About 1.27 million foreigners came to Japan in July, surging 26.6 percent from a year ago and the highest figure ever for a single month, government data show.
The 7.53 million visitors received in the first seven months of the year also constitute a record, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.
The rise was attributed to the expansion in international flights at Tokyo's Haneda airport and more charter flights from Asian countries, the organization said.
By country and region, China accounted for most of the visitors in July, doubling from a year earlier to 281,200, mainly due to luxury cruise ships.
Taiwan ranked second, with travelers jumping 17.1 percent to 279,300.
South Korea came third with 250,600, up 2.7 percent and marking the first increase in six months, as a national mood of restraint eased following the sinking of the ferry Sewol in April, the organization said.