|
J A P A N
Travel Trade News
July 2026
|
|
|---|
|
August - Festival magic at the peak of summer |
|
|---|
|
August offers similar summer fare to July, with beach trips, highland excursions and water sports all popular pastimes. The difference is the increased heat and the colourful backdrop of summer festivals and firework displays—not uncommon in July, just much more pronounced in August. Some of the biggest and best festivals include Tokushima's Awa Odori and Aomori's approximately week-long Nebuta Matsuri. Both feature dancing and night illumination in the form of bright floats, fireworks and lanterns—common motifs in August celebrations. Read more
|
|
|---|
|
Welcome to the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival 5–7 August 2026 |
|
|---|
|
At the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, the summer nights are filled with smiles, warm community spirit, and authentic traditions. To the cheerful chant of "Yassho, Makasho!", dancers in vibrant safflower-adorned hats move in perfect, wave-like harmony. The atmosphere is so inviting that you’ll naturally find yourself clapping along to the beat! Come and feel the welcoming, rhythmic joy of a Yamagata summer! Read more. |
|
|---|
|
Yamaguchi: A Gateway to Japan's Hidden Treasures |
|
|---|
|
Located at the western tip of Japan’s main island, Yamaguchi Prefecture lies between Hiroshima and Fukuoka, making it an ideal addition to wider Japan itineraries. Away from the crowds of the country’s major tourist hotspots, the prefecture offers visitors the chance to experience a more authentic and relaxed side of Japan. One of the region’s highlights is Hagi, a historic castle town that forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. With its well-preserved samurai residences and traditional streetscapes, a stroll through Hagi feels like stepping back into the Edo period. Visitors can also engage with local culture through hands-on experiences such as Hagi pottery workshops, offering a deeper appreciation of Japanese craftsmanship and heritage. Yamaguchi is equally renowned for its diverse natural attractions. Visitors can explore Akiyoshidai, Japan’s largest karst plateau, and venture underground into Akiyoshido, one of the country’s most spectacular limestone caves. The prefecture is also a wonderful destination for cycling enthusiasts, with scenic routes that wind through coastal landscapes, historic towns and tranquil countryside. Along the Sea of Japan coast, travellers will discover some of Japan’s most photogenic scenery, including Motonosumi Shrine, famous for its 123 vibrant red torii gates stretching towards the ocean, and the breathtaking Tsunoshima Bridge spanning crystal-clear turquoise waters. Combined with iconic sights such as Kintaikyo Bridge, outstanding seafood, rich cultural heritage and warm local hospitality, Yamaguchi offers a compelling blend of history, nature, gastronomy and outdoor adventure. For travellers seeking to discover a lesser-known side of Japan, Yamaguchi is a destination well worth adding to any itinerary. Read more |
|
|---|
|
Discover Authentic Rural Japan in Hagi |
|
|---|
|
Looking for a destination beyond Japan's well-known tourist routes? Discover HAGI Tours offers authentic, English-guided experiences in Hagi, a historic castle town in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hagi remains one of Japan's best-kept secrets, welcoming relatively few international visitors. This allows travellers to avoid crowds and enjoy Japan's traditional culture, history, and local way of life in a relaxed and authentic setting.
Our experiences include exploring Hagi's historic samurai district by e-bike, riding an e-MTB along the historic Hagi Okan, creating your own Hagi pottery with a local artisan, visiting a traditional soy sauce brewery, and making tofu from scratch using local methods. Hagi is conveniently located between Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Tsuwano, making it an ideal addition to western Japan itineraries for travellers seeking authentic experiences beyond the usual destinations.
We welcome partnerships with tour operators and travel agencies looking to offer unique cultural experiences in rural Japan. For more information, please contact Discover Hagi Tous. |
|
|---|
|
JapanTicket PRESTIGE: A New Level of Authentic Cultural Travel in Japan |
|
|---|
|
JapanTicket PRESTIGE, in partnership with Asano Kajiya in Gifu Prefecture, offers an exclusive cultural experience for travellers seeking genuine immersion in Japan's living traditions.
Guests work alongside master swordsmith Fusataro (Taro Asano) to help create a genuine Japanese sword, gaining rare insight into centuries-old techniques, philosophy, and craftsmanship. Travellers can choose a one-month Katana creation program or a one-week Wakizashi program, each providing hands-on participation and direct guidance from the master. The Katana program is limited to just ten participants each year. To create a seamless luxury journey, JapanTicket PRESTIGE also arranges every aspect of the surrounding stay, including luxury accommodations, private transportation, interpreters, exclusive cultural experiences, and personalised itineraries throughout Japan.
Designed for discerning travellers who value authenticity over extravagance, this experience offers more than access to a traditional craft—it provides meaningful connections with Japan's people, culture, and heritage through a journey that is both deeply personal and exceptionally rare. For more information, please contact JapanTicket PRESTIGE.
|
|
|---|
|
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
Tokyo Sea of Clouds YAKUMO, a Reimagined Iconic Mist Installation |
|
|---|
|
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo launches YAKUMO, an enhanced version of its “Tokyo Sea of Clouds” mist installation, beginning 1 July, 2026. Inspired by the idea of “clouds layering upon clouds,” YAKUMO adds about 160 nozzles and advanced controls to precisely manage mist angle and timing, creating a larger, multi-layered, and more immersive fog display that adapts in real time to wind, light, humidity, and temperature. Overnight guests in garden-view rooms will be able to enjoy a special evening performance with roughly 1,000 lights and synchronised sound designed to evoke the garden’s “living heartbeat.” The installation will run daily at 40 past each hour from 9:00 to 21:00 and will be open to overnight guests and patrons of the hotel’s restaurants and shops. Seasonal complementary events, such as Bamboo Lanterns, Sea of Clouds Splash, and Wind Chime Alley, will accompany the installation year-round. Find out more about the Tokyo Sea of Clouds experience here. For accommodation reservations and enquiries, please contact Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo.
|
|
|---|
|
Reservations Now Open: MIMARU to Launch Two New Properties in Osaka |
|
|---|
|
APARTMENT HOTEL MIMARU will open two new locations in the Osaka area in fall 2026, and reservations are now available. Featuring guest rooms with kitchens and in-room laundry, along with a wide selection of room types, including two-bedroom options, MIMARU is an apartment hotel ideal for families and groups. MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi Central (Opens 1 Sep, 2026)
About a 2-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station, this location offers convenient access for sightseeing and shopping in Osaka. With rooms primarily designed for 4 or 6 guests, it provides a comfortable stay for families and groups. MIMARU Osaka Namba Station Annex (Opens 1 Oct, 2026)
About a 5-minute walk from Namba Station, this location is great not only for exploring Osaka, but also for easy access to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, making it a convenient base for touring the Kansai region. It offers room types including 1- to 3-bedroom options, providing space and privacy for families and groups. Guests can also enjoy a terrace suite of up to 100㎡.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|  |
|
|
| |
|
|
