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Wings That Link Tokachi Directly to the World
Aero K’s Cheongju–Obihiro service will operate through October 24 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, offering three round-trips each week.
• Outbound: Cheongju departs 2:00 p.m. – Obihiro arrives 4:30 p.m.
• Return: Obihiro departs 6:00 p.m. – Cheongju arrives 9:00 p.m.
The 180-seat A320 makes the hop in a brisk two-and-a-half hours, shrinking the distance between Tokachi’s wide-open prairie and Korea’s cultural heartland.
“More than a New Route—A New Bridge”
Kang Byung-ho, President & CEO, Aero K
Kang’s words at the ribbon-cutting echoed six months of meticulous planning since last October’s charter trial and the subsequent memorandum of understanding.
“A Milestone That Accelerates Exchange”
Norihisa Yonezawa, Mayor of Obihiro
The mayor delivered his remarks in the arrival hall after personally flying home on the inaugural leg from Cheongju—a fitting gesture of commitment.
First-Flight Impressions
Local officials and tourism partners handed out Tokachi-made daifuku sweets and Korean-language brochures in the arrivals area. Early passengers shared their plans:
“My kids and I are looking forward to pork-don rice bowls and an animal-petting farm.”（Female traveler）
Compact yet packed with nature, gourmet food, and year-round activities, Tokachi already enjoys quiet buzz in Korea. Repeat visits seem only a flight away.
A Spark Plug for Hokkaido Tourism
Since Hokkaido Airports Co. (HAP) unified management of the prefecture’s seven airports, Tokachi becomes the first regional field—after New Chitose, Asahikawa, and Hakodate—to host scheduled international service. Executive Vice-President Kenjiro Karahashi calls the venture “the proving ground for a Tokachi model” that could lift other local airports. Three weekly non-stop rotations promise new demand for lodging, dining, and hands-on experiences, sending positive ripples across the regional economy.
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Travel, Reinvented—Introducing MATOKA
Coinciding with the route launch is the debut of MATOKA, Tokachi’s first dedicated online travel magazine:
• One-click itinerary building and event search
• Behavioral-log analysis that suggests “your next trip”
• Multilingual support for stress-free browsing by overseas guests
Built on the motto “Travel like a local,” MATOKA delivers insider tips and deep-dive stories from a hometown perspective. Touch down in Tokachi, open MATOKA, and you’re instantly plugged into the freshest spots and happenings.
The blue contrail now linking Cheongju and Tokachi carries the region’s future and the world’s curiosity in equal measure. Aero K’s wings promise not only to boost tourism but also to swing open doors for new business and cultural encounters. Under Tokachi’s clear skies, why not start your own adventure? Whenever you need ideas, MATOKA is just a click away.
Image courtesy of Hokkaido Airports
