Tourists Cancel Trips to Japan over Comic and Psychic Predictions – An old manga and a handful of psychic forecasts have caused quite a stir recently—and the effects are real. A growing number of tourists, especially from Asia, have canceled their Japan trips this July. But is this mass panic based on facts or just fear-driven fiction?
Tourists Cancel Trips to Japan over Comic and Psychic Predictions
Travel Plans Canceled, Flights Emptied, TikTok Goes Wild
Over the past few weeks, travel bookings to Japan have dropped sharply. On several platforms, flight and hotel cancellations to Tokyo and Osaka rose by more than 40% compared to the same period last year. Airlines have reported a sudden dip in demand from Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.
The reason? A predicted “mega-quake” expected to hit Japan in July 2025—not from a government agency or scientific study, but from a manga from 1999 and a few well-known psychics.
Yes, seriously.
“The Future I Saw”: Nostalgic Manga or Prophetic Nightmare?
The Future I Saw, a manga by Ryo Tatsuki, has gone viral again after chapters of the book became viral on YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and TikTok. First published in 1999, the comic claims to be a record of the author’s dreams—many of which “came true.”
According to one dream in a 2021 reprint, on July 5, 2025, a terrible earthquake would strike Japan. The panels describe a giant fault line shaped like an “X” under the ocean triggering a tsunami “three times worse” than the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Social media users went into theory mode—overlaying maps, decoding dates, and posting numerical analyses. The result? Complete web hysteria resulting in actual travel cancellations.
Psychics and Feng Shui Masters Join the Buzz
It didn’t stop at manga. Several psychics and feng shui masters from Hong Kong and Taiwan added fuel to the fire. Among the loudest voices is Master Lee, a feng shui influencer with millions of followers.
In one of his TikTok livestreams, he warned:
“The signs have been showing since early 2024. July 2025 will be the peak. Japan needs to prepare.”
Spiritualists in Japan repeated these cautions, citing odd patterns in the sky, animal behaviour, and ocean currents as signs.
What Scientists and Authorities Are Saying
Here’s the good news: the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has officially stated there is no scientific basis for these predictions. In fact, they emphasized that no one can accurately forecast earthquakes—not with dreams, not with stars.
JMA’s official statement reads:
“There is no scientific evidence supporting these predictions. We urge the public to rely on official information only.”
Indonesia’s BMKG (Meteorological Agency) issued a similar statement, saying such forecasts have no scientific foundation.
And what does the manga author himself say? Ryo Tatsuki responded in a rare interview in Tokyo:
“I never intended to scare anyone. The manga is just a personal dream journal. Please read it as entertainment, not a prophecy.”
Who’s Canceling and Who’s Still Going?
The travel fallout has been especially strong among tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and parts of Southeast Asia. Travel agencies report a wave of refund requests for July vacation packages. Some airlines, like Greater Bay Airlines, have even cut down flight frequencies to Narita and Haneda airports.
Still, not everyone is backing out. Backpackers, Japanophiles, and seasoned travelers seem mostly unfazed.
Yuki, a tourist from Indonesia currently exploring Kyoto, told us:
“I saw the viral posts, but come on… Japan has one of the best earthquake alert systems in the world. If we let fear rule, we’d never travel anywhere.”
What You Should Know Before Panicking
Still unsure whether to cancel your trip? Here are a few facts that might help ease your mind:
Japan boasts one of the most sophisticated earthquake early warning systems in the world.
A post-pandemic record of almost 10 million tourists travelled to Japan in Q1 2025.
No scientific body has endorsed these psychic or manga-based forecasts.
No official alerts or warnings have been issued by Japan or global authorities.
Safe Travel Tips (Even During Rumor Season)
If you’re heading to Japan anyway—and we think you should—here are a few things to stay smart and prepared:
- To get real-time earthquake alerts, download the “Yurekuru Call” app.
- Buy travel insurance that covers natural disasters.
- Know the nearest earthquake shelters in each city you visit.
- Keep yourself informed through your embassy and the Japan Meteorological Agency.
So, Should You Cancel Your Trip?
If you’re a believer in dreams and psychics, you’re free to follow your gut. But if you trust science, systems, and solid travel planning, Japan is still just as amazing—and safe—as ever.
Sometimes, it’s not the disaster that ruins your trip… it’s the TikTok panic spiral.