Japan is a destination that has inspired many travelers. With centuries-old traditions coexisting alongside some of the world’s leading technology, Japan is rich in resources for planning memorable and authentic experiences. Snow activities, city adventures, mountain retreats and beach resort stays can be put together in countless combinations. Create rewarding luxury trips following the latest travel trends, or design cultural immersion programs that boost employee motivation: there is something for every group. This guide provides a glimpse of the variety offered by Japan’s must-visit places and unique off-the-radar locations. Find your inspiration to build an unforgettable itinerary.
New ideas start here. Itineraries for all tastes
Inspiring journey through the heart of Japan P. 4 – 5
The great outdoors: from shining sea to snow-capped peaks P. 6 – 7
Exploring the culture and essence of Japan P. 8 – 9
Spirited legacy of innovation and creativity P. 10 – 11 Inspiring journey through the Tea ceremony experience
Kyoto Hiroshima heart of Japan Tokyo This journey through Japan’s heartlands has your group heading west from Tokyo and Mt. Fuji to Kyoto and Hiroshima. Enjoy the synergy of traditional and contemporary cultures in the bustling metropolis and the Hakone ancient capital. Discover the treasure of tranquil nature, crafts, and delicious cuisine.
Wagashi traditional Japanese sweets Day 3 Kyoto Kyoto’s enduring heritage will make © Tokyo Metropolitan Government your group feel like they’ve stepped Tidal pond and teahouses at Hama-Rikyu Gardens back in time. Leisurely stroll the city, perhaps in kimono, exploring historic temples and shrines. Arrange to attend a tea ceremony, or for a maiko to perform at your dinner party.
Day 4 Hiroshima The island of Miyajima is renowned for Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site. At low tide your group can walk out to the wave-floating red torii gate. Kyoto’s Higashiyama district © 2021 JIDAIYA CORPORATION ©Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills Back in Hiroshima, try the local Rickshaw ride in Asakusa Welcome reception above downtown Tokyo okonomiyaki, a flavorful “pancake” everyone can enjoy cooking up on an Day 1 Tokyo iron hotplate. Begin your day with preciously manicured greenery set against glittering skyscrapers at Hama-Rikyu Gardens. This former villa of the Tokugawa Shogun is now available for Day 2 Hakone receptions. Next, visit the historic Refresh in the mountain resort of Sensoji Temple and tour downtown Hakone with a lakeside view of majestic Asakusa on a rickshaw. Finish the day Mt. Fuji. Melt away your fatigue by with a spot of nightlife in the dynamic immersing yourselves in hot springs at heart of Tokyo. the onsen ryokan. Relaxing in cotton yukata, your group can savor exquisite cuisine in the lap of Japanese © Hoshino Resorts KAI Hakone hospitality. © Hiroshima Prefecture Ryokan in Hakone The torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome
4 5 Route 2 The great outdoors: from shining Hokkaido
sea to snow-capped peaks Route 2 Hokkaido Tokyo Reward your participants with deep blue seas, coral reefs and unique cuisine in Okinawa, or with snow Day 1 festivals, sports and the freshest seafood in Hokkaido. From oceanside to mountaintop, delight in what Sapporo these islands have to offer in outdoor activities. Countless snow sculptures dazzle the eyes at the Sapporo Snow Festival, a Route must-see winter celebration. Nighttime 1 illumination enhances the festivities as Okinawa does Hokkaido sushi, a treasure trove of seafood. Another savory delight is a Snow sculpture at the Sapporo Snow Festival cooking class for your group to make Route 1 Okinawa and eat sushi. Day 1 Naha The culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom is alive and well today in Naha. Find the
origins of karate in this island paradise, © Okinawa Convention Visitors Bureau and get a taste of vibrant traditions like Karate practice on the beach Okinawan traditional textile workshop local cuisine, Ryukyu dance, and three-stringed sanshin music at a dinner party. Take a group lesson on the making of traditional textiles.
© Hilton Niseko Village Outdoor hot spring with view of Mt. Yotei Day 2 Nanjo Day 2 Niseko The Valley of Gangala, one of Okinawa’s A popular destination for adventure and geological wonders, is a fine venue for Freshly made sushi luxury travelers alike, Niseko boasts hosting a get-together under the dome the reputation of being one of the of a natural limestone cave. At the world’s finest powder skiing areas. adjacent Okinawa World, your group Reward your group with a visit to hot will see a traditional Okinawan village springs with stunning views of Mt. and try their hands at some traditional Yotei. crafts. A reception at the Valley of Gangala
Snowmobile tour
Okinawan shiisa guardian lion statue
Day 3 Onna Day 3 Niseko Indulge yourselves with a day at Onna Have your group enjoy team-building in beach in a coral village, which offers the snow, with activities like CSR activity opportunities to learn and snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and so on. help preserve the rich natural On a day excursion, you can also visit environment. Your group can make Shikotsu-Toya National Park and coral seedlings, which are crucial to venture for an unforgettable ice walk the environmental health of the region. on the frozen surface of Lake Shikotsu. Stand-up paddleboarding along the Okinawan shoreline Snow activities at Niseko
6 7 A dinner party set alongside the stage of the Yamamoto Ise-shima Noh Theater Exploring the culture and Wakayama Osaka Himeji essence of Japan Tokyo Route Takamatsu See and experience Japan’s unique architecture, love of nature, and devotion to craft by visiting a historic Tokushima Route 2 Route 2 castle, temples and shrines, gardens, traditional theater in a big city, and more. Visiting sites of advanced 1 technology born of traditional craftsmanship enhances exploration. Day 1 Osaka Contrasting with the city’s famed cuisine and neon nightlife is noh, an © Yamamoto Noh Theater elegant, dramatic art dating from the Route latter 14th century. Feel the mystic 1 beauty of a performance at Osaka’s Yamamoto Noh Theater, where you can host a dinner party. This rare Day 1 Himeji experience of Japanese drama will Stroll through the 17th-century main make a lifelong memory. buildings of Himeji Castle, an architectural wonder and Japan’s first World Cultural Heritage site. This masterpiece combines the key elements of the era’s construction Kumano Nachi Taisha technology with beauty and practicality. Shrine and Nachi Falls Your group can travel back in time by donning samurai and ninja costumes A performance of with the castle as your backdrop. classical Japanese © Yamamoto Noh Theater noh theater
Day 2 Wakayama Himeji Castle, Japan’s first © Himeji City UNESCO World Heritage Site Home to Buddhism and Shinto, this nature-rich prefecture contains the World Heritage sites of Mt. Koya and Kumano Kodo. Do group meditation on Day 2 Takamatsu Mt. Koya to increase mindfulness and Ritsurin Park goes back nearly three focus, useful for business and overall centuries, when first enjoyed by its well-being. Then, walk in the footsteps lords. This three-Michelin-starred of ancient courtiers on Kumano Kodo’s garden of six ponds and 13 hills has pilgrimage route, and visit the nearby Mt. Shiun as a backdrop. Create your breathtaking Nachi Falls. own miniature garden via hands-on experience of bonsai, at the home of Zazen meditation Bonsai experience in Takamatsu this art, which has been developed for the past 200 years.
© Kagawa Prefecture Tourism Association Ritsurin Park
Day 3 Ise-shima Day 3 Tokushima Ise-jingu Shrine, Japan’s most famed Fresh ideas are born and daily cares shrine, is where legend says the Sun forgotten in the lush greenery of Goddess, mythic ancestor of the remote Iya Valley. Kazura Bridge, Imperial family, favored the site 2,000 a thrilling structure of vines, spans a years ago. Its solemn yet peaceful river far below. Stay in a thatched-roof atmosphere will inspire your group. house over a century old, where At Okage-yokocho, re-creation of a traditional hospitality adds comfort to a bustling Edo-period townscape, your newly styled interior of modern group can sample traditional Japanese © The Inland Sea, SETOUCHI Tourism Authority © Tokushima Prefecture Tourism Association conveniences. sweets and other savory delights. Kominka traditional house in Iya Valley Kazurabashi Bridge Wooden torii gate at Ise-jingu Shrine
8 9 Route Spirited legacy of innovation and 2 Kanazawa Gifu Day 1 Kitakyushu Toyota/Nagoya Route The industrial city of Kitakyushu is known 1 creativity Kitakyushu for deploying antipollution technologies, Tokyo initiatives for waste management, and Saga See the essence of state-of-the-art Japanese manufacturing born from the innovative craftsmanship of recycling among other green practices. Kumamoto old times. Cutting-edge industries like transportation and steelwork have their origin in this legacy, which Get a close look at plants on technical Route visits during the day, and revel at ease on a 2 you can feel in the ambience of machinery plant towns where traditional crafts still flourish. night cruise amongst large-scale factories towering against the brilliant city lights.
Route © Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology 1 Day 1 Toyota/Nagoya At this manufacturing mecca, learn the remarkable progress made in an array of industries, from textiles to automobiles. Sense the passion of Japanese manufacturing, an industrial heritage from 1900 onwards. Hold a reception at this unique venue where you feel the spirit of innovation. Your group’s industrial tour can include the world-renowned Noritake ceramics or Hatcho miso plants.
Night view of Kitakyushu’s industrial district
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology Day 2 Saga Arita ware of blue-and-white is said to be Japan’s oldest porcelain. Popular in Limited express trains run across Day 2 Gifu 17th-century Europe, influencing Kyushu Glimpse craftsmanship that once Germany’s Meissen kiln, it is now made created samurai swords in a knife- traditionally with contemporary tastes making town with a tradition spanning in mind. Your group can work on a over 700 years. Your group’s eye- potter’s wheel and glaze handmade pieces and try all-you-can-pack opening adventure in historic crafts © ARITA PORCELAIN LAB Co., Ltd. includes Seki City sword makers treasure hunting. sending up sparks and sounds from the power and precision of their hands, working a furnace burning hot at 1,300 © Seki Hamono Museum degrees. Cutlery-making workshop Blades made in Seki Day 3 Kumamoto Discover the ingenious architectural techniques behind Kumamoto Castle. A boardwalk route allows visitors to have a Day 3 Kanazawa close look at the warrior-repelling steep Prized for traditional crafts and art, stone walls, and to enjoy the hundreds Kanazawa is where Kaga yuzen dyeing of cherry trees around it. Next, board an and Kutani pottery flourished. Its gold leaf artistic express train and see for is 1/10,000 mm thick, which may be why yourselves industrial design at its best Kanazawa produces most of Japan’s gold applied to leisure travel. Developed to leaf. Experience this luminous craft with incorporate regional crafts and your own hands-on creation. Then, visit materials in the elegant decor, limited Kenrokuen, a landscape garden, express trains in Kyushu also offer renowned as one of Japan’s three outstanding hospitality and a variety of greatest. © Kanazawa City Kumamoto Castle Office locally produced foods and drinks. Lacquerware with gold leaf at a workshop Landscape architecture at Kenrokuen Garden Stone walls of Kumamoto Castle
10 11 Inspiring activities
Connect with culture P. 14 – 15
Bountiful nature for rich experiences P. 16 – 17
Mindfulness for rejuvenation P. 18 – 19
The timeless art of fine craftsmanship P. 20 – 21
Make your reception unforgettable P. 22 – 23 Make tasty udon noodles [Kagawa] Prized as a local specialty, have a hand at making your own Sanuki noodles. Roll up © sumoexperience © National Bunraku Theatre © Hanamaki Tourism Association your sleeves and do everything from kneading and rolling dough to cutting and boiling to enjoying your own handmade udon. Visit a sumo stable Bunraku puppet theater Soba noodle eat-off [Tokyo] [Osaka] [Iwate] Sumo is the oldest martial art in Japan as One of Japan’s beloved traditional performing Take up an all-you-can-eat challenge of © Kagawa Prefecture well as the national sport. At the sumo arts, bunraku is a complete theatrical wanko soba, named for the wooden bowl Tourism Association stables, you can get an unforgettable, experience. Watch the drama unfold as (wanko) of buckwheat noodles (soba). A steady close-up view of professional wrestlers master puppeteers imbue their puppets with stream of bite-sized portions are placed in training. realistic humanity. your wanko until you put a lid on it to signal Connect with culture “that was plenty.” From traditional performing arts to local foods, add a hands-on activity to immerse in Japanese culture and create authentic and vivid travel memories.
© Iga-Ueno Tourist Association Dive in the field of tea Ninja for a day Art of flower [Shizuoka] [Mie] arrangement Learn about the history and production of the Do not hide in the shadows—be the ninja you Ikebana is a traditional Japanese art tea industry at the Tea Museum. The lesson always wanted to be! Go through basic expressing natural beauty and balance continues outside to a fragrant tea plantation training and explore a real ninja house filled year-round through fine arrangements of as your group picks fresh leaves in friendly with hidden doors and secret passages. fresh-cut flowers. Equally meditative as it is competition. creative, the practice encourages being in the tranquility of nature.
Welcome to a warm kamakura [Akita] Enter a snow-cut kamakura igloo for a cozy dinner with soft lighting. Feel the hospitality as you are served mochi rice cakes and amazake, a sweet fermented rice drink, warming you inside and out.
© Tokushima Prefecture Tourism Association Dance the night away: Awa odori [Tokushima] With colorful outfits and a dynamic rhythm, this quintessentially Japanese dance gets everybody up on their feet. Have your group Light up your own take an exclusive class—or perhaps have a bamboo lantern performance liven up your party! [Fukushima] Try a hands-on workshop to make a bamboo lantern, where you drill your original pattern, and then light up with a candle inside. Other bamboo crafts include making baskets, chopsticks, or tea scoops, which can make a © Taketoronokai © Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization nice souvenir of your time in Japan.
14 15 Bountiful nature for rich experiences Japan’s wide array of climate zones allows for a multitude of outdoor possibilities. From The many pleasures of Cycle the Up, up, & away at the beautiful seas to lush forests, Japan captivates the imagination with its abundant nature. Kujukushima Shimanami-kaido annual balloon fiesta [Nagasaki] [Hiroshima and Ehime] [Saga] Nestled in Saikai National Park is Touted as one of the “7 Best Bike Routes in Get inspired at Saga International Balloon Kujukushima, an offshore paradise of wildlife the World” by CNN, this 70km route Fiesta, Asia’s largest hot-air balloon festival. spread across 208 islands. Take a pleasure meanders gently across the Seto Inland Sea’s Though on the ground, hearts will soar at the boat to a remote island and your group can breathtaking seascape dotted with emerald sight of colorful balloons speckling the sky. have outdoor fun kayaking, BBQ, and much islands. more.
Gorgeous glamping Fruit picking Treat your group to a glamping experience to Many varieties of delicious fruit are cultivated © Phoenix Seagaia Resort © Kitayama village enjoy the outdoors with resort-like amenities. all over Japan throughout the year, with many Be surrounded by the dreamlike scenery of orchards for picking strawberries, cherries, various destinations throughout Japan while peaches, grapes, apples, and more. It’s a Golf amid a pine forest Stand-up river rafting still enjoying the luxury of comfort in these well-known fact that fruit picked by your own [Miyazaki] [Wakayama] ready-made accommodations. hand is the sweetest. Go out for a round on a fascinating course, Experience real wilderness life as you stand set in a black-pine forest, favored by world- aboard rafts of freshly cut logs steered by renowned players. After the game awaits a hand down roaring rapids. Here is a rare chance to freshen up at a hot springs chance to take a thrilling ride among nature’s followed by a traditional Japanese meal. wondrous resources.
Discover the colors of every season Be it in the wilderness of a mountain trail or at dedicated botanical gardens, the flowers and foliage of each season will color your trip. See the artistry of Japanese gardening shown Mountain hiking in through wisterias tunnels, lavender fields, cherry blossoms parks and much more. Yakushima [Kagoshima] Hike on this island full of primordial forests, known as a power spot in Japan and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Otherworldly and ancient, the thick forests of Yakushima are home to Jomon-sugi, Japan’s oldest tree, which has been growing for about 7,200 years.
Enthralling snow monsters [Yamagata] Snow- and ice-bound trees towering as monsters are works of natural art that only local weather, climate, and flora can create. Feel the enchantment of bewitching sculptures for yourself, haunting the mountainside or from the ropeway.
16 17 Transcend the physical with a mountain mystic [Yamagata] For centuries, the Dewa Sanzan mountain range has been a sacred place and home Peaceful relaxation to Buddhist monks, the yamabushi. Unique at an onsen ryokan to the area are programs for yamabushi training that engages body, mind, and spirit Immerse yourself in the peaceful with the aim of self-reflection and ambience and traditional hospitality of a mindfulness. hot springs inn. Reach deep levels of relaxation while steaming in volcanic © Hoshino Resorts KAI Sengokuhara spring water.
Join a tea ceremony A master tea ceremony instructor gives you a hands-on lesson in preparing your own matcha green tea and savoring its rich aroma and flavor. Experience the aesthetic moment of wabi-sabi, or beauty in Savory sake simplicity. Many sake breweries throughout Japan offer varietals with distinct aroma, depth, and taste depending on local rice and brewing. Relax and enjoy a tour that introduces you to the real taste of artfully crafted rice wine. © K. P. V. B Experience sand bathing [Kagoshima] For one-of-a-kind bathing, an attendant gently lays warm sand on you like a blanket. In about 10 minutes, heat from the steamed sand will warm body, and is said to detox and heal, all to the tranquil sound of the ocean. Marvel at fine art and a garden [Shimane] Ranked number one for 18 consecutive years by the U.S. publication Sukiya Living Magazine: the journal of Japanese gardening, Mindfulness for this beautiful garden in the Adachi Museum of Art offers your group an aesthetic experience of fine art amid inspiring nature. rejuvenation © Adachi Museum of Art Unwind from the bustle of business and rejuvenate body and spirit in a quiet Japanese setting that nurtures mindfulness and tranquility.
© guntû Overnight stay Floating world on the at a temple Seto Inland Sea Experience monk life and stay overnight in Rent space in the serene floating world of guntû, a a mountain temple. You’ll learn meditation luxury boutique hotel gliding on the Seto Inland Sea. from a monk and eat Buddhist vegetarian Be at ease in the unique and refined cuisine. Some temples also offer yoga to accommodations of a leisurely journey through an © guntû © machitera.net help body and mind flow. island-speckled seascape.
18 19 A lesson in transportation technology Master the craft of [Aichi] wooden mosaics At SCMAGLEV and Railway Park, discover [Kanagawa] the history of Japan’s reliable rail travel and Hakone yosegi is traditional Japanese how it led to state-of-the-art maglev marquetry known for its intricate structure technology. Rent out the venue for events to and aesthetically alluring mosaic patterns. imbue an appreciation for technology and Your group will watch masterful artisans engineering. © Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited creating in their workshop and then try your hands at mastering this delicate craft. Private tour of modern architectural marvel [Hyogo] Arrange a tour of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, an architectural marvel and world’s longest suspension bridge. Ascend 300 © Iwasaki Be-I meters to the main tower for a 360° view and revel in the breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea. © HakoneMaruyama Inc. Make appealing plastic food [Tokyo] Plastic food samples in restaurant front windows that show menu items are unique to Japan. From any kind of food imaginable, you can have a go at creating a realistic and tempting food model. The timeless art of
fine craftsmanship Explore deep architecture Japanese technology has long had a notable impact on the world. Get a true sense of the [Tochigi] time-honored spirit behind Japanese craftsmanship that has led to current cutting-edge Go into the cavernous depths of the Oya History Museum, a former mining site and innovations. Your group will visit sites of artful technique and technology and discover a wide underground cave of 20,000m2. Rent this impressive backdrop for group events that © Utsunomiya Convention Visitors Bureau array of business ideas as well. are truly memorable.
© Panasonic Corporation © Transit General Office Inc. SATOSHI MATSUO © Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market Get a charge from innovative electronics Best practices in waste reduction An eye on space technology Auction at a fish market [Osaka] [Tokushima] [Ibaraki] [Tokyo] Your group’s education in Japanese craftsmanship continues at the At the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center, which made the first zero-waste Visit JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center to see full-scale artificial satellite It is hard to resist getting hooked on the Toyosu Fish Market, the Panasonic Museum of this world-renowned electronics maker. The declaration in Japan, you can bask in abundant nature as you learn and rocket engines and discover the technology that takes Japanese world’s largest. Be captivated by a bustling fish auction at this hub of company history and life of founder Matsushita Konosuke are introduced, firsthand about this matchless zero-waste campaign structure. astronauts to the final frontier. sea treasures and savor the incomparable taste of the freshest sushi. along with this outstanding entrepreneur’s principles on living well.
20 21 Sumptuous feast Dine at ease for the senses on a dinner cruise [Tokyo] [Tokyo] Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, tastefully adorned There is nothing like enjoying dinner on a with Japanese murals and sculptures, is a cruise modeled after the pleasure boats of multipurpose complex, complete with a the ancient Japanese aristocracy, gorgeous dining hall for a banquet or surrounded by the colorful lights of Tokyo. feast. Surrounded by tranquil gardens and Have your group enjoy an exquisite course a river that flows through them, the © Hotel Gajoen Tokyo meal like royalty as you float across Tokyo traditional banquet halls can be used with Bay. tatami mat floors or carpeted, to adapt to A banquet the style of your event. for all the senses Have Japanese-style food stalls or a chef preparing dishes live as part of your party’s entertainment. Delight in mouth-watering cooking performances of sushi, tempura and other plates, right before you savor them, freshly made.
© Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
© Taiko Center Co., Ltd. Hello Kitty for The wondrous sound of your party wadaiko Invite Hello Kitty, the beloved epitome of Japanese kawaii, to your reception. Make your reception Wadaiko drums have long been a traditional Imagine your guests’ delight when she performing art in Japanese festivals and makes a surprise appearance! It surely will Shinto shrine rituals. The robust percussion make the event exciting and unforgettable. with dynamic moves will without a doubt liven up your event. unforgettable © ’76, ’21 SANRIO APPROVAL No. P120130-1 Enhance your group travel to Japan with the following ideas for a memorable journey. Among the many and varied historic, cultural, and contemporary venues are attractions sure to impress participants as they experience authentic Japan at its finest.
© Hiroshima Prefecture Under the sea © HIROSHIMA ORIZURU TOWER © OSAKA CITY CENTRAL PUBLIC HALL wonderland Harmonious legacy Roll out the red carpet Divine entertainment [Okinawa] at a place of peace for a grand gala with kagura Host your incentive party with the main [Hiroshima] attraction of Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, [Hiroshima] [Osaka] the Kuroshio Sea tank, as your Beside the Peace Memorial Park and the Charm your group with an exclusive red Kagura is a traditional Shinto dance meant to background. Marine life provides a World Heritage site of the Atomic Bomb carpet event at the beautiful neo-renaissance entertain the gods, which makes it sacred as fantastic atmosphere, which can give a Dome, the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is an Osaka City Central Public Hall, host of Osaka well as fun. Hiroshima is one of Japan’s most sense of oceanic majesty to your group’s homage to origami paper cranes, a symbol of arts and culture since the building’s famed kagura hubs, and there your group can banquet toast. peace in Japan. Host your gathering at the centenary inception in 1918. Create a polished be enthralled by lush costumes and music as rooftop observation deck to enjoy an inviting atmosphere for your event with this grand you enjoy a dinner reception. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium city panorama. architectural backdrop.
22 23 Useful Information Useful Information
Geography International Flight Access Located in East Asia, Japan is an archipelago comprising the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, with over 6,800 islands in total. Its size is often compared to Germany, and it is slightly smaller than the state of California. Japan’s topography is about 70% mountainous, Sapporo with residential areas concentrated around coastal plains. The country (New Chitose Airport) stretches from north to south forming different natural landscapes, which has led each region to develop their own culture and history, local Moscow Yamagata London products, and cuisine. Gifu The Americas Europe New York Kanazawa Los Angeles Kyoto Dubai Delhi Sendai Mexico City Himeji Middle East and Africa Singapore Takamatsu Kitakyushu Tokyo Fukuoka (Narita International Airport) (Fukuoka Airport) (Haneda Airport) Hakone Asia and Oceania Sydney Naha Saga Nagoya (Chubu Centrair International Airport) (Naha Airport) UTC Ise-shima -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10 +11 +12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 Osaka (Kansai International Airport) Wakayama North America Approximate flight time Asia / Oceania Approximate flight time Tokushima Los Angeles 12 h Bangkok 5 h 55 min Hiroshima New York 14 h 15 min Beijing 3 h 15 min Kumamoto Toronto 13 h 20 min Delhi 7 h 50 min Mexico City 14 h 35 min Hanoi 4 h 35 min Hong Kong 3 h 50 min Climate Credit cards, pre-paid IC cards and cashless payments are Most of Japan occupies a temperate zone, and the four seasons becoming popularly accepted in major hotels, stores and Europe / Middle East Approximate flight time Jakarta 7 h 20 min each have their own appeal. The northernmost island of restaurants nationwide. Frankfurt 11 h 30 min Kuala Lumpur 6 h 45 min Hokkaido has a short yet pleasant summer while Okinawa, in ATMs at post offices and convenience stores allow money London 11 h 50 min Manila 4 h 30 min the south, has a subtropical climate. withdrawal for some international cards. Madrid 13 h 20 min Seoul 2 h 20 min In the main island, spring is cool and breezy with generally Moscow 10 h 15 min Shanghai 2 h 50 min sunny skies. Cherry blossoms bloom starting in the south and Tax Paris 11 h 50 min Singapore 6 h 55 min gradually moving north, between March and May. Japan has an 8% tax on consumable goods and 10% tax on Rome 12 h 20 min Sydney 9 h 35 min The rainy season takes place from late June until mid-July. general items. Visitors to Japan are eligible for tax exemption on Dubai 9 h 10 min Taipei 3 h 20 min Summer is often hot and humid, featuring firework displays and purchases over 5,000 yen for a variety of consumer goods. street festivals. Autumn starts in Hokkaido and travels south, with dazzling autumn leaves blanketing the country between Tipping late October and early December. Winter is crisp and cool, with Tipping is not practiced in Japan. If your group is visiting bars, Japan Official Travel App Japan Visitor Hotline clear weather and snow on the mountains. Throughout Japan, cafes, or restaurants, taking taxis or staying in hotels, regardless The JNTO official app provides the latest tourist information, To support overseas visitors, the Japan National Tourism you will find variety and beauty in every season. of how high standard customer service is, there is simply no from helpful basic information to updated official guidelines on Organization (JNTO) operates a visitor hotline 24 hours a day, need to tip. what to do in case of emergency. 365 days a year. Tel.: 050-3816-2787 Time Zone Electricity https://www.jnto.go.jp/smartapp/eng/about.html Japan is nine hours ahead of GMT, with all the country within the Japan uses two flat parallel prong plugs. The voltage used From overseas: +81-50-3816-2787 same time zone. There is no daylight saving time. throughout Japan is uniformly 100 volts, A.C. Languages available: English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese Service covered support & assistance: Emergencies (accident, Connectivity illness, etc.) or natural disasters, general tourist information Visa Wireless hotspots at major cities in Japan provide Internet Travelers from 68 countries and regions can stay in Japan up to access for free upon registration. Also, the rental of portable Contact the Japan Convention Bureau 90 days without a visa. The list can be found on: https://www. Wi-Fi routers is available at international airports. mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html Tokyo Headquarters London Office (Europe) Paris Office (France and Belgium) E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Smoking Tel.: +81-3-5369-6015 Tel.: +44-20-7398-5670 Tel.: +33-1-42-96-20-29 Currency While still allowed indoors in some restaurants, bars, and The Japanese yen is used throughout the country and you can hotels, smoking is not allowed outside of designated areas. This New York Office (Americas) Singapore Office (South East Asia) Seoul Office (Korea) exchange foreign currency at the airports and major banks and rule is strictly enforced—especially in the country’s main cities— E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] major hotels. and can result in a fine. Tel.: +1-212-757-5640 Tel.: +65-6223-8205 Tel.: +82-2-777-8601
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