Fukuoka: Japan's Top Short Trip Destination for 2026
Forget Tokyo! In 2026, Fukuoka has claimed the top spot for Japan travel, especially for those seeking a quick, authentic escape. Find out why this city is perfect for your next getaway.
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Forget Tokyo! In 2026, Fukuoka has claimed the top spot for Japan travel, especially for those seeking a quick, authentic escape. Find out why this city is perfect for your next getaway.
If you're planning a trip to Japan for Chuseok,
which city do you think travelers choose the most?
For me, Tokyo or Osaka would immediately come to mind,
but the booking rankings for the 2026 Chuseok holiday were a bit different!
According to data released by Rakuten Travel,
for the 2026 Chuseok holiday period,
the most booked destination by Koreans was none other than
Fukuoka!
Following closely were Oita, Hokkaido,
Tokyo, Okinawa, and Hyogo.
Fukuoka: Perfect for a Short Trip
While Fukuoka ranked 3rd last year,
this year it clinched the top spot!
If we think about why bookings surged like this,
it's likely due to its convenience for a short holiday getaway.
Fukuoka's flight time is quite short:
approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Incheon,
and 55 minutes from Busan.
It's relatively quick, and getting from the airport to the city center
doesn't take much time either.
This makes it the perfect city for maximizing your travel time,
even on a short holiday.
You can explore Fukuoka itself in depth,
or, if you have more time, you can add nearby areas
to your itinerary.
The abundance of delicious food, like Tonkotsu Ramen and Motsunabe,
is also a huge plus.
When holiday dates, like Chuseok, are already fixed,
not spending too much time on travel is
a huge advantage!
Short flight and travel times seem to be the key reason
Fukuoka snatched the top spot!
Oita: Healing in Hot Spring Towns
Coming in at number 2 was Oita.
Although it dropped one spot from last year's #1 ranking,
its popularity remains strong, holding onto 2nd place this year.
When you think of Oita, hot springs are probably
the first thing that comes to mind.
Both Yufuin, with its charming shops nestled in magnificent nature, and
Beppu, which boasts the highest hot spring water output,
are all located in Oita Prefecture.
The travel vibe is also quite different from Fukuoka.
Compared to Fukuoka's bustling city center,
Oita offers a serene and quiet atmosphere, making it perfect for a family-focused,
healing trip.
It's interesting to see bustling Fukuoka and
tranquil Oita side-by-side at
1st and 2nd place in this ranking!
From breathtaking landscapes to delicious eats, Hokkaido
Coming in at number 3 was Hokkaido.
It's the perfect escape from the late summer heat,
offering cool weather to
admire its vast natural beauty and
enjoy various outdoor activities.
From Sapporo, the vibrant central city,
you can reach Otaru, with its romantic canal,
in just 30-50 minutes by train.
Travel just a little further, and you'll find Noboribetsu or Jozankei,
famous hot spring towns,
making it wonderful for a relaxing soak.
From fresh seafood like crab dishes, sea urchin (uni), and salmon roe,
to local delights like Sapporo Ramen and Soup Curry,
delectable desserts made with fresh milk,
and, of course, Sapporo Beer...
It's truly a perfect destination for a gastronomic adventure!
The All-Time Favorite, Tokyo
Tokyo landed at number 4.
Don't let a slightly lower ranking than Fukuoka fool you;
it's hard to say Tokyo's popularity has waned.
You can indulge in shopping at trendy department stores
and expansive multi-story malls,
and dive into the magic of theme parks like Disneyland,
DisneySea, and
Harry Potter Studio.
With so much to see and do,
it has the fantastic advantage that even if you're traveling with a group,
everyone can easily find something they'll love.
Perhaps it's just that many of us have already explored this incredible city at least once,
which might explain why it didn't quite make the very top spots this time.
Japan's Own Hawaii, Okinawa
And coming in at number 5, it's Okinawa!
It's the closest tropical paradise where you can enjoy exhilarating marine sports
in a perfect emerald-blue sea!
Dreaming of Hawaii's stunning blue waters
but short on time and budget?
Look no further... Okinawa is your answer!
Unlike other regions,
the very purpose of travel here is a bit different.
If Tokyo or Fukuoka are all about eating, shopping,
and exploring,
then Okinawa is primarily about spending time
at the beach and resorts.
The world-class aquarium where you can see whale sharks,
Churaumi, is also one of its popular tourist attractions.
Hyogo, from Kobe to its charming small towns
This time, a newcomer to the rankings
is **Hyogo**, at number 6.
This is because an increasing number of repeat Japanese travelers
are looking to move beyond Osaka and Kyoto-centric Kansai trips,
and enjoy the deeper charm of smaller towns,
hot springs, and gourmet food all at once!
Also, because **air routes to the Kansai region**
**have expanded!**
It's said that Hyogo Prefecture has emerged as a **new popular travel destination**
**in Japan!**
It's home to Arima Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs,
and is a destination where you can enjoy sophisticated shopping and sightseeing in places like Kobe Sannomiya, filled with Western-style architecture, and Kobe Harborland, boasting beautiful night views.
While Fukuoka was the top booking for this Chuseok holiday,
as I looked at each ranking,
the reasons for choosing each destination became clear!
There's **Fukuoka**, for short travel times;
**Oita**, perfect for relaxing at hot springs;
**Hokkaido**, with stunning scenery and delicious food;
**Tokyo**, easy for first-time visitors;
**Okinawa**, ideal for a relaxing getaway;
and even **Hyogo**, where you can experience both Kobe and rejuvenating hot springs.
If it were me, rather than just picking based on the rankings,
I'd first decide if I want to explore a lot this Chuseok holiday,
or relax and unwind,
and then choose my Japan travel destination.
It seems the choices really vary depending on what kind of travel you're looking for,
whether that's delicious food, shopping, or pure relaxation!
Well then, I hope this ranking information
serves as a great guide for choosing your Japan travel destination this Chuseok! Haha.
Fukuoka boasts short flight times, approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Incheon and 55 minutes from Busan. Additionally, the quick travel time from the airport to the city center makes it ideal for maximizing time during short holidays.
Oita secured the second spot due to its appeal as a destination for healing in its hot spring towns. Yufuin, nestled amidst magnificent nature, and Beppu, known for having the largest hot spring water output, are both located in Oita Prefecture, making it perfect for serene and quiet family-oriented healing trips.
In Hokkaido, you can savor fresh seafood such as crab dishes, sea urchin (uni), and salmon roe. Additionally, there's an abundance of other diverse foods including Sapporo ramen, soup curry, desserts made with fresh milk, and Sapporo beer.
The background for Hyogo Prefecture's rise is the increasing number of repeat Japanese travelers seeking to enjoy the deeper charm of smaller cities, hot springs, and gourmet food all at once, moving beyond the traditional Osaka or Kyoto-centric Kansai trips. The expansion of air routes in the Kansai region also contributed to its ranking.
Fukuoka climbed from 3rd place last year to 1st place this year. Oita, on the other hand, dropped one spot from 1st place last year to 2nd place this year.
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