Sweepstakes!
Japan Winter Dream Getaway --- October 18 to December 27, 2010

Many say that each season in Japan is drastically different, but its elegance during winter time is unforgettable. Now is your chance to win a trip to Japan for this magical time of the year.

We will offer you and your guest the chance to explore Japan inside and out. Read through all 6 itineraries, pick your favorite, and enter for your chance to win your dream vacation!

For further information, please visit
http://www.japantravelinfo.com/
sweepstakes/index.php

Official Tourism Guide for Japan Travel (North America) has recently unveiled its new look website, sporting a lively design and clear structure.
More Info >>

Japan will advance its modern infrastructure with the prestigious bullet train system: The line will be extended in north and south, opening more beautiful and historic destinations.
More Info >>

Don't want to miss cherry blossom viewing this year? Then plan your traveling dates between late March and mid April!
More Info >>

Star Alliance, One World, and Sky Team…Use your mileage program wisely by adding up your miles for Japan Travel while receiving great deals & discounts!
More Info >>

JAPAN

Coming of Age Day: January 10th, 2011

In Japan, people are considered adults on their 20th birthday. From that day on they are invested with all the rights of citizenship.
The second Monday of January is designated as "Coming of Age Day" to celebrate new adults joining the society.

More Detail >>

Kyoto Hanatouro: December 2010 & March 2011

'Kyoto Hanatouro' was established in March 2003 with the aim of creating a new seasonal event for the 21st Century that would bring color to the Kyoto nightscape.

More Detail >>

Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011: March 24-27 2011

Tokyo International Anime Fair, now known as one of the biggest Anime related event in the world, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2011.

More Detail >>

ART FAIR TOKYO 2011 : April 1-3, 2011
Tokyo International Forum, Exhibition Hall & Lobby Gallery

ART FAIR TOKYO is now known as the most significant art fair in Japan. In 2010, it featured a total of 138 domestic and international galleries and welcomed a record number of visitors, over 50,000, from all over the world.

More Detail >>

US

Carnegie Hall Japan NYC

Part Ⅰ December 14 - 18 2010,
Part Ⅱ March 14th - April 9th 2011,
A city wide festival led by Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa
At Carnegie Hall and other venues in NYC
Japan NYC explores the Japan of today, where newfound artistic sensibilities continue to transform and revitalize the cultural landscape.

More Detail >>

Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show

March 19-20, Los Angeles Convention Center Travel Trade: Saturday 8 - 10 am
Public: Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
JNTO will have a booth. See you there!
http://events.latimes.com/travelshow/

Here's another story from our 2010 Visit Japan Year Essay / Photo contest. We're always willing to share readers' experiences and feedbacks about their trip to Japan. Please tell us about your own story about your visit to your dream country!

Getting My Yukata by Lindsay McCoy

(Lindsay and Gus were in Japan and entered a department store.) On the first floor, we decided to head all the way to the back. As we reached the turning point, I saw a cute little shop within the store with several yukatas on display (A yukata is kind of like a kimono, which basically looks like a bath robe with a giant sash around your waist, and they usually come in many different colors and designs. The yukata, unlike a kimono, is less formal/elaborate, and is also lighter in material so that it can be worn during the summer). Read more >>

Tsukiji Market: Tokyo’s Kitchen for 12 Million Plus

You might not understand why visiting Tsukiji Market in Tokyo is considered such a must among visitors to Japan until you step into it yourself. The largest fish market in the world, the Tsukiji displays vibrancy difficult to describe with just one word. At Tsukiji Market, the Japanese fishing industry and its unique wholesale techniques are alive and well.
Read more >>

JTB: San Fransisco – Haneda Air + Hotel Package
Japan Airlines now features daily nonstop flights from San Francisco to Haneda airport, conveniently located within minutes of metro Tokyo! And, to commemorate this new service, JTB USA is offering exceptional Air+Hotel packages for a limited time only! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to book your FLY & STAY Package in Tokyo! http://www.jtbusa.com/en/tour/jal/fly-and-stay.asp

IACE Travel Spring Kyushu Tour is scheduled for the peak of the Ume Blossom season. Participants will be taken to places such as Aso-san Caldera, one of the world's largest volcanoes, and will visit Iso Garden (Sengan-en), which is known as the site where Shimazu Clan once held their country estate. Visitors will have the opportunity to take in the beautiful seasonal scenery of Sakurajima, which can be observed from Sengan-en. The guided tour spans Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Nagaski prefectures. This Kyushu tour is a special opportunity to experience great food, season, and sightseeing during the year of 2011. So please sighn up now for an unforgettable experience exploring Kyushu, Japan!

Artisans of Leisure : 9-day Family Tour of Japan
is the perfect combination of traditional Japanese culture and contemporary Japanese pop style. Sure to appeal to every family member, it features in-depth, flexible private touring with your own guide and driver in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone, plus a private excursion to Hiroshima, Himeji Castle, Nara or other destinations. It includes first-class travel on shinkansen (bullet trains), preferred rooms at Japan's best luxury hotels, and a night at Japan's most luxurious ryokan (traditional inn), including private hot springs bath and a gourmet kaiseki meal. This tour can be further customized with a broad range of special-interest activities according to your family's interests, such as visiting trendy shopping districts, browsing stores dedicated to manga (comics) and anime, learning to draw manga, dressing like a maiko (apprentice geisha) for a photo shoot, visiting castles, watching sumo or martial arts tournaments, taking in a baseball game, hiking to mountainside temples and shrines, and enjoying local festivals.

Japan's public transportation system is highly developed and amazingly well organized. It is only about 2 hours between Tokyo and Kyoto, the two most popular destinations among tourists, and the fastest bullet train NOZOMI runs every 10 minutes or more. In most cases public transportation such as trains and buses is the best way to travel around Japan. Then how can we take the advantage of it and make our trip more affordable? Read more >>

Quiz: What is the name of this city?

Hint: This city is the prefectural capital of Hokkaido, Northern Island. The city is known for its fabulous Snow Festival

Prize:Five lucky winners will be chosen from among all correct answers submitted to receive Snow Festival Character Goods

How to enter:
You can enter from December 13, 2010 to January 10, 2011.
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BLMTAXLB5

O-Shogatsu, pronounced "Oh-show-ga-tsu" means "New Year." In Japan, there are many New Year's traditions varying across the country. As a tourist in Japan present during the New Year's period, the most outwardly visible large scale tradition is most likely that of "Hatsumode."

Thank you for reading our last newsletter for 2010!

We hope 2010 has been a great year for all of you, and the year 2011 will be a blast for all fans of Japan! With many events and special offerings for travelers to Japan, we would love you to have one-of-a-kind experience in traveling to Japan in 2011.

We are also proud to announce that the Visit Japan facebook page has reached over 24,000* fans! It is great to hear all your voices and have a chance to communicate with you all! We appreciate your comments and beautiful photos of Japan and hope to communicate with all our friends out there!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and New Year!