Travel Agencies Say "Kyushu Is Fine," but Kumamoto Tourism Authorities Cancel All Local Tours

Full Refunds for Tours Until August 2,
No New Reservations Accepted Until August 16
South Korean Industry: “Core Fukuoka and Yufuin Packages Largely Unaffected”
Flights Resume, but Some Rail Services Disrupted
Japan Meteorological Agency: “Strong Aftershocks Possible for One Week”

Concerns are mounting among South Korean tourists planning summer trips to Japan after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu. Although most flights have resumed, disruptions continue in the Shinkansen and local transportation networks. Local tourism authorities have suspended their own travel programs and begun comprehensive safety inspections at tourist facilities, while the South Korean travel industry views the impact on core packages centered on Fukuoka and Yufuin as limited.

Part of a large shopping mall has collapsed due to a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that occurred on the afternoon of the 28th in Kumamoto, western Kyushu, Japan. Yonhap News Agency

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency and other sources on July 29, a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. on the previous day in Kumamoto region, Kumamoto Prefecture. The hypocenter was at a depth of 16 kilometers, and in Uki City and Hikawa Town, a seismic intensity of 7—the highest level on the Japan Meteorological Agency's scale—was recorded. As of 4:30 p.m. on the 29th, the Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported 13 deaths. By 2:00 p.m. that day, there had also been 194 tremors of magnitude 1 or higher.

Air travel routes reopened comparatively quickly. Immediately after the earthquake, Aso Kumamoto Airport conducted safety inspections of the runway, leading to the cancellation of all domestic and international flights scheduled for July 28. However, operations resumed from July 29, except for some flights that were still canceled. The airport requested travelers to check with airlines for up-to-date flight information.

While the airport has reopened, local transportation networks have yet to return to normal. As of 4:00 p.m. on July 29, JR Kyushu had suspended all services on the Kyushu Shinkansen line, the Arao–Yatsushiro section of the Kagoshima Main Line, the Kumamoto–Miyaji section of the Hohi Main Line, and the entire Misumi Line. At Kumamoto Station, a break in the catenary wire was confirmed, and at Shin-Yatsushiro Station, rail damage and misalignment of the bridge girder were found. More than 200 instances of soundproof wall collapse or damage were observed between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo.

Local tourism authorities are focusing on traveler safety and facility inspections rather than rushing to restart tourism. The official booking site co-managed by Kumamoto Prefecture's Tourism Promotion Section and the Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Federation has canceled all proprietary travel products departing until August 2, with plans to issue full refunds.

With the peak vacation season underway, the departure hall at Incheon International Airport is bustling with crowds. Yonhap News Agency

For tours departing from August 3 to 16, the operating status is still being determined. Travelers booked within this period may cancel without penalty, and no new reservations are being accepted for departures up to the 16th. For products departing after the 17th, reservations are being accepted as usual, with a warning that schedules could change depending on local conditions.

The Kumamoto Prefecture Tourism Federation has posted operational updates for various transportation modes—including highways and airports, JR and local railways, buses, and ferries—on its official tourism site. Rather than offering an overall assessment of whether travel to Kumamoto is possible, travelers are advised to check the latest updates for each destination and mode of transport.

Tourism information services and the operation of major facilities are still facing disruptions. The Kumamoto International Tourism Convention Association has decided to temporarily close the Kumamoto Station General Tourist Information Center, the Sakuranobaba Josaien General Tourist Information Center, and rest areas within Kumamoto Castle. The Kumamoto City government has separately announced closures and cancellations at cultural and tourist sites, such as the former home of Natsume Soseki and the Tabaruzaka Seinan War Museum.

The direct impact on the South Korean travel sector appears limited so far. Major agencies including Hanatour, Modetour, and Yellow Balloon have reported that customers and tour leaders are safe, and core itineraries focusing on Fukuoka, Beppu, and Yufuin are largely proceeding as usual. This is because most Kyushu packages use Fukuoka Airport and do not include Kumamoto on the itinerary. Out of approximately 400 Japan tour products at Very Good Tour, only three included Kumamoto.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Kyushu, Japan, and reports of tremors have been coming in from some regions in South Korea as well. On the afternoon of the 28th, seismic intensity and other earthquake information were displayed on a monitor at the Korea Meteorological Administration in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, the South Korean travel agencies' assurance of "no itinerary disruptions" should not be interpreted as full normalization of tourism in Kumamoto. This simply indicates that packages centered on areas farther from the epicenter—such as Fukuoka, Yufuin, and Beppu—are operating normally. Local tourism authorities have suspended their own travel products, and many tourist information centers and facilities in Kumamoto City remain closed.

It is not necessary to regard the entire Kyushu region as a risk zone, but for itineraries that include affected areas such as Kumamoto, Uki, Hikawa, and Yatsushiro, the operating status of transportation and tourist facilities should be reconfirmed. Especially for independent travelers, even if flights are running, it may be difficult to complete planned routes if the Shinkansen or buses are not operating.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that in areas strongly shaken by the quake, further seismic activity of up to seismic intensity 7 could occur for about a week after the earthquake. It specifically cautioned that secondary strong earthquakes often occur during the two or three days following a major tremor.

The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that while the tsunami advisory previously issued for the western coast of Kumamoto has been lifted, aftershocks are continuing and travelers in the area are urged to stay alert for their personal safety. The Japan National Tourism Organization advised travelers to consult the "Japan Safe Travel" and "Safety Tips" applications for information on earthquakes, tsunamis, and transportation updates.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.