Dreaming of Okinawa's sun-kissed beaches? You're not alone. But recently, local businesses have been feeling the pinch as visitor numbers from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong plunge. 🏝️😢
Tourism is a big deal for Japan—about 7% of its GDP comes from travelers, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. In 2024, visitors from the Chinese mainland were the top spenders. And from January to September this year (2025), foreign tourists shelled out roughly 6.92 trillion yen (around $44 billion USD)—nearly 30% of that total came from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong!
The drop-off is hitting Okinawa hard. Hotels, ryokans (traditional inns), street-food stalls and souvenir shops are seeing cancellations and fewer walk-ins. Locals we chatted with say they're hoping diplomatic tensions—sparked by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan—will ease soon so those long-expected bookings can roll back in. 🤞
With year-end holidays around the corner, Okinawa's visitors are usually gearing up for island hopping, diving spots like the Kerama Islands, and midnight karaoke sessions in Naha. Will 2026 see a rebound? Only time will tell—but for now, the isle is on a bit of a bumpy ride. 🌊✨
What do you think? Drop a comment if you've got an Okinawa story or tips to help local businesses bounce back! 💬👇
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
