Japan

MSC Cruises will allow travellers to experience Japan's "sakura" cherry blossom season next spring, with a special cruise. Next May, MSC Splendida will set sail on a nine-night…

The Japanese government has used a major travel event in the US to announce that the Tohoku region, which was devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, is now ready to welcome tourists.…

ANA has unveiled the routes to be operated by its latest Star Wars-themed aircraft - a Boeing 777-200 with a C-3PO livery. The aircraft will initially be deployed on the Japanese…

HomeAway, the vacation rental site operated by Expedia, has formed a new partnership in Japan. The arrangement with Setouchi Brand Corporation is aimed at encouraging inbound tourism…

Best Western has signed three more hotels in Japan. The hotel group has secured agreements for the 105-room Best Western Osaka Tsukamoto and 60-room Best Western Sapporo Odori-Koen,…

The tourism boards of Japan and South Korea have teamed to create a series of new joint itineraries for Indian travellers. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Korea…

Bali gets another Chinese connection Where? Bali (Indonesia) to Chengdu (China) When? Three times a week, effective 22 May 2017 Who? Garuda Indonesia Why? Part of the Indonesian…

Marriott International has unveiled plans to bring its new lifestyle brand, Moxy Hotels, to Japan. The hotel giant has penned agreements for two Moxy properties in the country, which…

The Japanese National Tourist Office has launched targeted Middle Eastern packages in collaboration with Cathay Pacific Airlines. As part of its strategy to welcome travellers from the…

Tokyo has created a new tourist logo and slogan as it prepares for a sharp increase in international visitors arrivals. Revealed on Monday by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the new…

Mercure Bangkok Makkasan Location: Next to Makkasan station, the main downtown hub for Bangkok's Airport Rail Link Grade: Upper-midscale Keys: 180 Facilities: Outdoor pool with…

Marriott International has launched its midscale Four Points by Sheraton brand in Japan, with the opening of a new hotel on the northern island of Hokkaido. The Four Points by Sheraton…

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will exhibit at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) for the first time this year, as part of the country's aim to attract more visitors from…

A major new tourist attraction will open its doors in central Tokyo's Ginza district this week. Kyodo News reports that the brand new 19-storey commercial complex, Ginza Six, will…

Work has started on a major renovation of Tokyo Disneyland, as the park bids to expand its range of attractions and address declining visitor numbers. Jiji News reports that the JPY75…

Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo Location: Connected to Otemachi Station, in the main Marunouchi-Otemachi area of central Tokyo Grade: Luxury serviced residence Keys: 130, ranging from…

Japan's first outdoor Legoland theme park opened in Nagoya on Saturday. The new Legoland Japan features Lego replicas of several Japanese landmarks, including Tokyo Station, Kyoto's…

Best Western has launched its newest upscale brand, BW Premier Collection, in Japan. The former Best Western Premier Hotel Nagasaki has now been rebadged as the BW Premier Collection…

Thailand's Dusit International has formed a new joint venture that will allow it to expand across Japan. The hotel group has teamed up with Colours International, which operates the…

Indonesia AirAsia X, the long-haul low-cost carrier, will resume flights to destinations in the Asia Pacific region in May 2017. The airline is planning to launch a direct connection…

The secretary-general of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, met with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently, to discuss the country's tourism development…

Japan's national tourism board has set up its first office in Malaysia. The Japan National Tourism Organization's (JNTO) latest overseas office launched in Kuala Lumpur this month,…

New Macau charters for Cambodia Angkor Air Where? Sihanoukville (Cambodia) to Macau (China) When? Twice a week, effective immediately Who? Cambodia Angkor Air Why? New charter service…

EVA Air has unveiled the latest themed aircraft in its partnership with Japanese cartoon creator Sanrio. Following the previous roll-out of EVA's Hello Kitty jets, the Taiwanese carrier…

Hyatt will bring another of its hotel brands to Japan ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The company has penned a management agreement with Tokyo Bay Resort Development for a…

A premium travel service dedicated to the needs of golfers has launched in Japan. DUFL Golf's Japanese operations will launch in May 2017, providing a series of services for business…

The Japanese government has developed new regulations for home-sharing in the country, Bloomberg reports. While home-sharing companies such as Airbnb already do business in Japan, the…

Another direct Chinese connection between Bali and China Where? Fuzhou (China) to Denpasar (Indonesia) When? Daily, effective 26 March 2017 Who? Xiamen Airlines Why? Fujian province’s…

Tokyo’s Haneda Airport handled a record 80.1 million passengers last year. The airport's operator, Japan Airport Terminal Co, revealed on Friday (10 March 2017) that the full-year…

IATA has called on the Japanese government to prepare the country’s airport infrastructure for the 2020 Olympics. The country has set aggressive targets for increasing its international…

Thai Lion Air expands domestic network Where? Bangkok Don Mueang to Khon Kaen (both Thailand) When? Twice a day, effective 17 March 2017 Who? Thai Lion Air Why? Low-cost carrier…

ANA will paint one of its double-decker Airbus A380s to resemble a giant sea turtle, following a public competition. The Japanese airline chose the "Flying Honu" design, created by…

MSC Cruises has unveiled details of its first ever cruise to Japan. The new 28-night voyage from Dubai to Yokohama will depart on 31 March 2018, aboard the 3,900-passenger MSC…

China Eastern expands operations in Sapporo Where? Nanjing (China) to Sapporo, pictured (Japan) When? Twice a week, effective 26 March 2017 Who? China Eastern Airlines Why? Another new…

A South Korean airline has decided against launching flights to Japan's Fukushima Airport due to concerns over nuclear radiation. The Japan Times reports that Jeju Air was planning to…

Dubai's LCC adds Bangladeshi route Where? Dubai (UAE) to Sylhet (Bangladesh) When? Four times a week, effective 15 March 2017 Who? flydubai Why? Rising trade between two Islamic…

Japan's busiest airport, Tokyo Haneda, will continue to expand its international operations in the coming years, with the opening of Terminal 2 to overseas flights. At present,…

Princess Cruises has unveiled details of its bigger ever season of sailings in Japan. The cruise line's 2018 Japan programme will feature a record number of departures, with a total…

Jeju gets new budget service from Taiwan Where? Taipei (Taiwan) to Jeju, pictured (South Korea) When? Twice a day, effective 28 March 2017 Who? Tigerair Taiwan Why? Low-cost carrier…

Star Cruises is adding a series of longer voyages from Shanghai, allowing passengers to include Tokyo and Mount Fuji in their itineraries. The new seven-night, eight-day voyages will…

The national carriers of Japan and Taiwan will start codesharing on all every flight they operate between the two countries. Effective 21 February 2017, the partnership between Japan…

Singapore is targeting a rise in visitor arrivals from Japan, following the signing of a major new agreement with JTB Corp, Japan's largest travel agency. The Singapore Tourism Board…

Japan Airlines has confirmed that its newly-renovated lounge at Okinawa's Naha Airport will open on 28 February 2017. The new Sakura Lounge is located in the domestic area of the…

Japan Airlines has significantly increased its presence in Russia with the expansion of its codeshare agreement with S7, its Russian partner in the oneworld alliance. Effective today…

The starting fare for taxis in Tokyo has been significantly reduced. Previously, passengers were charged JPY730 (approx. US$6.40) for the first kilometre - well above the…

Dusit International has entered the next phase of its alliance with Japan's Prince Hotels, with the launch of a staff exchange programme this month. The companies first joined forces…

Japan Airlines will unveil its upgraded airport lounge at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport next month. Officially due to open on 1 March 2017, the new Sakura Lounge will have been…

Just weeks after it received permission to launch flights to the US, AirAsia has confirmed the details of its first ever route to the country. On 28 June 2017, the group's long-haul…

Prince Hotels has almost completed a major renovation of its flagship property, the Tokyo Prince Hotel. The hotel will reopen on 1 April 2017 following a project to upgrade all 462…

Officials in Osaka are moving forward with plans to turn a manmade island into a major leisure tourism and gaming hub, with the eventual aim of hosting the 2025 World Expo. The Japan…

The Japanese government has confirmed plans to upgrade the facilities at six of its ports, in an effort to take advantage of the Asian cruise boom. The Japan Times reported the…

Hard Rock International has launched a new division to support its expansion in Japan. The new Hard Rock Japan LLC will be headed up by CEO Edward Tracy, who previously led Sands…

Star Cruises has revealed plans to homeport one of its cruise ships in Shanghai this summer. From July to October 2017, the 75,300-tonne, the 13-deck SuperStar Virgo cruise ship will…

JAL will start offering free, unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi to passengers on its domestic routes. At present, the airline provides 15 minutes of free Wi-Fi per passenger, but this offer…

Japan's hotel sector experienced a steady increase in ADR (average daily rate) last year. According to the full-year data from STR, the country's ADR climbed 5.2% to JPY15,396…

He is, famously, fluent in over six million different forms of communication, and now he can fly! C-3PO, the golden protocol droid from the Star Wars moves, has been painted on one of…

ANA has announced plans to launch a third daily flight to Jakarta this summer. Commencing on 1 August 2017, the Japanese carrier will introduce a second daily service from Tokyo's…

Pakistan gets new pilgrimmage flights Where? Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to Multan (Pakistan) When? Four times a week, effective 1 April 2017 Who? Saudi Arabian Airlines Why? Trade and…