Photo/Illutration A Taiwanese couple pause for a photo at a kimono rental shop in Kumamoto in May. (Junki Watanabe)

KUMAMOTO--Tourists from Taiwan are now flocking to Kumamoto Prefecture, site of a new semiconductor plant that is expected to generate huge economic benefits for the area.

The prefecture has welcomed a steady stream of Taiwanese business people over the past few years as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, was building the factory in Kikuyo. It is scheduled to go into full operation in December.

Taiwanese tourists are also now descending on this prefecture in droves via direct flights from the island.

About 310,000 Taiwanese visitors stayed overnight in the prefecture in fiscal 2023, according to Japan Tourism Agency statistics released on May 31.

The figure, the most of all countries and territories, accounted for about 30 percent of international guests to Kumamoto Prefecture. Taiwanese were followed by South Koreans and Hong Kongers.

South Koreans led the pack in the previous year.

The agency’s tally was based on a survey of hotels with at least 10 employees.

Two airlines based in Taiwan started offering direct flights to Kumamoto Airport in September 2023. Airlines in South Korea and Hong Kong also offer direct flights to the airport.

Local retailers are trying to cash in on the influx of Taiwanese visitors.

Tsuruya Department Store in the prefectural capital said sales of tax-free merchandise by foreigners accounted for more than 2 percent of overall sales between April and May for the first time.

Taiwanese were the biggest spenders, making up 40 percent of such tax-free sales.

The department store put up more signs in the traditional Chinese writing style to accommodate Taiwanese shoppers.

Taiwanese tend to buy a variety of merchandise, from sake to Japanese sweets and western confectionery to fashion goods, according to the department store.

“A weaker yen is a big plus for them, but I am under the impression that they grab what they like, rather than resort to bulk purchasing,” said Mitsuhiko Irie, a public relations official at the department store.

Mito, a kimono rental shop that allows customers to wear the traditional clothing for photo shoots, has supported nine languages, including Chinese, on its website for reservations since April.

A shop clerk said individual customers from Taiwan have increased in number over the last few months.

Keisuke Kurahara, president of the company operating Mito, said, “Many of them have come to Japan multiple times and they are now seeking unique experiences they have not had elsewhere.”

A 44-year-old Taiwanese woman said she and her mother decided to visit the shop after learning about it through a YouTube video.

“Kumamoto, I like the tempo here,” she said. “It’s more relaxing than in Tokyo and other big cities.”

Kumamoto officials are promoting lesser-known sightseeing spots in hopes that international tourists will spend more time and money in the prefecture.

“Since Kumamoto is easily accessible for visitors from around Asia, their stay tends to be short,” an official in the tourism promotion section at the prefectural government said. “We are working to get them to tour other destinations, not just Mount Aso and Kumamoto Castle.”

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