The initiative aimed to attract inbound travelers from Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City to Nagano Prefecture. As part of this effort, tourism seminars and business meetings were organized to promote Nagano’s tourism resources and unique attractions to leading local travel agencies in both countries.

A total of 19 businesses from Nagano Prefecture participated in this project, along with 40 travel agencies from Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City, 6 media representatives, 3 airlines, and government officials.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated and supported this initiative.

Through projects such as this, we will continue to promote the appeal of the region to international markets and strive to further enhance our services in order to increase inbound tourism to Japan.

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Finally, after about 45 minutes, a sign tells me the entrance is near: Nihonji (日本寺) is
just a few steps away from where I stand.
To my right, the imposing calm and sacred zeal of the colossal stone Daibutsu (大仏)
leave me speechless, sitting twice higher than Kamakura Buddha.
This Buddhist temple is located on the western side of Mount Nokogiri, which itself
spans three provinces in Chiba Prefecture, on the opposite side of Tokyo Bay.

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Photo of Himeji Castle (姫路城ーひめじじょう） in the background. Himeji Castle is one of Japanese most well preserved Edo period castles that was re-opened after refurbishments in April 2015

Cherry Blossoms or Sakrua 桜 in Japanese bloom only once a year in Japan. This season is 100%, hands down, without a doubt Japan’s busiest season for tourism with hundreds of thousands of people travelling from the four corners of the globe to get a glimpse at Japan’s fabled national flower. The season only lasts a short duration, from the end of March and into the start of April (Usually only around 10 days – 2 weeks) around the central Honshu areas and is a mad rush to book accommodation and all the other necessities. In the end though, all the running around and searching like a mouse in a maze is worth it!

Some revelers enjoying some Japanese ‘Flower Viewing’ (花見ーはなみ） in Ueno Park （上野公園）

As the weather starts to heat up from a long winter, the Sakura trees come to life! A little bit of sunshine and rainfall creates the prefect conditions for these delicate and fragile flowers to burst forth and paint the countryside in glorious pinks and whites. Sometimes in only two or three days a tree will go from bare branches to a vibrant curtain of flowers.

Two photos taken in Kourakuen Park (後楽園） in Central Tokyo

The season moves up through the four main Islands of Japan starting in the southern most island in Kyushu at around the 20-25th of March and moves its way steadily up to the northernmost island Hokkaido in mid April. Some travelers will start in in the south and spend the whole month working their way up through the famous Sakura hot-spots.

Kasuga Great Shrine (春日大社） and it’s famous lanterns under a weeping cherry blossom

One of the hundreds of tame deer that reside on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima （宮島ーみやじま）

I have selected a few photos I took myself on this year’s round of Sakura tour madness to give those of you thinking about participating next year a look at what is in store for you! Despite the fact that I am a terrible photographer I hope that I have managed to capture I sliver of the magnificence that is Japan’s ‘Sakura Season’.

Some of the places that I visited include, Miyajima Island off the coast of Hiroshima, Himeji Castle to the west of Kobe, Kasuga Great Shrine in the Nara Park area, Kourakuen Park and Ueno Park in central Tokyo.

Another shot of a deer on Miyajima Island (Remember to watch all your paper belongings, they’re hungry!)

 I hope that these photos seal the deal for those who are unsure about making the journey of a lifetime to Japan during the Cherry Blossom season!

A house situated on the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto (哲学の道ーてつがくのみち）

NOTE: for those who are thinking about come over, as mentioned, this season is the BUSIEST SEASON OF THE YEAR. Please book as early as possible! The later you leave it, the harder it will be to create the perfect custom experience that will make you fall in love with this amazing country.

Best Regards!

Tour Guide Tom

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Being one of Tokyo’s most recognizable locations, Asakusa has it all, shopping, history, food and if the season is right, Japanese cherry blossoms.

Starting with Kaminarimon, the 10m tall symbol of Tokyo itself, you walk through the hustle and bustle of Nakamise Streets’ 200+ souvenir stores towards Sensoji Temple.

As you meander along Nakamise Street, make sure you keep an eye out for Japanese Maneki Neko (Beckoning Cats) that bring good business and good fortune!

Also keep and eye out for people dressed in Yukata, one of the traditional garbs of Japan. You never know, they might even be nice enough to take a picture with you!

As you reach the end of Nakamise Street, you pass through the second gate to be greeted by the majesty of Sensoji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. For a small fee of around 50 Japanese Yen you can purchase incense to burn in front of the temple entrance. When burning incense, light the sticks for a few seconds then extinguish them with your hands (Rather than you mouth) and make sure to fan some onto yourself as it is said to be purifying and healing! Then, after rinsing your hands in the clear waters of the purifying fountain, you can enter the temple itself to take pictures of make a prayer to the Kanon statue Bodhisattva, Goddess of Mercy. In Japan to make a prayer, you throw a coin in the donation box, bow twice, clap twice, say your prayer (inside your head) and then bow once more.

From certain vantage points, you can also see Japanese newest addition to it’s already substantial Skyline, the Sky Tree Tower, the worlds largest Telecommunications tower. So bring your good camera and your new lens because you will have many opportunities to snap shots of both new and old Tokyo together.

So what are you waiting for?! Hop on a tour and come see the glory of ancient and modern Japan for yourself!

Best Regards your Virtual Tour Guide

Tom

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