Good morning <<First Name>>
We're delighted to announce that Japan was named the number two country in Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2016". We're also now on Instagram as
@VisitJapanAU - please follow us!
Japan has been attracting significant attention as a hot destination with other recent accolades for the country including number one
dream destination on Twitter for Australians; number one in
Future Brand’s Country Brand Index 2014-2015; and number two for 2016 on the wish list of global travellers in
Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Survey 2015.
Thank you for your continued support!
Insider Tip #8: Staying connected in Japan
Free Wi-Fi hotspots in Japan are on the rise but for clients that need to be connected for the entirety of their trip to Japan we recommend one of two options:
- Renting a pre-paid data SIM card
- Renting a portable Wi-Fi router (sometimes called Pocket Wi-Fi)
Prepaid data SIM cards are cheaper, but data is usually capped at 100mb per day. Pocket Wi-Fi usually offers unlimited data usage for a daily flat rate and is good for small groups as the connection can be shared with multiple devices (iPhones, tablets, etc.)
For clients that still prefer the free option, we recommend that they download a free Wi-Fi app like
Japan Connected or
Travel Japan Wi-Fi. These apps search the area for free Wi-Fi hotspots and allow you to connect with one-time easy registration.
In this issue:
News from Japan
Special feature
Supplier update
New JR TOKYO Wide Pass
The JR TOKYO Wide Pass goes on sale on 19th November. This new pass will replace the existing “JR Kanto Area Pass” that provides unlimited access to reserved seating on limited express trains and shinkansen (bullet-trains) within the Kanto area (including attractions like Mt Fuji, Nikko and GALA Yuzawa Ski Resort) for a three-day period.
Learn more
New Osaka-Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass
From April 2016, JR East and JR West will launch the Osaka-Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass to provide overseas tourists more economical travel from Osaka and Tokyo to the Hokuriku area, which includes areas like Kanazawa, Toyama and Nagano.
Learn more
Hakone Ropeway - partial restart of operations
Following the suspension of operations due to restricted access to the Owakudani crater area in Hakone, Hakone Ropeway has restarted operations between Ubako Station and Togendai Station. A substitute bus service is also running between Sounzan Station, Ubako Station and Togendai Station. Hakone Free Pass holders may use the subsitute bus service.
Visit the official site
This September, five travel agents from Australia were invited on an 8-day fully-hosted familiarisation trip, highlighting Japan as an ideal destination for the luxury travel market.
Read about their experience here
Product Managers visit Kyushu, the Land of Fire
Last month eight product managers from Australia visited Kyushu, Japan's southernmost of the four main islands on a 7-day familiarisation trip hosted by JNTO Sydney Office. They visited Oita, Kumamoto, Kagoshima and Fukuoka prefectures.
Read about their experience here
6 tips for a truly authentic Japan travel experience
Aussie blogger and Japan travel fiend Dean Wormald has come up with these six insider tips for a truly authentic Japan travel experience. Send the link onto your clients visiting Japan!
Read the article
Five lesser known Japanese dishes and how to eat them like a local
John Asano, an Aussie blogger and foodie now residing in Japan describes some must-try dishes for your next visit to Japan.
Read the article
2016 Cherry Blossom Tours
There are still spaces left on Nippon Travel Agency's 2016 Cherry Blossom Tours! NTA is a Sydney-based wholesale travel agency specialising in travel to Japan.
- Late April Special [ download PDF flyer ], incl. return flights, 6 nights accommodation and a 7-day Japan Rail (JR) Pass - departs Sydney 21 April 2016
- Special Cherry Blossom & Universal Studios Japan [ download PDF flyer ], incl. 8 nights accommodation, transportation, some meals and an English-speaking guide. Departs Osaka 26 March 2016.
Both tours are travel agent commissionable. Contact NTA for more information.
Until next month!
JNTO Sydney Office
Top news from last month's issue:
