Flight searches in Brazil to Japan jumped 135% after the visa rules ease a couple of weeks ago.
Starting September 30, tourists from Brazil and Japan will travel visa-free between the countries.
Last month’s visa waiver announcement has boosted interest. Searches for flights to Japan have risen by about 135% this year compared to 2022.
This shows growing excitement among Brazilians to visit Japan.
Tokyo leads as the top city Brazilians want to visit. Searches for Tokyo have gone up 134.5% from last year.
The city also offers the lowest average ticket price at R$ 6,129 (US$1,238).
Osaka ranks second in the list of popular cities. Searches for Osaka have soared 135.69% compared to 2022.
However, the city has the highest average ticket cost, R$ 7,007 (US$1,415). Nagoya ranks third in this list.
Searches for Nagoya show a 31.54% rise from last year.
The average ticket price for Nagoya stands at R$6,722 (US$1,350), attracting those interested in Japanese culture.
Context
Brazil and Japan have a long history of cultural exchange. The first Japanese immigrants arrived in Brazil in 1908.
They settled mainly in São Paulo and contributed to agriculture. Today, Brazil is home to the largest Japanese community outside Japan.
In the past, visa requirements limited travel between the countries. The new visa-free policy aims to boost tourism and strengthen ties.
This change may also benefit business relationships.
The visa waiver marks a significant step in Brazil-Japan relations, aiming to enrich cultural and economic exchanges.
The visa-free policy follows similar moves by other nations to ease travel restrictions. Both countries expect to see an increase in travel and trade as a result.
Japan is a key market for Brazilian exports like coffee and meat.
The new policy could also lead to more Japanese investment in Brazil, adding to the already robust economic relationship.