Greater Bay Airlines has announced the launch of a new direct flight route between Hong Kong and Yonago in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Scheduled to begin on October 27, this new service expands the airline’s network in Japan to three destinations, alongside Tokyo and Osaka. This marks the first time Hong Kong residents will have direct access to Yonago, a lesser-known city on Japan’s western coast.
Flight Details
The direct flights to Yonago Kitaro Airport will run three times a week. Currently, the airline operates charter flights to Yonago to meet demand during the busy summer holiday season. The outbound flight from Hong Kong is set to depart at 11:45 am and will take approximately three hours and 35 minutes to reach Yonago. A search on Greater Bay Airlines’ website shows a return ticket priced at HK$2,038 (US$262) for travel between October 27 and November 5. The outbound flight costs HK$1,190, while the inbound flight is marked as free, but passengers are required to pay HK$848 in surcharges.
Tourism Potential of Yonago
The new route is expected to generate high demand due to the novelty of the destination and the fact that Greater Bay Airlines will be the only local carrier offering direct flights to Yonago. Tourism industry representatives believe that Hongkongers, many of whom are frequent visitors to Japan’s first-tier cities like Tokyo and Osaka, may be eager to explore new regions like Yonago.
Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, noted that tourists could enjoy unique attractions such as hot springs, winter scenery, and snow activities. The city’s proximity to Hiroshima, only about 200 km north, also makes it an attractive destination for those looking to explore new areas of Japan.
Local Attractions in Yonago
Yonago is a major city in the western part of Tottori Prefecture and is known for its natural beauty, including the stunning Mount Daisen, a volcanic mountain that dominates the region’s landscape. Tottori is also home to Japan’s famous Tottori Sand Dune, adding to its scenic allure. The city of Sakaiminato, near Yonago Kitaro Airport, is the childhood home of legendary manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. The airport itself is named after Mizuki’s most famous character, Kitaro, from the popular manga series “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” Tourists can visit Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato, where 170 bronze statues of Mizuki’s manga characters line the street.
Increased Interest in Japan
Japan remains a top destination for Hongkongers, with 1.3 million residents visiting the country in the first half of this year—a 40% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Before the pandemic, about 2.2 million Hongkongers traveled to Japan in 2019.
Future Expansion of Greater Bay Airlines
Since beginning scheduled services in July 2022, Greater Bay Airlines has quickly expanded its reach. In addition to Japan, the airline operates flights to Bangkok, Taipei, Seoul, Manila, and Haikou with a fleet of eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft. As Japanese tourism continues to grow in popularity among Hongkongers, Greater Bay Airlines is expected to continue exploring routes to second-tier cities in Japan to meet rising demand.