Jaipur, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Rajasthan is witnessing a shift in tourism preferences among Japanese travellers, with growing interest in solo trips, wildlife, rural experiences, handicrafts and local cuisine beyond the state’s traditional forts, palaces and desert attractions.
At the conclusion of the four-day Tourism Expo Japan in Tokyo, Japanese tourists and travel trade representatives sought information on a range of experiences, including independent travel, the luxury train Palace on Wheels and opportunities to explore Rajasthan’s folk culture and rural life.
The expo, held from September 24 to 27, concluded on World Tourism Day, with the Rajasthan Tourism Department participating under the representation of Tourism Secretary Shuchi Tyagi and Joint Director Ajay Kumar Sharma.
Sharma said several Japanese women visitors expressed interest in travelling to Rajasthan independently, with safety and travel arrangements emerging as key concerns. They were briefed on the state’s tourist assistance mechanisms, including police support, the Tourist Assistance Force and the availability of women police personnel.
According to Sharma, enquiries from Japan are increasingly extending beyond Rajasthan’s established tourist attractions to include a wider range of travel experiences.
Japanese travel agents and tour operators also sought details about Rajasthan’s package tours, including the possibility of combining multiple destinations into a single itinerary. Discussions covered rail, road and air connectivity, travel times, hotel options and overall costs.
“Discussions also covered linking Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Ranthambore and Shekhawati through different tourism experiences,” Sharma said.
Visitors also showed interest in wildlife, rural life, folk culture, handicrafts and local cuisine, reflecting demand for experiences that offer insights into Rajasthan’s cultural and natural heritage.
The Palace on Wheels emerged as one of the major attractions at the Rajasthan Tourism pavilion. Several Japanese visitors sought information about the luxury train’s royal ambience, interiors, travel experience and booking process.
Sharma said Japanese travellers were showing interest not only in Rajasthan’s royal heritage but also in the distinctive experiences associated with it.
During the expo, Rajasthan Tourism also held discussions with representatives of leading Japanese travel companies to explore opportunities for promoting the state and strengthening cooperation with Japan’s travel industry.
Japanese travel professionals, content creators and influencers expressed interest in developing video and digital content showcasing Rajasthan. Kiyotaka Kobayashi, a representative of a Tokyo hotel, showed interest in strengthening connections with Rajasthan’s hospitality industry, while Takahiro Sato, associated with the Japan Association of Travel Agents, visited the Rajasthan Tourism pavilion and sought information about the state’s tourism offerings.
Sharma said Rajasthan Tourism had regularly invited Japanese travel agents and tour operators to participate in the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB). During the Tokyo expo, several Japanese tour operators and influencers expressed interest in attending GITB 2027.
The interest, he said, reflected opportunities for Rajasthan to engage with Japanese travel professionals through both traditional tourism products and emerging experiential offerings.
Rajasthan has recorded a substantial rise in Japanese tourist visits over the past four years. The number increased from 4,659 in 2022 to 16,229 in 2023 and 25,748 in 2024, before reaching 25,250 in 2025. The 2025 figure was approximately 5.4 times the number recorded in 2022.
Tourism cooperation between India and Japan has also continued to expand. The India-Japan Joint Working Group on Tourism has focused on Buddhist tourism, student travel, exchanges between tourism institutions, familiarisation visits for travel trade and media, and improved air connectivity.
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