News
Hopper Technology Solutions sees a great business opportunity in partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Card ‘V Trip’
Travel Voice interviewed Raphael Lanfant, HTS Vice President, APAC & META, who attended WiT Japan 2026. He talked about the partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Card's loyalty program ‘V Trip.'
Searches of summer retreat destinations sharply increase among Japanese travelers to avoid unusual heat
Searches of summer retreat destinations in Japan for the latter half of the summer in 2026 have been increasing among Japanese Agoda users.
Japan National Tourism Organization appeals Japan’s original wellness contents in the growing US market
JNTO recognizes it is notable that family travelers with kids from long-haul source markets, especially from US, have recently been increasing.
60% of luxury cruise passengers participate in local tours at ports of call, with high-priced tours being preferred among inbound travelers
The average participation rate for optional tours at ports of call in Japan was 60% for "luxury and expedition ships-class" ships, exceeding the 20% rate of "causal and premium ships -class" ships.
Discretion for short-term rental by local government is extended in Japan with new ‘zero-day rule’ and ‘mandatory of digital management’
New directions for short-term rental (STR) was notified to local governments, allowing them to regulate ‘zero-day rule (location restriction)' and ' ICT management.'
JAL and Marriott form a strategic partnership for the loyalty programs to provide members with benefits reciprocally
JAL and Marriott International sighed a strategic partnership for their loyalty programs of Marriott Bonvoy and JAL Mileage Bank (JMB).
Spending in Japan by international visitors amounted to 2.5 trillion yen for Q2 of 2026
Spending by international visitors for the second quarter of 2026 (April to June) increased by 0.2% year on year to 2.5 trillion yen. US topped the list with 384.8 billion yen.
International arrivals in Japan were down 6.8% in June 2026, while record-high were seen 15 source markets
The number of international arrivals in Japan in June 2026 was down 6.8% year on year to 3,148,600, arrivals from 15 source markets were record-high for June.
APA HOTEL, a Japanese hotel operator, accelerates its business in North America with acquisition of a luxury hotel in LA
APA HOTEL acquired Kimpton La Peer in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, through APA Hotel USA, having a goal to increase available rooms in foreign countries to 10,000 by March 2031.
Spending on local activities in Japan by international travelers accounts for just 5% of the total
‘Tabinka Summit 2026,' an event to discuss how activity operators can earn more money, showed that spending on local activities in Japan by international travelers accounts for just 5% of the total.
High-end private compartment class on Tokaido Shinkansen was unveiled before offered on October 1 2026
JR Tokai unveiled ‘Supreme Class,’ an upper class beyond the current ‘Green Class,’ which will be available on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen between Tokyo and Hakata.
Narita Airport will be enhanced to 500,000 aircraft movements and a capacity of 75 million passengers a year
Narita is enhancing the airport functions to increase aircraft movements to 500,000 times a year, which are expected to increase capacities to 75 million passengers.
Japan Association of Travel Agents is rebuilding two-way tourism under new leadership, aiming at 20 million or more Japanese outbound travelers
Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) launched its new executive team in June 2026. They are rebuilding two-way tourism with a goal of 20 million or more Japanese outbound travelers.
‘SAGAWA Hand-Free Travel’ in Japan extends the leaving baggage location to a bank in Kyoto
Sagawa Express is trying to extend the leaving baggage locations for ‘SAGAWA Hand-Free Travel’ service to banks in cities. The first bank location is MUFG Kyoto branch.
The first Hyatt luxury brand ‘Alila’ in Japan will open in Sengokuhara Hakone in 2028
Hyatt luxury brand ‘Alila’ will open in Sengokuhara Hakone in 2028. ‘Alila Sengokuhara Hakone’ will be the first Alila in Japan.
Airbnb Japan prioritizes an increase in Japanese guests to contribute to disperse them to local areas
New Airbnb Japan Representative Director Shintaro Nakagawa talked about the strategy in the Japanese market, prioritizing to raise awareness of the brand in Japan to increase Japanese users.
Japanese travelers in this summer holiday season are estimated to reduce by 5% to 71.2 million - JTB forecast
The number of Japanese travelers in this summer holiday season (July 15 to August 31 2026) is estimated to reduce by 4.6% year on year to 71.2 million, according to JTB.
Visa fee for foreigners to Japan rises by five times to 15,000 yen for single validity and 30,000 yen for multiple validity
Visa fee for foreigners to Japan rose by five times to 15,000 yen for single validity and to 30,000 yen for multiple validity on a yen basis.
Awaji Island and Kobe City jointly promote gastronomy tourism with a goal to triple international guests
Awaji Island Tourist Association and Kobe Tourism Bureau in Hyogo Prefecture encourage tourists to stay there longer by offering local tourism experiences.
Japan Times selects Uchiko, Ehime Prefecture as a valuable region in Japan to be introduced to the world
Japan Times selected Uchiko in Ehime Prefecture in ‘The Japan Times Destination Region 2026’ project to introduce valuable regions in Japan to the world.
