Overseas Travel Day

What Is Overseas Travel Day?

October 19th is "Overseas Travel Day" in Japan. It is said to have been established by travel agencies and overseas travel enthusiasts, based on wordplay: 10-19 can be read as "too-ku e iku," meaning "go far away." It is a day to think about how to enjoy traveling abroad. Autumn is also a travel season, making it a perfect time to dream about your next destination.

The Wanderlust Packed into "Going Far Away"

Overseas Travel Day uses a memorable bit of wordplay to spark interest in travel.

• Date origin: Wordplay reading 10-19 as "too-ku e iku" (go far away)
• Established by: Said to be travel agencies and overseas travel enthusiasts
• Purpose: To encourage people to think about ways to enjoy traveling abroad

Numbers Behind Japanese Overseas Travel

Japan's first overseas traveler is often said to be John Manjiro, who reached America after being shipwrecked in the late Edo period. Much later, the number of people traveling abroad from Japan passed one million a year in 1972. In 2016, the top overseas destination for Japanese travelers was the United States (about 3.577 million people), with Hawaii alone drawing about 1.488 million.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Make a list of countries or cities you'd like to visit
• Check your passport's expiration date
• Learn one greeting in the language of a place you want to go
• Talk with coworkers or friends about the best trip you've ever taken

Planning a Trip Adds a Little Excitement to Everyday Life

Even if your next trip is a long way off, simply planning it can lift your mood. On October 19th, let your thoughts "go far away" and start warming up ideas for your next journey.