National Geographic's Digital Nomad touched down in Japan: Andrew Evans, the National Geographic Traveler's Contributing Editor and blogger who covers every corner of the world, has finally landed in Japan for his three-week travel through the country.

While wandering from North to South, he is going to blog the super urban city of Tokyo, uploading the untouched nature of the countryside, posting the exotic cultures of Japanese tradition, and tweeting about the local people he will meet along his journey.

Andrew's adventure of "Endless Discovery" in Japan has just started. Follow his travel blogs, tweets, and videos, and see how much there is to discover!

Click here for more information on his trip.

Five months have now passed since the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. During this time, we have received very gracious support from many people across the globe.
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Thanks to its rich history and nature, Japan has already been recognized as a country with many UNESCO's World Heritage Sites with 14 designated destinations.
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"Nadeshiko Japan" is the nickname for the Japan's women's national soccer team. "Nadeshiko" comes from "Yamato nadeshiko," which means "ideal Japanese woman.
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Receiving accolades from prestigious travel sources including Conde Nast and Travel+Leisure, Tokyo and Kyoto are among the top ranking Asian travel destinations.
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Fujikyu Highland, also known as Fuji-Q Highland, is a theme park near the base of Mt. Fuji, home to a number of breathtaking, heart-stopping rollercoasters, each of which, after being built,
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Themed restaurants are all the rage in Japan recently, and are growing in popularity every day. You can enjoy not only traditional Japanese food at themed restaurants, but also the great atmosphere and unique meals.
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JAPAN

Yokohama Triennale 2011: Our Magic Hour, Aug 6th to Nov 6th

Is a leading tri-annual international exhibition of contemporary art. Based on the theme "OUR MAGIC HOUR", the YOKOHAMA TRIENNALE 2011 will be held at two main venues: the Yokohama Museum of Art and NYK Waterfront Warehouse (BankART Studio NYK). For More >>

Harvest Moon Viewing: September

Harvest Moon viewing is a delightful tradition that originated in China and was introduced to Japan in the late eighth century. It takes place mid-September, during the first full moon closest to the autumn equinox. It is this moon which is called the harvest moon.
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Autumn Leaves

Fall is a spectacular season in Japan. From mid-September through late November, visitors can enjoy nature in her autumnal beauty at a variety of venues, such as Mt. Asahidake in Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan National Park, Oirase Stream in Aomori's Towada Hachimantai National Park, Lake Chuzenji-ko in Tochigi, Momijidani-koen Park in Hiroshima and Jingo-ji Temple in Kyoto.
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Fukuoka Dazaifu Tenmangu Jinkohshiki Grand Festival Sep 21st - 25th

The Jinkohshiki Grand Festival is an autumn festival that commemorates Michizane Sugawara (845-903), a devoted scholar and high ranking government official who served the emperor in Kyoto, until he was exiled to Dazaifu in Fukuoka, Kyushu, where a shrine dedicated to him called Dazaifu Tenmangu was built over his final resting place.
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Marathon in Japan 2011 - 2012

The three largest cities in the Kansai area, Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto, will each host their own open marathons for the very first time, following the example of the successful Tokyo marathon which started in 2006. For More >>

TIFF Tokyo International Film Festival, Oct 22nd - 20th

The 24th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will be held from October 22nd through October 30th. The main venue continues to be Roppongi Hills, with participating venues throughout Tokyo showcasing both domestic and foreign films in a wide variety of genres. For More >>

Tori no Ichi: November 2011 in Tokyo

Tori-no-ichi is a traditional open-air fair that, according to the Chinese zodiac that was adopted by the Japanese, is held on the days of the rooster (tori meaning rooster, or fowl in Japanese) in the month of November. There are 2 or 3 days of the rooster during November, which means two or even three festivals during that month. For More >>

Hagoita Ichi: December 17th - 19th, 2011 in Tokyo

Hagoita Ichi is a traditional outdoor fair that began in the Edo Period. It is held annually from December 17th through the 19th at the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Tokyo. Over 50 vendors will sell their lavishly decorated hagoita along with other New Year decorations.
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US

New York Anime Festival: Oct 13th - 16th, 2011 in New York

New York Anime Festival (NYAF) is an anime and manga convention held annually in New York City since 2007. It has been held with the New York Comic Con since 2010, and this year will be returning to the Javits Center in mid-town Manhattan on October 13th - 16th.
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My impressions of Japan Trip - Kyushu, Osaka and Kyoto

JNTO invited 30 travel agents for the familiarization trip to Japan. Mr. Uttam Shah, One of the participants who visited Kyushu island, Kyoto and Osaka, would like to share his memorable experience there.

Kyushu is the southern-most of Japan's 4 main islands. Our visit included Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Chiran gardens and Makurazaki.

I enjoyed visiting all the sights, including the beautiful pottery and glass works in the factory showroom. The walk through the gardens of the Samurai homes was wonderful. The simplicity of the design of the homes and the gardens was peaceful and calming, even on a hot afternoon. We were fortunate to be able to visit with one of the descendants of the Samurai who explained the past and current life styles. Read More >>

Tokyo June Travel Package a Success!

JNTO and its tourism industry partners launched a special package of $ 780 including air fare and 4 nights stay in Tokyo from May 21 to 31, 2011. This super value package was aimed at boosting up the tourism in Japan which declined by 50 % then after the 3.11 earthquake, by expressing our gratitude to the U.S. citizens who had helped and consoled Japanese people. Read More >>

Pacific Delight Tours: 6 Day Touch of Japan (Mar.16, April 13, 2012) (from $2,299*)
Save $50 per person if you mention JNTO at time of booking by Nov. 30, 2011
Visit the "Land of the Rising Sun", view the beauty of Mt. Fuji, and enjoy the traditional culture of Kyoto.
For more, visit Pacific Delight Tours
*Land only rate based on per person, double occupancy and does not included transpacific air or initial arrival and final departure transfers.

JTB USA: TOGETHER Japan Relief Volunteer Program (from Sep. 29 to Oct. 5, 2011, Must apply by September 8) ($1,975/person based on double occupancy) This tour supports volunteer activities and recovery efforts in Japan.
Delta Air Lines, Japan National Tourism Organization and JTB USA together are presenting you the opportunity to visit Japan and support in volunteer activities.
Together, we can make a difference and contribute to the recovery of the beloved Tohoku region. For more, visit here.

KIE: Tokyo Marathon 2012 Package (from Aug. 1 to Nov. 28, 2011) (from $981 for runners and $791 for companions) Entry into the marathon is guaranteed!
KIE (Kintetsu International) is proud to be the exclusive travel agency in the U.S. offering a package for the 2012 Tokyo Marathon.

Tokyo will be hosting its annual marathon on Sunday, Feb. 26th, 2012. This 6-day, 4-night package includes hotel and air and a guaranteed entry into the marathon – bypassing the lottery! A land only option is available. This package also includes a donation to an earthquake and tsunami relief charity in Japan.
Do your body and soul good by participating in the 2012 Tokyo Marathon. Let Kintetsu take you there!
For more, Special Kintetsu Tokyo Marathon Package

Amnet: Kyoto or Osaka 5days 3nights Tour (from Sep. 1, 2011) (from $1,069*)
Save $50 saying "JNTO Newsletter" when you make a reservation!
In collaboration with China Airlines and Excel Hotel Tokyu, Amnet now offers you a special package visiting Western Japan. You can travel to either Kyoto, a historical and cultural city with beautiful sceneries, or the energetic gourmet city of Osaka. We can also arrange extra stays in Tokyo. Free shuttle bus service is available from/to Philadelphia and New Jersey.
For more information, visit Amnet, call 1-800-929-2663 or e-mail newyork@amnet-usa.com
*Airfare, Hotel, and Tax/Fees inclusive

Affordable Lodging in Japan

Japan has some wonderful places to stay when travelling on a budget. So-called "budget lodging" comes in a variety of styles: capsule hotels, youth hostels and temple lodgings, to name a few. Each gives the lodger a wonderfully unique glimpse into just how varied a stay in Japan can be, and some offer priceless cultural experiences as well as a bargain stay! Wherever you stay, you can be sure to experience the marvelous juxtaposition of hi-tech, comfort and tradition that Japanese lodging has to offer.

Capsule hotels, found in most major cities, run about $40 and up per person per night, and many also rent rooms by the hour. They provide sleeping space in small cubicles stacked side by side, and sometimes on top of each other. There is enough room for one person to stretch out comfortably, and the rooms are usually equipped with TV and wireless internet connections. Bathrooms are communal; there are vending machines filled with drinks and snacks, and lockers are provided for your luggage. No frills, but you will find everything that you need. Read More >>

Quiz: Which prefecture in Japan produces the most tea?

Hint: It is where Mt. Fuji is located. Please visit Green Tea Club to find more hints.

Prize:4 lucky winners will get face lotion made from Green Tea.

How to enter:
You can enter from August 30 to September 30, 2011.
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CWMH7KZBX/

Izakaya is a Japanese style bar. The character "i" means "to sit" and "zakaya" means "Sake Shop". Izakaya is a very popular place among business people (Salaryman) for after-work drinking. You can enjoy Sake, beer, cocktails and many kinds of Japanese traditional foods at reasonable prices. Some of them also have nomihodai "all-you-can-drink" and tabehodai "all-you-can-eat" menus with a set price per person. Nowadays, a themed Izakaya such as the places introduced in "Unique Dining Experience" is very popular in Japan. For those who would like to eat and drink at a reasonable price and have a fun dining experience like local Japanese people, Izakaya is a perfect place.

We are happy to release our e-newsletter after 3 months absence. As you may have seen or heard, Japan is recovering at a surprising speed after the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Shinkansen bullet train resumed its busiest route between Tokyo and Osaka only in a few days after the earthquake and has run as punctual and frequent as it was before. Sendai airport reopened in one month after its devastating images reported all over the world. Once again, let me emphasize that almost all the areas are back to normal except limited areas in Fukushima and its neighborhood.

In order to make up for our lost time, we would like to make Japan Travel e-newsletter more fun and useful! I hope the readers will enjoy it! Although we are having a hard time, this is the best time for you to visit Japan. You will enjoy the same beauty and hospitality at a better price.

Visiting Japan is the best way to help Japan. Your visit will be the most welcome.