Discover A Culture That Is Always Blossoming

Springtime in Japan is nothing less than magical. From late March to mid-April or even early May, the country's iconic Sakura (cherry blossoms) capture the attention of visitors and locals alike as their beautiful pink flowers blanket the country in soft, colorful splendor.

Spring 2012 will be extra special as it marks the centennial anniversary of the city of Tokyo's Gift of Trees to Washington D.C., an enduring reminder of international friendship.

Check out our latest information about Cherry Blossoms and what Japan has to offer in 2012.

For more information >>

Great news for travelers visiting Tokyo and its neighbors this winter! As a part of Japan's Big Welcome Campaign, Japan Railways East and other railroad companies will offer special passes for tourists from abroad.
More Info >>

Are you a big fan of Ramen? Then why not try CUP NOODLES MUSEUM to learn the secret of cup noodle and to make one-of-a-kind ramen by yourself? A Japanese food company Nissin opened a unique museum for Ramen.
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If you haven't heard , our Japan Party Express Facebook Sweepstakes is well underway. Enter now if you haven't done so for your chance to win a free trip to Japan with three of your friends. Hurry, it ends on December 30th 2011.
Enter now >>

JAPAN

Yes! Tokyo Festa Presents 2K540 Aki-Oka Artisan
2K540 Aki-Oka Artisan is a covered mall-type space home to dozens of chic shops and stores featuring one-of-a-kind crafted items located in the area beneath the elevated railway tracks that run between JR Akihabara station and Okachimachi Station (thus, Aki-Oka!).
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Kyoto Winter Special 2012
While Kyoto is a beautiful city in any season, it is in wintertime that it becomes magical. The sharp, crisp air lends clarity to the sights and sounds that one encounters, making a visit to the ancient capital truly unforgettable.
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Yokote, Kamakura Festival in Akita
Every year, from February 15th-16th, at various locations around Yokote City in Akita Prefecture, the Yokote Kamakura Festival is held. For More >>

Kyushu: Land of Hina Matsuri
Hina Matsuri, the Japanese Doll Festival, also known as Girls' Day, is held every year on March 3rd.
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U.S

Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show


Date:January 14 and 15, 2012
Place:Long Beach Convention Center
JNTO Booth Number: #603
For More >>

Los Angeles Times Travel Show


Travel Trade: January 27, 2012, Open to the Public: January 28-29, 2012
Place: Los Angeles Convention Center
JNTO will have a booth. See you there!
For More >>

The 2012 Boston Globe Travel Show


Dates: February 10-12, 2012
(3:30-5:30pm: Trade only)
Place: Seaport World Trade Center, Boston
The Consulate General of Japan and JNTO will once again have a booth (#660) in the Asia-Pacific section.
For More >>

Bay Area Travel and Adventure Show


Date: February 18 and 19, 2012
Place: Santa Clara Convention Center
JNTO Booth Number: #819
For More >>

Delta Vacations: Japan Special Package
(Book by: Dec 31, 2011, Travel between: Mar 30, 2012) (Sample Price* from $1,357)

Soak in Japan's fascinating culture-both traditional and trendy-with a getaway to Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. For a limited time, you'll save $500 on your Delta Vacations flight and minimum 4-night hotel getaway to Japan. Plus, you'll earn 1,000 bonus miles, in addition to credited flight miles, through the SkyMiles® program.

*Sample Price:This offer is available from hundreds of origin cities, but this price is based on travel between New York City (JFK) and Tokyo, staying at Shiba Park Hotel.

For more information, visit here!

Destination Japan / H.I.S. : Japan's Spring Beauty – Great Rail Journey with Sheraton Hotels
(Mar 31 – Apr 7, 2012) (from $2,300 - Land Only Price)

The 8 day-6 night tour tries to chase and catch the breathtaking scenery by hopping from Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and Tokyo using Japan's Rail system. The tour offers comfortable stays at Sheraton Hotels in every city. Don't miss taking advantage of $100.00 off by Jan. 27, 2012 with check/or cash payment! For more, please visit here!

Amnet: Experience the beauty in Sapporo
(Feb 5th – 12th, 2012) (from $1,998)

Adventure to a true winter wonderland and experience tradition with the 63rd annual Snow Festival in Sapporo, Hokkaido! Attend the snow competitions and witness snow transform into larger-than-life sculptures of castles, Pokemon, and more! Indulge in the cuisine of Hokkaido--like warming up to butter corn ramen, Jingisukan lamb, and fresh crab! So what are you waiting for? There is still time to book, but time is running out so book with us now! For more, please visit here!

IACE Travel: Explore Japan! Awesome Travel Package Deals
(Travel must be completed by Feb. 29, 2012) (from $1,350*)

*The price includes airfare (Japan Airlines), 2 Night Stay at a hotel of Tokyu Hotel Chain and one way airport transfer.

For more, please visit here!

Kintetsu International (KIE): Exclusive China Airlines Special Package to Osaka
(2 Nights, from $999)

Kintetsu International (KIE), in partnership with China Airlines and Tokyu Hotels, is proud to announce a special discount package to Japan for the beginning of 2012. KIE is offering this special deal to include roundtrip air from New York to Osaka's Kansai Airport along with 2-night hotel accommodations in Osaka.
For more, visit here.

Quiz: What is the name of the illumination events held in Kyoto in December and March?

Hint: : It is a part of Kyoto Winter Special.

Prize: Three lucky winners will be chosen from among all correct answers submitted to receive a mouse pad with a beautiful maiko (geisha) picture.

How to enter: You can enter up to January 20, 2012, at
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22E7UEBRABC/

Does standing on a long line in the freezing cold of a January morning to buy a bag of mystery goodies sound strange to you? Well, it doesn't to the Japanese. The New Year's holiday custom where retailers sell sealed bags of random contents called fukubukuro for about half the price of the items inside was started in the late Meiji Period (1868-1912) to sell left-over items from the previous year. Fuku means good fortune, and fukuro (which becomes bukuro) means bag. It was such a big hit that soon other retailers started, and now one can't think of New Year's holiday in Japan without fukubukuro. In the U.S., the custom has also spread to a Honolulu shopping center, many Sanrio stores, and in 2004, the Apple store in San Francisco also began "lucky bag" sales! At the Chinese New Year in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the bags are also sold, using the Japanese word, fukubukuro.

The prices of the bags vary, and some are highly extravagant. Some bags are "luckier" than others; retailers might randomly slip in extra items worth far more than the other items in the bag. While it is this randomness that makes the purchase of fukubukuro so much fun, recently some stores are selling their bags after disclosing the contents.

Fukubukuro can also be purchased on line; but please remember that many store sell out early! How lucky will you be?

Fukubukuro can be purchased at most major department stores and shopping malls.

For shopping information while traveling in Japan, please visit:

Shopping Guide
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/shopping/01.html

Japan Big Welcome Campaign
http://japantravelinfo.com/news/news_item.php?newsid=480

Kansai Mega Sale
http://kansai-megasale.com/about/index_en.html

Thank you very much for reading Japan Travel Newsletter December Issue.

Have you already created your own "Party Express Train" on our Vist Japan Facebook page? If not, you are missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity to invite your friends to join you on a dream trip to Japan. Also encourage your friends to create their own "Trains" with you as one of their guests!

2011 was a tough year for us. Japan experienced a many hardships following the earthquake. The good news is that American tourists have started to come back to Japan much earlier than we could have expected! In November 2011, 53,100 people visited Japan from the U.S., representing a nominal 10.1% decrease compared to the previous November. We truly appreciate the continued support for our country that each of you have shown us.

I wish all of our friends a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!