Record numbers of tourists flocked to Japan last year, figures showed Wednesday, as the weak yen bolstered the appeal of the "bucket list" destination despite overcrowding complaints in hotspots like Kyoto.

Japan saw a record 36.9 million foreign visitors in 2024, a 47 percent increase from the year prior. The previous record was 31.9 million in 2019.

A record number of visitors came to Japan in 2024, thanks to surging post-pandemic global tourism and a decline in the yen that’s making the island nation an attractive and affordable destination.

Locals in Japan are up in arms over the influx of tourists as the country witnesses a boom in the number of visitors. Data from the Japan National Tourism Organisation revealed on Wednesday that over 36.

Japan shattered its previous tourism records in 2024, drawing over 36.8 million international visitors. This marked a significant leap from the pre-pandemic peak of 32 million in 2019. While the weak yen played a crucial role in making Japan an affordable destination,