May is a colourful time in Japan, with late-spring blooms everywhere. Purple wisteria, blue hydrangea, baby blue eyes, and tulips in all shades of the colour wheel!
Koinobori are carp shaped windsocks usually flown during Kodomo no hi (Children's Day), a public holiday held on 5 May every year, which celebrates children's happiness and individuality.
Hi <<First Name>>,
Did you know May is a wonderful time in Japan as it is a blossoming explosion of colours everywhere? It is also the beginning of the festival season, with many events kicking off and continuing until the end of summer. The first major event is of course Golden Week, which is a series of 4 public holidays between 29 April until 5 May, where domestic travel in Japan is at a peak. It's generally a good idea to avoid visiting Japan during this time...
Ben Ungermann in Japan
PART 2 Following on from the previous issue, find out what else Ben Ungermann of MasterChef fame got up to during his recent trip to Japan. See more
Explore Japan with Chloe Ting
Follow Australian YouTuber Chloe Ting as she journeys through Nagano, Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago. See more
Wisteria Festival at Ashikaga Flower Park With over 350 wisteria trees and an 80 metre long tunnel of white wisteria, it's no wonder people from all over the world flock to this event! The festival will run until 20 May 2018. See more
Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko Explore Japan "off the beaten path" by walking through the breathtaking Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko, just 1.5 hours north of Tokyo by train. See more
Place of interest: Shizuoka Next time you're looking for a new place to visit in Japan consider Shizuoka Prefecture. Conveniently located between Tokyo and Kyoto, it is a place full of history, culture and adventure. See more
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 From 29 July to 17 September 2018 the Echigo Tsumari area of Niigata Prefecture will be host to a unique contemporary art feature. The collection aims to revitalise local regions through art. See more
Access to Mt Aso crater resumed Access to Kuwamoto Prefecture's Mt Aso crater have resumed with the new Mt Aso Loop Shuttle Bus, while the Mt Aso Ropeway remains closed.See more
Tateyama Kurobe Apine Route The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route is now open! The snow walls which reach almost 20 metres high are best seen between May and June. See more
International Traveller Reader's Choice 2018 Nominations
If you love Japan and want to help showcase it as a reader's choice destination, please vote for Japan! There's also a nice prize to be won... See more
Deals and Campaigns
Living Local Tour
Go beyond the guidebook, make your home in a spectacularly renovated 100-year-old traditional house in Kyoto, Japan's most cultural and historical city. This highly personalised semi-guided tour will offer you an opportunity to live and breathe just like locals.See more
Greater Tokyo Pass on sale now
The Greater Tokyo pass is a special 3-consecutive-day ticket that allows the user unlimited rides on many railway, buses and streetcars operating in the Kanto area. The pass costs 7,200 yen for adults and 3,600 yen for children. See more
1-day Mt Fuji Shibazakura Tour
Enjoy the 800,000 shibazakura blossoms at the base of Mt Fuji as a 1-day round trip tour from Tokyo.See more
Takayama Spring Kimono Walk
Dress up in Kimono and enjoy walking around the ancient streets of Takayama for an authentic Japanese experience. See more
Festivals and Events
20 May 2018 - Sydney Snow Travel Expo
Get the newest ski information from JNTO and a collection of Japanese ski resorts who will be at the Snow Travel Expo from 9am till 4pm, held at Sydney's ICC.
27 May 2018 - Melbourne Snow Travel Expo Get the newest ski information from JNTO and a collection of Japanese ski resorts who will be at the Snow Travel Expo from 10am till 4pm, held at MCEC.
