Japan Travel Costs the Most Expensive in 5 Years This Summer Break — Northeast Asia Tour Prices Surge, Tokyo Prices Jump by 5,000 NTD

▲ Traveling to Japan this summer break is the most expensive in five years. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

Reported by Chen Zi-Yin / Taipei

The summer break is the peak travel season every year, and airlines typically raise ticket prices in phases due to limited seating. Today (16th), the Republic of China Travel Quality Assurance Association, together with travel agencies, announced the tour package prices for various routes in July and August this year. Among them, travel costs to both Japan and South Korea in Northeast Asia have risen, especially in Japan where the increase is the most significant — compared to the same period last year, prices have gone up by approximately 4,000–5,000 NTD, while in South Korea, the increase is around 2,000–3,000 NTD.

Hu Hao-Chin, General Manager of Japan operations at Shan Fu Travel Agency, stated that the summer break is traditionally the peak season for traveling to Japan. With the rise in airline prices, coupled with new regulations in Japan such as an increase in basic wages for large buses starting from July 1st and restrictions on inter-regional bus dispatching, prices in Japan have consequently surged. Popular destinations among travelers,such as Tokyo, have seen price increases ranging from approximately 5,000–8,000 NTD compared to April to June. Hokkaido and Osaka also have price hikes of about 3,000–5,000 NTD, marking the highest tour costs in Japan since the 311 earthquake..

In South Korea, prices have also increased. Hu Hao-Chin explained that due to the Korean variety show “Grandpas Over Flowers,” which sparked a surge in Korean tourists visiting Taiwan, flight seats have become tighter than usual, making it difficult to secure round-trip tickets between the two countries. As a result, ticket price increases have affected overall sales amounts. Overall, compared to the same period last year, prices have risen by approximately 2,000–3,000 NTD. Compared to the previous quarter, there has been an increase of about 3,000–4,000 NTD in Seoul and Busan areas, and Jeju Island — which is entering its peak travel season favored by both Korean and Chinese tourists — has also seen a rise of about 2,000–3,000 NTD. Hu Hao-Chin further mentioned that with the full opening of air routes between Taiwan and Japan, a substantial increase in flights and destinations, as well as budget airlines entering the market more aggressively, the number of Taiwanese travelers visiting Japan grew to 2.21 million last year, and it is estimated to surpass 3 million this year.

% Level? A list of tour package prices for popular cities in August and September. (Compiled by ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud)