Airports and bullet train stations were packed in Japan on Saturday with travelers leaving for the annual New Year's holiday period.
An estimated 47,000 people departed for overseas destinations Saturday from Narita airport near Tokyo, the Narita Airport Authority said. It expects the exodus to peak Sunday, with 48,000 people expected to leave from the airport in Chiba Prefecture.
According to airline companies, demand for flights has been steadily recovering in Japan, compared with spring and summer, when worries over the SARS epidemic and the U.S.-led war in Iraq contributed to a slump in tourism.
Many tourists have booked flights to resort destinations, including Hawaii and Guam. The number of reservations is sharply up on the figures for last year, with airlines laying on extra flights to meet the demand.
The NAA expects the "return rush" to peak Jan. 4. It estimates the airport will see a total of 1.33 million passengers during the Dec. 19-Jan. 5 period, more than the record 1.31 million set a year ago.
Seats on the earliest bullet train leaving Tokyo for Fukuoka, at 6 a.m. Saturday, were fully booked, with some passengers forced to stand, railway officials said.
However, some seats were still available on bullet trains bound for northeastern Japan in the morning.
Railway officials expect the number of passengers to peak Tuesday.
