Japan is experiencing an unprecedented tourism surge in 2025, with record-breaking numbers of international visitors flocking to its major cities, historical landmarks, and global cultural icons. Yet as the nation grapples with the double-edged sword of economic gain and overtourism fatigue, new research and travel narratives are highlighting a calming solution: the country’s lesser-known but culturally essential gardens, which promise a tranquil escape for both domestic and international tourists during even the most crowded peak seasons.
In the first four months of 2025 alone, Japan welcomed over 14.4 million international visitors—a stunning 24.5% increase compared with the same period in 2024, according to reporting by The Japan Times and detailed in a recent Business Insider travel feature (Business Insider). Annual projections from official government sources and industry analysts estimate that the yearly tally may exceed 40 million tourists by the close of 2025, shattering all previous records (Wikipedia: Japan tourism statistics 2025). This flood of travelers has brought economic windfall and cultural exchange, but also swelling queues, packed public spaces, and rising local frustrations—echoing overtourism trends seen in Venice, Barcelona, and elsewhere (New York Post).
Against this backdrop, the search for genuine, peaceful experiences has never been more urgent—both for tourists suffering from “crowd fatigue” and for local communities aiming to preserve the spirit and sustainability of their heritage. As the travel narrative by Business Insider’s correspondent reveals, the answer doesn’t require venturing far from Japan’s metropolitan heart. It simply requires a shift in focus: away from headline attractions and toward the country’s famed landscape gardens—pockets of tranquility tucked between skyscrapers, historical districts, and alongside bustling urban arteries.
According to the Business Insider report, many travelers are now discovering that visiting these Japanese gardens—some dating back to the 17th century, others curated inside urban jungles—can offer the deep calm that eludes even the most patient visitors at mainstay attractions such as Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji). The personal account described how a short walk or a nominal entrance fee grants access to meticulously maintained landscapes like Tokyo’s Hama-rikyu Gardens or the historic Inner Garden at Meiji Jingu Shrine. In one vivid scene, the writer and her fiancé found rest and renewal sipping matcha in a serene teahouse, surrounded by centuries-old maples and tranquil reflecting ponds—just steps from packed tourist routes.
Data from Japan’s National Tourism Organization confirms this pattern: gardens such as Hama-rikyu, the Inner Garden at Meiji Jingu, and Kyoto’s Ōkōchi Sansō Garden and Ninomaru Garden at Nijō Castle have seen a marked rise in attendance by “second-tier” tourists—travelers seeking alternatives to the most saturated locations (Japan Guide: Best Gardens, Japan Experience). With entrance fees often as low as 300-1,000 yen (roughly 2-7 USD), these gardens provide affordable and culturally rich solutions for crowd-averse travelers.
Traditional Japanese gardens (nihon teien) embody distinct styles refined over more than a millennium, from the “paradise gardens” of Pure Land Buddhism to modern urban tsubo-niwa mini-gardens. The underlying philosophy centers on the Japanese aesthetic ideals of “wabi-sabi” (transience and imperfection), natural harmony, and spiritual contemplation—qualities increasingly coveted by visitors seeking to reconnect with themselves amid the chaos of mass tourism (Wikipedia: Japanese gardens).
Academic research supports these anecdotal observations. Health studies published in environmental psychology and tourism management literature indicate that green spaces—particularly traditional gardens—can reduce physiological stress, improve mood, and promote social well-being for urban residents and visitors alike. Recent PubMed-indexed papers note the “therapeutic effects” of garden immersion, reporting lowered cortisol levels and enhanced cognitive restoration after even brief contact with nature in environments like those found in Japanese landscape design (see: Environmental Research and Public Health). For many visitors, gardens also serve as “time capsules” connecting modern life to centuries of Japanese spiritual and philosophical practice.
As Japan contends with the practical realities of overtourism—ranging from social tensions to infrastructural strains and cultural dilution—authorities and tour operators are responding with policy changes and strategic shifts. This includes two-tier pricing for major attractions, limits on group sizes at famous sites, and the promotion of “off-the-beaten-path” tours that center activities such as tea ceremonies and nature walks in under-visited areas (MSN: The Cool, Crowd-Free Alternative). A newly established governmental body is also tasked with balancing the needs and concerns of local residents and international guests (Reuters).
Thailand’s outbound travelers are among Asia’s most adventurous, with growing numbers seeking authentic, mindful, and sustainable travel experiences. As Japan remains a top destination for Thai tourists—drawn by its rich cultural tapestry, seasonal beauty, and culinary delights—the lessons learned from 2025’s peak are especially pertinent. For Thai families, solo travelers, or student groups planning their first (or return) trip to Japan, including a visit to one or more of these gardens can provide harmony and respite without sacrificing cultural immersion. Accessible by Japan’s famous transit network and often found near major urban centers, these quiet refuges offer chances to engage with living history, participate in local customs (such as seasonal tea ceremonies or iris viewing), and snap breathtaking photographs away from the crowds.
Japanese gardens also resonate deeply with elements of Thai culture. The Thai tradition of royal and temple gardens, the popularity of landscape design, and the shared Buddhist heritage create natural affinities. Visiting a Japanese garden, for many Thais, evokes the tranquil contemplation found at places like Bangkok’s Lumpini Park or the historic gardens at Wat Pho, yet layered with new artistic, seasonal, and philosophical dimensions unique to Japan.
As overtourism challenges mount worldwide, the long-term future of travel in Japan—and across Asia—hangs on the adoption of more balanced, respectful, and sustainable practices. The “hidden garden” solution now being unearthed by researchers, travel writers, and cultural advocates offers a scalable model: redirecting flows away from overstressed landmarks, supporting dispersed local economies, and deepening travelers’ appreciation for place, history, and the natural world.
Looking ahead, tourism authorities and the hospitality sector in both Thailand and Japan are likely to collaborate more in promoting alternative itineraries centered on gardens, green spaces, and wellness experiences. Educational campaigns may emphasize the health benefits of walking and contemplation, encourage etiquette in sacred or historical spaces, and foster cross-cultural understanding through shared values of harmony and respect for nature. Meanwhile, as climate concerns grow, the ecological management and preservation of urban and historical gardens will become even more crucial—offering both a refuge for humans and a haven for flora and fauna.
For Thai travelers planning a Japan adventure during future peak seasons, the message is clear: Celebrate the famous sights, but don’t overlook the hidden sanctuaries. Incorporate visits to gardens such as Hama-rikyu, the Inner Garden at Meiji Jingu, Ōkōchi Sansō, and the Ninomaru Garden at Nijō Castle into your itinerary. Download government-sponsored “off the beaten path” maps or check with local tourism offices for garden schedules and seasonal highlights. Schedule quiet moments—perhaps with a steaming bowl of matcha, or alongside a pond speckled with water lilies—into every busy day.
Through these mindful adjustments, Thai tourists and travelers worldwide can find harmony amid the hustle, contribute positively to Japan’s tourism ecosystem, and return home with rich memories of serenity and renewal.