JAPAN - WORLDWIDE TRAVEL INFORMATION
Posted October 23rd, 2012
LATEST WORLDWIDE TRAVEL NEWS
JAPAN
JAPAN
Update - November 2012
Enjoy the Snow in Japan this Winter
Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, but in winter it is the abundant snow that makes it worth a visit. Japan has long been popular for its futuristic high-tech cities and ancient cities with exquisite gardens and temples, but its fantastic winter resorts have been a well-kept secret. Over 70% of Japan's land area is composed of mountains and the winters are governed by the Siberian air mass, the coldest air mass in the world. As a result at least four months every year the mountains in the central highlands and northern regions of Japan are blanketed with snow, making Japan's ski grounds among the best and most reliable in the world.
For those who don’t ski or board, a winter holiday in Japan offers snow monkeys, delicious winter hot pots, festivals including the Sapporo Snow Festival and warming onsen spas. Read on for some of the winter holidays available in Japan this winter.
SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL WITH EXPLORE
New for 2013, Explore Is offering a 13-night winter adventure that starts in the far north of Japan where you’ll make the most of the winter temperatures, taking an ice breaker cruise in the Sea of Okhostk before spending time at the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. You’ll also spend time exploring ultra modern Tokyo, ancient Kyoto and visiting the snow monkeys at Yudanaka. For full details, or to book, visit www.explore.co.uk.
SAMURAI SNOW
Samurai Snow are a specialist online travel company offering the best of Japan’s incredible ski resorts however you want them.
Samurai Snow are snow lovers. They love skiing and they love snowboarding. They love what they do and want to inspire others to share in their passion.
So, why Japan? The staggering Japanese powder snow is rapidly becoming famous. Combine this with un-crowded slopes, night skiing, natural hot springs, delicious food, spectacular festivals and incredible Japanese hospitality at a reasonable price and you have your answer.
Coming to Japan means getting off the beaten path and experiencing a truly unique ski holiday.
Samurai Snow understand that planning a ski and snowboard holiday in Japan can be a daunting prospect. This is where Samurai Snow come in. They bring it all together and make it easy for you.
Check out their website at www.samuraisnow.com. Get in touch. They’d love to hear from you.
SKI JAPAN! NISEKO 7 NIGHTS FROM £1,999
Often overlooked as a ski destination, Japan has a multitude of high-quality slopes and powder. With world-class resorts such as Niseko and Furano in Hokkaido, Hakuba in Nagano and Naeba in Niigata being just a few amongst many others; Japan will not disappoint even the most serious skiers and snowboarders.
Located in the coldest region of Japan, Niseko has some of the best snow powder in the world. Already increasingly popular with foreign tourists, the promise of some of the best tracks and off-piste runs in the world continues to lure those in search of winter fun. The Hilton Niseko is located at the foot of the slopes with ski-in / ski-out access. Start the day with the famous Hilton breakfast before hitting the slopes. In the evening, return to the hotel where you can relax in an onsen, eat at one of the many restaurants or bars, before retiring to a spacious, well-appointed room.
This package from Jaltour includes:
> Return economy flights from London to Japan
> Return Airport Bus from New Chitose Airport to Hilton Niseko Village hotel
> 7 nights’ accommodation based on shared twin/double rooms, including breakfast
> 5-Day Ski Lift Pass
For more information, or to book, visit www.jaltour.co.uk
DAY TRIPS FROM TOKYO TO SKI ON MT. FUJI
New from December 212, JTB Sunrise offers 1-day ski excursions from Tokyo to Snowtown Yeti in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. Located on the southern slope of Mt. Fuji, each winter Yeti is the earliest resort to open in Japan for skiing.
With this package you can ski during the day and be back in Tokyo in the evening as "Snowtown Yeti" (Mishima) is easily accessible from Tokyo on the bullet train. The package is priced from £124 and includes: > Return train ticket (Ordinary class, reserved seat) on Kodama Bullet train from Tokyo to Mishima
> 1-day ski lift ticket
> 1-day rental of ski/snowboard and skiwear
The package is available from 1 Dec 2012 through to 10 March 2013.
For more information, or to book, visit www.japanspecialist.co.uk.
ULTIMATE JAPAN SKI SAFARI
Ski Safari has just created a ’14-night Ultimate Japan Safari’, which incorporates resorts on the mainland and Hokkaido. Combine skiing on both Japan's mainland and north island with two very different and dynamic cities for this once in a lifetime experience of phenomenal powder, fabulous food and captivating culture.
"Why should you have to pick and choose between Niseko and the mainland ski resorts when you could ski both! Combine these with stays in Tokyo and Kyoto and you get this trip of a lifetime," said Ski Safari’s Japan expert Andrea Selig.
Ski Safari can tailor-make any itinerary to your requirements, depending on budget and how much travelling and skiing you wish to do. However, for the ultimate Japan Ski Safari they recommend their 14 night Ultimate Japan Safari, which features 5 nights in Nozawa Onsen, 2 nights in Kyoto, 5 nights in Niseko and 2 nights Tokyo. Prices start from £2,579 per person including international & domestic flights, JR rail pass, transfers and accommodation. For full details, visit www.skisafari.com.
* * Japan Provides Inspiration for Villain Hide Out in Skyfall * *
In the latest Bond film, "Skyfall", bad guy Raoul Silva chooses as his hide out a deserted island filled with abandoned and partially destroyed buildings, inspired by the real world island of Hashima in Japan. Hashima, known as Gunkanjima (“battleship island”), was once home to 5,000 people, but has been deserted since 1974 after the coal mines on the island were shut down. For the James Bond Hashima scenes, Pinewood studios re-created the island’s ghost town at Pinewood Studios in London, but visitors to Japan can visit this eerie island.
After Hashima was abandoned in 1974, exposure to the elements, including typhoons, drastically deteriorated the buildings on the island. Due to the danger of collapsing structures, the island was closed to the public. In April 2009, however, a newly constructed boat dock made it possible for sightseeing tour boats to land on Hashima. It’s now possible to take a scenic 50-minute boat ride from Nagasaki and alight on Hashima for a 45-minute tour of the island.
Tours of the island can be booked through Hashima Concierge and cost £33, including the return boat journey from Nagasaki city.
This is not the first time Japan has provided the setting for a Bond villain lair. In the 1967 James Bond film, "You Only Live Twice", Shinmoedake volcano in Kyushu was used as the underground base of Ernst Blofeld. "You Only Live Twice" was shot primarily in Japan. Himeji Castle in Hyogo was used for Tanaka's ninja training camp and the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo served as the outside for Osato Chemicals and the hotel's gardens were used for scenes of the ninja training.
Himeji Castle in Hyogo
InsideJapan Tours offers a 13-night Bond’s Japan Tour Trace that traces the steps of Agent 007 as he chased down SPECTRE along with the Japanese Secret Service Ninja Force in 1967. Discover some of the stunning locations that put Japan on the map with this very special Bond influenced itinerary. The 13-night Bond’s Japan package includes stays at Tokyo’s New Otani hotel AKA SPECTRE’s Osato Chemicals HQ, travel to the castle town of Himeji which was home to the secret Ninja training camp and stay in amongst the mountains and volcano of Kirishima national park which saw Sean Connery’s helicopter pursuit by evil SPECTRE agents. For full details, visit www.insidejapantours.com.
Japan on Film in 2013
Another big screen legend gracing the shores of Japan is Hugh Jackman. Tokyo is the setting for the new Wolverine film scheduled to be released in July 2013, in which Wolverine travels to Japan to learn fighting lessons from a samurai warrior. Hugh Jackman has been tweeting photos from the shoot in Japan showing him climbing Mt. Fuji with his son, riding the bullet train, exploring Tokyo’s temples and dinning at famous sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro. To see Hugh Jackman’s Japan photos, visit his Twitter page, @RealHughJackman.
“Films can play a powerful role in influencing where people would like to visit on their holidays. "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "The Last Samurai" inspired moviegoers to want to visit Kyoto and we still have people calling our office asking which hotel Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray’s characters stayed at in "Lost in Translation" because they want to have cocktails in the bar or even propose there! We hope that James Bond will inspire people to visit Nagasaki and the unique island of Hashima and we can’t wait to see Wolverine in Japan.
Later in 2013, one of Japan’s most famous historical tales, 47 Ronin, will be released as a 3D samurai film starring Keanu Reeves alongside some of Japan’s biggest actors,” said Kylie Clark, Head of PR & Marketing, Japan National Tourism Organization’s London Office.
Japan on Film in 2013
Another big screen legend gracing the shores of Japan is Hugh Jackman. Tokyo is the setting for the new Wolverine film scheduled to be released in July 2013, in which Wolverine travels to Japan to learn fighting lessons from a samurai warrior. Hugh Jackman has been tweeting photos from the shoot in Japan showing him climbing Mt. Fuji with his son, riding the bullet train, exploring Tokyo’s temples and dinning at famous sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro. To see Hugh Jackman’s Japan photos, visit his Twitter page, @RealHughJackman.
“Films can play a powerful role in influencing where people would like to visit on their holidays. "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "The Last Samurai" inspired moviegoers to want to visit Kyoto and we still have people calling our office asking which hotel Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray’s characters stayed at in "Lost in Translation" because they want to have cocktails in the bar or even propose there! We hope that James Bond will inspire people to visit Nagasaki and the unique island of Hashima and we can’t wait to see Wolverine in Japan.
Later in 2013, one of Japan’s most famous historical tales, 47 Ronin, will be released as a 3D samurai film starring Keanu Reeves alongside some of Japan’s biggest actors,” said Kylie Clark, Head of PR & Marketing, Japan National Tourism Organization’s London Office.
Japan Voted Best Country & Tokyo Best City in Guardian Travel Awards
In September, The Guardian and Observer newspaper readers voted Japan the best long-haul country and Tokyo the best overseas city. This was the third year in a row readers voted Tokyo the best overseas city, and the second year for Japan to be voted into top place.
The Guardian Travel Editor, Gemma Bowes commented, “The Guardian Travel editorial team were thrilled that Japan and Tokyo won categories in our annual travel awards again this year. Both are destinations obviously very much loved by those who visit, and it is great to know that our readers are still travelling there and being inspired to vote,especially after the challenges of the last couple of years. We enjoy covering Japan as it is such a beautiful, interesting and fast-changing destination, full of stories and with its own unique culture and we look forward to sending more reporters out to there so they can pass on the message to those back home that this is a country, and city, worth making the effort to travel to. The big city guide to Tokyo which we launched on our website earlier this year has certainly helped to fuel this passion.”
Winner of the best small tour operator and best small short break operator, Original Travel, and winner of the best large tour operator and best large short break operator, HF Holidays, both offer holidays in Japan. So why not take a holiday to the country Guardian and Observer readers say is the best in the world with an award winning tour operator?
LUXURY JAPAN, FROM £1,950
Mount Fuji
Explore the classic cities and islands of Japan with expert guides; stay in some of the world's finest urban hotels; experience an elegant slice of Japanese life in sophisticated ryokans (traditional inns), and travel in speed and comfort on the magnificent bullet train network. Tailormade trips to Japan starting from £1,950 for a ten night stay in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Miyajima including luxury accommodation, English-speaking guides and Japan Rail Pass. Please call Original Travel on 020 7978 7333 or visit www.originaltravel.co.uk.
For details of the 2012 Guardian/Observer Travel Awards results, please visit www.guardian.co.uk.
VISIT AWARD WINING JAPAN WITH AWARD WINING HF HOLIDAYS
HF Holidays offer fabulous Guided Touring in Japan, so why not join them and celebrate the unique culture of Japan, surrounded by the heady scents and romantic scenes of the sakura, the cherry blossom. Stay in traditional ryokan and follow in the footsteps of feudal lords and samurai, through the charming rural villages along the historic Nakasendo Path, through the famous gardens and ancient temples of Kyoto, to the hot springs of the snow monkeys.
HF Holidays Imperial Japan guided tours depart in April, May and October and include 11 nights’ accommodation in city hotels and ryokans in rural areas, Half Board with traditional multi-course evening meals, all travel and entrance fees. Tours are escorted by a local tour director and an HF Holidays’ leader, who organise a full programme of guided walks and sightseeing.
If you book before 31 December 2012 you will receive £100 off HF Holidays Japan Tour, please quote SJW.
If you would like any more information about HF Holidays’ Japan tours please visit our website at www.seejapan.co.uk or call their Reservations team on 0845 470 7558 (international calls +44 20 8732 1250). Please quote SJW. Booking must be made by 31 December 2012.
Update - October 2012
New Hello Kitty Tourism App
On 3 September, Japan Tourism Agency released a free “Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone app. The app introduces great places to visit in all of Japan’s 47 prefectures and enables users to take a picture at each location with HELLO KITTY.
On 3 September, Japan Tourism Agency released a free “Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone app. The app introduces great places to visit in all of Japan’s 47 prefectures and enables users to take a picture at each location with HELLO KITTY.
HELLO KITTY guides you around Japan
The app includes a collection of region specific HELLO KITTYs with local themes or features in the characters costume or the background. There are more than 50 types of regional HELLO KITTYs featured in the app. Users will find many fun-to-look-at HELLO KITTYs they have never seen before.
Take pictures with HELLO KITTY while travelling in Japan
This app is equipped with camera functions. If you use this camera during your Japan trip, locally themed HELLO KITTYs appear on the screen. You can take a picture with the special location specific HELLO KITTY and keep it as a special memory.
Store data on all the places you visit
A record of all the places you visit while in Japan can be stored in the app with the pictures you took. It is a perfect way to store travel memories. Travel around Japan and collect various local HELLO KITTYs. Users who collect enough HELLO KITTYs, will get a special personalized HELLO KITTY smartphone wallpaper.
This is the first of a series of campaigns Japan Tourism Agency intends to undertake in cooperation with Japanese brands to promote tourism to japan. Future campaigns are planned in collaboration with Japanese cosmetics companies and restaurants.
The “Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone app is now available to download for free from iTunes.
“Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone App Details
1. App Overview
- App Name: Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY
- Supported Languages: English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
- Cost: Free
- Platforms: iOS4, iOS5 (iPhone)
- Launch Date: September 3, 2012
- Distribution: Download from App Store (Until March 31, 2013)
- Developer: NEC BIGLOBE, Ltd.
2. App Features
- “On-Site Kitty” Guide Function
Designed in association with famous landmarks and products from across the country, “On-Site Kitty” provides information about each tourist destination through 53 carefully selected mascot characters that represent the prefectures and administrative divisions of Japan.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Camera Function
If users start up the AR Camera while in Japan, the GPS system will be activated, and it will determine the nearest tourist destination. The “On-Site Kitty” character representing that location will appear on the screen for users to take a commemorative photo with. Users can also post the photo to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter and communicate the appeal of Japan to friends and acquaintances who have never visited Japan.
- Collection Function
The photos users take while traveling in Japan will be recorded in the app as a collection, and they can be viewed as an album after the trip is over. Furthermore, users will receive background wallpaper presents of the “On-Site Kitty” characters that they take photos with.
The “Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone app is now available to download for free from iTunes.
The app includes a collection of region specific HELLO KITTYs with local themes or features in the characters costume or the background. There are more than 50 types of regional HELLO KITTYs featured in the app. Users will find many fun-to-look-at HELLO KITTYs they have never seen before.
Take pictures with HELLO KITTY while travelling in Japan
This app is equipped with camera functions. If you use this camera during your Japan trip, locally themed HELLO KITTYs appear on the screen. You can take a picture with the special location specific HELLO KITTY and keep it as a special memory.
Store data on all the places you visit
A record of all the places you visit while in Japan can be stored in the app with the pictures you took. It is a perfect way to store travel memories. Travel around Japan and collect various local HELLO KITTYs. Users who collect enough HELLO KITTYs, will get a special personalized HELLO KITTY smartphone wallpaper.
This is the first of a series of campaigns Japan Tourism Agency intends to undertake in cooperation with Japanese brands to promote tourism to japan. Future campaigns are planned in collaboration with Japanese cosmetics companies and restaurants.
The “Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone app is now available to download for free from iTunes.
“Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone App Details
1. App Overview
- App Name: Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY
- Supported Languages: English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
- Cost: Free
- Platforms: iOS4, iOS5 (iPhone)
- Launch Date: September 3, 2012
- Distribution: Download from App Store (Until March 31, 2013)
- Developer: NEC BIGLOBE, Ltd.
2. App Features
- “On-Site Kitty” Guide Function
Designed in association with famous landmarks and products from across the country, “On-Site Kitty” provides information about each tourist destination through 53 carefully selected mascot characters that represent the prefectures and administrative divisions of Japan.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Camera Function
If users start up the AR Camera while in Japan, the GPS system will be activated, and it will determine the nearest tourist destination. The “On-Site Kitty” character representing that location will appear on the screen for users to take a commemorative photo with. Users can also post the photo to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter and communicate the appeal of Japan to friends and acquaintances who have never visited Japan.
- Collection Function
The photos users take while traveling in Japan will be recorded in the app as a collection, and they can be viewed as an album after the trip is over. Furthermore, users will receive background wallpaper presents of the “On-Site Kitty” characters that they take photos with.
The “Visit Japan with HELLO KITTY” iPhone app is now available to download for free from iTunes.
* * *
Matsushima – Japan’s beautiful bay of pine islands
The Great East Japan Earthquake was the biggest earthquake in living memory in Japan. Matsushima, one of the top tourist destinations in Tohoku, did suffer damage, but luckily not as bad as other areas of the east coast of Tohoku.
Matsushima at sunset
As one of Japan’s famous tourist areas, and standing at the beginning of the worst affected strip of the Tohoku coastline, Matsushima wanted to recover from the disaster as quickly as possible. To encourage people in the worst hit areas, the townspeople of Matsushima banded together to clean up and resume business as quickly as possible. By Golden Week in late April, one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods, restaurants, hotels and Matsushima’s famous temples were back open again.
Visitors to Matsushima have plummeted around 60% following the earthquake. The pine tree island filled bay of Matsushima is just as beautiful as it was before the March 2011 earthquake, and shops, restaurants, hotels and temples are open as usual. One year on from the disaster, the people of Matsushima want to put it behind them. They asked us to say, “Come and visit Tohoku and come to Matsushima”.
“Matsushima, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan was affected by the March 2011 earthquake, but from April 2011, hotels have been open again and pleasure cruises in Matsushima Bay have been back up and running. Matsushima is just as beautiful as it was before the earthquake and we are ready and waiting to welcome visitors,” said Mr. Fukui, Secretary-General of the Matsushima Tourist Association.
A number of UK tour operators offer holidays that visit Matsushima. For more information about Matsushima please visit www.matsushima-kanko.com.
Hiraizumi - Japan's Newest Cultural World Heritage Site
Last summer the resident’s of Japan’s earthquake-hit Tohoku region were given reason to celebrate when UNESCO granted Hiraizumi’s Buddhist temples and related properties Cultural World Heritage Site status on 25 June 2011.
One of Hiraizumi's Temples
Hiraizumi is located 40 kilometres inland from the Pacific Coast, which was devastated by the tsunami on 11 March. The earthquake's tremors caused damage on some roads and buildings around Hiraizumi, but the temples themselves escaped damage.
“Many people are now visiting Hiraizumi. We pray for the souls of the many people who lost their lives in the Great East Japan Earthquake and hope that the pain in the hearts of those who witnessed the sad reality in the disaster can be healed,” said Mr. Hatakeyama of the Hiraizumi Tourism Association.
Japan National Tourism Organization London office's Head of PR & Marketing, Kylie Clark, is an ex-resident of Akita Prefecture in Tohoku. She added,.“Visitors to Hiraizumi have increased following the area being given World Heritage status, but it is still not as well-known as the World Heritage-listed temples of Kyoto. Visiting Hiraizumi means a trip into Japan’s charming, rural Tohoku region, so can be combined with the beautiful bay of Matsushima and the onsen hot spring resorts such as Akiu and Nyuto. The delicious sake and food of Tohoku is also a real draw with regional specialties including Iwate’s wanko soba noodles and Akita’s kiritampo chicken stew. The people of Hiraizumi are eagerly waiting to welcome visitors to see the area’s beautiful temples, but they also want people to explore Tohoku’s other worthy sights.”
Tokyo Sky Tree – Opening 22 May 2012
The gigantic Tokyo Sky Tree is the newest architectural wonder on the Tokyo skyline. The tower became the tallest artificial structure in Japan when it reached its full height of 634 metres (2,080 ft) in March 2011. When it opens to the public on 22 May 2012, the Observation Deck at 450 metres, will overtake Tokyo City View’s 250 metres high observation deck to become the highest in Tokyo. The tower easily surpasses the height of the current Tokyo Tower (250 metres, 820 feet) and other skyscrapers in Tokyo, creating a new Tokyo skyline.
The Tokyo Sky Tree is currently the tallest free-standing tower in the world; and the second tallest structure in the world, after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Image: © Tokyo Sky Tree
Hikarie, Shibuya A new tower is emerging near the iconic Shibuya crossing. Opening 26 April 2012, Hikarié will house theatres, galleries, event spaces, a Tokyu department store and restaurants. More details will follow in our next newsletter.
Three Low Cost Carriers Launching in 2012
The launch of three low-cost carriers in Japan in 2012 is set to reduce the cost of domestic air travel, making it cheaper for people to combine a city break in Tokyo with time relaxing on the beaches of Okinawa in Japan’s far south or skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido in Japan’s far north.
Pretty as a peach
Images: Copyright © by Peach Aviation Limited
Jetstar Japan - a new domestic airline that will bring more low airfares to customers in Japan - will commence domestic operations by the end of 2012 and expects to fly from Tokyo (Narita) and Osaka (Kansai International), with other destinations under consideration including Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. Jetstar Japan also plans to ultimately offer short haul international services to key Asian cities making travel more accessible and appealing to millions more people.
New Hotels in Japan in 2012
February 04, 2012
This year will see the re-launch of Tokyo's iconic Station and Palace Hotels and the opening of two new luxury resorts in Japan's tropical Okinawa islands.
Palace Hotel Tokyo - 17 May
With a moat-side location beside the Imperial Palace, Palace Hotel Tokyo has announced plans to open on 17 May, following a JPY90 billion (£750 million) investment in the mixed-used development.
The new 290-room property succeeds two previous hotels, the Hotel Teito and Palace Hotel that occupied the same site from 1947 and 1961 respectively. Like its predecessors, Palace Hotel Tokyo will preserve its independence and a distinct commitment to home-grown hospitality.
“This hotel is Japanese through and through, from its ownership and management, to its service protocols and its picture-perfect location by the Imperial Palace gardens and moats,” said Palace Hotel Tokyo President, Takashi Kobayashi. “For domestic and international travellers alike, whether they’re with us for business or leisure, we hope they will walk away saying, ‘To have stayed at Palace Hotel Tokyo is to have experienced the very essence of Japanese hospitality.”
In preparation for its 17 May grand opening, Palace Hotel Tokyo has secured a spot in the Leading Hotels of the World portfolio.
The hotel’s most anticipated attributes include:
* evian® SPA TOKYO. Only the second evian® SPA outside of France.
* Michelin Stars. The hotel is aiming for a constellation of Michelin-star restaurants. The French restaurant, Crown opens as a collaboration with Patrick Henriroux, who runs two-star La Pyramide in Vienne, France. Within the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Wadakura, the sushi operation will be managed by Shinji Kanesaka, who also owns the landmark, two-star Sushi Kanesaka in Ginza. And the Chinese restaurant, Amber Palace, will be operated by the Chugoku Hanten Group, which also operates Tokyo’s two-star Fureika.
The city’s landmark Tokyo Station is within easy walking distance of the hotel. For more information visit or to make a reservation, please visit www.palacehoteltokyo.com.
The Tokyo Station Hotel - October 2012
One of Tokyo's historic hotels will be reopening its doors on 3rd October 2012. The Tokyo Station Hotel is in a historic brick Gothic building that was originally built in 1914 and is listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Due to extensive restoration work undertaken on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station, operation of The Tokyo Station Hotel ceased in 2006. After years of renovation under a grand restoration project of its Renaissance style architecture it is now almost ready to reopen.
The Tokyo Station Hotel
With a very European style, the building represents Japan's social and cultural globalization and modernization period in the early 21st century. The hotel occupies the third floor with domed ceilings and English style décor that combines European classicism and modernism. The Tokyo Station Hotel will have a timeless elegance with turn of the century décor and 21st century hospitality. The western window has the Imperial Palace in the distance and it is literally just steps away the transport hub of Tokyo station, making it extremely convenient for transfers to the airport or onward by bullet train to the ancient capitol of Kyoto.
The Tokyo Station Hotel will have 150 guest rooms (86 twin bed rooms and 64 double bed rooms), fitness and spa facilities, three banquet rooms, two bars, a lounge and French, Japanese and Chinese restaurants.
The hotel’s grand opening will be on 3 October 2012 and it is now accepting reservations for weddings and banquets. www.tokyostationhotel.jp
HOSHINOYA Okinawa –June 2012
Luxury Japanese hotel developer Hoshinoya will open its first seaside property in Japan's beach paradise of Okinawa in summer 2012. Along with their signature concept of "Authentic Japan with modern comfort," HOSHINOYA Okinawa welcomes guests with Okinawa's relaxing and rich tropical atmosphere. The 16 acre property consists of 48 traditional red-tile-roofed villas with private gardens and white coral sand paths. The resorts oval shaped swimming pool represents traditional wells that have provided the water of life to the island's people. Located on the remote island of Taketomi, HOSHINOYA Okinawa is a private paradise offering an introduction to the rich culture and breathtaking nature of Japan’s little-known Okinawa islands.www.hoshinoyataketomijima.com.
Hoshino Resort KAI - Now Open
Hoshino Resorts has also started “KAI”, a new brand for a series of fine ryokans (traditional Japanese style inn) with natural hot springs. With 4 historic ryokan properties in Tsugaru, Matsumoto, Izumo and Aso, Hoshino Resorts KAI offers authentic ryokan experience with modest yet exceptional hot springs and truly local culinary experience. At KAI properties, Hoshino Resorts guarantees compact and high-quality environment, the fundamental relaxation of hot springs and traditional ryokan hospitality, staff members are as detailed as butlers, and the KAI properties introduce each guest to regional uniqueness and culture. Hoshino Resorts is acquiring more properties into the KAI series in 2012 and years to come. www.kai-ryokan.jp
Okinawa Ritz Carlton –April 2012
Another new sanctuary opening in Japan’s tropical islands is The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa. This stunning resort hotel will offer 97 luxurious guest rooms with excellent views over a golf course down to the East China Sea, the Motobu Peninsula and beyond to Ie Island. The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa will be situated within the premises of the Kise Country Club and surrounded on three sides by its 18-hole Championship course overlooking the ocean. The Kise Country Club is bordered by undeveloped wooded land adding to the beautiful setting and location of the resort.
Simon Cooper, president and managing director of Marriott International in Asia, said: “We are delighted to be signing not just our first resort in Japan. This hotel will be the perfect opportunity to showcase a different side of The Ritz-Carlton brand to our loyal Japanese and international guests in the country who will be more familiar with our leading city centre hotels in Tokyo and Osaka.”
The hotel will replace the existing Kise Bettei Hotel & SPA after an extensive renovation of more than 1 billion yen. The new look interiors will be created by ILYA Corporation and the concept of the new hotel will be a combination of The Ritz-Carlton style with the local Okinawan culture to create something subtle and tranquil, yet truly luxurious.
The newly renovated hotel will feature three destination dining outlets, as well as a lounge and bar, an ESPA spa and full leisure facilities including a pool and gym.
Okinawa is the most popular tropical resort in Japan with more than 5.7 million visitors to the region last year andThe Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa is expected to set new levels of excellence when it opens in April.
Toyoko Inn Group Continues to Grow in 2012
Toyoko Inn’s fundamental concept is “a modern Japanese inn” aiming to offer relaxing comfortable and clean rooms at reasonable rates. With hotels throughout Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, it is possible to travel the length of Japan just staying in Toyoko Inns! The group continues to grow in 2012. On 30 January, Toyoko Inn Tokyo Akiba Asakusabashi-eki Higashi-guchi opened in Tokyo with rooms from just 5,950 yen (£49). On 27 March, Toyoko Inn Tokyo Shinagawa-eki Konan-guchi Tennozu will open with rooms from 5,980 yen (£49) and Toyoko Inn Tokyo Tachikawa-eki Kitaguchi is scheduled to open on 17 April with rooms from 5,450 yen (£45). Please click here for the full list of Toyoko Inns in Japan.
Other Hotel Openings in 2012
It’s common in Japan for hotels to not launch the English-language versions of their websites until soon after they open. Here we’ll list some other new hotels opening in Japan this year with their Japanese websites and let you know their English-language URL’s once they become available:
* Via Inn Shinjuku –opening in Tokyo on 8 February 2012
* Domy-Inn Premium Shibuya Jingumae – opening in Tokyo in April 2012
* Rihga Royal Grand Okinawa – opening in Naha, Okinawa in June 2012
* Fresa Inn Ningyocho – opening in Tokyo in November 2012
One you might have missed in late 2011...
THE Kyoto Royal Park Hotel
The Royal Park Hotel Group opened Royal Park Hotel THE Kyoto on 8 October 2011, along with another "THE Series" property in Fukuoka that was opened in July 2011. THE Series aims to provide the most knowledgeable concierges and interiors that present local cultural elements for an utmost relaxing stay. For their Kyoto location the hotel chose the heart of the cultural centre of Kyoto, surrounded by the famous Gion district where traditional geisha dancers stroll, and historic cobble stone alleys with hidden restaurants. Find contemporary luxury mixed into the historic city of Kyoto.
Matsumoto City Museum of Art
Artist Yayoi Kusama was able to find relief from her visual and auditory hallucinations through her artistic expressions. Walking through her display in the Matsumoto City Museum of Art is like walking through her world. With a collection of works starting from childhood, to an apartment of glowing dots and rooms of infinite reflections the viewer gets a sense of the artist's reality.
Also in this sleek museum, built in 2002, are works of many Japanese artists who have either come from Matsumoto City or been inspired by its surroundings including the landscapes of Kazuo Tamura and the calligraphy of Shizan Kamijo.
Access: Matsumoto City is about 2 hours and 40 minutes from Tokyo. Other sights in Matsumoto include Matsumotojo, one of Japan's most beautiful original castles. For more information, please visit welcome.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp.
Naoshima Art Island
Benesse Art Site Naoshima is an attempt to produce an utterly new type of space and experience by setting contemporary art and architecture amidst the beauty of nature on tiny islands in Japan’s Inland Sea. The site includes many unique places and projects such as Benesse House, a museum where you can spend the night that was designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, and the Art House Project, where artists renovate old houses, turning the house and the space inside into a new "work of art."
Tadao Ando also designed the Chichu Art Museum, where "Water Lilies" by Claude Monet, and works by James Turrell and Walter De Maria, contemporary artists long involved with Naoshima Island, are displayed in its permanent collections. The museum has a beautiful garden featuring plants that were cherished by Monet, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of his works.
The most iconic piece of art on Naoshima is arguably Yayoi Kusama’s giant pumpkin with its stunning ocean backdrop. For more information about Naoshima, visit www.benesse-artsite.jp.
ALL INFORMATION & PHOTOS KINDLY PROVIDED BY THE JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION'S LONDON OFFICE
http://www.jnto.go.jp