Visa-Free Travel to Japan Possible from October 11… Major Travel Agencies Plan to Expand Golf Tours
Japanese Golf Trips Popular for Accessibility, Convenience, and Affordability
A panoramic view of Kasumigaseki Golf Club located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seohee] Golfers who had been confined within Korea are feeling excited. This is because travel to Japan will fully open from October, following major Southeast Asian regions.
Japan, along with Southeast Asia, is one of the most preferred destinations for overseas golf travelers. Due to the short travel distance and no time difference, it is a destination that can be visited easily over the weekend without taking additional leave. Especially, from October 11, visa-free travel to Japan will be possible, and with the weak yen reducing costs, more golfers are planning golf trips there. Major domestic travel agencies are also preparing various golf package products in line with the increased flights to Japan.
Japan Golf Travel Fully Opens… Visa-Free Entry OK
The door to Japan travel, which had been tightly closed since COVID-19, will fully open from the 11th of next month. On the 22nd, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced the removal of the daily entry cap of 50,000 people and allowed visa-free individual travel for foreigners to Japan.
Japan-bound routes, which had been suspended since COVID-19, are expected to normalize one by one. Major domestic travel agencies resumed Japan travel from June. It was the first normalization in 2 years and 2 months since local travel was suspended due to COVID-19. However, the industry explains that the actual ripple effect was not significant. Only group tourists were allowed to travel to Japan, and complicated procedures such as PCR tests and visa issuance were required. Travel without a guide was also prohibited.
From the 7th of this month, the Japanese government exempted PCR tests and allowed individual travelers to enter, but the visa-free entry barrier still remained. However, from October, even this condition will be removed, accelerating travel agencies’ movements. According to Asia Economy’s coverage, major domestic travel agencies such as Hanatour, Modetour, and Norangpungseon plan to expand Japan golf travel products in line with the resumption of flights to Kyushu, a representative golf destination in Japan before COVID-19. Previously, the Japan golf travel products operated by these agencies were limited to three regions: Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. The prices of the products offered by travel agencies range from 1.1 million to 1.4 million KRW for a 3-night, 4-day trip. The price includes round-trip airfare, accommodation, meals, green fees, and cart fees.
Jo Ilsang, team leader at Hanatour, said, “Although Japan golf travel resumed from early July, golf travel products were very limited due to the lack of smooth flights to Fukuoka and the Kyushu region, which were traditional golf destinations,” adding, “We expect Japan golf travel to become more active in line with the resumption of flights to Sapporo, Okinawa, and other areas.”
Lower Cost Burden Due to Weak Yen
The depreciation of the yen is another attractive reason for golfers to choose Japan for golf travel.
The value of the yen compared to the Korean won has significantly dropped compared to before COVID-19. The exchange rate was 1,059.8 KRW per 100 yen in 2019, but it has continuously fallen since then and is currently down to 988.8 KRW. Although the recent sharp depreciation of the won has caused a rebound in the yen’s value against the won, it still remains below 1,000 KRW per 100 yen. This means that traveling to Japan has become cheaper. Posts such as “Reasons to Leave for Japan Travel Immediately” are gaining popularity on travel-related online communities.
The popularity of Japan travel is also confirmed by reservation rates at travel agencies. From the beginning of this month to the 22nd, Hanatour’s average daily Japan travel reservation rate surged by 1,268% compared to the same period last month. Modetour also saw a 2,400% increase in Japan travel reservations during the same period compared to the previous month. Norangpungseon reported that reservations for the 2-night, 3-day Osaka package from September 1 to 20 increased by 1,200% compared to the same period last month.
Golf and Hot Springs… Kagoshima Perfect for Winter Travel
Map of Kyushu Region, Japan
Japan’s Kyushu region is an attractive golf travel destination during the winter season. It is reachable within 2 hours by plane, and after golf, travelers can enjoy hot spring baths.
The most popular place is Kagoshima, located at the southernmost part of the Kyushu region. It is a small town about 2 hours by car from Miyazaki, which has an international airport. Known as the “Naples of the East” for its spectacular scenery, it has an average annual temperature of 20°C, making the weather warm all year round. Because of this, golfers can enjoy rounds on green fairways even in the middle of winter.
There are plenty of activities beyond golf. After the round, visitors can enjoy hot spring baths in warm water, and after leaving the bath, they can taste local specialties such as black pork tonkatsu, shabu-shabu, and ramen.
Domestic travel agencies have arranged about 10 golf courses as local golf destinations. These include Satsuma Golf & Resort, Green Hill CC, South Kyushu CC, Mizobe CC, Airport 36 CC, Golden Palm CC, Kedo-in CC, Kirishima CC, Kokusai CC, Jiran CC, and Takamaki CC. Among them, ‘Airport 36 CC,’ located about 20 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport, and ‘Satsuma Golf & Resort,’ which has hosted the LPGA Kyocera Open and Kyushu Championships, are especially popular golf courses.
The local golf courses are also characterized by mountainous terrain similar to domestic golf courses. Fairways surrounded by dense mountains and trees, and courses with uphill and downhill sections enhance the enjoyment of play. This contrasts with golf courses in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, which are mostly built on flat land.
‘No Caddy’ System and Two-Person Play Allowed
There is another reason why many domestic golfers are turning their attention to Japan. Japanese golf courses generally operate a ‘no caddy’ system. Moreover, most golf courses allow two-person play. This is a more reasonable system compared to domestic golf courses, which have excessive caddy fees and focus on four-person rounds.
According to the industry, the average caddy fee at domestic golf courses has recently risen to around 150,000 KRW. Nevertheless, few places have introduced a no-caddy system or a caddy selection system. Among golf courses nationwide, only about 48 have adopted the no-caddy system, and about 43 have introduced the caddy selection system.
Park Cheonbeom (43), who recently traveled to Fukuoka for golf, said, “Japanese golf courses allow two-person play and do not charge caddy or cart fees, which was very satisfying,” adding, “I am even considering purchasing a local membership to visit regularly.”
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