NEW YORK — Japan’s major cities are rising through the tourism ranks, with enough growth to make the country one of the year’s greatest success stories.

The country’s official tourism board – Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) – has reported that cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are experiencing a tourism boom, making each more visible as a top international destination.

According to Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Ranking 2017, Tokyo rose six places to 17, while Osaka leapt 27 places to 55, experiencing 52% more tourist arrivals in 2015 than 2014. Kyoto also moved up 11 places to 89 in the Euromonitor report, experiencing over 47% year-over-year arrival growth in 2015 over 2014.

Japan’s large cities are not the only destinations on the rise, however. The hot springs region Yunokawa in Hokkaido, the northern part of Japan, was named first of 20 idyllic beach getaways around Asia by CNN Travel. In addition, Sapporo, best known for its snow festival in February, is also gaining popularity, as people are discovering there is much to see throughout Hokkaido. Just a short two-hour flight away from Tokyo, here visitors can immerse themselves in nature, indulge in delicious local cuisine, unwind at hot springs, and enjoy four distinct seasons.