http://www.bizhankook.com/bk/article/26708

[Site] Dongmyo Vintage Clothing Store, Japanese tourists waggle in the alley of one chicken in Dongdaemun
As the yen became more expensive in the U.S. and Europe, they flocked to Korea... In October, Japan overtook China as the number one visitor to Korea

December 4, 2023 (Monday) 17:32:59

[Biz Korea] "The number of Japanese customers has increased significantly recently, and I learned Japanese words such as 'Oishi' (delicious) and 'Daisyibu' (good)." This is the words of the owner of a restaurant located in Dongdaemun chicken alley in Seoul. As he said, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Korea has increased significantly recently. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea in October reached 1.23 million, the largest number this year. In particular, Japanese tourists topped the cumulative market share between January and October for the first time in 11 years. "The trend will be maintained," experts said, predicting that the number of Japanese tourists visiting not only Seoul but also other regions will increase.



A view of Dongdaemun chicken alley in Seoul, which has been visited by a growing number of Japanese tourists recently. Photo = Reporter Kim Cho-young
A view of Dongdaemun chicken alley in Seoul, which has been visited by a growing number of Japanese tourists recently. Photo = Reporter Kim Cho-young



#Japan ranks first in the market share of visitors to Korea with 1.84 million cumulative visitors from January to October



According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the cumulative number of visitors to Korea from January to October reached 8.88 million, up 303.9 percent from the same period last year. In terms of cumulative visitors by country, Japan had the largest number of visitors with 1.84 million, followed by China with 1.54 million, the U.S. with 910,000 and Taiwan with 790,000. It is the first time in 11 years that Japanese tourists have topped the list since 2012. In October, when the number of visitors to Korea reached the highest monthly rate this year, Japan had the largest number of visitors with 255,000.



This trend can also be seen in consumption data of foreign tourists. According to BC Card's analysis of data on foreign tourists at offline affiliates in Korea over the past five years, China (50.7%), which accounted for the largest number of sales in 2019, just before the coronavirus pandemic, fell to third place (12.8%) this year. Japan, on the other hand, recorded the highest number of sales among all countries this year at 19.5%, up from 13.5% in 2019. The United States (16.6%), China (12.8%), and Taiwan (11.0%).



The main reason why many Japanese tourists visit Korea recently is the continuation of the record-low yen phenomenon. As the yen's value fell, travel costs in the U.S. and Europe increased, and Korea, which is relatively cheap, has emerged as an attractive tourist destination. "As the yen continues, there are more opportunities to come to Korea geographically close to," said Kim Nam-jo, a professor of tourism at Hanyang University. "The recent K-pop performances seem to have been partly attributable to this."



#Dongmyo Market has the highest proportion of Japanese tourists… Nearby shopping malls are also 'North Korean'



Where do Japanese tourists come to Korea the most? According to the Seoul Tourism Foundation's report on foreign consumption analysis in major business districts, Dongmyo Market in Jongno-gu has the highest proportion of Japanese tourists among major tourist destinations that appeared in promotional videos for tourism in Seoul (Seoul Edition 23). They were followed by Namsan Baekbeom Park in Jung-gu (13.0 percent), Mangwon Hangang District in Mapo-gu (9.8 percent), Ikseon-dong in Jongno-gu (9.7 percent), and Seoul Botanic Park in Gangseo-gu (9.4 percent).



The Dongmyo flea market, which starts from Exit 3 of Dongmyo Station on Line 6, is known as a sacred place for young people looking for vintage items. On the afternoon of Saturday, the Dongmyo flea market was crowded with a variety of people, from Japanese tourists filled with plastic bags filled with sweatshirts and outerwear, to Japanese tourists talking about their visit through personal broadcasts. One Japanese tourist entered an alley holding a button for Instagram story shooting. Some were carrying large travel carriers.



The Dongmyo flea market in Jongno-gu is the most visited by Japanese tourists visiting Korea. Photo = Reporter Kim Cho-young
The Dongmyo flea market in Jongno-gu is the most visited by Japanese tourists visiting Korea. Photo = Reporter Kim Cho-young



Merchants said that the recent increase in the number of Japanese tourists is because Korean bails are more price-competitive than Japanese bails. "Bails in Japan can recognize this," a merchant said. "Bails in Japan are expensive, but they are relatively inexpensive in Korea. That's why not only tourists but also wholesalers visit Japan," he said. "The number of Japanese tourists was the highest in October. It is still a lot now, but the number has decreased compared to that time." "Many business buyers visit the market recently. Along with this, the Gwangjang Market is the most popular bails market among foreign tourists," another merchant said.



Duta Mall, which is located a 15-minute walk from Dongmyo Flea Market, is also an essential tourist course for Japanese tourists. As there are many shopping malls nearby, it is not difficult to find people speaking Japanese with shopping bags while walking around this area. At 5 p.m. on the 3rd, a Japanese couple was making custom T-shirts at the global sportswear store on the first floor of Duta Mall. The store staff continued to respond as if Japanese tourists were not familiar with it. The employee said, "The number of Japanese customers increased by about 50%. Previously, there were only a lot on weekdays, but now there are a lot on both weekdays and weekends."



Employees of the women's clothing store on the second floor also said that the number of Japanese customers has increased significantly. "The number has increased by nearly 70 percent compared to the previous one," the store employee said. "These days, when 10 people come in, six people buy things. They usually prefer mermaid skirts and blouses, and knitwear and jackets are not as popular as expected. There are few Chinese tourists and most of them are Japanese, Singaporean, and Thai customers."



#"One chicken alley, with more Japanese customers at night"



As the area of Dongdaemun is gaining popularity with Japanese tourists, nearby restaurants are also attracting attention. Dongdaemun Chicken Hanari Alley became more famous with the visit of famous Japanese singer Koda Kumi. On the afternoon of the 3rd, the chicken Hanari Alley was crowded with Japanese tourists visiting as a unit of friends. In front of one store, a notice indicating the number of each branch and food price was written in Korean and Japanese. It was a little early in the evening, but the store was full of foreigners and Korean customers.