To strengthen Penghu's presence in the Japanese travel market and raise its international profile, the Tourism Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Penghu National Scenic Area Headquarters (Penghu NSA Headquarters), and Wave Penghu jointly facilitated a visit by nearly 200 Japanese travelers organized by leading Japanese travel agency Hankyu Travel. From June 3 to 5, 2026, the group embarked on a three-day, two-night immersive island tour—the agency's first large-scale Penghu itinerary of the year. Through firsthand visits to Penghu's signature attractions and cultural sites, the program aimed to introduce Japanese visitors to the archipelago's unique island charm and relaxed way of life.
    The tour group traveled directly to Magong Harbor aboard a chartered vessel from Budai Harbor in Chiayi. The itinerary was carefully designed to showcase Penghu's maritime transportation experience, cultural heritage, geological landscapes, and coastal tourism resources. Highlights included visits to Central Old Street, the Penghu Visitor Center, Guoye Lime Kiln, Sanxian Tower, the Penghu Great Bridge, the Daguoye Basalt Columns, the Erkan Traditional Settlement, and the Xiaochijiao Double Curve Bridge. Participants also attended the 2026 Penghu International Fireworks Festival, experiencing firsthand the islands' natural beauty, cultural heritage, festive atmosphere, and traditional fishing village culture.
    The Penghu NSA Headquarters noted that more than 1.48 million Japanese visitors traveled to Taiwan in 2025, making Japan one of Taiwan's most important international source markets. In recent years, the Tourism Administration has continued to strengthen Taiwan's presence in the Japanese travel market through overseas promotions, travel fairs, and familiarization tours. The collaboration with Hankyu Travel can be traced back to July 2025, when the Tourism Administration invited the company to visit Penghu on a familiarization trip. The delegation was hosted by the Penghu NSA Headquarters and tourism operators from Wave Penghu, whose exchanges and discussions helped pave the way for this year's visit by a nearly 200-member Japanese tour group, demonstrating both the strong interest in Penghu's tourism offerings and the market's growth potential.
    The Tourism Administration also emphasized that Penghu boasts a wealth of tourism assets, including one of the world's most beautiful bays, striking basalt geological formations, distinctive fishing village culture, and abundant marine tourism resources, making it an attractive destination for Japanese travelers.
    The visit by Hankyu Travel's large tour group reflects the tangible results of the Tourism Administration's long-term efforts in Japan through promotional activities, industry exchanges, and familiarization programs. By helping travel operators discover Taiwan's unique tourism resources and develop itineraries tailored to market demand, the agency continues to diversify travel experiences available to international visitors.
 Through firsthand exploration of Penghu's signature attractions and tourism environment, the tour is expected to enhance Japanese travelers' awareness of the Penghu tourism brand. It is also anticipated to encourage more visitors from Japan to travel to Penghu in the future, further strengthening the destination's international visibility.