On August 26, 2026, South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported that information was received about South Korean tourists continuing to eat eggs despite eating and drinking being prohibited in a Japanese tourist spot, and this has become a topic of discussion in South Korea.

According to JTBC's program 'Incident Squad Leader', this incident was witnessed at a footbath in Kamado Jigoku, known as a tourist spot in Beppu. A shop near this footbath sells cider and eggs steamed with hot spring steam, and it is a popular tourist spot for South Korean visitors as well. The informant witnessed on August 22, while conducting a YouTube broadcast at the location, a group of South Koreans eating eggs in the footbath area. However, a sign stating 'No eating or drinking' was displayed in that footbath area.

Although the informant told the South Korean group, 'You can't eat here,' the group reportedly remained seated and continued to eat eggs. Multiple signs prohibiting eating and drinking were posted at the site, and announcement broadcasts in Korean were also being played. The informant expressed a complaint, saying, 'Since South Korea dislikes foreigners causing nuisance, South Koreans should also avoid such behavior when going abroad, similarly.'

Regarding this, South Korean netizens voiced opinions such as: 'It's a problem to ignore it even when there are announcements in Korean,' 'When you go abroad, follow the rules of that country,' 'From a Japanese perspective, it affects the overall impression of South Korean tourists,' 'They should at least distinguish between places where they can eat eggs and places where they shouldn't,' 'If they continued after being warned, 'I didn't know' is no excuse,' and 'Do they think they can do anything they want when traveling?'

Also, comments such as 'There are people who break rules regardless of nationality,' 'Therefore, instead of generalizing about which country's people have bad manners, we should review our own manners and continue to warn those in front of us,' 'To reflect, the media must continue this kind of reporting,' and 'Koreans must caution each other' were also seen. (Translation/Editing: Higuchi)