Japan's railway and domestic air travel saw significant increases during the New Year's holiday season, with numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels and showcasing the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 disruptions. On January 6, 2025, JR companies reported travel statistics for the period from December 27, 2024, to January 5, 2025, highlighting the resurgence of travel activity.
According to the JR Group, about 13.09 million passengers used key railway lines during the holiday period, marking an impressive 11% increase compared to the previous year and surpassing the numbers recorded before the pandemic's onset. This year's travel volume was also 2% higher than the same period back in 2018, the last full year before the pandemic impacted travel.
The Tōkaidō Shinkansen, one of the busiest corridors, reported 4.12 million users—an increase of 8% from the previous year, setting new records for daily averages throughout the holiday season. The peak travel day for departures was December 28, with the return peak occurring on January 4, 2025. Meanwhile, the utilization of the Hokuriku Shinkansen surged by 40% compared to last year, boosted significantly by the opening of the Kanazawa to Tsuruga section last March.
The New Year's holidays provided travelers with what was termed the maximum nine-day holiday, thanks to favorable calendar arrangements. This allowed many families to plan extended travel, contributing to the significant uptick in passenger numbers.
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) reported record ridership of 412,000 people using the Tōkaidō Shinkansen per day, making it the highest average recorded during this period. JR West also shared enlightening statistics about specific routes, such as the Sanyo Shinkansen from Okayama to Fukuyama, which saw 1.41 million passengers—a growth of 11 points compared to the previous year, with notable increases spread across local lines as well.
JR Shikoku noticed similar trends, with the Seto Ohashi Line accommodating around 279,000 passengers, and other major rail sections showcasing increases exceeding 10% compared to the last year. The data collected during this period indicates overall recovery to nearly 90% of pre-pandemic ridership levels.
Domestic air travel fared well, too, with All Nippon Airways (ANA) reporting a 19.5% increase with 1.49 million domestic passengers and Japan Airlines’ group reporting 11.5% growth, also serving over 1.12 million passengers. For international flights, ANA recorded significant increases on routes to Hawaii, marking the highest passenger numbers ever on these flights.
Despite some interruptions, including delays due to fires near station lines, officials noted those events were minimal compared to the overall travel flow, helping avoid major disruptions.
The increased travel not only reflects consumer confidence returning gradually post-pandemic but could also be attributed to the return of inbound tourism which positively impacted regional economies. Experts believe these patterns may become more standardized as Japan adjusts to new normality following the lifting of travel restrictions.
JR group companies, including JR East, JR West, and JR Shikoku, all indicated they would continue to monitor travel trends closely and are planning for future capacity adjustments as demand fluctuates. They expressed optimism about future holiday seasons as travel norms continue to shift with changing consumer behavior.
The favorable growth numbers reflect Japan's broader commitment to revitalizing its tourism industry and providing improved travel experiences as passenger demands evolve. The remarkable increase signals optimism and resilience, indicating travel will likely rebound strongly as public confidence continues to grow.