Japan Ranks Second Among Indonesians’ Favorite Overseas Travel Destinations
- Publish
- 2025/08/02
- Update
- 2025/08/16
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Indonesia and Travel to Japan: By the Numbers
Japan Is the Second Most Desired Travel Destination Among Indonesians at 61.8%
According to a multiple-choice survey conducted by GoodStats, a media outlet from the information-sharing platform Good News From Indonesia, 61.8% of Indonesian respondents chose Japan as a country they would like to visit. Japan ranked second after Switzerland (63.6%).
Other top destinations include Turkey, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.
The most commonly cited reasons for selecting these countries were: “natural beauty” (65%), “interesting places” (63.2%), “unique culture” (50.4%), and “ease of travel in terms of accommodations and visas” (49.7%).
For Indonesians, ASEAN countries that do not require visas are the most accessible. Following that, nearby East Asian nations and Australia, as well as Turkey and Saudi Arabia—countries with cultural ties due to shared Islamic heritage—are also popular.
Switzerland, despite being less accessible in terms of travel convenience, remains attractive for its climate, culture, and natural environment—elements not found in Indonesia. Countries like Switzerland and those in Northern Europe are especially favored by the affluent.
Reference: Goodstats Instagram @goodstats.id
Why Japan Is a Popular Travel Destination for Indonesians
Common reasons for Japan’s popularity include its distinct seasons—something Indonesia lacks—as well as the cleanliness and convenience of its cities.
Interest in Japanese pop culture, such as manga and anime, is also high, serving as a gateway for many Indonesians to visit Japan. Of course, amusement parks like Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan, as well as historic sites like Osaka Castle and Senso-ji Temple, are also major attractions.
A particularly important factor is that Indonesians can travel to Japan without a visa, provided they register in advance. Since the Indonesian passport typically allows visa-free travel only to ASEAN member states (10 countries), this benefit may be the single most compelling draw for Indonesian tourists.
Precautions when conducting an on-site inspection in Indonesia
Some visitors consider, "My primary purpose is to conduct maintenance work at the factory, but the visa application process appears cumbersome. I will simply enter on a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and carry out the work discreetly."
However, there have been numerous cases where entering without the appropriate visa for the intended activities has resulted in significant legal and operational issues. It is therefore strongly advised to obtain the correct visa prior to travel.
Here are the types of visas and their purposes.
Indonesians and Travel to Japan: As Seen in Videos
Japanese-Inspired Tourist Spot in Bali
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Taman Jinja Karangasem (Karangasem Shrine Park) opened in 2019 in eastern Bali. Featuring a striking display of hundreds of red torii gates emerging from a lush green mountain backdrop, the park has become a local favorite, especially for its “Instagram-worthy” aesthetic.
Japanese-style attractions like this can be found throughout Indonesia. Similarly, there are parks and accommodations designed to resemble Korea or various European countries.
These types of attractions are popular among those who find it difficult to travel abroad, as they allow people to experience a travel-like atmosphere closer to home. It’s a concept well-suited to Indonesians, who often enjoy posting photos and videos of themselves on social media.
Cool Japan Travel Fair
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H.I.S. Tours & Travel Indonesia hosted the Cool Japan Travel Fair for three consecutive years starting in 2016.
In addition to promoting travel packages, the event offered a wide range of entertainment such as traditional performances, comedy shows, concerts, and kendama (cup-and-ball) competitions. It was a popular event, but has been on hold since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are eagerly awaiting its return.
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Taxi Troubles
IT company
We had planned to use a ride-hailing app for local transportation; however, due to the combination of the morning rush hour and heavy rain, no taxis were available even after waiting for over 30 minutes. In the end, we arranged a motorcycle taxi on short notice, but heavy traffic caused further delays. As a result, we were forced to postpone one of the two business meetings scheduled for the morning.
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Interpreter Issues
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While traveling from central Jakarta to a client in the suburbs, our freelance local interpreter suddenly canceled. Since English was not widely understood in the area, we were unable to fully convey the finer nuances of our business discussions, which was highly regrettable. We came to realize that it would have been better to engage a professional interpreter through a reputable agency rather than relying on a low-cost freelancer.
For Companies Interested in Market Research in Indonesia
Indonesians live in an environment vastly different from Japan and possess distinct religions, cultures, and values. As a result, they often choose products and services from perspectives that Japanese companies might not anticipate.
This article presented findings showing Japan’s popularity as a travel destination, but this does not automatically translate to brand affinity or increased consumption of Japanese products.
For companies aiming to enter the Indonesian market, careful preparation tailored to specific fields or products is essential.
If your company is considering selling products in Indonesia but is unsure where to begin, we recommend our online market research services. We can conduct surveys using our panel of 110,000 Indonesians, filtered by gender, location, and other criteria to match your needs. Please feel free to contact us.
