Anxious Korean travelers are reconsidering canceling their trips to Japan after the recent earthquake

A customer checks his plane ticket to Sapporo at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on June 22, 2023. [YONHAP]

Bear sightings, earthquakes, tsunami warnings – travelers are becoming more reluctant to take a plane to reach Sapporo, traditionally one of Japan's most popular winter tourism stops. “I will continue to monitor the situation until tomorrow,” 25-year-old Kang, who is scheduled to travel to Sapporo with a friend on Friday, said in a phone call with the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper. “If things get worse, I might cancel the trip.” Just two days before the scheduled date, Kang had not decided whether or not to take the plane to Japan. In the wake of the earthquake that struck northeastern Japan on Monday and a new warning of the possibility of stronger aftershocks, Kang is just one of many would-be tourists who are becoming more anxious about their plans to go to Sapporo. A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Honshu on Monday evening. Aftershocks continued into the next morning, and on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a “major aftershock warning” for the first time ever — a notice issued when the risk of a major earthquake is considered higher than normal. Hokkaido, where Sapporo is located, is among the areas now advised to prepare for a possible major earthquake. Japanese authorities warned that in the worst-case scenario, the number of deaths could reach 199,000 people. “I was browsing Japanese travel forums every day,” Kang said. “Some people said they were stuck in their hotel rooms when the elevators stopped working. Others said local broadcasters were asking people to prepare a week's worth of emergency food supplies. I'm very worried. I've already used my vacation days, and the booking site doesn't allow refunds — and I don't know what to do.” Another potential traveler, named Zhou, has been sticking to the news for updates. “There are even reports of a possible 3 metre [9.8-foot] “Tsunami,” Cho said. “Just in case, I signed up for the most expensive travel insurance worth 18,000 won [$12.25] We looked at what to do in emergency situations.

A photo taken from a Kyodo News aircraft on December 9 shows a collapsed road in Tohoku in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, following a strong earthquake that struck the area the night before. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

A worker cleans inside a commercial facility in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on December 9, following a strong earthquake the night before, in this photo taken by Kyodo. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

But for now, these concerns have not yet led to a wave of flight cancellations. “We have not seen a significant rise in cancellations yet, but the situation may change depending on whether additional earthquakes occur,” a representative of a local low-cost airline said. A representative of the travel agency added: “We have received many inquiries from customers asking whether attractions and hotels in the area are operating normally.” On online travel forums for Japan, some users posted their experiences during the earthquake. “I felt like I was standing in the middle of a circular ride – I can't even put it into words,” one person wrote. Another said: “I woke up to the emergency alarm, and the bed was shaking. I was so scared I couldn't sleep.” Those planning to visit Japan are advised to use the safety advice website or mobile app operated by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), which provides real-time alerts of earthquake and tsunami warnings. Travelers should also select and save the contact details of the Korean Embassy in Japan in advance. In the event of earthquakes or power outages disrupting card payment systems, it is recommended to carry extra cash.

This article was originally written in Korean and was translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by an English-speaking editor. All AI-powered translations are reviewed and improved by our newsroom. BY LEE AH-MI [[email protected]]

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