Over 1 Million Koreans Visited Japan Early This Year, Surpassing Jeju Travel

3.26 Million Koreans Traveled Abroad in January, Outpacing Inbound Tourists by 2 Million
Japan (1.13 Million), Vietnam (480,000), China (300,000): Surge in Nearby Destinations

Due to the high exchange rate and rising overseas prices, Korean travelers are increasingly choosing nearby destinations such as Japan. In January this year, the number of Koreans visiting Japan exceeded 1.13 million, marking a record monthly high.

According to immigration statistics from the Ministry of Justice on March 15, the number of Koreans traveling abroad in January this year totaled 3,269,561. As demand for overseas travel rapidly recovered after COVID-19, the number of outbound travelers has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

By destination, Japan was the most popular, attracting 1.13 million Koreans. This means that one out of every three overseas travelers chose Japan. Vietnam (480,000) and China (300,000) followed.

This is the first time that the monthly number of Koreans visiting Japan has exceeded one million. During the same period, 984,906 domestic travelers visited Jeju Island, meaning more people traveled to Japan than to Jeju.

This Japanese travel boom is not unique to this year. Last year, 9,459,600 Koreans visited Japan, the highest annual figure ever. Among all foreigners who visited Japan, Koreans were the largest group. The recovery of air routes and the Japanese government’s policies to attract tourists have been cited as key factors. According to a survey by travel platform Trip.com, the most preferred overseas destinations last year among Korean female travelers were Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan.

In contrast, during the same period, the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea remained at around 1.26 million. This is about two million fewer than the 3.26 million Koreans who traveled abroad. Although inbound tourism to Korea has been recovering after COVID-19, it is not keeping pace with the rapid rise in outbound travel.

The travel industry points to the high exchange rate and global price increases as key reasons. Demand for travel to Europe and the Americas has declined due to higher airfares and accommodation costs, while demand for Japan has surged because of shorter travel times and relatively lower expenses.

A travel industry official commented, "Long-distance destinations have become more expensive due to rising airfare and accommodation costs. In contrast, Japan is an accessible destination thanks to short flight times and a large number of available flights."

As demand for travel to Japan soars, the Japanese government plans to tighten entry procedures for foreigners. At a recent Cabinet meeting, the Japanese government approved a revision to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, which includes the introduction of a pre-entry screening system for foreigners. The core of the revision is the introduction of the 'Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA),' which is similar to the U.S. ESTA. Foreigners entering Japan without a visa will be required to apply online and receive pre-approval before departure. Since Korea is also on the visa waiver list, Korean travelers will also be subject to this pre-screening once the system is implemented.

Local governments in Japan are also strengthening policies in response to the surge in tourists. To alleviate overtourism, a dual pricing system is spreading, where entrance fees to tourist sites and accommodation taxes are set higher for foreigners. For example, Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture has started charging 1,000 yen for city residents and 2,500 yen for non-residents to enter Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kyoto City is pushing to raise the upper limit of its accommodation tax to 10,000 yen per person.

Some in the tourism industry warn that travel to Japan may become less convenient. The introduction of the pre-entry approval process could make spontaneous same-day trips more difficult.

Meanwhile, as outbound travel surges, there is a growing trend of tourism spending flowing out of Korea. According to the Bank of Korea, the travel account deficit in January this year reached $1.74 billion, up from $1.4 billion the previous month. The government is working to expand inbound tourism. Last year, Korea welcomed a record 18.94 million foreign tourists. The government aims to attract 23 million foreign tourists this year and 30 million by 2029, with plans to further develop the tourism industry.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.