International visitors to Japan are increasingly looking beyond the country’s busiest tourist destinations, with new booking data suggesting that regional, nature-based stays are gaining popularity.
According to accommodation booking site ResortGlamping.com, bookings by international travelers for regional areas increased 26 percent between January and July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. The company says areas attracting growing interest include Tottori, Awaji Island, Shiga, Hiroshima, Izu, Wakayama, and Gifu.
Wakayama recorded the largest increase among the destinations highlighted, with bookings by international visitors up 125 percent year-on-year, followed by Awaji Island at 111 percent, Miyazaki at 86 percent, Hiroshima at 68 percent, and Gifu at 53 percent.
The trend comes at a time when some of Japan’s most popular destinations are welcoming very large numbers of visitors. For travelers, exploring regional areas offers a chance to experience a different side of the country, while also bringing tourism spending to communities beyond the major tourist centers.
Rather than simply making a short stop at a famous autumn foliage spot, some travelers are choosing to stay in nature-rich areas and make the accommodation part of the experience.
For autumn travel, ResortGlamping.com highlights experiences such as viewing foliage from a private room or sauna, soaking in hot springs while surrounded by mountains, stargazing around a bonfire, and enjoying all-inclusive stays where guests can spend much of their time on site.
The shift is particularly relevant for repeat visitors who have already experienced cities such as Tokyo and Osaka and are interested in discovering a slower side of Japan.
As international tourism continues to grow, greater interest in regional stays could help spread visitors and their spending across a wider range of destinations. It also gives travelers more opportunities to experience Japan’s landscapes, local communities, and seasonal attractions beyond the country's best-known tourist routes.
For travelers planning an autumn trip, it may be worth considering not just where to visit, but where to stay and slow down.
