South Korean tourists are visiting Japan in record numbers, drawn by the weak Japanese yen and improving bilateral relations, making Japan an attractive destination once again.
“I was so excited because everything was inexpensive,” shared a woman from Seoul, reflecting on her springtime trip to Japan this year. “Everyday goods for children were way cheaper than they are in South Korea. I bought everything I could carry.” This woman, in her 40s and working for a large conglomerate, visited the Kansai region, home to cities like Osaka and Kyoto. “The food was delicious, and I had a lot of fun,” she said. “I would go back in a heartbeat.”
South Korean tourists are pouring into Japan in record numbers as a weak Japanese currency offers bargains and improved bilateral ties makes the country an attractive destination again. pic.twitter.com/QDxOQHQiQV
— Ajay Verma (@ajay_verma66063) July 13, 2024
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 3.73 million South Korean tourists visited Japan during the first five months of the year, marking a 1.4-fold increase from the same period last year. In May alone, about 730,000 South Koreans traveled to Japan, setting a new record for the month. The number of visitors has surpassed the previous year’s figures every month since February 2022.
Japan has traditionally been a top destination for South Korean travelers, but tourism suffered due to diplomatic tensions. In 2019, a “No Japan” movement emerged in South Korea after relations soured over historical grievances, leading to a steep drop in South Korean tourists. The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 further halted tourism as borders closed and airlines suspended routes between the two countries.
With the resumption of flights, tourist traffic has surged dramatically. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reported that air travelers made 10.2 million trips between South Korea and Japan from January to May this year, a 46% increase from the previous year and an all-time high for the period. This two-way traffic is double the 5.08 million trips made between South Korea and China.
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Hyundai Card, South Korea’s leading credit card company by settlement value, has partnered with Japanese companies, including e-commerce giant Rakuten Group and electronics retailer Bic Camera. Approximately 500,000 Hyundai Card holders visited Japan last year, a sevenfold increase from 2021. Around 20% of these travelers visited Japan more than once. Hyundai Card selected popular services and facilities in Japan to offer discounts and delivery services to its cardholders. “We want to add more partners and spread the word that a Hyundai Card is good to have when traveling to Japan,” a company representative stated.
The current favorable exchange rates making Japan an appealing destination may fluctuate with changes in exchange rates and inflation. This spring, chartered flights between Japan’s Toyama Airport and South Korea operated for the first time in about three and a half years. South Korean group travelers were eager to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a scenic spot in Toyama prefecture.
Key Points:
- Surge in Tourism: South Korean tourists are visiting Japan in record numbers due to a weak yen and improved relations.
- Tourist Experiences: Travelers like a woman from Seoul found goods and experiences in Japan to be much cheaper and enjoyable.
- Statistics: 3.73 million South Koreans visited Japan in the first five months of the year, with May setting a new record.
- Resumed Flights: Flights between South Korea and Japan have resumed, leading to a dramatic increase in tourist traffic.
- Hyundai Card Partnerships: Hyundai Card has partnered with Japanese companies to offer benefits to cardholders, boosting travel between the two countries.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
