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2025.06.16
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Inbound Consumption and the Attractive Features of Japanese Products
In recent years, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan (inbound) has been increasing, and this has had a significant impact on Japan’s tourism and retail industries. In particular, the changing purchasing behavior and preferences of tourists are creating new winds in domestic consumption trends. In this issue, we will consider the characteristics of inbound consumption and what points foreign tourists find attractive about Japanese products.
Table of Contents
1. Current Status of Inbound Consumption
2. Products Popular with Foreign Tourists
_2.1. High Quality and Popular Worldwide: Kitchen Knives
_2.2. Idea Products: Corn Peeler, Pancake Frying Pan
_2.3. Explore Japan’s Traditions with: Tamagoyaki Pan and Matcha Bowl
3. Conclusion
Current Status of Inbound Consumption
According to data released by the Japan Tourism Agency for the year 2024, inbound travel spending by foreigners to Japan reached 8,125.7 billion yen, a record high, representing a 53.1% increase over 2023 and a further 68.8% increase over 2019, a phenomenal growth rate. Travel spending per capita also increased to 227,000 yen, up 6.6% from the previous year and 43.1% compare to 2019. Thus, inbound spending has become an indispensable part of the Japanese economy.
According to the 2024 data, tourists from China will account for the largest portion of inbound spending at 1,733.5 billion yen, followed by Taiwan (1,093.6 billion yen), South Korea (963.2 billion yen), the United States (902.1 billion yen), and Hong Kong (658.4 billion yen). Spending by tourists from China was particularly large, indicating China’s strong presence in the inbound market.
Products Popular with Foreign Tourists
With the growing interest of foreign tourists in Japanese products, we would like to take a deeper look at tableware and kitchenware in particular. Of course, Japanese sweets, stationery, and anime goods are also widely recognized, but recently household products that are both practical and Japanese in nature have been attracting attention. In particular, the “Kappabashi Tool Festival” held in Kappabashi, Tokyo for seven days from October 8, 2024, attracted many foreign tourists and showed a high interest in kitchenware.
High Quality and Popular Worldwide: Kitchen Knives
The high quality of Japanese knives is widely recognized by foreign tourists. At the Kappabashi Tool Festival, knives were particularly popular. Japanese knives are characterized by their sharpness and durability, and are highly regarded overseas. In particular, Seki City in Gifu Prefecture is considered one of the three largest cutlery production areas in the world, and “Seki cutlery” has become a global brand. As such, Japanese knives are highly regarded for their high quality and practicality, and are treasured by foreign tourists as items that can be used daily.
Idea Products: Corn Peeler, Pancake Frying Pan
Products that embody unique ideas are also very popular. For example, items that make everyday cooking more convenient, such as a corn peeler that can neatly peel corn from the kernel, and a pancake frying pan that you can pour batter into to make lots of mini pancakes at once, are attracting attention. These products are appealing because of their ideas and ease of use, and they seem to have been popular with tourists as they are unique products that cannot be found or purchased in their home countries.
Explore Japan’s Traditions with: Tamagoyaki Pan and Matcha Bowl
Products that allow visitors to experience Japanese culture are also popular. For example, the tamagoyaki frying pan and matcha bowl are highly valued as products that allow visitors to actually make dashimaki tamago (rolled egg) and matcha. There are an increasing number of cases of foreigners who have enjoyed Japanese cuisine or tea ceremony experiences at tourist spots purchasing products that allow them to recreate that experience at home. These products give a sense of the growing foreign interest in Japanese culture and the importance that foreign tourists place on cultural experiences.
Conclusion
We have found that the increase in inbound consumption has reaffirmed the attractive features of Japanese products. Japanese products are highly valued in overseas markets not only for their quality and practicality, but also for their uniqueness and cultural value.
Imoto Sangyo Ltd. handles these Japanese attractive products and brings the excellence of Japanese products to a wider audience. If you are interested in our products, please contact us.
(References)
Japan Tourism Agency
NTV News every YouTube channel
Japan National Tourism Organization
Kappabashi Tool Festival
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