Japan offers discounted travel bookings to Kumamoto, Nagasaki following July quake
While popular destinations like Tokyo or Osaka are obvious choices, lesser-known spots such as Kumamoto or Nagasaki are equally worth checking out. Planning to explore these hidden gems on your next Japan trip? You can score discounts on your travel bookings until later this year.
Starting Sept. 15, the Japan government is offering discounts on trips and accommodation in Kyushu.
Travelers can receive up to 60% off in Kumamoto and Kagoshima, where cancellations surged following the 7.1-magnitude quake, and 50% in other participating regions.
The travel campaign capts savings per person at 20,000 yen (about P7,500) for a one-night stay, 30,000 yen (about P11,300) for trips of two nights or more, and 35,000 yen (about P13,200) for itineraries covering at least two prefectures.
In Nagasaki, known for its historic churches, scenic harbor, and the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, discounted bookings will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2026 for stays between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1, 2026. Booking from Dec. 1 onward will be announced at a later date.
If you want to visit the Kumamoto Castle or Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most famous volcanic landscapes, explore its hot springs and traditional towns, or try local specialties such as basashi (horse sashimi), Kumamoto may be worth adding to your itinerary. According to its website, guests must sign a certificate of use upon check-in.
Additional prefectures are rolling out on staggered schedules: Saga and Oita cover travel from Oct. 1 to Dec. 25, while Miyazaki, Fukuoka, and Kagoshima will launch their promotions between late September and mid-October.
You can view participating accommodations and book stays through this link or register via Rakuten Travel.
Because participating hotels and travel agencies will begin sales at different times, travelers are advised to verify availability in advance. Check the participating accommodations here.
Keep in mind that across all prefectures, reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will close early once allocated budgets are exhausted.
Japan, particularly Kumamoto Prefecture, was struck by a magnitude-7.1 earthquake on July 28. The disaster killed 38 people and caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, agriculture, and businesses.
As of late August, damage to businesses and industries was estimated at 155.9 billion yen (about P56.9 billion), while damage to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries reached 110.2 billion yen (about P40.2 billion).
