Over 1,000 Japanese Tourists Visit Haman for Fireworks Festival

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) announced on the 17th that more than 1,000 Japanese tourists visited Haman-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do to enjoy 'Haman Nakhwa Nori,' a traditional fireworks event passed down since the Joseon Dynasty.
The 'Haman Nakhwa-nori Special Day,' held the previous day around Mujinjeong Pavilion in Haman-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, was organized by the KTO, South Gyeongsang Province, and Haman County. The KTO designed this event to develop 'Nakhwa Nori,' a traditional Korean folk performance, as a regionally specialized attraction and to boost local tourism.
The visitors to Haman on this day were Japanese tourists who purchased Korean travel packages featuring the limited-edition Nakhwa Nori experience. The KTO had promoted and sold these packages in collaboration with 32 travel agencies in Japan.
Participants enjoyed Japanese-language explanations about Korea’s traditional fireworks, which have been passed down since the Joseon Dynasty, as well as the Nakhwa Nori performance and Korean traditional music. They also took part in a variety of hands-on programs, including trying on Gaya Hanbok, writing wishes on paper, and learning to write their names in Hangul.
One Japanese tourist who attended the event remarked, "I have visited Seoul several times, but this is my first time traveling to a regional city in Korea. The traditional Korean fireworks are mysterious and uniquely charming, making this an unforgettable memory."
Kim Jong-hoon, Director of International Marketing at the KTO, stated, "About 47% of Japanese tourists have visited Korea more than four times, demonstrating strong loyalty, but most visits are concentrated in Seoul and the metropolitan area. We will continue to discover and nurture tourism content that reflects the unique character of each region, encouraging more visitors to explore local destinations."
jsm64@fnnews.com Jung Soon-min Reporter