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[Tour Korea=Reporter Seongran Cho] This spring, the scene for cherry-blossom travel in Japan is shifting. Instead of packing into big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, more travelers are opting for small towns — and road trips with rental cars are quickly gaining popularity.
HotelsCombined and KAYAK analyzed March–April sakura-season data and found searches for rental cars in Japan rose about 34% year‑over‑year. In some smaller towns, searches spiked as much as 212%, signaling a clear change in travel habits.
While longtime favorites like Okinawa and Fukuoka still draw steady interest, travelers are increasingly chasing unique, personalized experiences, driving attention toward lesser-known locales.
The data spells it out: rental car search growth hit Miyakojima 212%, Miyazaki 183%, Shizuoka 179%, Saga 165%, and Kagoshima 147% — proof that small towns across Japan are emerging as fresh cherry-blossom destinations.
These spots often have limited public-transit access, but that’s part of the appeal: they make for scenic driving routes rich in local color. Miyakojima — nicknamed Japan’s Maldives — has quickly risen in popularity among Korean travelers. Miyazaki and Kagoshima showcase the exotic natural beauty of southern Kyushu paired with cherry blossoms, while Shizuoka remains a perennial favorite for sakura framed by Mount Fuji.
As more travelers prioritize bespoke trips, analysts say rental cars — offering flexibility and freedom — have become a go-to way to explore.
HotelsCombined is responding with promotions aimed at rental-car customers. It currently offers Naver Pay N Points worth 10,000 KRW (7.5 USD) at booking and plans to boost the benefit to up to 30,000 KRW (22.5 USD) starting April 1. The platform also lets users compare prices from multiple suppliers at once and provides price-change alerts to help secure smart bookings.
Ria Choi, HotelsCombined’s marketing director, said, “Cherry-blossom travel in Japan has recently shifted away from big cities toward smaller towns that fit individual tastes. Demand for the freedom rental cars provide is also rising.”
She added, “We will continue strengthening our service so travelers can compare options and rent cars under the best possible conditions.”
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