New Delhi  – Indian travelers are showing increasing interest in Japan, with Agoda data revealing a 68% year-on-year increase in searches between 15 May and 15 August 2025, compared to the same period last year.

Among the most searched destinations, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto lead the list, recording growth of 59%, 158%, and 53% year-on-year respectively. Osaka stood out with the highest uptick in travel interest, underlining its rising popularity for city experiences and proximity to attractions such as Universal Studios Japan and Nara deer park.

Beyond the top three, Agoda’s data revealed rising interest from Indian travelers in Japanese destinations including Fujikawaguchiko (+36%) and Sapporo (+18%) in the top five, followed by Hakone (+46%), Okinawa (+47%), Fukuoka (+14%), Yokohama (+20) and Nagoya (+41%) rounding out the top ten. Notably, Nagoya entered the top ten for the first time this year, replacing Narita.

Agoda’s latest data reveals that Indian travelers are showing growing interest in a wider variety of Japanese destinations. In addition to traditional urban favorites, many of the top choices, such as Fujikawaguchiko, Hakone, and Sapporo, are celebrated for their scenic landscapes and leisure experiences, indicating a growing preference for nature and relaxation. Others, like Okinawa and Fukuoka, offer unique cultural and coastal experiences. This trend highlights a shift toward discovering a broader variety of Japan’s diverse regions, from mountain retreats to vibrant cities and coastal escapes.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, said, “Japan’s mix of modern cities, cultural heritage, and natural beauty is striking a chord with Indian travelers like never before. What we are seeing is that travelers are not only choosing traditional hotspots like Tokyo but are also exploring beyond, with Osaka and other cities quickly gaining popularity. Families can enjoy theme parks and kid-friendly attractions, couples can chase romantic escapes in Kyoto and Hakone, while groups of friends can opt for leisure getaways in places like Okinawa. At Agoda, we’re making it easier to plan these journeys end-to-end, with convenient choices for flights, stays, and curated experiences across Japan.”

The demand also reflects broader travel trends, with greater flight connectivity, simplified visa processes, and rising interest in experiential travel driving demand. From city discovery in Tokyo to cultural immersion in Kyoto, relaxing hot springs in Hakone, and scenic escapes around Mount Fuji, Japan is firmly establishing itself as a must-visit destination for Indian travelers planning both short breaks and longer holidays.

As India prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi 2025, welcoming Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the symbol of wisdom, there is perhaps no better time to reflect on the extraordinary life of a woman whose work embodies the spirit of the festival. She is Parbati Barua, India’s first female mahout, widely known as the Hasti Kanya or “Daughter of Elephants.”

For more than five decades, Parbati Barua has devoted her life to taming, caring for, and conserving elephants—breaking through the gender stereotypes of a field historically reserved for men. Her journey is not only a story of courage, but also an example of India’s deep cultural and spiritual reverence for elephants as well as indigenous knowledge.

A Wild Calling

Born on March 14, 1953, into the royal family of Gauripur in Assam, Parbati was the daughter of Late Prakritish Chandra Barua, the last ruler of Gauripur, who was both a hunter and an elephant expert with nearly 40 elephants in his royal stables. While her lineage and education—she graduated in Political Science from Gauhati University—might have suggested a path in academia or public life, her destiny lay elsewhere.

At just 14 years old, Parbati domesticated her first elephant in the Kochugaon forest of Assam. From 1975 to 1978, she successfully tamed 14 wild elephants using the traditional Assamese technique of Mela Shikar, where elephants are captured with a lasso rather than tranquilizers. Over the course of her career, she has trained more than 500 elephants.

Her skills have been sought not just in India but internationally. She has represented India at global conferences on elephants, from Bangkok in 2001 to workshops in Tamil Nadu, Jaldapara, and North Bengal, and contributed research on the status of Asiatic elephants. She also served as a member of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

A Lifetime Of Recognition

For her tireless work, Parbati Barua has been honoured with numerous awards:

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