Asian destination Aussies can’t get enough of

It’s a destination Aussies are simply hooked on, with celebs like Chris Hemsworth recently lapping up the snow season, as the country continues to soar in popularity.

Japan is a place Aussies can’t get enough of, with celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and his family recently lapping up the snow season as they immersed themselves in the country’s rich culture and heritage.

The Asian destination continues to top the list of popular travel locations for Australians with 807,800 visiting Japan between January and November last year, nearly 200,000 more than the previous record in 2019, according to provisional estimates from the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).

Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth living it up in Japan in February. Picture: Instagram/chrishemsworth

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While the strong Aussie dollar is a tempting reason to visit Japan – with 1 AUD currently exchanging for around 94 JPY – its proximity to Australia, vast culinary scene and picturesque locations, is what makes it such a hotspot.

The Hemsworth clan headed to the popular resort town of Niseko in February to take advantage of the epic ski fields – but as the seasons shift, there’s another reason Aussies plan to head over to Japan.

Cherry blossom season is a bucket-list experience for many tourists and one of the biggest draw cards for this time of year.

And while Tokyo is the go-to place, Aussies are being encouraged to go off the beaten track, and explore other places such as Shizuoka for cherry blossom viewing, among other things.

He visited Niseko with his family. Picture: Instagram/chrishemsworth

Japan continues to be a popular destination for Aussies with Chris and his family spotted enjoying the local food markets. Picture: Instagram/chrishemsworth

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“While Tokyo is always a popular starting point for Japan as cherry blossom season peaks, we do encourage travellers to try destinations that are off the beaten path to support regional communities,” Booking.com’s regional manager for Oceania, Todd Lacey, told news.com.au.

“Izu and Okinawa in Japan are other less travelled destinations for Australians that we’d recommend.

“For something truly different, try booking a traditional onsen ryokan such as Gora Kansuiro (Hakone), Sansuikan (Yufuin) for an even more authentic experience.”

The country’s capital and most-populated city of Tokyo ranked number one out of 25 international destinations that Aussies are eyeing off over the Easter period.

@gracietravels 🌸 who’s going to Japan during cherry blossom szn THIS YEAR? 🇯🇵 SAVE THIS HIDDEN GEM and IF YOU WANT MORE… my 50+ page CHERRY BLOSSOM GUIDE will be out THIS FRIDAY 🤩💖 📍Kameoka Sports Park this locations boasts over 1,500 Yoshino cherry trees and is honestly one of my favorite viewing spots for cherry blossom season! it’s also not too out of the way making it a perfect day trip from Kyoto ☺️🍒 let me know if you have any questions 💖🥰 . . . #japangram #japantravel #cherryblossom #cherryblossomjapan #japancherryblossom #sakuraseason #japantipd #sakura🌸 #travelgram #traveltips #travelblogger #instatravel #travellife ♬ Ghibli-style nostalgic waltz - MaSssuguMusic

Apart from Japan, Aussies are also searching Bali – no surprises there – to spend their Easter break. Seminyak ranked second on the list, followed by Singapore and Bangkok.

“Singapore is not only an excellent stopover for Europe and the rest of Asia, but a fantastic holiday spot for all the family in Autumn, with warm temperatures year-round,” Mr Lacey said.

@thelarachannel 🌸 Tokyo Today (March 7, 2025) 🇯🇵 Here’s another lesser-known spot for early-blooming cherry blossoms in Japan! 💕 The exact location is mentioned near the end of the video. If you’d like more cherry blossom spot recommendations like this, I’ve put together a comprehensive Japan Spring Guide that includes both lesser-known early cherry blossom spots and, of course, the main cherry blossom season locations! There’s more to the guide than just cherry blossoms, though—if you’re curious about what else is inside... Comment "SPRING GUIDE," and I’ll send the link straight to your inbox! (🤫 Plus, a special discount code valid until March 15th!) ‼️ Google "Oyokogawa Promenade Kawazu Sakura" to find this exact spot #cherryblossomguide #sakuraguide #japantravelguide #japantravel #sakura #japancherryblossoms ♬ 春よ、来い（「春よ、来い」より）harp version - Kyoto Harp Ensemble

With Lady Gaga set to be back in Singapore (after 13 years) in May for her Mayhem World Tour, Aussie fans accounted for the most accommodation searches worldwide following the release of tickets.

Booking.com data revealed up to a 72 per cent increase in accommodation searches from Aussie travellers.

“Events such as the F1, and the recently announced Lady Gaga concert have also seen travellers choosing Singapore for a stand-alone getaway,” he added.

For Aussies keen to explore Indonesia, there were eight locations that made the Top 25 including Canggu in fifth, Ubud in seventh, Legian in 10th, Uluwatu in 14th, Nusa Dua in 17th and Kuta in 18th and Sanur in 20th.

Mr Lacey said Bali’s tropical beaches and diverse array of more budget friendly accommodations is a big drawcard for Aussie travellers.

“New or seasoned travellers will often start in Seminyak and then continue travelling across the island. For a truly unique holiday home stay in Bali, I recommend Cyrus Villa, one of our most popular villas in the Seminyak and Kerobokan area,” he said.

Meanwhile, in terms of international flight searches, Kuala Lumpur has tripled, with Aussies drawn to the history and aromatic street food in the Malaysian capital.

“Kuala Lumpur also serves as the perfect stopover destination for longer flights, with flights into the city soaring over the holiday period,” Mr Lacey said.