Tag: Japan
A Japanese Diwali: How it’s different from India
Among the many things travel teaches you is how things you take for granted back home don’t come easily to everyone else. A fine example of this is fireworks.
Back home in India, even if it’s not Diwali, it’s easy for anyone to go to a store or order fireworks online. And then, unless there is a specific ban at a certain place/time, you are free to light them up at weddings, birthdays or for no reason at all.
Not so in many countries. Certainly not in Japan, where a fireworks show conducted by the government is an occasion for hundreds of people to dress up and go witness. Continue reading A Japanese Diwali: How it’s different from India
Accessible tourism gains popularity in ageing Japan
Tokyo (TAN): Accessible tourism is increasingly gaining popularity in an ageing Japan, says The Japan Times.
Such tourism aims to bring into its fold everyone regardless of age, disability, nationality and other factors that hinder traditional travel activities. Japan has a law that aims to end discrimination against people with disabilities.
Launched in 1995, the Tokyo-based SPI (Japan) Inc. arranged 450 accessible (also called universal) tours in 2018. These tours are conducted by “travel helpers”, “who have nursing-case skills and a basic knowledge of travel-related services”. Continue reading Accessible tourism gains popularity in ageing Japan
Japan is on the verge of a tourism spike, but it has hurdles to cross
Tokyo (TAN): The tourism industry in Japan is on a high with it seeing an unprecedented 31 million foreign tourists in 2018 and the numbers are only expected to climb in the coming years, says The Japan Times.
In spite of its great potential, the archipelago country has not been among the foremost choices of international travellers because of problems such language issues for English-speaking tourists, the country being prone to natural disasters and it not many business establishments accepting cashless payments.
“We realize there are many Western tourists worried that Japanese society is not quite ready for English-language communication,” says Hiroshi Tabata, head of Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), the government organisation that guides the country’s tourism strategy. Continue reading Japan is on the verge of a tourism spike, but it has hurdles to cross
Japan to trial bullet train at 360kmph
Tokyo (TAN): Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Central) has announced that it will carry out test runs of the new N700S Shinkansen at speeds of up to 360kmph this year, ahead of its scheduled commercial running in fiscal 2020.
Presently, the fastest Shinkanshen – Nozomi using N700 equipment – reaches speeds of 300kmph. The new train, all set to debut on the Tokaido Shinkansen line, will transport passengers faster.
Shin Kaneko, president, JR Central, said, “We aim to carry out test runs at 360 kph this year so that we can demonstrate safety when we export the train to such markets as the United States and Taiwan.”
Uzbekistan to waive visa for citizens of 45 countries
Tashkent (NITN): Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced that tourists from 45 countries will be able to visit Uzbekistan visa free, effective from February 1, 2019.
This is the latest in a series of reforms designed to stimulate the Central Asian country’s tourism development, as Mirziyoyev identified tourism and foreign investment as the two priorities for his term when he came to power in December 2016.
Initiatives including the introduction of e-visas in June 2018 have already resulted in an increase in foreign tourist numbers from 2.6 million in 2017 to 5.3 million in 2018. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs anticipates significant further growth in 2019.
National carrier Uzbekistan Airways will take delivery of two new Airbus A320neos and three new Boeing 787 Dreamliners in spring 2019, increasing its capacity on long haul international routes and enabling it to add new destinations. The airline already provides direct flights between London Heathrow and Tashkent, and expects to add a second UK airport to its network this summer.
From February 1, 2019, the following countries will be able to enter Uzbekistan visa free for up to 30 days:
Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Mongolia, San Marino, Argentina, Chile, Ireland, Montenegro, Serbia, Australia, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria, Czech Republic, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Belgium, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Norway, Spain, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, Brunei Darussalam, Greece, Malta, Republic of Cyprus, United Kingdom Bulgaria Hungary Monaco Romania, and Vatican City.
Nationals of France, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Turkey were granted visa free access in 2018. Germans will have visa free access from January 15, 2019.
President Mirziyoyev’s 5 January decrees also stated that:
- The existing e-visa scheme will be extended to cover the nationals of 76 countries, and will allow for double and multiple entries;
- New visa categories will be created for pilgrims, students, academics, and for medical tourism, and will be available within one month;
- Hotels must offer accommodation “regardless of the place of residence, citizenship, kinship and marital relations of individuals, as well as other factors that restrict the right to privacy.” This removes restrictions on unmarried couples;
- A list of prohibited sites (i.e. those of security concern) will be published on or before February 1, and clearly marked with signs. Tourists may photograph and film all unmarked sites without restriction.
Etihad Airways to introduce Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Barcelona
December 22 (TravelAndy): Etihad Airways will introduce the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona, effective from Feb 22, 2019, replacing the Airbus A330-200 currently operating the recently launched route.
The deployment of the larger 787 Dreamliner to Barcelona has been timed to coincide with the Mobile World Conference taking place in the city from 25-28 February, during which Etihad Airways will provide daily flights. The airline will increase frequency to a permanent daily operation from 31 March.
The service will feature Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats – 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats – a capacity increase of six seats in Business and 31 in Economy in each direction, and an increase in belly-hold cargo capacity of four tonnes.
Continue reading Etihad Airways to introduce Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Barcelona
US tour operators name Italy as 2019 ‘hot’ destination
December 19 (NITN): The tour operator members of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) have named Italy the most popular or “hot” destination for travellers in 2019, a recent survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) revealed.
The top 10 “hot” destinations for the coming year also include Iceland, which ranked second, followed by Japan, Vietnam, Australia, France, Spain, Colombia, Cambodia and Portugal.
USTOA members also identified their top 10 off-the-beaten path or emerging destinations that they see gaining popularity in 2019: Iceland ranked first, Cambodia ranked second, followed by Croatia, Colombia, Vietnam, Portugal, Bhutan, Bolivia, Myanmar, and Ethiopia.
Continue reading US tour operators name Italy as 2019 ‘hot’ destination
World’s largest seafood market opens for public
October 14 (TravelAndy): The Toyosu fish market, which replaces the historic Tsukiji fish market in Japan’s capital city, opened its doors for the first time to the public on Saturday.
Around 40,000 people visited the market, the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, on the opening day, said reports.
The visitors observed the sales floors for vegetables, fruits and fish through glass walls. They also were able to enjoy seafood at the restaurants, numbering around 100, at the facility. Many of these restaurants had been shifted here from the Tsukiji market, which closed on October 6 after 83 years. Continue reading World’s largest seafood market opens for public
Japan looks to develop stronger tourism ties with Goa
September 7 (TravelAndy): Japan is looking to strengthen tourism ties with Goa.
Consul-general of Japan Ryoji Noda met Goa tourism director Menino D’souza on Thursday to discuss tourism development initiatives, reports said.
Around 250 Japanese nationals visit Goa every year.
Increasing the number of tourists from Goa to Japan was also discussed. Continue reading Japan looks to develop stronger tourism ties with Goa
Japan tourist visa process to become online
September 3 (TravelAndy): Japan is setting up an online system to accept tourist visa applications starting with tour groups from China, the Nikkei Asian Review reported.
Japan plans to start the process in 2020 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
According to the report, once the system is in place, Chinese travel agencies or their representatives would be able to submit tourist information online. Continue reading Japan tourist visa process to become online
V&A Dundee opening strengthens Japan & Scotland links
July 8 (TravelAndy): The eagerly anticipated opening of V&A Dundee was among the experiences highlighted to travel trade and airline contacts during a visit to Japan by Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop.
The renowned attraction, which will open on Dundee’s waterfront in September, marks a unique opportunity to position Scotland as a place to live and work, study, invest and visit to Japanese visitors, the Cabinet Secretary has said.
The stunning structure, designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma – who also designed the 2020 Olympic Stadium in Tokyo – is expected to attract 350,000 visitors each year. It is the first V&A museum to be created outside of London and has become a valuable addition of Scotland’s cultural offering. Continue reading V&A Dundee opening strengthens Japan & Scotland links
Japan passport strongest, India ranks 76th
June 3 (TravelAndy): Japan has consolidated its spot at the top of the Henley Passport Index, now offering its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a record total of 189 destinations. Following closely behind Japan are Singapore and Germany in joint 2nd place, with 188 destinations accessible without a prior visa. 3rd place is shared by six countries: one Asian (South Korea) and the rest European (Finland, France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden).
India is ranked 76th with visa-free access to 59 countries.
While Schengen Area countries have traditionally topped the index as a result of their open access to Europe, developed Asian nations have been able to secure equally high scores in recent years thanks to their strong international trade and diplomatic relations. With close to 40 visa-waiver agreements signed by governments since the start of the year, passport-holders around the world go into the summer season with greater collective access than ever before. Continue reading Japan passport strongest, India ranks 76th