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Agents are preparing new products for Japan’s off season (December to February) to maximise on the rapid recovery of the country’s inbound tourism market and ease operational challenges caused by extremes of high and low numbers of visitors throughout the year.

In addition to promoting snow sports, which the Japan Tourism Agency has named a “key tourism activity” that can increase spending and time spent in regional areas, tourism stakeholders are developing other outdoor activities and experiences.

DMC Discova is creating new sake brewery tours and local food excursions for winter in Shinkansen-accessible snow destinations such as Nagano and Niigata prefectures.

“As Japan’s inbound tourism business has been densely populated in the peak cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons, it has been causing some operational burdens for our partner agencies and internal operations.

Discova Japan is trying to spread demand throughout the four seasons by developing and providing low season products,” said Olivia Yeji Jeung, country manager, Japan for Discova.

The company is “expecting a new product line-up for winter to bridge until next year’s cherry blossoms pop up”, she said, adding that “diversification in areas and activities is the key to success for 2024 and even upcoming 2025”.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau is inviting inbound travellers to “venture beyond the city to the resort area of eternal springtime” on the Izu archipelago, which is part of Tokyo but typically enjoys temperature of 12-14 degrees Celsius from December to February.

Rakuten Travel Experiences is offering two experiences on Kozushima island – stargazing with a high-tech telescope and hiking on Mount Tenjo.
 

 

 
Venue : Kanze Noh Theater
When: Aug 19th - Aug 25th 2024

Regarded as one of Japan’s greatest forms of classical performing arts, Noh is a type of theater popularized during the Muromachi Period (1336-1568) that tells stories through music, dance, ornate costumes, and drama. Typically these plays are based on traditional Japanese literature and legends.

Experience this elegant artform firsthand during Tokyo Ginza Noh Week! Held from August 19-25, 2024 at Kanze Noh Theater, this immersive event features rare and exclusive experiences you cannot find elsewhere.

The theater is located in the heart of Tokyo’s trendy Ginza area on the third floor of shopping complex GINZA SIX, making it an exceptional and convenient way to elevate your itinerary. Tickets are sold at the door.

English-speaking Noh actors are stationed throughout the event, there is an interpreter in the lobby, and signs and descriptions have English translations, so you do not need to worry about language barriers!

Learn more about the event’s offerings below, and check out the end of the article for special information about guided Ginza tours.


Workshop with Kanze Noh Performers

 

This 45-minute workshop is one of the highlights of Tokyo Ginza Noh Week and is held twice a day at 3pm and 6pm in the facility’s theater room. During the workshop, Kanze Noh performers and English interpreters will present information about the history of Noh and its iconic costumes and masks.

After the lecture, they will lead the crowd through common Noh exercises, such as vocal training and acting practice. The workshop truly stimulates both your mind and body! After the workshop, you can take photos with Noh actors in the lobby.


Noh Mask Experience

 

The event’s most exclusive offering is its Noh Mask Experience, which allows participants to wear authentic masks that were once used on stage. Normally, these masks are solely handled by performers and authorized personnel. The event has a selection of roughly 30 masks that represent characters such as women, old men, demons, and spirits.


Noh Masks and Costumes Exhibition

 

This exhibition allows you to admire traditional embroidery and Noh designs up close. The masks and costumes on display are still used in performances today, and the oldest pieces are roughly 100 years old!


Movie: "Kanze Noh Theater Backstage Tour"

 

Only Noh performers can enter the theater’s backstage area. Through the “Kanze Noh Theater Backstage Tour” movie, you can learn about this unseen part of Noh. The movie has English subtitles.


Event Shop with Limited-edition Goods

 

The Event Shop sells goods from Kanze Noh Theater’s souvenir shop, such as t-shirts and bags. It also offers items exclusive to Tokyo Ginza Noh Week, including Noh and Snoopy collaboration products, as well as Noh-imprinted senbei (rice crackers).


Noh Costume Demonstration (planned implementation)

 

Watch how a Noh performer would dress for the stage. The costumes used for this rare demonstration are for the famous Noh play Hagoromo, which tells the tale of a celestial maiden.

*Please note that the theater plans to implement this activity but has not confirmed it yet.


Guided Ginza Tours!

 

During the duration of the event, you can join two guided Ginza tours in English to further experience the charm of the area. The Discover Ginza Tour includes tea and dessert in Ginza, one hour at Kanze Noh Theater, and Tokyo sightseeing from Ginza Six’s Rooftop Garden. The Ginza Highlights Tour offers a one-hour experience at Kanze Noh Theater and an introduction to the Ginza area.
 

In Nintendo's recent financial earnings report released in May 2024, the company confirmed the Nintendo Museum will finally be opening this autumn in Kyoto's Uji City.

Originally scheduled to open by the end of Spring 2024, it is understood now that the main construction (at the site of a former Nintendo factory) is finally complete and a launch officially on the horizon for autumn 2024—albeit the exact date is under wraps for now.

You can see more about the construction from this September 2023 update:
The musuem is expected to celebrate Nintendo's vast video game history, spanning consoles, games and a whole lot more.

As the creator of many franchises like Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, and Pokémon, there is understandably a lot of excitement with regards to what exhibitions, displays and experiences visitors can expect to see, but otherwise are not yet announced.
 

Why is it located in Uji?

The museum's site in Uji City is that of Nintendo's former Uji Ogura Plant, which since 1969 used to be a production base during its trading card days, as well later being used for video game console and toy repairs.

The site's operations were eventually merged into another larger Uji plant, leaving the future of the current site, which carries a bit of Nintendo history, under review until the Nintendo Museum ('Nintendo Gallery') plans were eventually unveiled in 2021.

The location can be reached (when it opens) in a short 30-min journey by train from Kyoto Station to the north. Uji is known for its matcha green tea history and production and also home to Byodo-in Temple.

Visiting the museum will make sense for Nintendo fans already stopping by USJ Osaka's Super Nintendo World, which opened to fanfare back in 2021.
 
 

 
Venue: Yutagawa Onsen Plum Garden When: Mar 30th - Mar 31st 2024
The popular Yamagata hot springs town of Yutagawa Onsen has many good reasons to visit, and if you're a flower lover the Yutagawa Onsen Bairin (plum grove) Park is a lovely destination during spring.

The park comes alive with the color of around 300 plum trees blooming in reds and whites, with a picturesque view of the onsen town below.

An annual festival takes place at the park during the blooming season, and it's typically held around late March or early April depending on weather conditions. Along with the bounty of blossoms to enjoy, there are usually a number of booths selling various eats and drinks.

Admission to the event itself is free, but bring yen if you plan on buying food or beverages.

 

Getting there

Yutagawa Onsen Bairin Park can be accessed in around 30 minutes by bus bound for Yutagawa Onsen from JR Tsuruoka Station.

For those who opt to drive, the park is around 10 minutes from Tsuruoka IC on the Yamagata Expressway, or around the same travel time from Tsuruoka Nishi IC on the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway. On-site parking is available for approximately 50 vehicles.
 
 

Venue: Samukawa Central Park When: Sunday - Feb 25th 2024

Curries are hugely popular in many places around the globe thanks to their rich, diverse flavors and versatility. The first-ever Samukawa Curry Festival is set to celebrate not just Japanese curry, but various curry types from other parts of the world including Thailand, Indonesia, and India.

Close to 20 different vendors will be present at the event, serving up everything from Massaman and Keema curry to Indonesian coconut curry and even the Japanese on-the-go favorite of kare pan (curry bread).
There is no admission fee to attend, but bring yen if you'll be doing some food sampling.
 

Getting there

The event takes place at Samukawa Central Park which is located around 15 minutes on foot from Samukawa Station.
 
 

Venue: Hojo Park When: Saturday - Mar 2nd 2024
 
Miyoshi Nagayoshi was a prominent Japanese samurai and military strategist who once ruled over seven provinces of the modern-day Kansai region. Since 2016, Osaka's Daito City has been hosting the Miyoshi Nagayoshi Warrior Parade to honor this historical figure, and it starts and finishes at Hojo Park. Along with parade participants dressed up in traditional attire, there will be plenty of other activities providing fun for the whole family.

Music performances, sword-fighting displays, sales of local produce, and even a castle-themed bounce house for the kids are just some of the options for attendees to check out on the day. You can get an idea of what to expect from last year's event via the video below:

https://youtu.be/FQqQFOCiq3E

There is no fee to enjoy the atmosphere of the event, but bring yen if you plan on making any purchases.
 

Getting there

Hojo Park can be accessed in under 10 minutes on foot from Shijonawate Station, which is served by the Katamachi Line.
 
 

Venue: Mount Miune, Nara When: Jan 20th - Feb 18th 2024
 
Rime ice is a natural phenomenon that occurs when supercooled water droplets freeze upon contact with surfaces, creating delicate ice formations.

It's commonly seen on trees, fences, and other objects, and provides a frosty, ethereal appearance. One place to see rime ice in Japan is near the summit of Nara's Mount Miune, and they're holding the Mount Miune Rime Ice Festival to celebrate.

The event will be held on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from January 20th (Saturday) to February 18th (Sunday), and along with the beautiful rime ice to appreciate there will be sales of local products, mountain summit commemorative cards to be issued, and onsen discount coupons handed out – the perfect way to warm up after your visit, perhaps!

Getting there

The mountain area can be reached in approximately an hour by bus (Kirihi Bus) from Kintetsu Haibara Station, but please note that reservations are required.

For those who are driving, please ensure your vehicle is equipped with winter tires.
 

Attention all Detective Conan fans!

In a collaboration between the Tottori Prefecture Government and the JR West Company/ Chizu Express Ltd, the Detective Conan X Limited Express Super Hakuto Special Train began operations on 3rd December 2023 out of Tottori Prefecture on the JR Sanin Line/ Chizukyuko Railway Line.

As its name suggests, this version of Tottori’s flagship train service is decorated from head to toe in special Detective Conan livery. At the train's launch ceremony held at Kurayoshi Station in Tottori Prefecture, the eye-catching makeover garnered more than a few appreciative ‘Oohs’ and ‘Ahhs’ from an adoring crowd that braved a light drizzle to see Conan launch his eponymous train.

The exterior of the Detective Conan Ver. Train is embellished with pictures of Conan, Ran, Haibara, and Rei/Amuro, amongst other beloved characters. The most heartwarming illustration has to be the group shot of Conan and the Junior Detectives league peering out at visitors through the window. The inside of the train is also decked out with Detective Conan designs, from headrest covers to sliding doors. In one carriage, panels from the original manga series adorn the windows.

Even the toilet car is fully decorated with Conan motifs. Each of the six carriages have slightly different features, giving visitors unique experiences as they move from one train car to the next.

The Detective Conan X Limited Express Super Hakuto Special Train commemorates the 30th anniversary of the serialization of the Detective Conan manga, one of Japan’s most famous manga/anime series with a massive global fanbase. Today, Detective Conan spans more than 100 tankobon volumes and 1,000 anime episodes and continues to serialize in the Weekly Shonen Sunday.

The special decor was unveiled at a celebratory moment in Detective Conan history, but also heralds exciting times ahead for Kansai and Tottori prefectures in the next few years.

A very full calendar of upcoming events:

• 30th Anniversary of the Limited Express Super Hakuto Special Train in December 2024

• Opening of Tottori Prefectural Art Museum in March 2025
• Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai in October 2025
• Renewal opening of the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory in 2027

Undoubtedly, the new Detective Conan livery on the flagship Limited Super Hakuto fleet is both a symbolic and literal first step in taking advantage of the aforementioned milestones, with the goals of attracting more foreign and domestic travelers and increasing tourism activity between Tottori and Kansai. JR West Company's Sanin Branch General Manager Shouichi Saeki expressed similar hopes at the opening ceremony.

He hopes that the Detective Conan X Limited Express Super Hakuto Special Train will “increase tourism ridership within Tottori prefecture, increasing attractiveness of the prefecture and as a result, above all else, revitalize the towns and areas along the railway lines”.

The Detective Conan X Limited Express Super Hakuto Special Train Project will run from now until the end of 2025, coinciding with the closing of Expo 2025 in Osaka. Tickets for reserved seating can be made up to one month in advance of the departure date. The Detective Conan Ver. Train embarks on three trips daily between Kurayoshi Station and Kyoto Station.

The Detective Conan Ver. Train runs as part of the Limited Express Super Hakuto fleet that operates six round trips a day.

So, the timing of rare Conan-themed trains differs from day to day. Please check the timetable and plan your trips carefully so you do not miss out on riding the specially designed Detective Conan Ver. Train! The train timetables will be published about one month in advance on the Tottori Prefecture official website. The timetable for December to January is linked below : https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/secure/1337056/202312202401_hakutoconan_timetable_00.pdf
 

Getting there

The train runs Between Kurayoshi station, Tottori and Kyoto Station in Kyoto
.
Major stations on the train line include Tottori, Chizu, Himeji, Sannomiya, Osaka, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto.
 
 

Venue: Marine Messe Fukuoka When: Dec 22nd - Dec 25th 2023

The multi-day Fukuoka Mobility Show (rebranded from the Fukuoka Motor Show) serves to highlight the future of transportation and its possibilities.

A total of 45 different car and motorcycle manufacturers will be exhibiting at the event, showcasing the latest vehicles and concept cars from both domestic and foreign companies.

Along with the wide variety of vehicles on display, the event also includes vehicle-based talks, test-drives, and even child-friendly go-karting experiences.

This is a ticketed event, with adult admission priced at 1800 JPY (1600 JPY for advance tickets), and university student admission priced at 1200 JPY (1000 JPY for advance tickets). Admission is free for high school students and younger.

 

Getting there

Marine Messe Fukuoka is located approximately 15 minutes on foot from Gofukumachi Station, which is served by the Fukuoka City Subway's Hakozaki Line.

Alternatively, buses are available to the venue from JR Hakata Station – the ride takes around 15 minutes.
 
 

Eat now! The owner barked. I looked at him sheepishly, my attention darting between the exquisite marzipan like floral creation and his eyes, torn as to whether to obey his command, or to look away, mesmerised by this miniature sculpture.

Before that abrupt moment, I was in my own world, thinking of where I can source a cup on hot green tea to cut through the rich, bean paste texture of this Japanese dessert called wagashi. Now I had nowhere to hide, sitting in plain sight on the front row, with only the counter separating me from the master’s voice.

My mind had drifted to the taste of the first harvest, when I was brought back to earth by his voice… “Not here” he softened, but “eat it today”, such was his passion for wagashi to be eaten at its best.
 

A Family History

Since 1909, the same family has been making and perfecting wagashi, with the grandfather Masao Takada being the first artisan to create a sweet potato wagashi in 1928, having discovered it at a Western confectionery store. The father then took over the business until he was unable to use his left hand from a stroke in 1970.

The hand techniques are so important to wagashi making that scientists dissect the hand movements of these experienced chefs, and so his son took over at age of 18. His lifelong dedication bore fruit with an award and recognition from the Imperial family.

 

Wagashi and Sakai

Wagashi is as synomous to Sakai, as the first harvest of Gyokoro tea is to Uji or Shizouka. While these sweets were originally limited to the aristocracy, they became more popular when they were married with tea in the tea ceremony, where the sweetness of this dessert was thought to be a perfect complement to the astringent yet savory taste of tea.

Since then, wagashi has made its way into the milestones of life, from weddings to funerals, as well as the passing of the seasons.

The motto of Minoya (literally meaning the house of beauty) is that we deliver the taste of good old Japan regardless of the waves ot time, and a neighbour remembers marking his graduation with some red and white manju, recalling a light sweetness that even his family, who don't like red bean paste, can enjoy.

Confectioneries in Sakai and nearby Kishiwada produce original sweets that change according to the season, as well as sweets that are available everyday.
 

The making of Wagashi and its ingredients

These days when I eat mass produced confectionery, the wrapping comes with a warning that it “may contain traces of tree nuts”.

In a large industrial facility, you can accidentally have traces of nuts, but in the olden times, sweets were hand made in small batches, so the chance of accidental ingredients were much lower.

At those times, they deliberartely sourced what was locally available, including nuts, grains, and beans. So there could be nuts in Wagashi, but it is there on purpose, not by accident. Peanuts are not usually used as an ingredient, but you are more likely to get soya or red beans.

The signature baked sweet potato is light, sourced from farms with a sandy soil, and covered in a light and flaky pastry with egg yolk and butter. It is best eaten within 7 days, so it is a good idea to buy some as souvenirs on the way to Kansai Airport. The store is open from 9am to 7pm Tue to Sat.
 

Vegan and Lactose Free Pleasures

It is amazing that most of these desserts are vegan, you wonder how they make it so delicious without milk, cream, or eggs.

Actually, Japan was isolated for many years, and western diets such as sugar, eggs and milk was not introduced for many centuries (let alone chocolate, sourced from another kind of bean).

So they were able to exalt such humble ingredients such as grains, nuts, beans and the sweet potato to great heights. They were unhindered by other ingredients, so they perfected what they had.

 

Location of the Store and Kitchen

Minoya is located in an non descript street, between an appliance store and the Hana okonomiyaki. Yet it is just a few meters away from Kishu Kaido, Japan’s oldest known highway.

While overlooked by the shinkansen, this road carried merchants and pilgrims from times past, when Sakai was at the end of the Maritime Silk Road.

At the Sakai Festival, you can see silk screens that testify to the wealth of these merchants. It is said that before Osaka, there was Sakai, and before Kyoto, there was Nara.

We owe our pleasures to artisans like Minoya, that we can enjoy the same delights as the aristocrats of old.

 

Getting there

Sakai is less than 30 minutes south of Tennoji on the train or tram, between Osaka and Kansai Airport. It is a 7 min walk from Nankai Suwanomori Station