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J A P A N
Travel Trade News
September 2024 |
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The Suica is an IC card issued by JR East. From September 2024, 'Welcome Suica' for international travellers will be sold at the following locations.
・ JR EAST Travel Service Center
Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno
・ Welcome Suica vending machine
Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station, Narita Airport Terminal 2・3 Station, Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station
・ JAPAN RAIL CAFÉ TOKYO
In principle, only one Welcome Suica will be sold per person. |
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Autumn in Japan is about crimson leaves and perfect weather |
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As summer transitions to autumn, Japan cools down, offering temperate weather perfect for outdoor walks. The trees turn red, orange, and yellow hues from mid-November to early December. This combination of cool weather and striking sights makes fall a great season for travelling to Japan. The temperatures in most of Honshu and Kyushu are pleasant in October and November. As you move further north, temperatures begin to cool down, and for most of the season, the island of Hokkaido is cold enough to require a winter jacket. Read more.
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Art in a Mountainous Setting at the Northern Alps Art Festival
13 September – 4 November 2024 in Nagono |
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The Northern Alps Art Festival features works by artists from both Japan and abroad. Located among the 3,000-meter-high peaks of the Northern Alps in northwestern Nagano Prefecture, visitors can enjoy thought-provoking art exhibits while basking in the picturesque nature of the region, which this year's concept is based on. The site-specific art installations are divided up among five different areas around the city based on their characteristics, utilizing the unique characteristics of their locations and creating eye-catching pieces that simultaneously blend in with their surroundings. The rich nature further emphasises the effects of the pieces, as the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and rushing water can be heard while observing the art. There are also weekend performances held during the festival. Tickets for the Northern Alps Art Festival are now available for purchase, so check the official site for more information. |
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Niconico Travel and Niconico Rent-a car
DMC / Transport services |
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Niconico Travel, a sister company of Niconico Rent-a-car, specialises in providing transport services, including private hire, car rentals, and camper vans, alongside bespoke tours for the UK and EU markets. They curate immersive experiences that uncover Japan’s hidden gems and showcase its rich cultural heritage. Starting July 2024, they are offering new tailor-made tours together with unique accommodations in the package, designed specifically for travel agents. One highlight is a stay at NIPPONIA Fukuzumi, an Edo-period farmhouse in Tamba Sasayama, Hyogo, where modern comforts meet traditional Japanese gardens and architecture. Another famous option is Shuraku Maruyama, a restored village offering traditional baths and spacious rooms. Both locations also provide access to Michelin-starred dining, including soba, Italian dishes featuring rare Tamba beef, and a French seafood menu. Guests can enjoy hiking in Rurikei Gorge, relax in nearby hot springs, and embrace a true digital detox while surrounded by nature’s tranquillity. For any inquiry, please contact Nico Nico Travel. |
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Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture - VR 360 Tour |
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Experience Gokayama with the Nanto City VR360 Virtual Tour in Gokayama in Nanto, Toyama Prefecture. Centuries-old gassho-style homes stand as testaments to generations of tradition and craftsmanship. Journey through the charming villages as you marvel at the resilience of the unique architecture that has withstood the harsh local climate for hundreds of years. Enjoy the peaceful scenery of the Japanese Alps, witness a kokiriko dance inside a gassho-style guest house, and discover the ancient tradition of washi paper making. Also featured in the tour is the irori, a sunken fireplace central to any gassho-style home and a symbol of warmth and community. Click here to watch. |
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KAI Okuhida
Escape to a Soothing Hot Spring Resort in the Japanese Alps |
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Located in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, the Okuhida Hot Spring Villages offer splendid retro Japanese views nestled amongst pristine nature. From 5 September, the Hirayu hot spring village will become the new home of the Hoshino Resorts KAI Okuhida, a hot spring "ryokan" that blends both traditional and modern elements to create a luxurious space that will refresh both the mind and body. The numerous baths, including communal and private baths, are fed by water that flows from Hirayu hot spring, and you will find elegant accents throughout the resort that are made with local materials and craft techniques. For the cherry on top, be sure to indulge in the meals provided by the resort, which often include succulent, tender local Hida beef. It is also near Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go, which are popular sightseeing destinations due to their traditional Japanese townscapes. For any inquiry, please contact Hoshino Resorts. |
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A lodging stay in Shikoku and useful train pass |
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On 14 November 2024, Shikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) will open “4S STAY,” a simple lodging facility based on the “stay as you live” concept in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. It is an 11-minute walk from Takamatsu Station. Please see the press release here.
All Shikoku Train Pass offers excellent value and allows you to travel freely across Shikoku. You can travel around Shikoku's four prefectures (Kagawa, Ehime, Tokushima, and Kochi) using six railway companies and see the sights of Shodo Island on ferries and buses. Read more. |
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The 2025 World Exposition
Expo 2025 is coming to Osaka 13 April - 13 October 2025 |
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Discover Hokkaido's rich natural and indigenous heritage in an immersive journey that one of Osaka Expo's themes: connects people's lives. Experience Ainu culture at Upopoy, where ancient traditions meet modern interpretations, and paddle along the serene waters of Lake Poroto, taking in the lush scenery from a unique vantage point. Wander through the Kushiro Wetlands, home to endangered red-crowned cranes, and embrace the stories of harmony with nature in Akanko Ainu Kotan. Be enchanted by Kamuy Lumina, a magical night walk through the forests of Akan-Mashu National Park that brings Ainu folklore to life through stunning digital art and music. Finally, embark on a Shiretoko Nature Cruise to encounter the diverse marine life of this remote, pristine peninsula. This adventure showcases the powerful connections between culture, nature, and community, offering a profound understanding of how these ties can enrich our lives and sustain the world around us.The JNTO Expo website is here. |
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