A powerful earthquake that struck Kyushu earlier this year led to a wave of canceled trips as travelers grew wary of visiting the region. Now, Japan is fighting back with an aggressive recovery strategy, offering discounts of up to 60% on hotels and travel packages to lure tourists back to the area.
New Discount Program Rolls Out in Kumamoto and Nagasaki
The discount initiative officially took effect in Kumamoto and Nagasaki Prefectures starting September 15, 2026. The program is specifically designed to help reignite tourism activity across Kyushu following the devastating earthquake that hit the region in July. Five additional prefectures across Kyushu are also expected to roll out similar discount programs in phases over the coming months.
According to a report by Kyodo News published Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the steepest discounts are being offered in Kumamoto and Kagoshima, where travelers can receive up to 60% off, following a significant wave of hotel booking cancellations after the region was struck by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
In the remaining participating prefectures, tourists can expect discounts of up to 50%. These discount rates apply specifically to travel packages and accommodations that meet the criteria set under the Japanese government’s tourism recovery program.
How the Discount Structure Works
For one-night stays, travelers can receive a maximum discount of 20,000 yen (approximately Rp 2.2 million) per person. For longer stays of two nights or more, the maximum discount increases to 30,000 yen (around Rp 3.3 million).
There’s an even bigger incentive for travelers planning a multi-region trip: those who stay in at least two different prefectures during a single journey can receive discounts of up to 35,000 yen (roughly Rp 3.9 million). This structure appears designed to encourage tourists to explore multiple areas across Kyushu rather than limiting their visit to a single destination.
The discount program for Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Oita applies specifically to trips taken between October 1 and December 25, 2026, giving travelers a defined window to plan and book their visits.
Rollout Timeline Varies by Prefecture
Each prefecture is launching its program on a slightly different schedule. Saga is set to begin accepting bookings starting September 24, while Oita and Miyazaki are scheduled to open their programs by the end of September. Fukuoka, meanwhile, is targeting an October launch for its version of the initiative.
Kagoshima’s timeline is a bit different, the prefecture is considering a mid-October start date, as it needs to wait for its current, separate tourism discount program to conclude on October 13 before transitioning into the new nationwide recovery initiative.
The Earthquake’s Heavy Toll on Tourism
The economic impact of the July 28 earthquake on Kyushu’s tourism sector has been substantial. In Kumamoto alone, the total value of canceled hotel bookings reached approximately 2.7 billion yen (around Rp 306 billion) as of August 21. Kagoshima faced a similarly steep blow, with cancellations totaling roughly 2.3 billion yen (about Rp 260 billion) by the end of August.
These figures highlight just how quickly natural disasters can disrupt regional tourism economies, even in destinations that weren’t directly damaged by the earthquake itself but suffered from perception-driven cancellations.
Government Response and Long-Term Recovery Goals
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, stated that the government hopes this discount program will help counter the negative perception surrounding the region following the earthquake, while continuing to support tourism recovery efforts across all of Kyushu.
This isn’t the first time Japan has turned to travel subsidies as a recovery tool following a natural disaster. The government implemented similar discount programs after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and again following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. In both cases, the government provided subsidies covering accommodation and tour costs up to a specified limit, successfully helping affected regions rebuild their tourism industries over time.
What This Means for Travelers Eyeing Kyushu
For international and domestic travelers alike, this program presents a timely opportunity to explore Kyushu’s renowned attractions, from Kumamoto’s historic castle to Nagasaki’s rich cultural heritage, at significantly reduced costs. With clear booking windows and generous discount tiers for multi-prefecture trips, the initiative is likely to appeal to budget-conscious travelers looking to experience multiple destinations in one visit.
As Japan continues its recovery efforts, this campaign also serves as a broader signal that the affected areas are safe and ready to welcome visitors again, even as rebuilding continues behind the scenes.
