Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has a new portal showcasing content that inspires travel to the country’s off-the-beaten-path destinations.

The hashtag #stayhomewithjapan encourages people to ‘look beyond the clouds’ and share personal links with Japan found in everyday life, and keep Japan at front of mind for when travel begins anew. 

World Journeys has few places left on its two small group hosted journeys Cherry Blossom Japan departing on 24 March and 8 April this year.

Japan has plenty of life in it yet as a travel destination out of New Zealand and agents should get familiar with the opportunities it provides for their clients, says the founder of Wendy Wu Tours.

Compiled by Kathy Ombler
• Tokyo subway – ticket machines offer English translations; you can buy a single trip, day pass or buy a pasmo card (available from the ‘pink’ machines), these can be topped up as needed. (The pasmo card also can be used in 7 Eleven stores and some vending machines.)
• Subway cell phone etiquette – put phones on silent and don’t have loud conversations.

New Zealanders should embrace opportunities to explore the regions beyond Tokyo, as they follow the All Blacks in their Rugby World Cup pool games in Japan next year.

There is more to Japan than just Sushi and Tempura. That’s one of the key messages that will be highlighted to trade when Japan National Tourism Organization and supplier partners hold a roadshow in Auckland next month.

‘We are also trying to break the stereotype of travel to Japan being expensive,’ says Sally Miles, business development and marketing assistant at JNTO.

‘Especially with so many major sporting events happening – Rugby World Cup 2019 and Tokyo hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2020 – there’s no better time for clients to see Japan.