For years, Tokyo has reigned supreme on the bucket lists of Indian travellers heading to Japan. But according to new Agoda data, there’s a twist in the story this year: while searches for Tokyo grew a healthy 59% between May and August 2025, Osaka stole the spotlight with a staggering 158% surge.

Agoda reports a 68% overall year-on-year rise in Indian searches for Japan, showing that the country is no longer just about Tokyo’s neon glow or Kyoto’s temples. From Osaka’s street food stalls to Okinawa’s beaches, Indians are discovering that Japan has far more to offer, and they’re hungry for it.

Osaka: India’s New Darling In Japan

Move over, Tokyo; Indians have a new crush. Osaka’s appeal is easy to understand. It’s a city that thrives on energy, from the bustling food heaven of Dotonbori to the family-friendly thrills of Universal Studios Japan. And when travellers want a break from the city buzz, Nara’s friendly deer park is just a short trip away.

Osaka is also less intimidating than Tokyo since its more warm, paced, walkable, and a little more relaxed. For Indian families, couples, and groups of friends, it’s the perfect mix of city adventure and easy day trips.

Beyond Tokyo And Kyoto: Indians Branch Out

While Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto remain the holy trinity of Japanese travel, Agoda’s data shows Indian travelers are widening their gaze:

Why The Japan Boom Now?

“Japan’s mix of modern cities, cultural heritage, and natural beauty is striking a chord with Indian travelers like never before,” said Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda. And he’s right. Japan offers something for everyone. According to Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Delhi Office, a record 233,000 Indian tourists visited Japan between January and December 2024, a jaw-dropping 40% surge in Indian tourists. And why wouldn’t it? Whether it’s anime dreams, cleanliness that would put us all to shame, or just a love for sushi, Japan has never been hotter on the Indian travel radar.

Travellers also made the most of a weak yen, which had slumped to the lowest level in 2024 since 1986, and people haven’t been afraid of opening their wallets to snap up bargains from hotels and destinations. And if Agoda’s numbers are any indication, 2025 is the year Indians are embracing Japan like never before. Tokyo may always be iconic, but it’s Osaka, with its neon nights, savoury takoyaki, that is winning our hearts.

Travel News – Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now.

Inside Travel Group co-founder Alastair Donnelly added: “India has long been a missing piece of our Asia puzzle.

“This is our first new destination to launch since 2022, and we believe that with India, with our partners on the ground, the people we work across the country and with the cultural adventures we are able to create, we have something incredible.

“We have a team of five India travel specialists, with experience and knowledge from all over the country, but all united by their passion for the country and culture, and knowing what makes travel great.”

India sales and product specialist Brandon Clements joined the team earlier this year after 13 years at A&K as an India specialist.

“Jess and the team have shown that there is a conscious effort to offer something very different to what is already out there on the market,” said Clements.

“The cultural adventures on site are a snippet of what is possible, but they provide inspiration.”

Donnelly added: “As a B Corp that prides itself on using ‘travel as a force for good’, we hope that we can encourage people to explore beyond the usual, get beneath the surface and give back to communities across the country that would benefit from cultural adventure tourism.”

Air India has announced a limited-time promotional sale offering attractive fares for Business Class and Premium Economy travel on select short-haul international routes. The offer presents travellers with an opportunity to plan holidays across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East while enjoying the enhanced comfort of Air India’s premium cabins.

Under the sale, all-inclusive Premium Economy round-trip fares start from INR 13,300, while Business Class fares begin at INR 34,400. Routes on offer include popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kathmandu, Colombo, and Male, operated by aircraft featuring new or upgraded three-class cabin interiors.

Travellers booking via Air India’s website or mobile app will enjoy zero convenience fees and additional savings through promotional codes. Discounts include up to INR 2,400 per passenger with promo code FLYAI and up to INR 2,500 per passenger with Visa card payments using VISAFLY. The sale is valid for bookings made 2–7 September 2025, with travel permitted until 31 March 2026. Exclusively on 7 September, the offer will only be available via Air India’s digital platforms.

Visa cardholders can also avail of exclusive discounts:

• One-way international tickets – up to INR 1,500 off
• Round-trip international tickets – up to INR 2,500 off

The limited-period offer is available for bookings from 2-7 September 2025 for travel until 31 March 2026. Bookings under the sale will be available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, customer contact centre, and through travel agents. However, the sale is exclusively available on Air India’s website and mobile app on 7 September 2025.

As part of its ongoing fleet transformation, Air India now offers upgraded Business Class and Premium Economy cabins on 16 short-haul international routes, ensuring travellers enjoy a world-class experience. These include flights to popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Kathmandu that are now operated by new, upgraded or retrofitted aircraft in a three-class cabin configuration, providing a world-class flying experience to travellers.