Narita Airport near Tokyo is crowded with holidaymakers as the number of travelers taking international flights from the airport is expected to peak on Sunday.
Families with large suitcases formed long lines at airline counters in the departure area, starting in the early morning.
Narita International Airport Corporation says about 54,100 people are expected to head for overseas destinations on Sunday.
It says over 956,100 people are expected to leave or arrive at the airport in the 10-day period from December 26 to January 4. That would be largely unchanged from the same period last year.
Officials say the number of travelers to China dropped by about 30 percent due to the recent diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, but that destinations such as Taiwan, Hawaii and the Philippines’ Cebu Island remain popular.
A woman in her 30s taking her family to Cebu Island says she wants to escape the cold winter in Japan and enjoy swimming in a pool on the warm island.
A man in his 50s traveling to Hong Kong said he wants to enjoy his first overseas trip with his family. He said he wants to visit theme parks and enjoy good food.
The rush of returning passengers at Narita Airport is expected to peak on January 4.
AloJapan.com