Top 10 Travel Destinations Japanese Want to Visit during The New Year Holiday

After COVID-19 was downgraded to a seasonal flu level in Japan, many people began to arrange their first overseas trips after the epidemic to prepare for the New Year. Large travel companies recently announced a ranking of popular overseas travel destinations during the New Year holiday. The top three are Seoul, Taipei, and Hawaii.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (Merxwire) – Due to the impact of COVID-19, Japanese people have been unable to travel abroad for the New Year for three years. After COVID-19 was downgraded to a seasonal flu level in Japan, many people began arranging their first post-pandemic overseas trips in preparation for their New Year’s holiday. The large travel company HIS also announced the ranking of popular overseas tourism destinations from December 23 to January 3. Among them, Seoul, South Korea ranked first as last year.

The reason why Seoul is loved by Japanese people is that it is relatively close, and it only takes about 2 and a half hours to get there by plane. There are many flights and Low-cost carriers, so air tickets are cheaper. In addition, the environment is very familiar to Japanese people, which can reduce the time of planning the trip. Many people go to Myeongdong to shop and enjoy various food, while some people arrange more modern casino itineraries. Recently, it has been popular to visit retro cafes that have been converted from traditional old houses or factories.

Taipei City, which ranked seventh last year, rose to second place. The main reason is that it is relatively close to Japan, which can be reached by plane in about 3 hours, and it is a friendly tourist destination for Japanese people. They like to go to the night market to taste snacks and like pearl milk tea and Din Tai Fung’s xiaolongbao. Taiwanese Castella, which has become very popular in Japan in recent years, Japanese people think it is like Taiwan’s Nagasaki cake but has a moister, fluffy, and softer texture. It is also known as “ancient freshly baked cake”. Beitou Hot Spring can be reached by taking the MRT, and they can enjoy the hot spring without staying overnight. It is also a must-see on their itinerary.

The third place is beautiful Hawaii. Japan has suspended some direct flights to Hawaii during COVID-19, making it less accessible to travel. After the opening of direct flights and New Year’s limited flights, it has become a popular attraction again. Japanese people like Waikiki Beach and the local urban atmosphere very much. They can play in the water and surf, or go shopping at Kalakaua Ave and the famous Ala Moana Center to fully enjoy their holiday time. Kualoa Ranch, where the movie Jurassic Park was filmed, is also very popular, where they can enjoy the magnificent natural scenery, ride off-road vehicles through the jungle, and experience horseback riding.

Affected by the depreciation of the yen and the increasing fuel surcharges on international flights, attractions accessible by Low-cost carriers (LCC) have become more popular, which also affects this ranking. LCC flights do not charge fuel surcharges, so air tickets are cheaper. Passengers can flexibly choose whether they need meals, seat selection, baggage check-in, and other services, allowing them to save travel costs according to their needs. Therefore, Cebu Island in the Philippines, where LCC arrives, ranks eighth this year, and Cairns in Australia ranks ninth.

The top 10 most popular tourist destinations during the New Year holiday in Japan this year are Seoul, Taipei, Hawaii, Bangkok, Guam, Busan, Singapore, Cebu Island, Cairns, and Paris. Compared with the same period last year, the average travel cost was approximately 192,700 yen, which was similar to last year. The number of overseas tourists was about 2.6 times that of the same period last year, but half of that before COVID-19. The main reason why half of the Japanese are still unwilling to go abroad is that air tickets and accommodation costs are still more expensive than before, leaving them to choose to wait for a better opportunity.