Travel Trends Shift Dramatically as Flights to Japan Plummet 40% During Spring Festival—But Why? The upcoming Spring Festival travel season is shaping up to be a game-changer for global tourism, and the numbers are nothing short of startling. According to industry platform Flight Master, flights to Japan have nosedived by a staggering 43.7% year-on-year, leaving many to wonder: What’s behind this sudden drop? But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Thailand has reclaimed its throne as the top international destination for Chinese travelers, while Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia are seeing a surge in bookings. And this is the part most people miss: As of Thursday, over 2,376 flights from mainland China to Japan have been canceled, with a cancellation rate hitting 36%. With the Spring Festival rush still over 10 days away, experts warn that more cancellations could be on the horizon due to operational challenges.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the primary hub for Japan-bound flights, has seen over 1,200 cancellations, accounting for nearly 50% of the total flights. Other major airports, including Nanjing Lukou, Beijing Daxing, and Tianjin Binhai, have reported alarmingly high cancellation rates. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia is dominating the outbound travel scene, capturing nearly 50% of total flights during the Spring Festival period, while East Asia’s share has shrunk to 25.9%, a year-on-year decline of 8.3%.
But here’s the controversial twist: While Japan’s tourism sector reels, South Korea is thriving. During the 2026 New Year’s Day holidays, South Korea topped the list of international destinations for Chinese travelers, with a 6.5% year-on-year increase in flight volume. Data from VariFlight reveals that flights between mainland China and South Korea grew by 10.7% in 2025, reaching 108,526 flights compared to 98,027 in 2024. This raises a thought-provoking question: Is Japan losing its appeal, or are other factors at play?
Hotel booking data from Qunar.com further underscores the shift, with Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, and other destinations dominating the top 10 list. But what does this mean for Japan’s tourism industry? Is this a temporary setback or a sign of deeper trends? We’d love to hear your thoughts—do you think Japan can bounce back, or is its tourism crown slipping for good? Let us know in the comments below!
