Approx 4.5 million blue nemophilas flowers at the Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. 

Dear
 

Welcome to the April edition of Japan Agent Update. 


We are very happy to annouce that Qantas will launch new direct seasonal flights between Sydney and Sapporo, meeting a growing demand from Australians wanting to travel to the popular Japanese ski holiday destination.Qantas will fly three times per week to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport between 16 December 2019 and 28 March 2020.For more information, click here. 

Also, as of 1st May 2019 will bring a new era 'Reiwa', when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends to the throne. The two characters composing the name, “Rei 令”and “Wa和” respectively mean “beautiful” and “harmony”. Furthermore, the name “REIWA” also includes the meaning of culture coming into being and flourishing when people bring their hearts and minds together in a beautiful manner.

  

★Upcoming Japanese Public Holidays: April & May "Golden Week"★

Mon 29 April - Shōwa Day

Tue 30 April - Emperor Akihito's Abdication

Wed 1 May - The Enthronement of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince

Thu 02 May - Public Holiday
Fri 03 May - Constitution Day
Sat 04 May - Greenery Day
Mon 06 May - Children's Day

 

Many facilities normally closed on days of the week that fall on a public holiday will instead be open. Please check with individual facilities directly.

 

~Japan Roadshow Update~

Spaces limited ! 
Please take note of these new dates as we are changing up the schedule as compared to previous years!

Melbourne: 20 May 2019 (Monday) @ InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto 

Sydney: 21 May 2019 (Tuesday) @ Hyatt Regency Sydney

Auckland: 23 May 2019 (Thursday) @ Pullman Auckland

 

The invitation has been sent out! If you have not received it, click below:  
Japan Roadshow 2019


See you all there! 

 ~Insider Tip~

#14: Yukata vs Kimono

To the uninitiated, a yukata looks just like a kimono, but it’s fairly easy to tell the difference. Technically, a yukata is a type of kimono, but the words are never used interchangeably in Japan. Here are some key differences:

Kimono are made from fine materials, typically silk, whereas yukata are made from cheaper materials, typically cotton. Kimono have multiple layers, and learning how to wear one properly takes years of practice and professional lessons; yukata are single-layer garments and fairly easy to put on while watching a YouTube tutorial or reading an instruction guide sheet. The obi (sash) worn with a kimono is usually folded elegantly at the back, whereas the obi worn with a yukata is usually tied into a bow.

You can buy yukata from Japanese clothing stores and souvenir shops, although they may be hard to find outside of summer, as they’re a popular garment for summer festivals. The yukata provided in Japanese ryokan and some hotels are the easiest to wear as they don’t require any folding at the waist. Just wrap it around yourself, tie the obi snugly, and you’re set to stroll around the property!

 

Major Updates

Six Amazing Things to do in Western Japan

From shrines that took my breath away to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, it seems there are a lot of extraordinary things to see and do in Western Japan. Here are some of my highlights.

Relaunching of the new Japan Online Media Center
 

JNTO, Japan Online Media Center has updated its free stock media library featuring new contents with inspiring articles and other useful tools for travel trade.

KANSAI JAPAN in 8K HDR Hyperlapse

 

Discover the charms of the Kansai region with this newly released promotional video from Kansai Tourism Bureau. The Kansai region includes Osaka prefecture, the venue of the upcoming G20 Summit.

JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass expanded

 

The JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is a pass that allows you to travel from Osaka/Nagoya to visit the World Heritage sites of Shirakawago and Gokayama as part of a grand tour of Kanazawa, Toyama and Gifu areas.

Partner Sites

Top 7 Tourist Spots in Tottori
(WOW! Japan)


Not only home to the largest sand dunes in Japan, it is also full of a number of other interesting sites bursting with natural beauty and traditional cultural heritage.

 

Japan is working hard to develop and implement strategies for creating barrier-free environments at sporting venues and tourist destinations around the country. 

Featured Wholesale Tours

Cherry Blossom & Garden 2020 
(MW Tours) 


Picturesque Cherry Blossom season is the perfect time to journey through Japan, visiting ancient temples and castles, flourishing gardens, and all the highlights this beautiful country has to offer. 

Last Month's Most Popular

Cherry Blossom Forecast 2019

 

JNTO's 2019 Cherry Blossom forecast has been uploaded and the sakura are expected to bloom earlier this year. Tokyo's forecasted flowering date is 21st March and expecting full bloom on 30th March, and Kyoto's forecasted flowering date is 24th March with full bloom on 2nd April.  

Featured Blog: 50 Awesome Things to Do in Tokyo


"In this wild, wacky world of ours, Tokyo is surely the wackiest place of them all." Blogger CourtyStelt shares 50 ways to keep occupied in the incredible city of Tokyo.

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