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Good morning <<First Name>>
Happy New Year! Wishing you a healthy, happy and successful 2016.
Insider Tip #10: ‘Conbini’, or Convenience Stores
Convenience stores, known as “conbini” in Japan, are truly as convenient as they are ubiquitous. Even small country towns will have at least one conbini, whether it’s a “Seven” (711), “Famima” (Family Mart), or one of the seemingly dozens of other chains. Not only can you get snacks, drinks, and basic toiletries, you can also get hot food (either from a warming tray, or they will offer to heat it up in a microwave for you).
In addition, you can often find an ATM, a copy machine, a ticket booking machine (for sporting events, concerts, museums, and the like), and free wi-fi. Conbini that sell alcohol will usually have a lit-up sign with the Chinese character for alcohol, 酒, outside, and those that sell cigarettes usually have one reading タバコ (tobacco). For more information, see JNTO head office’s page on conbini.
News from Japan
Special Feature
Upcoming Events
Wholesaler update
JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
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To commemorate the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, from 1 April JR Hokkaido and JR East are launching the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, a discount pass for travel across the areas of both companies, allowing foreign visitors to Japan to have fun traveling in a wider area. The pass can be used on trains including the Shinkansen and Limited Express trains in the East Japan area and South Hokkaido area. Read more |
JR Hokkaido Mail Magazine for January
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JR Hokkaido's December-January mail magazine includes information on the ice-breaking boat Aurora which tours the drift ice in the sea of Okhotsk; and a notice for users of Tomamu Station. [ download PDF flyer ]
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Hokkaido Expressway Pass
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With the Hokkaido Expressway Pass, foreign visitors to Japan can enjoy unlimited use of Hokkaido's expressways for one fixed price, making travel around the large island of Hokkaido much more expedient. See the DrivePlaza website for more details |
Hotel Universal Port opening Japan's first "Minions Room"!
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From 1 April, Hotel Universal Port, an official hotel of Universal Studios Japan, will offer Japan's first “Minions Rooms” based on the “Minions” characters in the “Despicable Me” series. Each guest staying in the Minion Room will receive a special collaborative item thanks to Universal Studios Japan teaming up with Hotel Universal Port. [ download PDF flyer ] |
16 Unique Places in Japan that are Not Widely Known but are Absolutely Mesmerising (Tsunagu Japan)
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Do you have clients who often ask for off-the-beaten-track recommendations? Have a look at Tsunagu Japan's list of 16 unique places that aren't quite popular enough to be listed in guidebooks as tourist destinations, but will be highly appreciated among those in the know. Read the article |
Rakugo - Japanese Storytelling and Where to Find It! (Tokyo) (Matcha)
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Rakugo is a Japanese storytelling art carried down from the 17th Century, wherein a sole performer plays all of the roles in his or her performance, using hand and body gestures and only two props. It's thoroughly enjoyable for even visitors who don't understand Japanese. Matcha Japan Travel Magazine has listed three performance halls in Tokyo that are easily accessible to foreign tourists. Read the article |
JNTO Exhibiting at Travel Expo in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth
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Come and find us at Travel Expo 2016!
Sydney: Sat. 30th Jan and Sun. 31st Jan 10am-5pm, Sydney Showground
Melbourne: Sat. 6th Feb and Sun. 7th Feb 10am-5pm, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Perth: Sat. 6th Feb and Sun. 7th Feb 10am-4pm, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre |
2016 Cherry Blossom Tours
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InterAsia Tours - 2016 Cherry Blossom Luxury Tours
There are still spaces left on InterAsia Tours' 2016 Cherry Blossom Tours! InterAsia is a Melbourne-based wholesale travel agency specialising in travel to Asia.
Cherry Blossom Time [ download PDF flyer ], incl. return flights, 11 nights accommodation at 4- to 5-star hotels, all transfers and internal transportation, some meals, cultural experiences and an English-speaking guide. Departs Australia 25 March 2016.
This tour is travel agent commissionable. Contact InterAsia for more information.
Nippon Travel Agency - 2016 Cherry Blossom Tours
There are still spaces left on Nippon Travel Agency's 2016 Cherry Blossom Tours during the high season of mid to late March! NTA is a Sydney-based wholesale travel agency specialising in travel to Japan.
High season special [ download PDF flyer ], incl. 8 nights accommodation, a guide, and transportation between Tokyo, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Kyoto - departs Tokyo 11, 18, and 25 March 2016.
This tour is travel agent commissionable. Contact NTA for more information. |
Top news from last month's issue:
Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead!
JNTO Sydney Office |
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