Three typhoons head toward Japan as Oct 10-12 holiday travel period nears
In short
Three typhoons are active near Japan at the same time: No. 29 Koguma, which formed at 09:00 on Oct 5 about 2,560 km east of Guam, plus No. 27 Choi-wan and No. 28 Nolo, both described as “very strong”. Japanese and Korean forecasts put the strongest impact on Japan's Oct 10-12 holiday, and Korea's weather agency expects no direct effect on Korea, with clear weather nationwide from Oct 6 to 11. Korean travelers with Japan plans are discussing changing or cancelling trips, though airlines have not announced official cancellations.
Read the full story 2 min read
Three typhoons are active near Japan at the same time, a situation Korean outlets describe as a “triple typhoon”. Typhoon No. 29 Koguma formed at 09:00 on Oct 5 in waters about 2,560 km east of Guam, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, joining No. 27 Choi-wan and No. 28 Nolo. Koguma is named after the constellation Ursa Minor in a name submitted by Japan, one report noted, and is unrelated to the sweet potato of the same Korean spelling. [ 1 , 3 ]
Choi-wan is maintaining “very strong” force with maximum winds of 50 metres per second as it moves north along waters near the Ogasawara Islands, and is expected to hold that strength until the morning of Oct 6 before accelerating north-northeast along seas east of Japan. Nolo is also described as “very strong” and is moving west, with a possibility of reaching seas east of Japan around Oct 10. Koguma is forecast to strengthen and move northwest toward waters near Minamitorishima, Japan's easternmost island, around Oct 9-10. [ 1 , 3 ]
The Japan Meteorological Agency said strong winds and high waves require caution from northern Japan, including Hokkaido, to western Japan through Oct 6. The Kanto region around Tokyo, which has seen 37 consecutive days of rain, is unlikely to escape high waves and swells entirely, one report said. Japanese local broadcasters including San-in Broadcasting and Oita Broadcasting have given prominent coverage to the chance of typhoon effects during the holiday. [ 1 , 3 ]
The impact is expected to be concentrated between Oct 10 and 12, when Japan's holiday period begins. Asia Economy reported that Japanese authorities are on alert and that the typhoons affect not only the question of a direct landfall but also flights, shipping and coastal tourism, with the timing overlapping a period of heavy tourist travel. Korean business travellers and tourists preparing Japan trips are discussing changing or cancelling itineraries, the report said, citing travel community and social media posts about flight cancellations and being stranded. [ 3 ]
For Korea, the weather agency said direct impact is currently expected to be low and forecast mostly clear weather nationwide from Oct 6 to 11. Morning temperatures on Oct 6 are expected to fall to around 5C, and the first cold wave advisory of the autumn is due for Taebaek and Pyeongchang in Gangwon province, with Seoul's morning temperature forecast at 11C. [ 1 , 3 ]
Asia Economy cautioned that cancelling a Japan ticket before an airline makes an official cancellation decision generally falls under standard cancellation rules and may incur fees, advising passengers to check the airline's operating status and official cancellation or change notices first. It cited a previous case in which Typhoon Dujuan approached the Kanto region on Sept 21 and Haneda Airport boards showed cancellations and delays. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The three typhoons coincide with a peak travel period in Japan, so effects on flights, shipping and coastal tourism could extend to Korean travelers heading there even if Korea itself is spared. Korean outlets tie the story to a previous typhoon that disrupted Tokyo Haneda Airport in September, suggesting the main risk is schedule disruption rather than damage at home.
Key facts
- Typhoon No. 29 Koguma formed at 09:00 on Oct 5 about 2,560 km east of Guam, joining No. 27 Choi-wan and No. 28 Nolo [ 1 , 3 ]
- Choi-wan is a “very strong” typhoon maintaining maximum winds of 50 metres per second near the Ogasawara Islands [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Nolo is also “very strong”, moving west and expected to reach seas east of Japan around Oct 10 [ 1 , 3 ]
- Koguma is forecast to approach waters near Minamitorishima, Japan's easternmost island, around Oct 9-10 [ 1 , 3 ]
- Japan's weather agency advised caution over strong winds and high waves from northern to western Japan, including Hokkaido, through Oct 6 [ 1 , 3 ]
- Korea's weather agency said direct impact on Korea is currently expected to be low and forecast mostly clear weather nationwide from Oct 6 to 11 [ 1 , 3 ]
- Seoul's morning temperature was forecast at 11C and Taebaek and Pyeongchang in Gangwon province were set to receive this autumn's first cold wave advisory [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Three typhoons are active simultaneously near Japan: Koguma, Choi-wan and Nolo [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Koguma formed at 09:00 on Oct 5 about 2,560 km east of Guam [ 1 , 3 ]
- Choi-wan is maintaining maximum winds of 50 metres per second, described as a “very strong” typhoon [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Nolo is also “very strong” and is moving west, with arrival near seas east of Japan around Oct 10 [ 1 , 3 ]
- The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of strong winds and high waves from northern to western Japan, including Hokkaido, through Oct 6 [ 1 , 3 ]
- Korea's weather agency said the chance of direct impact on Korea is currently low and forecast mostly clear weather nationwide from Oct 6 to 11 [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether any of the three typhoons will make landfall in Japan The documents say direct landfall is not implied and that indirect effects from strong winds, high waves and swells are the main concern, without naming a landfall point.
- How many Korean travelers have changed or cancelled Japan trips Only community and social media posts about worries and possible cancellations are cited; no airline or travel industry figures are given.
- How strongly Tokyo and the Kanto region will be affected One document says the region could be affected by high waves and swells depending on the typhoons' tracks, and notes 37 consecutive days of rain there, but gives no forecast of specific impacts.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Typhoon No. 29 Koguma forms about 2,560 km east of Guam, joining Choi-wan and Nolo to create a “triple typhoon” situation [ 1 , 3 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports the three typhoons and the expected concentration of impact during Japan's Oct 10-12 holiday [ 1 ]
- Korea Economic Daily reports three typhoons moving north, including one with winds of 50 metres per second, ahead of Japan's holiday [ 2 ]
- Asia Economy reports Japanese authorities on alert and Korean travelers weighing changes to Japan itineraries [ 3 ]
- Choi-wan is expected to keep its strength until this point before speeding up north-northeast along seas east of Japan [ 1 , 3 ]
- Korea's weather agency forecasts mostly clear weather nationwide, with morning temperatures near 5C on Oct 6 [ 1 , 3 ]
- Koguma is forecast to approach waters near Minamitorishima, Japan's easternmost island [ 1 , 3 ]
- Nolo is expected to reach seas east of Japan [ 1 , 3 ]
- Japan's holiday period, when the three typhoons' influence is expected to be concentrated [ 1 , 3 ]