Japan Tourism News
Japan prepares for Osaka’s World Expo 2025
Preparations are underway for the highly anticipated World Expo 2025 that is set to take place in Osaka, Kansai from April to October next year. One of the oldest and largest international events since 1851, the World Expo is held every 5 years and is expected to attract an influx of visitors to Japan’s second-largest city and culinary capital.
1 Hotels To Debut in Japan with 1 Hotel Tokyo: a New Nature-Inspired Urban Icon
SH Hotels & Resorts, the sustainable hotel brand management company founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, is proud to unveil plans for 1 Hotel Tokyo. Set to open in 2025, 1 Hotel Tokyo represents a longstanding collaboration with Mori Trust, one of Japan’s leading property developers. After years of planning, the two companies are creating a true 1 Hotels experience that’s deeply rooted in nature and sustainability.
Watch the Kairos Rocket Launch from a Japanese World Heritage Site: 3-Day Luxury Tour Packages
Social design company and community builder USP Japan Co., Ltd. has begun sales for its first exclusive rocket launch tour packages for December 13, 2024. The three-day package includes a rocket launch viewing, hands-on rocket building, and cultural experiences on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, all alongside luxury accommodation and cuisine. The tours and launches are set to continue into 2025, with plans for over 20 launches per year.
Travel Agency WaWo Japan Travel Offers Hand-Crafted Tours of Local Japan
Japan has been growing increasingly popular as a travel destination, with influential magazine Condé Nast Traveler placing it at number 1 on its list of “the best countries in the world” for two years running. Larger cities like Tokyo and Kyoto have been the focal point of this popularity, but demand is rising by the day for more genuine experiences, suggesting a growing need for tourism development in local regions of Japan. Enter WaWo Japan Travel, an agency that has long cooperated with local organizations to uncover Japan’s hidden gems, in addition to utilizing its bountiful experience providing tour arrangement services to overseas travel agencies. Applying its deep knowledge of local Japan, WaWo has begun selling original tours on its newly launched tour site “WaWo Japan Tours” (http://wawojapantours.com).
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE Scheduled to Open in 2026 A New Luxury Hotel in Hakone
Leading global real estate company Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., and Mitsui Fudosan Resort Management Co., Ltd. will open HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE in Hakone, Japan (Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture) in 2026. The new, 126-room property will be located in Hakone’s premier hot spring resort area on more than 33 acres within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
Hoshino Resorts and Japan Airlines to Launch Joint Initiative to Boost Inbound Tourism
To promote sustainable tourism in Japan, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Group CEO: Mitsuko Tottori) and Hoshino Resorts Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture; Representative Director: Yoshiharu Hoshino) are launching the “All-time Favorite vs. Hidden Gems” campaign. This initiative encourages visitors to discover lesser known destinations, helping to alleviate overtourism while supporting regional revitalization.
Embark on an Artistic Odyssey Through Japan’s Setouchi Region
Japan’s Setouchi region invites art lovers and cultural explorers to embark on an inspiring journey through its rich heritage and stunning landscapes. This enchanting destination offers a deep dive into Japan’s history of art and cultural tapestry, featuring historic landmarks, traditional craftsmanship, and breathtaking vistas through a variety of unforgettable experiences.
Three New Cultural Experiences Launched in Shizuoka
A range of new authentic travel experiences have launched in the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka, showcasing the region’s rich culture, heritage and cuisine with highlights including exclusive Geisha performances and a tour that uncovers the top attractions of the western area of the prefecture via the retro Tenryu Hamanako Railroad.
Unmissable Autumn Events in Subtropical Okinawa
Here, the team at Visit Okinawa summarises some of the must-visit events in the region during the season… September/ October 2024: Record-breaking tug-of-wars Large-scale tug-of-war events are a traditional hallmark of Okinawan festivals and the Itoman Great Tug-of-War, taking place on the 17th of September, is a spectacle not to be missed.
SOWAKA Hotel Unveils Gion Loka: A Culinary Gem in the Heart of Kyoto
SOWAKA Hotel is thrilled to introduce its newest dining masterpiece, Gion Loka, led by the esteemed executive Chef Takaaki Kato. Nestled within the luxurious confines of SOWAKA Hotel, Gion Loka promises an unparalleled dining experience that intertwines tradition, innovation, and exquisite flavours.
Hyatt Announces Plans for Park Hyatt Sapporo
Hyatt Hotels Corporation have announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd., for a new Park Hyatt hotel in Sapporo. Scheduled to open in 2029, the hotel will be situated in the economic and cultural center of the Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan. It will be the fourth Park Hyatt branded hotel in the country and will complement the award-winning Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono, a luxury mountain retreat located in Hokkaido’s leading ski resort.
Banyan Group debuts Banyan Tree brand in Japan with Grand Opening of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
Banyan Group, an independent global hospitality leader, proudly announces the debut of its flagship Banyan Tree brand in Japan with the grand opening of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto in the heart of Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama Ward. With 52 luxurious guest rooms, the renowned Banyan Tree Spa, the natural Onsen, and two distinctive dining experiences, the intimate retreat is the only hotel in Kyoto with a Noh stage