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J A P A N
Travel Trade News
December 2025
✨ Season’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year! ✨
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Travel Advisory: All Seats on Nozomi Trains Will Be Reserved During Peak Periods |
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Important Notice for Travellers to Japan
From December 26, 2025, to January 4, 2026, all seats on Nozomi trains operating on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen will be reserved only. This means non-reserved seating will not be available during this period. To ensure a smooth journey, we recommend reserving your seat as soon as your travel plans are confirmed. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance via the official online booking service. For more information, read here.
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Autumn 2026: Sumo Special – but not just for Sumo! |
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The recent Sumo performance at the Royal Albert Hall was a huge success. With increased public interest for Sumo, let us introduce you to the Sumo Special tour for Autumn 2026. This tour guarantees Sumo match tickets for Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka, and with the itinerary combined with the popular Golden route, you can take full advantage of your Japan stay. And this tour doesn’t stop with just Sumo! A ryokan stay with a traditional kaiseki dinner and hot spring onsen experience are of course included, and on top of that, other popular activities such as a Gion walk with a maiko, Zen meditation at a temple, sake tasting, and a local food walk with a guide are also included. The option to make the tour dedicated to your group is available too. Please contact Hankyu Travel International Europe UK for more details.
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Ski Your Way Through This Winter in Nagano with MIKI Travel |
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Enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the powder snow in Nagano, a prefecture only 2.5 hours away from Tokyo. Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics with its high quality powder snow suitable for snow sports. All plans offer a package for 3 to 5 nights including return bullet train tickets from Tokyo, accommodation and ski passes for SHIGA KOGEN MOUNTAIN RESORT, or TOGARI ONSEN SKI RESORT and NOZAWA ONSEN SNOW RESORT, providing over 10 courses for all levels for everyone to enjoy, with a breathtaking view. The relaxing hot spring awaits you after a fun day skiing in the mountains, helping you to refresh and re energize your bodies. Furthermore, Nagano is not only famous for skiing, but also for the remarkable sightseeing spots such as the Snow Monkey Jigokudani Park and Obuse city, famous for Hokusai’s paintings and production of sake and miso breweries. We offer optional tours to make your stay in Nagano the most memorable one. Plans for Japan this winter? A snow adventure awaits you in Nagano! For more details, please see the information here and contact MIKI Travel. |
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SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE: Authentic Countryside Tours & Stays in Hida, Gifu |
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SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE is an inbound travel company based in Hida-Furukawa, a region of small mountain villages where people live in harmony with nature. The word satoyama refers to landscapes where rural life and nature coexist, a spirit that inspires everything we do. We offer guided cycling tours through the satoyama countryside, cultural walking tours in Takayama and Furukawa, and stays at beautifully restored traditional townhouses. Each experience reveals the daily life, craftsmanship, and enduring traditions of the Hida region. Our friendly bilingual guides connect guests with local people, sharing stories and insights that offer a genuine sense of Japan’s countryside. Whether cycling past rice fields or staying in a historic home, SATOYAMA EXPERIENCE invites you to slow down and discover the beauty of rural Japan. |
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Discover the Hidden Gem of Nagasaki: Goto Islands |
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The Goto Islands are a beautiful destination, just about 30 minutes from Nagasaki and 40 minutes from Fukuoka. Why not visit the Goto Islands, one of Nagasaki's remote islands? Crystal-clear cobalt-blue seas and exquisite island cuisine await you. The islands with beautiful churches built by faithful Christians who preserved their religious beliefs offer a wealth of unique cultural charm and majestic natural beauty. On the islands, you can enjoy not only marine activities and cycling, but also the freshest seafood, vegetables and Goto Beef（Premium Japanese Wagyu). Come and experience the charm of the Goto Islands, rich in both nature and history. For detailed information and other recommendations, please visit the official Goto City tourism website. They encourage you to check it and utilise any content that piques your interest for product development. For more information, please contact Goto City. |
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Unlock Exclusive Japan Experiences with Japanticket |
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Japanticket is a leading travel technology company in Japan’s inbound market. They specialise in providing unique and captivating Japanese tourism content, including cultural experiences like Sumo, private tours of famous sake breweries' non-public areas, and highly sought-after restaurant reservations. Through their proprietary system, they efficiently supply this curated digital inventory to our global partners, simplifying your sourcing of destination content. This system provides partners with crucial real-time inventory and availability. Their core strength extends beyond technology; they also operate as a DMC thanks to their robust connections with local suppliers. This dual function enables them to respond more flexibly to your specific requests and ensure exceptional client experiences that build loyalty. A key competitive advantage is their ability to hold real-time inventory for dining bookings, a crucial and often challenging service for inbound travellers. They hold a wide range of content, spanning popular, standard offerings to exclusive experiences unavailable elsewhere. Please contact Japanticket for more details. |
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Join Japan-san’s webinar introducing Nasu |
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Japan-san is excited to introduce Nasu, a hidden gem in Tochigi Prefecture, just 70 minutes north of Tokyo by bullet train. Known for its volcanic landscapes, natural hot springs, artisanal food, and cultural experiences, Nasu offers travellers an authentic taste of rural Japan. Here are some bite-sized stories on where to stay, soak, eat, explore, and enjoy seasonal highlights, perfect for inspiring new itineraries and stories for your clients or audiences. For more details, please check their blog post and register for the webinar on 18 December at 09:30 UK time.
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Travel Smart, Keep Kyoto Beautiful |
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Help Preserve Kyoto’s Bamboo Groves
In Kyoto’s Arashiyama area, bamboo groves are frequently damaged by graffiti, harming both individual plants and the entire landscape. We kindly ask that you be considerate of the local community, respect the culture and environment, and help preserve the natural beauty of Arashiyama and throughout your visit to Kyoto. Read more.
Beware! Unlicensed Taxis are Illegal and Unsafe.
In Japan, it is prohibited to use ride-hailing apps to transport passengers for a fee in a private vehicle without permission! If you use an unlicensed taxi, you may be questioned by the police. If you happen to be injured while you are in an unlicensed taxi , you may not be protected by any insurance coverage. Check the color of the license plate. Read more. |
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