Japanese tourists in Chile 2026: 7,779 arrivals through August, up 12%, but still far from 2019

From January to August 2026, 7,779 Japanese tourists arrived in Chile, 12.4% more than in the same period of 2025 (6,923), but still 35.5% fewer than in the same months of 2019 (12,064). That is what the foreign tourist arrivals data from the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur show, based on PDI police figures. Japan is the fourth Asian country by arrivals, behind China, Israel and South Korea, and 27th overall.

*Updated on 10 November 2026, with the October 2026 release (data through August 2026).* Figures are foreign tourists by nationality, exclude entries through seaports and are preliminary since 2020.

The Japanese were a stable market before the pandemic: between 13,000 and 17,000 arrivals a year since 2008, with the record in 2017 (16,998). In 2021 only 220 arrived. The recovery has been slower than for other long-haul markets: 8,311 in 2023, 10,752 in 2024 and 11,243 in 2025, 32.6% below 2019.

Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur, "Cuadro por Nacionalidad" sheet. 2026 stands at 7,779 through August.

The Japanese come mainly between December and March, the southern summer and the best time for Patagonia and the altiplano. In 2026, every month from January to August beat 2025: January grew 19.6% (1,265) and March 18.3% (1,478). The record month in the series is January 2017, with 2,340.

Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur. The busiest months for foreign tourists overall are in the months with the most tourists in Chile.

In 2025, 78.5% of the Japanese entered through airports, 17.9% across the border with Argentina and 3.6% across the northern border. Outside Santiago airport, the entry points reveal their two favorite destinations: Río Don Guillermo (Cerro Castillo), the gateway to Torres del Paine from El Calafate, with 856, and Hito Cajón and Ollagüe, on the Bolivian border, on the routes from the Uyuni salt flat to San Pedro de Atacama, with 360 and 323. Another 165 flew directly into Easter Island airport.

Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur, "CONSULTA_DESAGREGADA" sheet. For 2026, the top five entry points are shown. More on these destinations in Torres del Paine entrance fees, things to do in San Pedro de Atacama and Easter Island.

Magallanes (1,387 in 2025) and Antofagasta (734) are the main regions of entry after Santiago (8,610). Valparaíso includes the 165 who landed on Easter Island and the 113 at Cristo Redentor. Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur; the other crossings are in the border crossings with the most tourists.

Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur. Overall, Japan ranks 27th from January to August 2026, between Poland (8,446) and New Zealand (7,636), and accounts for 0.24% of the period's 3,308,873 foreign tourists. China, the largest Asian market, is covered in Chinese tourists in Chile; the full ranking in foreign tourists in Chile by country.

How many Japanese tourists visit Chile each year?

11,243 in 2025. The record is 2017, with 16,998. From January to August 2026, 7,779 arrived, 12.4% more than in the same period of 2025.

What do Japanese tourists visit in Chile?

The entry points show that, besides Santiago, they go to Torres del Paine (entering from El Calafate), San Pedro de Atacama (from Uyuni) and Easter Island.

When do Japanese tourists travel to Chile most?

Between December and March. February and March are the peak months; June and July the lowest.

How to cite this data

Viajando Chile (2026). *Japanese tourists in Chile 2026: 7,779 arrivals through August, up 12%, but still far from 2019*. With data from the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur. Available at: https://viajandochile.com/en/news/japanese-tourists-in-chile-statistics