Japan is a destination rich in unique traditional and historical ambience. Every one of Japan's four seasons is luxuriant in colour, adventures and can offer many unforgettable experiences. Come and explore Japan's diversity and discover your own journey!
Local News
The Travel Bug on 7TWO
Have you heard of Okinawa and Tohoku, but not sure what you can see and do there? Then tune into Channel 7TWO on Saturday, September 22nd at 17:30 and watch The Travel Bug. 
Heading to Okinawa, Japan's southern island, The Travel Bug team took part in eco tourism activities (canoeing on Gesashi River and diving in Zamami Island), danced with 94-years old grandmas in Ogimi Village (known for longevity); welcomed the first cherry blossoms in Japan for 2012 and learnt karate at Murasaki Mura. 

Last
 week they visited the Tohoku region and explored the Tsurugajo Castle and Miyaizumi Sake Brewery at Aizu Wakamatsu; skied and watched the ice monsters (called 'juhyo") in Zao; ate lunch inside an igloo (called "kamakura"); went snow shoeing in APPI and much much more. Read more about the places they visited here.


"Ukiyo-e Pop Art in Ancient Japan" Website
Ukiyo-e, a genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of landscapes, tales from history and the theatre have been popularised by the renowned artist Utagawa Hiroshige. He first travelled the Tokaido as part of an official delegation from Edo to Kyoto and later released a series of prints depicting various scenes of life and landscapes. Entitled “The 53 Stations of the Tokaido” the series established Hiroshige as s prominent Ukiyo-e artist. Learn more about Tokaido’s 53 stations (rest stops) and some interesting tourist spots along the way.


Festivals & Events
Karatsui Kunchi Festival ( Nov 2-4): One of the most famous festivals in Kyushu, it offers a spectacular parade with 14 floats, some 6.8m tall weighting 3 tons, designed with images of lions, Risso's dolphines, samurai helmets, sea bream and flying dragons.
Jidai Matsuri (Oct 22): The Festival of the Ages held at the Heian Jingu Shrine is one of the three largest festivals of Kyoto. The highlight of the festival is the Jidai Gyoretsu (Historic Pageant): a mikoshi (a portable shrine) accompanied by 2,000 people dressed in costumes representing various eras of Kyoto's 1,200-year history parade through the city.
Takayama Matsuri Autumn Festival (Oct 9-10)Considered as one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan, Takayama festival features a stunning procession of 11 yatai floats and their elaborate carvings and adornments. 

Naha Great Tug of War (Oct 10): The world's largest tug-of-war is held annually in Naha, Okinawa and its listed in the Guiness Book of Records. The rope weighs 40 tonnes, and is 186m long and 1.5m thick. It is pulled by more than 15,000 people.

National Holidays in Japan (Sept-Nov)
*September 17th (Mon)
Respect for the Aged Day
*September 22nd (Sat)
Autumn Equinox
*October 8th (Mon)
Sports & Health Day
*Novemner 3rd (Sat)
Culture Day
*November 23rd (Fri)
Labour Thanksgiving Day

Welcome to the Spring 2012 issue of Japan Travel News, dedicated to bringing you the latest on destination Japan.
The cool crisp days of autumn bring swirls of changing leaves in vivid hues of red and gold that paint the hills and mountains. Autumn's pleasant climate is best suited for outdoor leisure activities and many festivals and cultural events take place at this time of the year.

 
Autumn: tinted leaves and culinary delights

Colourful autumn leaves, known as koyo in Japanese, draw just as many visitors in autumn as the cherry blossoms do during spring. The viewing of autumn leaves has been a popular activity in Japan for centuries. Today people still set out all over the country to find the best spot to view the beauty of the stunning blend of yellow, orange and red leaves. The season lasts from September through to early November, depending on the weather and location. Famous spots for viewing the autumn foliage are dotted all across the country, especially in parks, temples and mountainous regions. Autumn is also a great season for hiking and outdoor activities. Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, is world-renowned for its unique 88-temple pilgrimage. Its scenic hills and forests lined with the network of old pilgrim paths, beaches and waterfalls make Shikoku an appealing destination for autumn. More walking ideas can be found hereAutumn also brings the harvest with many fresh local ingredients, such as Japanese chestnuts, persimmons (known as kaki) and pears (called nashi). 

Tourism Briefs
Let HELLO KITTY guide you on your next trip to Japan. The "Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY" iPhone application is a collection of region specific HELLO KITTYs with local themes or features in the costume or the background. There are more than 50 types. "Take pictures with HELLO KITTY" while travelling in Japan is an application equipped with camera functions and if you use the camera during your Japan trip, locally themed HELLO KITTYs appear on the screen. You can take pictures with the location specific HELLO KITTY and keep it as a special memory.

If you are interested in anime, manga, games and Japanese pop-culture, head down to Animania Sydney, 22-23 September 10am-6pm at Australian Technology Park. With a wide range of activities to enjoy such as karaoke, video games and art workshops as well as entertainment including a cosplay competition and anime screenings, this event will definately be a fun day out for kids of all ages. Don't miss JNTO's presentation on Saturday 22nd, at 12:30~13:00 in Panel Room 2! Come along to collect your anime map and learn more about Japan as we showcase some interesting tourist spots that are associated with popular anime! 

CEATEC Japan 2012: Discover and experience the latest in Japanese technology at this year's CEATEC to be held in Makuhari Messe (Chiba) on October 2-6. For this year's CEATEC the stage names have been changed to "Lifestyle & Society Stage" and "Key Technologies Stage" aimed at providing visitors an overview of the smart lifestyle and smart society created by the seamless integration of technologies.

Hakone Sweets Collection: Visiting Hakone in September~early November? Check out this year's Hakone Sweets Collection. Only for 2 months, a selection of highly original sweets will be offered at various venues in and around Hakone.

Disney's Halloween: Tokyo Disney Resort celebrates the Halloween season with this special event to be held between September 7th and October 31st at Tokyo Disnelyand and Tokyo DisneySea. At Tokyo Disneyland, the Halloween Street is back again this year to take guests into the spooky world of ghosts. Tokyo DisneySea will host a splendid and unique event themed to a Halloween carnival. This year, Mediterranean Harbor will be the central location of this event, welcoming guests to the Park with a lively and vibrant atmosphere. During this event period, both Parks will offer special merchandise and menus only available during this event period. Guests can also enjoy a stay in a Halloween-themed room at the Disney Ambassador Hotel, and all three Disney Hotels will offer special Halloween menus. Read more here.

"Hokkaido Resort Liner" airport bus offers FREE seats for international guests. If you are heading to Furano during the '12-'13 ski season between October 1st 2012 and end of March 2013 then this direct bus service will transport you from the New Chitose Airport or Asahikawa Airport to Furano. Bookings can be made online here. Nicknamed the "navel town" because of its geographical position, almost in the middle of Hokkaido, Furano's natural beauty can be appreciated throughout the seasons - charming 'mizubasho', Japanese skunk cabbage flowers along the roadside in spring, the inviting fragrance of lavender in summer, the gloriously red and yellow tinted leaves in autumn and the beautiful startdust in the winter sky. Find more about Furano here.

“Share your WOW! – Japan Photo Contest” The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) has launched a global social media campaign to promote Japanese tourism. With tourism recovering steadily, in June 2012 visitor numbers exceeded pre-disaster levels for the first time, it’s a great time for you to showcase your experiences in Japan to your friends and family. If you post a photo from your recent trip to Japan, you might win one of the interesting prizes. Read more here.


Adventures & Tours
Looking for some great value tours to Japan? Then don't miss these: 
The 11 Day Japan Discovery Tour 2012 & 2013 is perfect for people interested in discovering and experiencing Japan on an escorted tour in a shorter stay and at an affordable price. Explore famous cities and the picturesue Mt. Fuji National Park, visit Kyoto the ancient capital and emerse yourself in the traditional ambience of the city. Enjoy visiting hidden places seldom seen by visitors to Japan, as well as world renown Hiroshima & Miyajima and the samurai town of Kanazawa. The tour is a great introduction to the sights and culture of Japan, so hurry and enquire today. Departs 23 Sepember 2012, 02 March 2013 and 07 May 2013. To enquire and book contact JANESCO on +61-2-9438-3856 or via e-mail.

Snowbus Group Tour to Japan
Need a break early next year? Want to enjoy some skiing and snowboarding? Head to Hakuba with this "on snow cultural experience tours with a tour guide". The tour is between January 20-27th 2013 and includes 7nights accommodaton, breakfast daily, a snowbus tour leader, 5 day lift passes and transfers. All this from only $1445 per person. Book early as participant numbers need to be finalised by 30th September!  Call today for your quote! Snowscene on 1300 SKI BUM or e-mail.

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Holiday Notice: JNTO Sydney office and self-service brochure room will be closed on Labour Day, Oct 1st.