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Japan has revised its long-standing travel advisory related to developments in Syria, officially placing the city center of Gaziantep among areas deemed safe for Japanese citizens to visit. The decision marks a significant shift in Japan’s security assessment and opens the door for increased cultural and tourism exchanges with southeastern Türkiye.
Under the updated policy, Gaziantep is now listed as a travelable destination for Japanese nationals after years of caution linked to regional instability. The revision applies specifically to the city center, reflecting Japan’s reassessment of local security conditions rather than a broader regional change.
Following the announcement, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Sahin paid a courtesy visit to Japan’s Ambassador to Ankara Tamura Masami. During the meeting, satisfaction with the decision was expressed, and appreciation was conveyed to the Japanese side for its support throughout the evaluation process.
Discussions during the visit focused on Gaziantep’s reputation as a safe urban center, along with its rich cultural heritage and strong tourism appeal. Particular attention was paid to gastronomy, an area where the city holds international recognition and plays a central role in shaping visitor experiences.
Mayor Sahin indicated that Gaziantep is fully prepared to welcome visitors from Japan, underlining that the city’s layered history, cultural assets, and distinctive cuisine position it as a strong destination for travelers from East Asia. The ability of Japanese tourists to visit Gaziantep is expected to strengthen cultural ties and encourage people-to-people contact between the two countries.
Often described as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Gaziantep stands out for a history that spans Paleolithic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. Its location at the crossroads of historic spice routes helped shape a cuisine so distinctive that it has been recognized by UNESCO, making food culture central to the city’s international image.
Travel guides frequently highlight the city’s markets, pistachio production, and its role as the spiritual home of baklava. Visitors are also drawn to Gaziantep Castle, a hilltop fortress whose foundations date back to Hittite times and were later expanded by Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman builders. Nearby, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum houses large-scale mosaics, frescoes, sculptures, and architectural elements, including the renowned Gypsy Girl mosaic, often described as the Mona Lisa of mosaics.
With travel time from major hubs estimated at around seven and a half hours, Gaziantep is increasingly presented as a compact yet immersive destination. Its historic neighborhoods, boutique accommodations in restored Ottoman-era houses, traditional bazaars, and well-known local restaurants are frequently cited as reasons to include the city in cultural and culinary itineraries.
The diplomatic visit concluded with mutual good wishes, reflecting shared expectations that the updated travel advisory will translate into greater tourism flows and deeper cultural understanding between Japan and Türkiye.
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