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In late April, cherry blossoms, koinobori (carp streamers) and snow‑covered peaks create a striking spring scene at Nakayama River Park in Yamagata Prefecture. |
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Hi ,
Welcome to the April and May edition of the Japan Travel News Updates.
Spring is well and truly in full swing, bringing milder weather, vibrant bursts of colour and seasonal celebrations across the country.
While the peak sakura season has now passed in major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, cherry blossoms are still yet to reach their peak in cooler regions such as Tohoku and Hokkaido. If you haven’t already, check out our special sakura edition for more inspiration on where to see the beloved blooms.
Beyond cherry blossoms, other spring flowers such as wisteria and azaleas enhance the beauty of landscapes nationwide, while the reopening of alpine routes like the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route reveals spectacular mountain scenery.
Late April also signals the start of Golden Week (29 April to 6 May this year), one of Japan’s busiest domestic travel periods. Advance bookings are recommended, and travellers should be aware that the Nozomi Shinkansen will operate with reserved seating only during this period.
In this edition, we shine a spotlight on springtime festivals and events across the country, share a convenient new Tokyo ticketing resource, and introduce updated rail passes and traveller support services designed to make exploring Japan even easier.
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Travel News, Inspiration and Updates |
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New JNTO tourist information call centre for international visitors
From 1 April 2026 JNTO will launch a dedicated call centre to support overseas visitors with Japan travel information. The service will operate daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm (JST) and offer assistance English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
Phone number: +81 (0)50-3416-0010
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JR East pass updates
JR East will introduce new and expanded rail passes from 14 March 2026, including a new JR EAST PASS that replaces the separate Tohoku and Nagano/Niigata passes. Other passes, such as the JR East–South Hokkaido Rail Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass, will also see expanded service areas. See the press release for more information.
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Discover the world of Noh and Kyogen in Kyoto
Kyoto City’s new video series showcases the beauty, depth and living heritage of Noh and Kyogen. Visitors are encouraged to move beyond sightseeing and experience Kyoto’s culture firsthand through classical and contemporary productions staged in historic theatres and cultural venues across the city.
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Attack on Titan and Nijigen no Mori collaboration (Hyogo)
Experience Attack on Titan like never before at Nijigen no Mori on Awaji Island, where a limited-time collaboration brings the anime’s world to life. Enjoy adventures in the great outdoors on a daytime stamp rally, or venture into an immersive nighttime forest walk, then wrap up your visit with themed treats and exclusive merchandise.
Event dates: 14 March to 13 December 2026
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Tokyo launches Events & Tickets page
Tokyo's new Events & Tickets page offers a seamless way to book attractions, performances and cultural experiences. Available in nine languages, the platform features over 110 offerings, with both advance and same-day tickets making it ideal for advance planners and spontaneous explorers alike.
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Oita is one of Japan’s most tattoo-friendly hot spring destinations, with more than 100 onsen in Beppu alone welcoming tattooed guests. Oita Tourism has created a prefecture-wide guide to tattoo-friendly facilities, while Beppu City has published its own dedicated list. |
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Snow Travel Expo
Discover your next winter Japan getaway at the Snow Travel Expo,featuring ski resorts and destinations from across the country. Drop by our stand for travel inspiration, friendly Japan travel guidance and helpful resources.
Melbourne: 17 May 2026
Sydney: 24 May 2026
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Brisbane Sake Festival returns in June 2026
The Brisbane Sake Festival is back, bringing together premium brews, Japanese street food and cultural experiences. In between tastings, be sure to drop by our stand for Japan travel inspiration, pick up useful resources and get expert advice for planning your next visit. For tickets or more information, visit the official site.
Event dates: Friday 19 June to Sunday 21 June 2026
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Festivals to catch this April and May
• Witness Dontaku, one of Japan’s largest festivals, unfold in Fukuoka Prefecture (3-4 May)
• The Hamamatsu Festival in Shizuoka Prefecture offers spectacular kite battles and illuminated float parades (3-5 May)
• The Sendai Aoba Festival fills streets with vibrant dances and parades in Miyagi Prefecture (16-17 May)
Sendai Aoba Festival Photo provided by: Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Strategy Division
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See koinobori soaring in the sky
To celebrate Children's Day on 5 May, communities across Japan fly colourful carp streamers called koinobori, creating vibrant displays that brighten rivers, towns and city landmarks across the country. Here are some ideas to get you started:
• Over the clear Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture
• Adorning the iconic Tokyo Tower
• At Ryujin Suspension Bridge in Ibaraki Prefecture as you bungee jump into the gorge below
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More spring blooms to love
Explore the captivating seasonal blooms that brighten parks, gardens and mountain trails across Japan.
Places to see wisteria
Grand Wisteria image © Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Association
Places to see azaleas
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JNTO Sydney brochure room
Our self-service brochure room is open Monday to Friday* from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (AEDT). Visitors are required to pre-register online, and same-day bookings are not be available, so please plan ahead. You can also explore a range of digital brochures online.
* Please note we are closed on some Japanese public holidays. See the latest list here.
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Visit Japan Web
Complete the immigration and customs forms on Visit Japan Web prior to your departure to streamline your entry into Japan. There are two forms: immigration (the digital equivalent of a disembarkation card) and customs.
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Monthly event calendar
Find out what festivals and events will be on during your visit. The monthly calendars are released around the middle of the month and cover events across the whole country.
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Japan Visitor Hotline
Open 24 hours, 365 days a year.
Call for tourist information, if you need assistance in case of emergencies (accidents or sickness) or for support during natural disasters.
Phone number: +81 (0)50-3816-2787
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Copyright © 2026 Japan National Tourism Organization | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Japan National Tourism Organization
Suite 1, Level 4, 56 Clarence Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
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