The popular city of Kyoto became the No.1 city in Asia in the US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice 2011. As Japan moves into the second decade of the 21st century, the country is adding more world’s No1s.

New Tower in the Big City

TOKYO SKYTREE®, the new broadcasting tower, will be finished in the eastern Tokyo as the tallest free-standing tower in the world. This 2,080 feet tall tower has been just finished its construction at the end of February, and awaiting the grand opening on May 22nd, 2012. Already becoming a new Tokyo’s icon tower, the neighboring district goes under redevelopment with new shopping and dining facilities.

Largest Planetarium

The planetarium in Nagoya became the world’s largest facility: Nagoya City Science Museum completed the renovation of the planetarium in March 2011 with the new dome of 35 meter (114 feet) long inner diameter, and the City of Nagoya announced that this facility has been recognized as the largest planetarium in the world by Guiness World Records. Before its opening, the largest planetarium dome was 30 meter (98 feet) long inner diameter in Ehime Prefectural Science Museum.

World’s No.1 Youth Hostel

Among young frugal world trotters, youth hostel is a great network of accommodation no matter where they go on the globe. The International Youth Hostel Association (IYHA) announced the top hostels for different categories, Shin-Osaka Youth Hostel was crowned as the cleanest facility in the world in 2010. Located in the proximity of Shin-Osaka bullet train (Shinkansen) station, the hostel is convenient to cruising Japan’s second largest city Osaka as well as travel to the ancient capital city Kyoto.

Top Meeting Country

Japan became Asia’s top venue for international meetings: According to the latest International Meetings Statistics Report on 2010 from Union of International Association (UIA), Japan hosted 741 international functions in 2010, which set Japan as the No. 1 Asian venue, and the second in the world after the United States. Japan jumped up from the 5th place in 2009, and this significant increase derives from 1) the growth in Asian academic conferences and more demands for venues in Asia, 2) major international events like Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that generated affiliated meetings, and 3) Japan promoted domestic meeting venues and facilities in 2010 under Japan MICE Year campaign. Japan is aiming to promote venues for more international meetings in the years to come, appealing high-tech amenities, practical public transportation, clean facilities and rich cultural experience.

Best Brand in Tourism

Future Brand’s Country Brand Index (CBI) 2011-2012 list shows strong presence of Japan. The list is compiled by Future Brand, a global brand marketing consultancy, which is released every year with lists of multiple categories. In their tourism category, Japan is ranked No. 1 for its’ resilient recovery from the natural disaster and as the CBI explains that “Japan’s rankings in attractions, value of money, resort and lodging and food are strong and getting stronger, indicating that a country’s brand can be lasting vehicle for goodwill in the face of crisis.”

www.japantravelinfo.com

Marunouchi has been an up-coming area with multiple redevelopments and renovation such as renewal opening of The Tokyo Station Hotel in April 2012 in the western style brick train station. On the western side of the historic Tokyo train station, the Marunouchi area stretches between the Imperial Palace, Tokyo International Forum convention venue and many 5-star hotels, and has become a popular district with concentration of art, culture, shopping and dining experiences. As the national center of 312 tourist information centers all over Japan, TIC serves about 30,000 walk-in visitors with free travel information to foreign tourists annually, and will expect more walk-in inquiries at the new location, drawing their attention to the café’s function as cultural and art information source.

The New Tourist Information Center (TIC) is located at:

ShinTokyo Building, 1F

3-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Phone: +81-(0)3-3201-3331

Open daily from 9a.m. to 5p.m.

(Closed on January 1)

Japanese tour companies HIS, JTB and KIE set up unique tour packages in summer, inviting American travelers to Japan who looked for special experience in the country of your interest, offering post-quake recovery volunteer program in the affected area in the northeastern Japan. Each company put together the package for about a week-long trip with unique opportunities and interaction with local people, such as cleaning up the wreckage, visiting orphanages, and supporting the communities. Through the human connection and borderless friendship, participants came back home not only with cultural experience but also became very aware of social and humane experiences, which touched the hearts of both visitors and the local Japanese people. As the testimonials describe the program, “the whole experience have been so nourishing to my soul,” “I respect and applause the resilience of Japan,” and “I have a newfound respect and admiration for the Japanese people.”

The packages drew the overwhelming public attention, and all these companies are considering more dispatches of similar tours in coming fall and winter. For the updates of the packages and further information, check the websites of HIS, JTB, and KIE.

http://www.jtbusa.com/en/tour/together/default.asp

1. Visit Tokyo’s oldest temple

Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji, was founded in the 7th century. It’s believed the smoke from the huge incense urn in front of the temple has healing powers, so if you visit you are likely to see people rubbing the smoke all over their bodies. In the streets surrounding the temple there are many traditional restaurants and street vendors selling snacks such as rice crackers, sweet bean cakes and green tea ice-cream.

2. Pay your respects at Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is a huge Shinto shrine set in a calm garden oasis in the centre of Tokyo. The large shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, is set amongst a 178-acre gardening containing plants from all over Japan. Shrines are scattered throughout Tokyo so you are likely to see more than one on any visit to Japan.

3. Enjoy one of Tokyo’s many festivals

Festivals are a very important part of Japanese culture and take place regularly throughout the year. The focus of these festivals can be incredibly varied and can include flowers, fertility, longevity, the dead, the moon, children, stars and plenty more. During these festivals you’re likely to see processions, food stalls and live entertainment. Click here for a calendar of Japan’s annual festivals.

4. Visit Tsukiji Fish Market

From 9am visitors can enter Tsukiji, the largest seafood market in the world. Here you’ll find stalls selling dried mushrooms, seaweed, tea, pickles, ceramics and kitchenware. At the knife stores you can even have your name engraved on the knives. And of course there are numerous sushi shops where you can enjoy an extremely fresh sushi breakfast. Nearby is the Tsukiji Honganji temple with exotic Hindu-influenced 1930s architecture – also free! Please note that the early morning tuna auction is currently closed to tourists.

5. Play with the gadgets in the Sony Showroom

At the 11-story Sony Building you can fiddle with high-tech gizmos that won’t be on sale in Britain for at least a year. You can even try out the latest PlayStation software on a giant, high-quality monitor. Other showrooms that can be visited for free include the Nissan Gallery, Toyota’s MEGA WEB. and Honda Welcome Plaza where you can see daily Asimo robot demonstrations.

6. Visit a photo gallery

During your stay in Tokyo you’ll find plenty of sights that’ll make you reach for your camera and get snap happy. However, if you fancy a break from taking pictures, why not check out some of the city’s top photo galleries operated by some of the major names in photography. Fuji Film Square is in Roppongi. Canon, Nikon and Kodak all have photo exhibition showrooms in Ginza while Konica Minolta and Pentax have showrooms in Shinjuku. At these galleries you’ll see frequently changing amateur and professional exhibitions and some of the galleries also contain small camera museums.

7. Go on a free guided tour with a local

Tokyo boasts many sights for you to enjoy and what better way to see these sights than by taking a free guided tour with one of the city’s locals to show you the way. The Systematized Goodwill Guide Groups are comprised mostly of students, housewives and retirees, and operate throughout the city. Tours depart from a variety of locations at different times throughout the day and cover attractions like Ueno Park, the Imperial Palace and plenty more. The tours themselves are free and you are only expected to pay for the guide’s travel expenses and any admissions to attractions.

8. Check out some of Tokyo’s beautiful gardens and parks

Bonsai trees, stone lanterns, Zen rock gardens and colourful carp! You’ll find all this and more on a stroll through some of the Japanese gardens found throughout Tokyo. And what’s more, many of these gardens are free to enter. There’s the Imperial Palace East Garden, the Nezu Shrine Garden, famous for its blooming azaleas in May, and the Shin Edogawa Garden, a classical Japanese garden complete with carp and stone lanterns. Tokyo’s Ueno Park is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms in April and also hosts a selection of museums and more.

9. See stunning views of Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, or Tokyo City Hall all as it’s also known, soars up for 243 meters above the ground. Designed by Kenzo Tange, the building’s twin towers cover 48 floors. Up on the 45th floor is where you’ll find the public observation decks, which can be reached by elevator in a speedy 55-second trip. Once you step onto the observation deck you’ll be faced with stunning views of the Tokyo, especially on clear days when you’ll get brilliant views of Yokohama to the southwest and Mount Fuji to the west. Open daily 9.30am-11pm.

10. Visit some of the city’s many free museums

Tokyo has an incredibly wide variety of museums for you to check out. If you’re on a strict budget, don’t worry because many of the city’s museums won’t cost you a single yen to visit. These free museums include the following: Sumo Museum, Parasite Museum, Advertising Museum, Yebisu Beer Museum, Eyeglass Museum, Japan Stationary Museum, Fire Museum, Banknote and Postage Stamp Museum and the Currency Museum. So from sumo to specs, you’ll be able to see them all entirely free of charge.

11. Visit a sumo stable

Sumo is one of the major attractions in Tokyo and if you’re lucky you might get the chance to visit a sumo stable during your time in the city. These stables are where sumo wrestlers live and train, and there are over 50 sumo stables in Tokyo. When the wrestlers aren’t involved in tournaments, you can go along and watch their early morning practices. Ask at reception in your hotel to find out if there’s a stable nearby that you can visit.

12. Go people watching in Harajuku

Every Sunday, teenagers gather in this area around Harajuku Station and show off a wide variety of styles including colourful cosplay costumes. In nearby Yoyogi Park, which is one of the city’s largest parks, you’ll see a great variety of interesting characters as you stroll through. Local bands play around the perimeter of the park, people practice martial arts, and a host of other performers entertain the crowds. One of the must visit areas during your stay in Tokyo!

13. See the Imperial Palace grounds by bike

Borrow a bike for free and cycle the Imperial Palace cycling course. The bikes are available on a first come first serve basis every Sunday. Take your pick from regular bikes, tandems and kids bikes and then it is yours until 3pm.

14. Learn about Japan’s traditional drink

Visit the ‘Sake Plaza’ to learn all about Japanese alcohol. There is a library there with around 6,000 books on sake and a computer to search for particular brands. You can also try some in the tasting area!

15. Tokyo Architectural Tour

Take yourself on a walking tour of Omotesando boulevard. Japan has produced some of the most exciting contemporary architects from Tadao Ando to Shigeru Ban, and attracted many other international architects such as Herzog and de Meuron, resulting in amazingly innovative architecture throughout Japan. The shopping boulevard of Omotesando in Tokyo is a good place to see a large concentration of stunning contemporary architecture.

Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensoji, was founded in the 7th century / Image via toddswanderings.com

All other places outside the evacuation zone are totally safe, but the media never mentioned it. This had severe consequences for many businesses in the travel & tourism industry, so in turn decided to create this project to promote Japan amongst the world’s travellers and show that it still is a safe & wonderful country to visit.

Starting the journey on September 15, 2011, the selected TRAVEL VOLUNTEER will visit all of Japan’s 47 prefectures and share impressions through a dedicated travel blog and through social networks. All travel and accommodation expenses, including international airfares will be covered by the project.

Candidates are invited to apply by July 31, 2011 and international support is also sought for this non-profit initiative, whether in the form of a financial or non-financial contribution.

There has been an overwhelming response to the project, within three days of the announcement 200 people from 20 different countries applied.

Detailed information is available on the projects website: http://www.travelvolunteer.net and www.facebook.com/travelvolunteerproject

“I am very pleased to be the new Canadian representative as I am very passionate about the city as it is my hometown and offers so much to the leisure and business traveller,” said Tokyo Metropolitan Government Canadian representative Akira Tsushima.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has conducted tourism promotions in Toronto and Vancouver in 2009 and 2010. They realized the tremendous interest of the people in Canada for learning more about Tokyo. In 2010, the number of visitors from Canada to Japan was 153,400 which is more than a 30% increase from 10 years ago. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government would like to increase and enhance its commitment to the Canadian market by appointing a new tourism representative based in Canada. Having a local office will allow the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to better understand the Canadian market and its characteristics as well as more effectively build relationships with tour operators, airlines that service Tokyo, the media and the travelling public.

With the earthquake and tsunami in March, the appointment takes on even more importance as Japan rebuilds the infrastructure and economy while restoring confidence to the world at large. Tokyo itself was shielded from most of the damage and it’s business as usual in Tokyo.

“I will be able to provide timely and useful information to the Canadian media, travel trade and public on what actually is happening in Tokyo so they can travel there with confidence,” explained Tsushima. “Tourism plays a vital role in the health of the economy not only to Tokyo but Japan and we need both business and leisure travellers to continue to travel there,“ added Tsushima.

Akira Tushima, who came to Canada 26 years ago, is no stranger to tourism as he worked for a major Japanese travel company in its Toronto office and promoted outbound tourism from Canada to Japan. Previously he worked for a Japanese company that was in charge for exporting products to the United States and for the last ten years in that capacity was its Chief Executive Officer. He currently runs a tourism and investment consulting business.

The Tokyo Tourism representative’s main responsibilities will include: providing information to Canadian travel agents, wholesalers and meeting planners; be a point of contact and provide information to the Canadian media; act as Tokyo’s representative at various events including trade shows; work in close conjunction with the Toronto based office of the Japan National Tourist Office (JNTO) on various activities; educate travel trade, media and consumers on Tokyo.

Tokyo is back to normal with trains once again running like clockwork, water safe to drink and the beer and yogurt shortages now over (yes, there were temporary shortages due to packaging factories having been in the earthquake-hit region!).

The FCO has said it is safe to travel to Tokyo and beyond in Japan since 5th April, yet UK visitors to Japan have dropped by around 50%. With the full reopening of the Tohoku bullet train line on 29 April, the situation for visitors is virtually back to normal in all of Japan, including most of the Tohoku Region (the area in northeast Japan where the earthquake and tsunami occurred).

Japan is a fantastic destination for a truly memorable holiday and many people in the country rely on tourism for their livelihoods. Here we give you just 10 of the many great reasons to holiday in Japan this summer.

1. Discounted hotel rates – the big drop in visitors following the earthquake has lead to many hotels dropping their rates and launching attractive promotions. For all the latest offers follow Japan National Tourism Organization on Twitter ( @experiencejapan) or see the latest offers page on their website, www.seejapan.co.uk.

2. Help Japan through volunteering – InsideJapan Tours has a 4 day ‘Volunteer for Japan’ package which enables non-Japanese speakers to get up to Tohoku to assist in cleaning-up and rebuilding. This can be done on its own or added into any self guided/tailored itinerary.

3. Geisha beer gardens – From July until early September, visitors to Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto can kick back and relax in the company of geisha at a number of beer gardens. An evening with a geisha is usually a pricey luxury, but in a beer garden all it costs is the price of a few drinks and snacks.

4. Hiking – Japan is famous for its bustling modern cities – but it’s also home to some of the world’s most stunning areas of natural beauty. Oxalis Adventures offer holidays combining the best of Japan’s cultural destinations with off-the-beaten-track walking or hiking. From village-to-village walking along the Kiso Valley or hiking the volcanoes of Kyushu, travellers can experience Japan’s nature up-close. Walking in Japan is made all the more enjoyable by the abundance of natural hot springs and the freshest Japanese food, beautifully prepared by your hosts. For more see www.oxalis-adventures.com.

5. Bullet trains – 2011 is an exciting year in Japan for train enthusiasts. The final section of track linking Japan’s bullet train network from the southern tip of Kagoshima to Aomori in the north opened in March. Also in March, the new Hayabusa E5 shinkansen – Japan’s fastest bullet train to date – launched on the Tohoku region route. Services were temporarily suspended after the quake, but the full line has been back up and running since 29 April. Visitors to Japan can enjoy unlimited journeys on the trains using the money-saving 7, 14 or 21 day Japan Rail Pass.

6. BA now flies to Haneda Airport – British Airways resumed its new London to Tokyo Haneda Airport service on 30 May, after temporarily suspending the service following the earthquake. BA is the only airline that offers direct flights from London to Tokyo’s central Haneda Airport. The airport is located within Tokyo, and it only takes 19 minutes by train to get to the city centre. To find out more about BA’s services to Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, visit ba.com.

7. Beaches – Visiting Japan doesn’t have to mean giving up your summer beach holiday. The 160 islands of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture boast a subtropical climate, coral reefs, emerald seas and sunny skies. Its rich cultural heritage differs markedly from that found in mainland Japan. For those without the time to travel that far, great beaches can be found just an hour-and-a-half by train south of Tokyo on the Izu Peninsula.

8. Relaxed locals – Summer is when you’ll find the locals at their most laid back. Like London, people take time off, work shorter hours and celebrate the warm weather in beer gardens. This summer workplaces in Japan are introducing “Super Cool Biz” relaxed dress codes to decrease the need for air conditioning. So this summer, more than ever, Tokyo will be in relaxation mode.

9. Festivals – Every town, village and city has at least one festival a year. In summer you can choose from music, firework and more traditional cultural festivals. Some of the top ones are:

* Fuji Rock Festival (29-31 July) – this year’s line-up includes Glasvegas, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Beach House, CSS, Warpaint and Mogwai);

* Summer Sonic (13-14 August) this year featuring Jessie J, Yelle, Ne-Yo, Friendly Fires, Tinie Tempah, The Strokes, Beady Eye and the Village People).

* Tokyo’s Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (27 August) – unlike fireworks displays in most other parts of the world, many in Japan are a competition held between rival pyrotechnic groups. Each group tries to out-do the last, and the result is an incredible variety of fireworks, not just in different colours and patterns, but forming shapes as complicated as characters from Japanese animation or kanji.

* Kanto Matsuri, Akita – A spectacular festival featuring young men balancing huge 60kg lantern poles on their shoulders, foreheads, hips or hands.

10. Climb Mt. Fuji – This 3,776 metre high dormant volcano is world-famous as a symbol of Japan. July and August is the official climbing season. During these two months the mountain is usually free of snow, the weather is relatively mild, access by public transportation is easy and the mountain huts are open. To enjoy Mt. Fuji at a more leisurely pace, the best thing to do is spend a night in a ryokan in Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes area and enjoy its splendid views from a rotenburo (outdoor hot spring spa).

Kyoto geisha beer garden / Image via logspot.com

March 11 has become one of the most tragic days for modern-day Japan. The earthquake caused a massive tsunami and damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant. Thousands of lives were lost and the radiation endangered many.

However, Japan has now risen from the ashes and is trying to tell the world the country is no longer posing any threats to the health of its people and visitors. Especially now, Japan needs tourists to return.

Many international organizations and governments have issued statements recommending tourists to return to Japan; naturally, safety remains a priority, and while vast majority of the country’s tourists landmarks were unharmed, official channels suggest tourists stay clear of the 50-mile radius around the Fukushima plant.

Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) meticulously monitors all the related safety information, from radiation levels to transport and travel updates. Japan needs tourists more than ever; popular leisure destinations were not affected, for example the radiation in Tokyo is similar to the one in New York City.

There are no issues regarding safety of food and water and public transportation in the vast majority of cities and areas is up and running. The JNTO is inviting visitors back to Japan and reassuring them there is no need to worry anymore; the only caution required is in the 50-mile radius around the Fukushima nuclear plant, an area which quite frankly never attracted unusual tourist attention.

tourism-review.com

The article was published in all three US editions of METRO, distributed to New York City, Boston and Philadelphia.

Justin Bieber, another huge pop star, visited Japan, too: A day before his “My World” tour at the legendary Budokan, he made a formal visit to the US Embassy in Tokyo, and spent some time with Japanese children from the affected northeast region (See in YouTube). Justin stated that “it was a good time to come here (Tokyo),” and he exchanged a brief conversation with the Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner, Mr. Hiroshi Mizohata. His first visit to Japan was a huge success, and this reflected the energy of the Japanese youth to the US audience.

http://www.mtvjapan.com/vmaj/en/

Japan’s artistic community was happy to host the famed New York opera company as well. The famed Metropolitan Opera (MET) will travel to Japan for their periodical performance, regardless of the recent natural disaster. Peter Gelb, the chairman of MET, visited Tokyo on May 18th. Mr. Gelb discussed the importance of travel to Japan at this time, and emphasized that Japan is safe (See in YouTube). Mr. Gelb and his entire company will receive a warm welcome from the Japan Tourism Agency, and from the local government upon the company’s arrival at Nagoya’s Centrair International Airport on May 30th. Japan has been the largest international audience for the company, and they will perform in Nagoya and Tokyo during their 3-week stay in Japan.

Other international figures have also visited Japan after the March earthquake, and they are sending message as witnesses of today’s Japan as a safe and beautiful destination via YouTube.

Mr. Shuichi Kameyama, the Executive Director of Japan National Tourism Organization in New York, is thrilled that such prominent icons are traveling to Japan. Mr. Kameyama hopes this will spread a positive impression and understanding that Japan is a safe destination.

www.japantravelinfo.com

Daisaku Kadokawa, Mayor of Kyoto says “For more than a millennium, Kyoto has been the destination of choice for those seeking the true essence of Japanese luxury, culture and refinement. The city’s many exclusive restaurants, private galleries, secret gardens and temples, and myriad magical experiences continue to draw the most elite and discerning travelers from around the world.”

Blossom Japan is a dedicated invitation only event that brings Buyers from 39 different countries all of whom are looking for exciting new products to present to their clients. By creating a platform for all the key luxury brands to meet, Blossom Japan provides a new dynamism for the whole luxury travel industry internationally and in Japan.

“The event is hosted in Japan to showcase an exceptional destination and open the door to one of the most lucrative sought after markets in Asia Pacific”, says Jay Martens CEO of Lucioles. “Our aim is to create a platform that offers the perfect environment for buyers of affluent travel to meet with both exceptional International and Asia Pacific sellers”.

Over the past 3 months the Lucioles team has been working hard in recruiting the very best high-end travel buyers from all over Japan and the world. “We only have 2 (out of 105) international places left on the fully hosted buyer programme, this shows how committed the inbound market is to Japan and Asia Pacific in light of recent devastation” says Jay Martens

Silversea, Tonichi Travel Service, Wilderness Safaris, Windows to Japan, L’Hotel du Lac, ORIENT-EXPRESS and Amanresorts are amongst the Exhibitors that have re-signed for 2012 while Naiade Resorts and AYANA Resort and Spa Bali will make their debut next February.

Blossom Japan 2012 will commence with a full day conference followed by a three-day exhibition at ICC Kyoto.

The exhibition will be facilitated by pre-scheduled appointments ensuring that all attendees are conducting serious business by day, and will be supplemented by a series of networking events by night for all Buyers, Exhibitors and Media attending.

The Hyatt Regency Kyoto and The Westin Miyako, Kyoto have been announced as official hotel partners.

“I am sure that this event will blossom as the ideal business and networking opportunity for the finest global luxury travel experts. It is with great pride that on behalf of all Kyoto citizens I invite you and your valued partners to experience Kyoto, where traditional and modern Japan flourish in delightful harmony”, concludes Daisaku Kadokawa, Mayor of Kyoto.

Blossom Japan has launched stage one of its website complete with a teaser of the 2011 inaugural event at www.blossomjapan.com