Japanese Tourists are Flocking to Korea

Korea has become one of the most popular places for Japanese tourists, according to the Korea National Tourism Organization on April 19.
The organization, citing the Japanese tourist industry, predicted about 68,000 Japanese will come to Korea for their Golden Week holiday from April 28 to May 5 this year. In 1998, 56,000 Japanese visited Korea during the Golden Week.
The eight-day Golden Week, which includes Green Day(April 29) and Children's Day(May 5), is the longest holiday season for Japan.
A total of 484,000 tourists are expected to go abroad this year. And among them, 69,000 will visit Europe, followed by Korea with 68,000, and the United States with 58,000.
Korea's geographic proximity and lower prices are largely responsible for attracting Japanese tourists.
Dosun Jang;jdsmh@joongang.co.kr