Woman Marries Her AI Partner in Unique Wedding Ceremony