People walk with umbrellas along the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 29, 2026. [EPA]
People walk with umbrellas along the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo, Japan, on Sept. 29, 2026. [EPA]

Three typhoons are simultaneously bearing down on Japan during the Oct. 10–12 Sports Day holiday weekend, putting the country on edge. South Korean travelers who had planned trips to Japan over the Hangul Day holiday are also growing increasingly worried.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Typhoon Koguma, the 29th named storm of the season, formed Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the Pacific Ocean about 2,560 kilometers east of Guam.

Its emergence created a rare "triple typhoon" situation alongside the previously formed Typhoon Choiwan, the 27th storm, and Typhoon Noru, the 28th. Japan's TV Asahi said three typhoons existing simultaneously in October had not occurred in five years.

As of Monday morning, Koguma was moving northwest with maximum sustained winds of 21 meters per second and a central pressure of 994 hectopascals. It is expected to approach waters near Minamitorishima, Japan's easternmost island, between Friday and Saturday.

Typhoon Choiwan, rated "very strong," was maintaining maximum sustained winds of 43 meters per second and Category 3 intensity at the same time. It is expected to accelerate as it moves north-northeast along Japan's eastern coast.

Noru is also maintaining "very strong" intensity as it tracks westward and is forecast to reach waters east of Japan by Saturday.

The simultaneous development of three typhoons has set off a wave of concern in South Korean travel communities and on SNS.

Posts include comments such as "I have everything booked for a trip from Friday to Monday — will Osaka be affected?", "I'm heading to Japan for my first trip and three typhoons are coming at once," and "Three typhoons at the same time — No. 27, No. 28, No. 29. This is serious."

However, current forecasts suggest the three storms are unlikely to directly affect the Japanese mainland. In fact, weather across mainland Japan is expected to remain largely clear throughout the three-day holiday.

Weathernews forecast that high-pressure systems would bring clear autumn skies and favorable conditions for outdoor activities across wide areas of Japan from Saturday through Monday.

Japanese media said some areas — including the Ogasawara Islands, the Izu Islands, and Pacific coastal areas of eastern and northern Japan — should remain alert for high waves and swells.

South Korea is not expected to be directly affected by any of the three typhoons.

Meanwhile, the name Koguma was submitted by Japan and means "little bear," a reference to the Ursa Minor constellation.


bbo@heraldcorp.com