Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 1 is crowded with travelers. News1
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan’s Kyushu region temporarily paralyzed local transportation networks, heightening anxiety among Korean tourists planning trips to Japan. Although the airport was temporarily closed and Shinkansen bullet train services were suspended, the travel industry said major tourist destinations such as Fukuoka and Yufuin are operating normally, and no injuries to Korean travelers or itinerary disruptions have been confirmed so far.
According to the travel industry on the 29th, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred near the city of Uki in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, at around 4:27 p.m. the previous day. A maximum seismic intensity of 7, the highest level on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s intensity scale, was observed, causing damage including the destruction of some facilities at a shopping mall.
Immediately after the earthquake, Kumamoto Airport temporarily suspended operations to conduct runway safety inspections, and all scheduled domestic flights were canceled. A Korean Air flight from Incheon to Kumamoto was also canceled due to the runway closure. JR Kyushu also temporarily halted all railway operations, including the Shinkansen, to conduct safety inspections.
However, transportation networks were quickly normalized. Kumamoto Airport resumed operations after completing safety inspections, and Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) resumed normal operations from the 29th. ANA also implemented a special measure waiving fees for passengers changing or canceling reservations due to the earthquake.
Travel Agencies Say Most Kyushu Trips Normal, But Watch for Aftershocks
Korea’s travel industry has determined that the impact of this earthquake on Kyushu travel as a whole is limited. Most Kyushu package tours use Fukuoka Airport, and itineraries that directly visit Kumamoto are not common.
Hana Tour said that so far there have been no problems with the safety of customers staying locally, and no unusual circumstances that could affect travel itineraries have been confirmed. It explained that only a very small number of products include Kumamoto itineraries, and it plans to flexibly adjust schedules depending on future circumstances.
Mode Tour and Yellow Balloon also reported that they had confirmed the safety of both customers and tour guides, and that travel itineraries are proceeding normally at major tourist destinations such as Fukuoka, Beppu, and Yufuin. Verygood Tour also said that of about 400 Japan products, only three include Kumamoto, and that inquiries about cancellations or refunds have not surged so far.
Travel agencies are maintaining a constant emergency contact system between tour guides and headquarters to monitor local conditions. However, they advised that, unlike package travelers, individual travelers need to directly check transportation operation conditions and aftershock information.
Strong Quake Possible for a Week, Travelers Urged to Check Safety Information
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is providing real-time information on earthquakes and tsunamis for travelers through “Japan Safe Travel.” It advises that if a tsunami warning is issued, travelers should avoid approaching coastlines and rivers and immediately evacuate to higher ground.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that no Korean casualties have been reported so far, but that it continues to monitor local conditions. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the possibility of strong aftershocks of up to seismic intensity 7 over the next week or so cannot be ruled out, urging people to refrain from unnecessary access to dangerous areas and to check the latest disaster information.
AloJapan.com