Japan to Launch Kyushu Travel Subsidies in October
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Japan’s Tourism Agency said a “Kyushu Recovery Support Discount” will begin on October 1 to help revive tourism after a strong earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in late July, triggering widespread booking cancellations across Kyushu . The subsidy applies to travel and accommodation products of one night or more in seven prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima . Kumamoto and Kagoshima, which were more heavily affected by earthquake-related cancellations, will offer subsidies of up to 60%, while the other five prefectures will offer 50% support . Depending on the itinerary type, the maximum discount per person per trip will range from ¥20,000 to ¥35,000, with further booking details to be announced later by each prefecture .
Key Points
- A magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Kumamoto in late July, and cancellations were also reported across Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Saga in the wider Kyushu region .
- The Japan Tourism Agency is introducing the subsidy to support travel and lodging costs and draw visitors back to Kyushu from October 1 .
- Eligible products must include at least one night in Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki or Kagoshima within Kyushu .
- Accommodation-only packages, or one-night accommodation-plus-transport plans, will be capped at ¥20,000 per person per trip under the scheme .
- Two-night-or-more accommodation-plus-transport plans can receive up to ¥30,000, while multi-prefecture trips covering two or more prefectures can get ¥35,000 .
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong travellers, the programme means Japan-bound autumn trips may become materially cheaper in a region that remains popular for short-haul holidays . It also indicates that Japanese authorities are trying to reassure visitors that unaffected tourist sites, hotels and restaurants in Kyushu are operating normally after the quake .