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In 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence and hosts globally significant events such as the FIFA World Cup. Seizing the momentum of this special year, the public and private sectors of both countries will work together to launch the “Japan–USA Tourism Campaign 2026” to further expand two-way tourism between Japan and the United States. |
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GREENxEXPO 2027 comes to Yokohama from March 19th to September 26th, 2027, bringing together Japan's garden culture, seasonal scenery, and food traditions. There is also growing international excitement, with the United States officially confirming participation and helping make this a global event worth planning ahead for. |
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Educational Tools & Resources |
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Fukui Prefecture – Local Cuisine Lunch and Sagicho Experience at Kagetsuro |
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Experience the essence of Japanese tradition with a unique cultural plan in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture. Enjoy a seasonal local cuisine lunch at Kagetsuro, a 120-year-old nationally registered cultural property, followed by a hands-on encounter with the 300-year-old Katsuyama Sagicho Festival. Try on traditional costumes, play festive drums and kimono. This exclusive program offers an unforgettable journey through history, food, and local spirit.
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Hyogo Tourism Bureau – Awaji Island Yura Fishing Port Private Traditional Fish Auction Tour & Special Lunch |
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Yura Fishing Port, historically known for supplying premium seafood to the Imperial Court, offers a rare glimpse into Japan’s rich maritime heritage. Join a private tour led by a professional wholesaler who supplies Michelin-starred restaurants and local luxury ryokan hotels, and experience the relaxing atmosphere of this bustling port.
Observe the unique traditional auction, where freshly caught seafood is brought to bid, and even take part yourself by securing the finest local catch. Your journey culminates in an exclusive “Sea to Table” dining experience, where a skilled chef prepares your selection just for you at a special seaside onsen ryokan overlooking the local waters.
Learn More |
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Visit Kinosaki – Takeno Luxurious Fresh Japanese Seafood Course |
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Takeno, a local fisherman's town just one train stop away from Japan's tattoo-friendly hot spring town Kinosaki Onsen, brims with the natural bounty of delectable Japanese seafood caught fresh daily. Under the expertise of the owners of Yashio, a reservation-only restaurant in Takeno, savor the clean, natural flavors of locally sourced seafood and vegetables.
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Kochi Prefecture – Discover Immersive Tea Tourism |
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Discover immersive tea tourism in Kochi’s famed Niyodo Blue region, where pristine rivers and misty mountain slopes produce Tosa tea—an artisanal Japanese green tea known for its clean aroma, gentle sweetness, and smooth finish. Niyodo Blue Tourism Council offers curated, hands-on experiences—from tea picking and hand-rolling to blending, roasting, and private tastings with certified instructors. Visitors can also enjoy scenic afternoon tea overlooking Japan’s clearest river. These programs connect travelers with local producers, culture, and landscape, creating high-value, story-driven experiences ideal for FITs and small groups seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path Japan.
Learn More or Contact |
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Kyoto – Kyoto Beyond the Crowds |
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Kyoto shows a more intimate side in the early morning and after sunset, when the city quiets down, the light softens over temples and streets, and everyday life feels closer and more visible. These off-peak hours offer a different way to experience the city beyond the daytime flow—slower, calmer, and more atmospheric. As a general guide, morning sightseeing is before 9:00 AM and night sightseeing is after 6:00 PM (with seasonal variation such as summer sunrise around 5:00 AM and sunset around 7:00 PM, and winter sunrise around 7:00 AM and sunset around 5:00 PM), making these the best times to explore Kyoto’s more peaceful rhythm. Learn More
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Nagano – Refined Culinary Experiences in Nagano |
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Refined culinary experiences in Nagano Prefecture reflect a distinctive harmony between alpine environment, seasonal ingredients and understated culinary sophistication. Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, the region draws on pure water sources, heirloom vegetables and foraged ingredients to create cuisine that emphasizes simplicity and natural flavor. Traditional techniques such as fermentation and preservation remain central, while contemporary approaches subtly refine these practices into elegant, modern expressions. Often set in serene countryside inns or minimalist dining spaces with views of peaks and forests, these experiences reflect a strong sense of place, where climate, altitude and seasonality converge. Learn More
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Explore Shizuoka –
Elevated Dining Experiences in Shizuoka |
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Elevated dining experiences in Shizuoka Prefecture showcase a refined blend of hyper-local sourcing, culinary artistry and immersive cultural settings. With exceptional seafood from Suruga Bay, diverse mountain produce and the iconic presence of Mount Fuji shaping both landscape and culinary identity, the region emphasizes seasonality and terroir-driven cuisine. Dining often unfolds in intimate, meticulously designed spaces or historic settings tied to the legacy of the Tokugawa shogunate, balancing deep-rooted tradition with subtle innovation. Learn more |
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Opening Fall 2026: Best Accommodation for Family Stay at MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi Central |
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THE OSAKA STATION HOTEL, Autograph Collection Joins Luxury Travel Consortium - Takumians |
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Artful Kaiseki-Inspired French Dining at Tokyo Station |
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9 Years of Excellence
5-Star Reliability for Your Clients |
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Tohoku Rail Travel Planning Support & Bulk Welcome Suica Program
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Use Promotion Code: LIMO2026JNTO
for a 10% discount |
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CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES
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CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES |
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Friendly Planet Travel
Best of Japan
Commissionable, inquire for full details
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Inside Travel
Summer Elegance
Travel agent commission base is 10% based on gross
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THE FINE PRINT/LEGAL STUFF
Information is provided in this Japan Travel Update as a courtesy to readers of this newsletter. Though JNTO endeavors to ensure the information is accurate, users of the information are to act on such using their own judgment and at their own risk. Neither JNTO nor any holder of a copyright to the information shall be held responsible in any way whatsoever for any loss or misunderstanding, either direct or indirect, that is incurred as a result of utilizing the information. |
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Los Angeles Office
6100 Center Drive, Suite 925, Los Angeles, CA 90045
email: infolax@jnto.go.jp
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