Japan. Endless Discovery. JAPAN Travel Newsletter
VOL. 78 February 2022
Take a Break from Winter and See the Cherry Blossom’s Bloom Early in Okinawa!
Cherry Blossom & Bird
There are countless locations for cherry blossom viewing throughout Japan, but did you know that cherry blossoms in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa are the first to bloom in Japan? Here are a couple of recommended places to visit where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in Okinawa.
A Bright Colorful and Cold Start to the New Year
New Year
Beginning with the New Year holidays, January is one of the colder months on the calendar. It is, however, a good time to experience many aspects of Japanese culture with shrine visits and other events open to the public. It's also a great time for winter sports and relaxing hot spring stays.
Journey to Tohoku
Tohoku
Japan’s Tohoku region is blessed with dramatic nature and a fascinating cultural heritage, with towering volcanoes and placid crater lakes, and feudal-era castles and ancient pilgrim trails. Learn about a land of rich history, cultural traditions and world-class food.
A Fiery Start to the New Year: Japan’s Centuries Old Mountain Burning Tradition
Mount Wakakusa
On the fourth Saturday of every January, the slopes of Mt. Wakakusa near Nara are set alight, with the resulting flames so big and bright that they can be seen from all over the city and from as far away as the former. This carefully planned and choreographed act of pyromania is part of a festival that has been carried out for centuries in Nara and involves several temples and shrines.
The Road Ahead – Travel Special
Akiko Yoshida, Executive Senior Vice President for Japan National Tourism Organization
The recent Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was an opportunity to not only showcase Japan’s culture and heritage to the world, but also the measures that we are taking to welcome back tourists safely. Akiko Yoshida, Executive Senior Vice President for Japan National Tourism Organization shares how we are actively rebuilding traveler confidence so as to inspire tourists to visit Japan when borders reopen.
Special Packages
Japanese Ikigai and the Path to Happiness
by InsideJapan Tours
from $4,340 per person (twin share)
Self-Guided Adventure. Find new meaning in Japan's old ways on a special cultural trip that explores Japanese philosophical concepts from wabi sabi to the bushido samurai code and ikigai.
Diamond Route Extensions -Fukushima / Tochigi / Ibaraki
by InsideJapan Tours
from $5,382 per person (Land Only)
Imagine basking in a hot spring bath at the foot of Mount Fuji, drinking sake with an apprentice geisha in Kyoto or seeing Tokyo from the water as you cruise down the Sumida River. This tour collects the best of Japan's classic cultural and natural locations.
Quiz
QUIZ
Did you know?
Hatsumode is the practice of visiting shrines at the very beginning of the year. One shrine with an especially colorful New Year celebration is Itsukushima-jinja.
Which of the following prefectures is this shrine located?

a. Tokyo
b. Hiroshima
c. Kyoto
d. Hokkaido

Prize:
Three lucky winners will be selected among those who answer correctly. The prize will be an Echizen Washi notebook.

How to enter:
Enter your answer by February 20th, 2022 to win!
https://surveys.benchmarkemail.com//Survey/Start?id=1408666&s=1359445

Japan Travel Newsletter Quiz Official Rules
Useful Travel Information
COVID-19 Advisory
COVID-19 Advisory
Visit our advisory information page for Japan-related Coronavirus information, as well as updates regarding travel and tourism to Japan. Please check our Japan Safe Travel twitter account for live updates @JapanSafeTravel. We also operate a 24/7 hotline specifically for tourists with service in English for any questions, concerns, or emergencies at +81-50-3816-2787.

• JNTO Japan Visitors Hotline: +81-50-3816-2787 (24/7)
• JNTO Japan Official Travel App: https://www.jnto.go.jp/smartapp/eng/about.html
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