(New York, NY, November 3, 2011) – Japan’s recent new tourism landmarks will signify Japan’s cultural and industrial richness.  Cherishing the unique history as well as advancing the efficient technology, the new facilities showcase Japan’s both past and future.

Dutch Trading House Museum

Nagasaki opened the 400 years old warehouse that was used by the East India Company in September 2011.  Nagasaki was the first base in Japan for the European merchants and travelers, since the self-defensing samurai-run Japanese government only opened a small area in Nagasaki for the Westerners.  The warehouse was originally built by the East India Company, and the September opening made the un-Japanese looking architecture into a museum of the European influence in the Hirado district, how the East India Company reached to Nagasaki, and Nagasaki’s unique encounter with the European (particularly Dutch) culture in the era when Japan was closed to the rest of the world.

More Japanese Cities in Michelin

Michelin started releasing the 2012 guides with two more Japanese cities for the world famous restaurant guides.  Nara, the very first capital of Japan, joined the Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe Restaurant Guide from the 2012 edition.  Michelin has already given the most number of starts to the Japanese guides, and the 25 restaurants in total are added from Nara.  Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island with the Olympic quality powder snow and endless agricultural lands, will be showcased in the Michelin Restaurant Guide, which is exclusively released in Japanese.

Fly Nonstop to Tokyo from New England

Japan Airlines will begin nonstop service between Boston Logan and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport starting April 22, 2012, and the airline will operate the route using its brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.  This first route to directly link Boston with Asia will launch with four weekly flights (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays), and increase to daily service from June 1, 2012.  The route will also be a code-share by American Airlines, who entered into a joint business agreement with JAL in April 2011.

Tokyo Sky Tree

Japan’s capital city is getting a new digital transmission tower in the era of digital broadcasting and mobile devices.  Named as Tokyo Sky Tree, the new transmission tower is 634 meter high (2,080 feet), and will be completed as the world’s tallest free-standing tower.  Equipped with Japanese high-tech structures and employed the traditional architectural method of center column vibration control from the five-story pagoda, the Tokyo Sky Tree is the latest seismic proof tower.  The tower easily surpasses height of the current Tokyo Tower (250m, 820ft) and other skyscrapers in Tokyo, creating a new skyline of Tokyo.  The tower’s grand opening is on May 22, 2012.

Hikarié, Shibuya

A new commercial tower emerges near the iconic enormous crossing in Shibuya.  Hikarié is in the final stage for the opening in summer 2012, in the vicinity of Shibuya train station.  Housing theatres, galleries, event space and shopping floors, Hikarié will become the ground zero of Tokyo’s art, culture, contents, and the information.  In tandem with many other theatres, galleries, cafés, clubs and stores, Shibuya has been culturally influential, and Hikarié will absorb and produce pop culture trends.

Global Financial Table in Tokyo

International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank will meet in Tokyo for the 2012 Annual Meetings’ venue.  The two largest international finance organizations picked Tokyo as an alternative venue for the 2012 event after Egypt, the original host country, gave up to host the meeting.  Starting from October 9, 2012, the Japanese capital city expects more than 20,000 visitors related to the meeting.  This is the first time to have IMF and World Bank meeting in Japan since 1964.

For more information contact: Nori Akashi, Public Relations Manager at nakashi@jntonyc.org.

(New York, NY, November 9, 2011) – With large varieties of cultural attractions, Japan awaits family travelers.  There will be more facilities opening in Japan in the coming year that will entertain both young and old.

CMAGLEV and Railway Park

Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama

A unique museum was opened for the globally known Japanese product.  A Japanese food company Nissin is the manufacturer of the internationally saturated Cup Noodle, and opened the museum in Yokohama in September 2011.  Cup Noodle is saturated internationally, and this museum shows the product history and the founder’s creativity, and offers factory tour, and own cup noodle making program.  In the contemporary designed museum restaurant, enjoy global varieties of noodles.

Start the MLB 2012 Season in Japan

One of the 2012 season opening games goes to Tokyo.  The Major League Baseball announced the opening game between Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics in Tokyo on March 28 and 29, 2012.  MLB opened Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics game in Tokyo Dome in 2008, which is going to be the 2012’s opening game venue.  Baseball is one of the sports much loved by people in both Japan and the US, and the two countries even share the players as well.  Both the Mariners and the Athletics have Japanese players Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, both of which are fan’s favorite.

Fish World far from Water

If looking for something else than cultural and historic landmarks in the old capital city of Kyoto, go to Umekoji Park just west of Kyoto station.  Already popular among local families for the Steam Locomotive Museum, the park is opening a new aquarium.  The construction continues to complete KYOTO AQUARIUM for grand opening in spring 2012, and it will be a rare aquarium located far from waters.  For the unique location, the aquarium contains large space for freshwater fish.

Odaiba Adds More Play Grounds

Odaiba, one of Tokyo’s top destinations Odaiba areas, adds more fun for family travelers:  In Tokyo’s waterfront entertainment city with indoor playgrounds and shopping malls, Tokyo LEGOLAND Discovery Centre will be opened in June 2012.  The newest LEGOLAND features interactive and educational indoor programs for children such as 4D cinema, and workshop with LEGO Master Model Builder.  The newly opened Trick Art Museum will invite visitors to the world of trompe l’oeils.  This is a very unique experience of the human vision tricks with Japanese art elements.

For more information contact:

nakashi@jntonyc.org

New York, NY, July 20, 2011: Thanks to its rich history and nature, Japan has already been recognized as a country with many UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites with 14 designated destinations.  Additional two locations came into the international spotlight as added to the list in this June.

Hiraizumi, a Northern Metropolis

Hiraizumi may seem one of the many historic temple towns, but founded in the 12th century, this was the political and commercial center of Japan’s northern region.  This time, UNESCO recognized the legacy of the Fujiwara family, who rivaled the capitol in Kyoto and established northern political and cultural power hub with the paramount art and architectural techniques of that time, and the cultural and historic significance and appreciation of the remaining pieces.  The most significant sign of the past political power in Hiraizumi is Chusonji-Temple, an elaborated structures in such a rich design from its heyday:  Konjikido, literally translated as Golden Hall, has fortunately preserved, because among all the magnificent constructions of a 20-year project, it is the only original structure survived fires and wars.  Protected inside a later-constructed concrete pavilion, Konjikido is a must-see in lifetime:  The entire structure is covered with gold leaf inside and outside, full of Buddhism statues in the alter, which showed the Fujiwara Lord’s aspiration for Buddhism and the top quality of designs.

In spite that Hiraizumi is located in the northeast region of Japan, it was very fortunate that the March earthquake didn’t affect the area at all, and international attention becomes a great momentum for the region’s tourism recovery.  Along with Shirakami Mountain Range that was designated in 1993, Hiraizumi has become the highlight of the northern Japan.

Tokyo’s Hidden Beaches, the Ogasawara

Ogasawara Islands, also known as Bonin Islands, are a small archipelago of over 30 small subtropical islands 1,000km (620 miles) directly south off Tokyo.  UNESCO found these hidden islands under Tokyo’s municipality as a natural sanctuary for unique ecosystem.  Consist of over 30 tiny islands including well-known Iwojima, the Ogasawara Islands cherishes very little touched jungles and infinity blue beaches, which create perfect environment for rich ecosystem among one-of-a-kind mammals, over 400 native plants, several ocean species that creates world’s rarest scuba diving spots around the islands.  The isolated location also enables the indigenous species so unique, and the Ogasawara receives the nick name of the Oriental Galapagos.  As the Ogasawara has become more known among outdoor lovers, there has been a discussion on building an airport to improve the weekly ferry shuttle between Tokyo’s downtown port and Chichi-jima Island, the most populated among the Ogasawara.  However the high vulnerability of the area’s untouched unique ocean lives keeps the islands airport free, but it makes the islands’ wealth of nature even more attractive as a hidden gem of Japan.

www.ogasawaramura.com/en/

Dear Friends,

It gives me great pleasure to send you the message from Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, explaining the current situation in Tokyo three months after the tragedy of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The Governor of Tokyo delivered a message to welcome friends from all over the world (June 15, 2011)(PDF:33KB)

Tokyo is quite the way it was before the disaster struck. We ask for your cooperation in informing others involved in the tourism industry as well as the citizenry about the contents of the governor’s message in order to encourage more people from your country to visit Tokyo. This message has also been uploaded to our Tokyo Tourism Info website (http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/).

Thank you very much for your kind understanding and cooperation. We look forward to welcoming you to our city.

Sincerely,

Hideki Yokoyama
Senior Director, Tourism Division
Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs
Tokyo Metropolitan Government

New York, NY (May 23, 2011)— A trip to Japan is more affordable than ever!  After the unprecedented support from friends in the United States, major Japanese travel agencies unite to represent Japan’s indescribable appreciation, by offering amazing travel deals.  The tourism industry has been facing challenges to convey the amazing amount of recovery and the national level of hospitality spirit, and several organizations are collectively offering special fares for June.  The offer comes in a package of 4-night stay in Tokyo and a round trip to Tokyo from major US gateways at $780 (all taxes and surcharges included!*).  $50 per booking is donated to Consulate General of Japan in New York for charities.

The Executive Director of Japan National Tourism Organization, Mr. Shuichi Kameyama states that this reflects the solidarity of Japan tourism industry’s effort for tourism recovery.  He particularly expresses that the best way to support current Japan is to visit there.  Along with the American intimacy to Japanese people and the favorable updates of the US Department of State on the travel alert to Japan, this exclusive fare provides opportunities to American travelers who have been waiting for the right time to resume their travel to Japan, and realize the normality and beauty of Japan as a destination.

The Deal
From New York: Every Wednesday and Thursday in June
From Newark: June 2
From Los Angeles: Every Wednesday and Thursday in June and June 7, 14
From Chicago: Every Wednesday and Thursday in June
From San Francisco: Every Wednesday and Thursday in June
From Honolulu: Every Wednesday and Thursday in June

To book, call the following travel agencies between May 23, 2011, 1pm to May 31, 2011, 5pm (EST).

• IACE Travel @ 877-489-4223, 212-972-3200
• Nippon Travel Agency America Inc. @ 800-682-7872
• JTB USA @800-222-5824, 800-305-5824, 877-798-9808
• ANA Sales Americas @ 800-826-0995
• Amnet @ 212-247-1900
• Kintetsu International @800-422-3481

Participating Airlines: Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Continental Airlines, United Airlines

Participating Hotels: Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu, Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu, The Prince Park Tower Tokyo, Tokyo Prince Hotel

(*Terms and conditions apply)

New York City, NY– The first month after its major earthquake has been an important recovery time for Japan, despite international media releasing floods of extensive coverage on the post-catastrophe situation. Thanks to international relief and Japan’s resilience, the country has been able to recover infrastructure and commercial activities at a surprisingly fast pace.

Following the British and Canadian governments’ ease on travel restrictions to Japan, on April 14, the US has reduced the travel alert to Japan within the 50 mile radius of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which excludes major cities such as Tokyo and Yokohama, and Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports.

The majority of regions in Japan, including popular leisure travel destinations, is outside the areas affected by tsunami, earthquake and radiation and received no disruption to infrastructure.  Everything in these areas continues to operate as usual.  The greater Tokyo area has already restored its normal condition, and there are no more periodical blackouts.  The other regions are unharmed, and safe and normal as before.

Except for the proximate areas near the nuclear power plants, there is no dangerous level of radiation detected in Japan. The radiation level in Tokyo is similar to that of New York City. International Civil Aviation Organization and other international organizations confirm that the radiation level in the atmosphere is within a reasonable safety level to human health.

Japan’s sophisticated public transportation systems have been recovered to the regular service levels everywhere, except for the tsunami-affected regions and there is no shortage of food or water and all products distributed to the public are completely safe.

For daily updates concerning radiation conditions, transportation, events and other travel-related information are also available online at Japan National Tourism Organization’s  North American website.

New York, NY, March 15, 2011– We are grateful for the warm support and thoughts from many people after the historic earthquake in Japan on March 11. While painstaking rescue and recovery efforts continue in the severely struck Tohoku region, the capital city Tokyo has been recovering from a strong shock, and the western Japan is unharmed. Both Narita and Haneda airports have been reopened, although public transportation in and around Tokyo has been recovered only partially. Other popular destinations such as Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, Kanazawa and Hiroshima, didn’t receive any impact from the earthquake.

Tohoku Region: Tohoku is the hardest hit region. With no recovery of public transportation systems and continuous aftershocks, it is extremely difficult to travel to this region. Due to the nuclear power plant accident after the earthquake, it is strongly advised to refrain from traveling to Fukushima as well as to follow the updates.

Tokyo and Surrounding Areas: Despite the brief recovery of the public transportation networks, periodical blackouts have been imposed for power conservation, causing train delays and cancellation. Some hotels and other businesses shorten the business hours, and it is recommended to refer their updates in advance.

Other Regions: Hokkaido, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu are unharmed, and tourism facilities and transportation service are operated as usual.

For visitors currently traveling in Japan, the Tokyo Headquarters of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) provides around-the-clock information service at the Tourist Information Center (TIC):
TIC in Tokyo
Phone: +81-(0)3-3201-3331
Service in English, Chinese and Korean
The 24-hour service is available for the duration of current crisis

JNTO’s North American website also provides daily updates here.

Please note that due to the intensive recovery effort, travel information is updated frequently. Please refer to multiple sources for latest information:

Japan National Tourism Organization Tokyo Headquarters

The Embassy of Japan

In Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, I stood in contemplation before a squat, impeccably groomed bonsai tree that was approximately 180 years my senior. Far more than a “pretty little plant,” the tree inspired in me a sense of reverence and awe at what humans and the natural world are capable of.

Perhaps I was just thinking too much, but the buildings and grounds of the Meiji Shrine are permeated with an air of tradition and earnest devotion that are impossible to overlook.

Even the large forest that surrounds the shrine, though it appears to be a natural feature, is itself a product of human efforts. According to the shrine’s English-language website, the forest consists of around 175,000 trees, the original 100,000 of which were planted by the hands of volunteers.

Courtesy of this forest–an excellent buffer against traffic noise–the Meiji Shrine is remarkably peaceful. In this tranquil environment, it is all the easier to appreciate the significance of the Shinto ceremonies performed on site, as well as the shrine’s East Gardens, which are home to, among other things, irises that are renowned for their beauty.

Keith is a student at Hobart College in Geneva, New York, and is currently pursuing degrees in Writing and Rhetoric and Asian Languages and Cultures. He is new to travel writing, having been introduced to this medium during his studies in 2008. Keith cites one travel piece in particular, Tim Butcher’s Blood River, as the source of his interest in becoming a travel writing author himself. At this time, Keith’s primary writing focus is Japan—its history, cultures, and people—but he is eager to see more of the world and expand his repertoire of subject matter when the opportunity presents itself.

In spite of a woefully light wallet, I ate like a king during my time in Japan. When conventional wisdom dictated that I would be subsisting on dehydrated noodles and vending machine sodas, I said “balderdash,” and took to the streets in search of cost-effective meals. Thankfully, the timid folk behind that wisdom were less subject to wanderlust than I am, and I was successful in my search. The trick to eating cheaply in Japan, you see, is all in the feet, and how willing you are to use them.

As a stalwart penny-pincher, I was lent a great deal of vitality in my search for meal deals by a compulsion to save money. As such, I was not afraid to go for a hike before I sat down to dinner, regardless of my weariness. I knew that if I succumbed to fatigue, I would fall victim to the allure of centrally located, easily accessed restaurants. In Ginza, I forsook the main streets’ stately cafes and upscale restaurants—ideal for the jet set, perhaps, but far outside of my buying power. In Hida Takayama, I passed by the popular lunch stops in the downtown shopping district—they were easy to get to, yes, but still too expensive. Wherever I went, I made sure that only my hunger for the visual was sated in tourist areas, and that my gastronomical needs were catered to elsewhere.

The lengths I went to for budget-friendly foodstuffs in Akihabara, Tokyo’s electronics and anime culture Mecca, were especially representative of what persistent searching can do for the frugal wayfarer. I arrived in Akihabara desiring not only experience, but sustenance—the rigors of travel prompted me to eat a light lunch earlier, and dinnertime was rapidly approaching.

The dining establishments in close vicinity to the train station were somewhat expensive, especially the famed maid cafes, which are staffed by young women decked out in French maid costumes. While those establishments certainly constitute a cultural asset of Akihabara, I found their prices to be prohibitive—the cafes cater to a niche clientele, people willing to pay more if their coffee is carried to them by “maids” instead of conventionally-dressed employees.

With this in mind, I wound in and out of electronics shops and anime product hubs in a deliberate course away from the main street. I walked several blocks and, as I did so, the streets narrowed, the crowds thinned, and the sun began to set. The din of the main street had grown distant and faint and I had to rely on my sense of direction to assure myself that I could find my station of origin again. I had passed handfuls of restaurants whose conspicuously displayed prices (or telling lack thereof) had inadvertently induced me to keep walking. Although their startlingly realistic plastic meal models were appetizing, I ignored my grumbling stomach and soldiered on.

Eventually, I came upon a deal seeker’s diamond-in-the-rough—an inexpensive, spacious, well-furnished bar and grill tucked away in the side street of a side street. Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by a hostess wearing a traditional yukata (a less-decorative, more practical cousin to the kimono) that stood in stark contrast to the Western-style furnishings of the bar area that connected to the entrance.

When the hostess ushered me upstairs, her choice of clothing suddenly made sense, as the second floor of the bar was constructed in a traditional Japanese style, complete with low tables, floor cushions, and tatami (woven straw mat) floors.

After I removed my shoes I stepped onto the tatami, was led to a table, and presented with a menu. I opted for tonkatsu, a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet, as I knew it to be both filling and inexpensive. Along with the entrée came a warm bowl of miso (fermented soybean paste) soup with a bold, salty flavor that complemented the tonkatsu’s sweeter sauce well. After I had eaten my fill, my portion of the bill totaled around seven or eight hundred yen—approximately seven or eight dollars. This bar and grill, which I would be hard pressed to find again, thereby delivered both low cost and high quality that made the hunger pangs I had ignored beforehand completely worth it.

The shoestring traveler would be happy to know that this sort of cheap, high-quality restaurant is not a rare thing. They can be found almost anywhere if you are willing to look for long enough, and if your hunger is matched by a desire to explore.

Keith is a student at Hobart College in Geneva, New York, and is currently pursuing degrees in Writing and Rhetoric and Asian Languages and Cultures. He is new to travel writing, having been introduced to this medium during his studies in 2008. Keith cites one travel piece in particular, Tim Butcher’s Blood River, as the source of his interest in becoming a travel writing author himself. At this time, Keith’s primary writing focus is Japan—its history, cultures, and people—but he is eager to see more of the world and expand his repertoire of subject matter when the opportunity presents itself.