Weak yen blossoms for Koreans

Cherry blossoms are in bloom at Tokyo's Ueono Park in this file photo. / Korea Times file

The weak yen is drawing more Koreans to Japan for cherry blossom season.

According to Interpark Tour on Tuesday, package holiday purchases for March 21 to April 19 grew 70 percent compared with a year earlier. Individual purchases of Japan-bound flights grew 24 percent.

As for destinations, Tokyo attracted 38.1 percent of tourists, followed by Osaka (32.8 percent) and Fukuoka (14.5 percent).

The flowers bloom in southern parts of the island country from March 21.

Interpark Tour provides maps featuring blossoming times and popular viewing spots, as well as nearby hotels.

“Due to the weak yen, Korean tourists have become able to spend less on trips to Japan, so many are heading to the country known for its cherry blossom attractions,” an Interpark Tour official said.