Image reproduced from 非凡新聞

Every year, millions of Taiwanese travelers choose Japan as their top vacation destination. With the summer travel season approaching, many are already planning their trips to Japan. The fondness that Taiwanese people have for Japan is unwavering, with some even visiting multiple times a year. Recently, a user on PTT posed the question, 'Do Taiwanese people ever get tired of going to Japan?' This sparked a lively discussion in the online community.

In response, many users on PTT expressed their views, stating that even if they travel to Japan every year, they never get bored. Comments like, 'No, each trip has a different purpose,' 'There are so many places to visit in Japan,' and 'I go four times a year; each experience is unique,' resonated with many. Additionally, some remarked, 'How could you get tired of delicious food?'

Netizens identified four main reasons why Japan remains exceptionally popular among Taiwanese travelers: firstly, its proximity; secondly, relatively affordable prices; thirdly, excellent safety; and lastly, diverse food and shopping options. They stated that it is challenging for any other country to replace Japan’s significant place in the hearts of Taiwanese people.

Beyond popular spots such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, many seasoned travelers have begun to explore lesser-known attractions like Kanazawa, Shikoku, and Aomori. However, some users voiced different opinions, suggesting, 'We should check out other countries,' with mentions of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Penang, or places in Europe and America, albeit acknowledging, 'Japan is truly fun; some people just want to keep going back.'

According to statistics from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, from January to April of this year, the total number of outbound travelers reached 5,967,561, with 2,144,913 heading to Japan, making up 36% of total outbound travelers. This figure represents a 10.73% increase compared to the same period last year, indicating that the enthusiasm for traveling to Japan remains high.

However, the travel enthusiasm took a hit when a prediction by Japanese manga artist Ryuju Ryo in his work 'The Future I Saw' stated there would be a major earthquake in Japan on July 5. Consequently, recent interest in traveling to Japan has somewhat cooled. In response, Huang Qingliang, the general manager of Sunny Day Travel, remarked that this July marked a challenging period in his 35 years in the industry due to the doomsday prediction and earthquake rumors. Yet, starting in August, business began to recover, and it is expected that trips will remain popular in September and October.

In conclusion, Japan tourism continues to have a solid fan base. Despite facing slightly greater challenges than last year, the overall market still retains a high level of appeal, with signs of recovery in tourism after the pandemic.