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Dear ,
Welcome to the first issue of the Japan Travel Trade Newsletter for 2024.
First of all, JNTO would like to express our deepest condolences to the victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred on Monday the 1st January 2024. From the bottom of our hearts, we wish for the safety of everyone in the affected areas, and hope for speedy recovery and reconstruction. Our thoughts are with you.
In other news, January may be one of the coldest months of the year in Japan, but there are plenty of things to do to keep warm, places to explore, and delicious food to be had.
Read on for more!
From all of us here at JNTO Sydney,
akemashite omedeto, Happy New Year!
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Harriett Bougher
Business Development & Senior Assistant Marketing Manager
JNTO Sydney Office
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Insider Tip
#33: Kotatsu – A staple Japanese invention for winter months
Usually found in the living area of the home, the modern kotatsu, is a low wooden table, covered by a futon, or heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. Underneath the table is an electric heater which is often built into the table itself. The idea is to sit under the table (often on the floor without chairs), and put the futon blanket over you to keep your lower body toasty warm.
Since lots of Japanese houses and apartments are not insulated as much as other northern countries it can get cold indoors during winter. Kotatsu are a great way of keeping warm without having to heat up the whole house.
The invention of kotatsu can be traced back to the 14th century Muromachi era, when, instead of a modern electric heater attached to a table, a charcoal brazier was dug into the ground beneath the table.
One of the joys of winter can be drinking a cup of hot tea while reading a book using the kotatsu. Or, many people enjoy taking a nap with the kotatsu, feeling the ultimate relaxation of the warmth of their lower body. Families in Japan often come together around the kotatsu to have nabe, or hot pot, during the winter months.
Many traditional ryokan accommodation may have a kotatsu you can try, otherwise there are some kotatsu cafes throughout Japan.
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Kochi Prefecture Free Webinar
Learn about the less visited region of beautiful Kochi in a free webinar run in conjunction with the Kochi Prefectural Government.
Monday 29th January 2024
7pm AEDT
Register here. The first 50 registrations will receive $100 per person discount voucher for any Kochi/Japan Group Tour in 2024/2025 (terms and conditions apply)
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Travel Inspiration & Updates
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Azabudai Hills- teamLab borderless exhibition (Tokyo)
Formerly located in Odaiba, the popular digital art museum will reopen February 9th (tickets on sale January 16th) in the Azabudai Hills area in Central Tokyo. After immersing yourself in the teamlab exhibition, it is worth checking out the 'city within a city' Azabudai Hill area. Highlights include the Azabudai Hills Gallery, Azabudai Hills Market, and the central green space.
(Image: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM ©teamLab)
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A troop of Japanese macaque monkeys (more commonly known as 'snow monkeys') have been soaking in the hot springs of Jigokudani since 1964. The monkeys can be seen all year long at the park, however the winter months provide the best time to witness the spectacle of them bathing.
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Ginzan onsen hot spring town was founded on the former silver mine in rural Yamagata prefecture. The town is seriously picturesque with traditional inns of the Taisho period (1912-1926) lining the river. The town is also a car free zone. The sights of the buildings covered in snow and the soft glow of gaslights in the winter is particularly gorgeous.
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On the fourth Saturday of every January, the slopes of Mt Wakakusa in Nara park are set alight (carefully) in a centuries-old ritual that involves several local temples and shrines. While the highlight is seeing white-robed torch carriers hiking up the mountain, and the fire slowly spreading across the slopes, the impressive fireworks display prior to the burn off are not to be missed! |
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Shiretoko National Park (Hokkaido)
The pristine Shitretoko National Park in the north-east of Hokkaido offers a true winter wonderland experience. You can walk on drift ice, snow-shoe through frozen forests, or see a frozen waterfall while red foxes, deer, and sea eagles come out to play.
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While a lot of people may know Fukuoka, the biggest city on the island of Kyushu, as the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, it is also famous for it's excellent street food scene.
Yatai, or food stalls, are concentrated in two main areas- Tenjin and Nakasu. Each yatai sits around 10 people. The close-knit and cozy atmosphere is a great way to meet locals. |
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Adventure Travel Highlight
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One of the few circular shaped Buddhist pilgrimages in the world, the
shikoku henro includes 88 temples and other scared sites where the Buddhist priest Kukai (also known as Koba Daishi) born and trained during the 9th century. The total 1,400 kilometre pilgrimage takes you through some serene hidden spots across the lesser travelled four prefectures of Shikoku's four prefectures-Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa. |
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Resources for you and your clients
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Travel Trade Resources
Find e-learning programmes and webinars by JNTO & our partners; JNTO's photo and video library; brochures, maps and posters; inbound travel suppliers and more!
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Open 24hrs, 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.
Ph: +81 (0)50-3816-2787
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Copyright © 2023 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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Nebuta Festival image: Unsplash |
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