Expected increase in Hong Kong residents traveling to Japan as concerns over potential 'megaquake' subside
In recent weeks, Japan has witnessed a surge in interest from travellers, particularly from Hong Kong, as fears of a predicted megaquake and resulting tsunami have been dispelled. The dispelling of this rumour, which originated from a 2021 reprint of a 1999 manga titled *The Future I Saw* by Ryo Tatsuki, has significantly impacted tourism in Japan, particularly from Hong Kong, in the days and months leading up to July 5, 2025.
The panic caused by the manga's prediction resulted in a significant short-term disruption in tourism from Hong Kong to Japan, as evidenced by sharp declines in bookings and flight cancellations. Hongkongers were among those particularly affected by the quake fears, with some even altering their travel plans by arriving in Japan early to avoid the predicted disaster date.
However, with the earthquake rumours now dispelled, interest in travel to Japan has bounced back. Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, described the situation as "the darkest hour before dawn." Huen, who did not provide any specific details about the current level of tour group bookings for Japan, expects Hongkongers' visits to Japan to rebound "explosively" in the coming days and months.
The decline in tour group bookings for Japan was due to the fear of a predicted megaquake that proved unfounded. This fear was amplified by a series of earthquakes near Japan’s Tokara Islands and volcanic activity on Mount Shinmoe, which occurred just days before the predicted disaster date. Despite seismologists dismissing any scientific basis for the prediction and advising calm, the timing of these events fueled public anxiety, especially online, in Hong Kong and other East Asian regions.
Japanese officials and disaster experts have repeatedly urged calm, clarifying that earthquake timing cannot be predicted scientifically and that the prophecy lacks any scientific foundation. They emphasized that preparedness is key but that rumours should not dictate travel decisions. Media outlets in Hong Kong reported on the quake fears daily, further fuelling the anxiety.
As the fear subsides, EGL Tours, a major tour operator, is gearing up for a surge in demand. Normally, during the July summer holiday, EGL Tours hosts 10 daily tour groups to Japan, each with 25 to 30 members. However, on Saturday, only three tour groups from EGL Tours set off for Japan, with about 10 people in each group. With the surge in interest, this number is expected to increase significantly in the coming days and months.
While the current surge in interest does not necessarily guarantee a full recovery of the tourism industry, it is a positive sign for the recovery. The July summer holiday tour group bookings for EGL Tours saw a significant decline due to earthquake fears, but with the fears now dispelled, the industry is hopeful for a strong rebound in the coming weeks and months.
Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, expects the number of Hongkongers visiting Japan to rebound "explosively" due to the dispelled earthquake rumors. In contrast to the previous decline, the tour operator is gearing up for a surge in demand, with the expectation that the number of tour groups from EGL Tours traveling to Japan will significantly increase in the coming days and months.
