Japan Winter Campaign
Many say spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Japan. While spring and fall may be the most well known seasons to visit Japan, winter in Japan has its own unique merits. It's quieter and less crowded. Snow covered temples and mountains await, displaying a different beauty that cannot be seen in other seasons. Winter is also the most festive time in Japan, the coming of the New Year being accompanied with a myriad of unique winter and religious festivals going on throughout the country. Or, you can experience the taste of Japan's various winter specialties. Indeed, it is said in Japan that winter is the best time for seafood. On top of it all, winter means great airfare deals. We have created a selection of special winter travel packages just for you

Book now and enjoy everything winter in Japan has to offer!

Your winter getaway starts here!

PS. A sweepstakes is coming soon with the chance to win a trip to Japan in the beautiful season of winter, so Please check back the website regularly!

Upon completion of the fourth runway on October 21, 2010, Tokyo International Airport (HND), known as Haneda Airport, will serve regular international flights. The airport is located within Tokyo, and it only takes 13 minutes by train to reach the downtown area of Tokyo. More Info >>

JR East is offering a special rate for the JR East Pass for 10,000 yen!! Its regular price is 26,090 yen, and JR East Speial is a very economical ticket that can be used for a limited time between Sept.1 to Nov.30, 2010. With this pass, you can freely get on and off JR East Shinkansen, limited express, and other trains all you want.
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From traditional to contemporary culture and fashion, Japan is a land where you can find countless attractions.Most marvelous of its special features is its clearly defined four seasons. You will be fascinated to see how Japan's nature and people transform with the ever-changing seasons.
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In light of the victory of Edogawa-minami (South Edo River) Little League, a representative of Japan, at Little League World Series held in Pennsylvania in August, the strength, popularity and broad base of support enjoyed by the sport of baseball again has come into the limelight.
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JAPAN

US

Tomamu Ice Village, late December

Located in the center of Hokkaido, northern island of Japan, Tomamu is one of the best ski resorts with its world famous powder snow. To take full advantage of the coldness, get Tomamu Ice Village in late December.

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New York Anime Festival, October 8 -10

Javits Center, New York, NY This year the festival will be held in conjunction with New York Comic Con. JNTO will have a booth (#1894) and there will be a sweepstakes to win a free trip to Japan!

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Sapporo Snow Festival, February 7-13th

The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter events, attracts a growing number of visitors from Japan and abroad every year.

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Japan NYC Events, December 2010

Part I December 2010, Part II March – April 2011, A city wide festival led by Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa At Carnegie Hall and other venues in NYC.

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Kyoto Winter Special, December 2010 – March 2011

The city of Kyoto will once again this year be hosting the popular ‘Kyoto Winter Special’ campaign, introducing you to the little-known wintertime attractions of this magical city. Be sure to make the most of the fantastic sight-seeing opportunities that this website offers, and allow us to be your guide to the unique wonders of winter in Kyoto.

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The two winners of our 2010 Visit Japan Year Essay / Photo contest would like to share their stories of visiting Japan after winning the prize. Enjoy their exciting stories of visiting their dream country! You can also check out their essay & photo at http://www.japantravelinfo.com/2010/tellus.html

Alexandra Wang

I entered the JNTO Visit Japan Year 2010 Essay Contest because I wanted to visit the places that had inspired the Edo period poet, Yosa Buson. Although Yosa Buson lived during the eighteenth century, images of nature found in his poetry can still be seen around the modern city of Tokyo. I was so thrilled to learn that I was the Grand Prize winner! Read more >>

Retta Smith

My husband and I returned from an 8 day stay with our friends in Hachioji. We were originally scheduled to stay 3 nights at the New Otani Hotel, Tokyo, but we decided to stay longer with our friends, Shizuko and Tsunehiko Ikeda, at their home. We called the hotel early in the week and canceled 2 night reservations keeping only the last night. Our friends booked a room also, so we could all spend the last night together before they took us to the airport the next day. This hotel was absolutely wonderful. The staff was warm and friendly, and the view of the Japanese Gardens was beautiful.
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Destination Japan : Japan's Autumn Beauty 11/12 - 11/21 10 days 8 nights
Autumn is the one of the best seasons to visit Japan! You will get a chance to feel the harmony of the fall foliage and the beautiful scenery of Japan, and it is also very comfortable weather in which to travel. This escorted tour will take you to big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, traditional cities like Kyoto, and a sacred mountain, Mt. Takao, for hiking. Mt. Takao was introduced in the Michelin Green Guides for Travel and Tourism as a place that is relatively close to the center of Tokyo where you can meet the "Real Japan." You can either hike to the summit, or take a cable car and a short walk. After hiking and working up a sweat, you will soak in a hot-spring and relax at a traditional Japanese-style Inn, or Ryokan in Hakone. There are many places to visit and see, so come to experience Japan’s Autumn Beauty this year with us! You can share your trip memories with your family on Thanksgiving, too!

JapanQuest Journeys- An Extraordinary Opportunity to Experience Japan
JapanQuest Journeys embodies a uniquely different approach to experience the wonders of Japan; providing a way to "decode' Japan and to gain an insider's perspective---tapping into "in-the-know" locals that capture the imagination and attention of high-end travelers worldwide. With decades cultivating local relationships and uncovering special opportunities, the bespoke luxury journeys unlock the mysteries of Japan, making it truly accessible for our clients who want to experience a deeper side of the real Japan. Starting with world class accommodations in some of the most exciting places in Japan, and supported by local concierge staff throughout your stay, Japan Quest Journeys takes the visitor experience a step further by offering a choice of journeys through the Japan that only true locals would know. For more information, visit; http://www.japanquestjourneys.com/

Quiz: What name is this beautiful castle?

Hint: It is located in the city of Osaka and symbol of Osaka’s history and culture, a magnet for visitors, and a source of pride for Osaka’s citizens. The castle was built in 1583

Prize:Five lucky winners will be chosen from among all correct answers submitted to receive a Osaka Stainless steel mug cup.

How to enter: You can enter from October1 to October29, 2010. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22B75P9PRDU

Let's review the last quiz. The answer to the last issue's quiz is Shiretoko. Out of 138 replies, 108 (78%) had the correct answer!

Japan is a country of service and hospitality. Taxi is no exception. When you get on a car, you'll see many drivers wear white gloves to keep themselves clean and tidy. You don't have to open or close the door because they do so automatically, without troubling their guests. Good thing is you can get these excellent services without tipping, because Japan is a no tipping country.

Tokyo's several taxi companies started a new flat rate taxi service from Tokyo International Airport known as Haneda airport to downtown Tokyo area. Say major destinations like Shibuya or Shinjuku, the price will be around 6,000 yen (approximately $68), which is 20 to 30 % less than the average rate for the same distance. With a number of new nonstop flights from the US to Tokyo, it'll be much easier and more reasonable to reach the downtown Tokyo.

For more information, please visit http://www.anzentaxi.co.jp/localize/en/index.html

Teishoku (), Teishoku, pronounced "Tay-show-ku" means "meal set." In the U.S., hearing "meal set" tends to invoke the image of french fries, a pickle and a soft drink, or if you're into Italian, perhaps bread, salad and a side of pasta accompanying one's main food item of choice. In Japan, a "meal set" refers generally to combination of white rice, miso soup, "sozai," (which can be any of variety of possible side dishes) and picked vegetables (called "Tsukemono") which come with the main item ordered. Many different food items are offered as Teishoku. The most common types of food offered as Teishoku are grilled items, deep fried items, broiled items, noodle-centric items and Chinese dishes. Grilled items are usually meat, such as beef or chicken. Deep fried items range from meat, often pork, to fish to vegetables. An example of a broiled item is salmon broiled in soy sauce. Common noodle dishes can be ordered as Teishoku are Udon and Ramen. Lastly, a good example of a Chinese item is dumplings, refered to in Japan as Gyoza.
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