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Only a short walk from Osaka Station is the new Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda. The Canopy by Hilton brand follows a “neighborhood” concept, incorporating the local scenery and culture into its design and services. This new hotel location offers easy access to Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, the Umeda Sky Building, and more iconic sightseeing destinations. It highlights many unique aspects of Osaka, which can be seen in charming interiors throughout the hotel such as using “river blue” to represent Osaka, the “City of Water” and the “Takoyaki” octopus ball griddle-shaped light fixture in the entrance hall. The hotel is equipped with 308 modern rooms with wooden accents and natural tones that create inviting spaces, and 19 of these rooms can be connected. Guests who do not feel like venturing far for food need not fret, as the building hosts a cafe that faces a park, a bar & lounge with terrace, and an all-day dining with a design that was inspired by Osaka's local cityscape and culture.
Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda

 

2. The New Hilton Kyoto Blends the Traditional and Modern, Opening September 12
The new Hilton Kyoto is opening in the Kawaramachi Sanjo area of downtown Kyoto, popular with both tourists and locals alike due to its numerous restaurants and eateries serving up delicious local fare. It is in a neighborhood known for its charming townscape that blends traditional Japanese and modern aesthetics and is 15 minutes by car from Kyoto Station, allowing easy access to and around the city. With a design concept centered around “ORIMONO” (textiles), features that encapsulate the beauty of interwoven threads can be seen throughout the hotel. There are 313 guest rooms that feature traditional Japanese accents, bringing the beauty of the ancient city to the interior. The flora in the hotel's courtyard offers different scenery that changes with the seasons, and the breathtaking Kyoto cityscape can be enjoyed along with a drink at the rooftop bar.
Hilton Kyoto

 

3. Get Your Fill of Food and Shopping with the New Mitsui Garden Hotels Ginza Tsukiji, Opening September 30, Tokyo
The popular Ginza and Tsukiji areas in downtown Tokyo are frequented by both locals and tourists who are eager to enjoy good food and shopping while enjoying the city's unique blend of past and future. The new Mitsui Garden Hotels Ginza Tsukiji will be opening later this month right by Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple and the famous Tsukiji Outer Market, making it the perfect place for exploring the neighborhood's most iconic sightseeing spots and getting mouthwatering seafood dishes that Tsukiji is known for. It is also within walking distance from the glitzy Ginza shopping district, where you shop till you drop at high-end department stores, luxury brand retailers, and more. Each guest room is equipped with appliances such as microwaves, washer-dryers, and refrigerator-freezers. There are even rooms with work desks and kitchens, so the different types of rooms can accommodate a wide variety of guests, from single travelers to families and those looking for long-term lodging. The hotel also has facilities such as a gym, a large public bath, and a relaxation space, as well as a stylish restaurant and cafe that can be visited even if you are not staying at the hotel.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Tsukiji

 

4. Reserve the Spectacular View of Lake Toya from a New Luxury Hotel, Opening December, Hokkaido
The hot spring area of Toyako Onsen near the idyllic Lake Toya will soon become the home to the new BOUROU LAKE TOYA, a small luxury hotel opening in winter 2024. Approximately a 1.5-hour drive from New Chitose Airport, the 20-room hotel aims to offer its guests the epitome of Japanese hospitality, ensuring a luxurious stay in every aspect. Not only can guests explore the stunning nature of the nearby Lake Toya, but its beautiful blue waters can also be seen from the hotel itself, including from both guest rooms and an outdoor lounging area. The calm atmosphere offers an escape into the nature of Hokkaido. Guests who are interested in partaking in mindfulness practices will certainly enjoy meditating on the outdoor patio and indulging in the hotel's spa services. Reservations open in early September, so be one of the first to enjoy the hotel’s opportunities for “rest, relaxation, recreation, retreat, and release!”
BOUROU LAKE TOYA

 

5. Art in a Mountainous Setting at the Northern Alps Art Festival, September 13 – November 4, Nagano
The Northern Alps Art Festival features works by artists from both Japan and abroad. Located among the 3,000-meter-high peaks of the Northern Alps in northwestern Nagano Prefecture, visitors can enjoy thought-provoking art exhibits while basking in the picturesque nature of the region, which this year's concept is based on. The site-specific art installations are divided up among five different areas around the city based on their characteristics, utilizing the unique characteristics of their locations and creating eye-catching pieces that simultaneously blend in with their surroundings. The rich nature further emphasizes the effects of the pieces, as the sounds of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and rushing water can be heard while observing the art. There are also weekend performances held during the festival. Tickets for the Northern Alps Art Festival are now available for purchase, so check the official site for more information.
Northern Alps Art Festival

 

6. Dynamic Dance Performances That Mix Tradition and Modernity at the Dream Yosacoy Matsuri, November 2 – 3, Tokyo
The Dream Yosacoy Matsuri is a lively dance festival held in the Odaiba and Marunouchi areas in Tokyo. During the festival, dozens of dance groups clad in vibrantly colored costumes move and sway along to songs that incorporate both traditional and modern elements, and several dance groups include performers who provide live music with traditional Japanese instruments. Many groups also accessorize their performances with massive flags that create flowing backdrops for their dynamic movements. The festival has even been held overseas in New York, Singapore, and Malaysia, acting as one of Japan’s representative dance festivals. It is a wonderful way to enjoy captivating dance performances and witness an impeccable blend of traditional and contemporary culture. There are paid seats at the Odaiba venue that allow you to view the performances from up close.
Dream Yosacoy Matsuri (Dance Festival)
  *The website will be updated by the end of September.

7. Watch a Parade of Awe-Inspiring Festival Floats at the Karatsu Kunchi, November 2 – 4, Saga　
The Karatsu Kunchi is the largest festival in Saga Prefecture, with a history that dates back approximately 400 years. Recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, the festival is known for its massive, striking "hikiyama" floats that represent creatures from Japanese mythology and folklore, traditional armor, and more. The tallest measure around 7 meters in height and are decorated with lacquer and gold and silver leaf. It is said that they can take up to 2 to 3 years to complete, and currently, the oldest surviving hikiyama is over 200 years old. These stunning works of art are paraded through the old castle town along with the reverberating sounds of traditional “taiko” drums, flutes, and bells. Each day of the festival offers a new spectacle, including the hikiyama being illuminated by lanterns on the first day and lion dances on the second, entertaining the locals and the tens of thousands of visitors who come to witness the festivities.
Karatsu Kunchi

 

8. Tokyo Will Become a Contemporary Art Haven During Art Week Tokyo, November 7 – 10
Art Week Tokyo is an annual contemporary art event that showcases and celebrates contemporary art scenes from all around the world. This year, 53 institutions and galleries across the city will participate, hosting exhibitions, symposiums, and other contemporary art-related events including multilingual talks. The event can be enjoyed by people of all ages, as there are also workshops open for children. There will even be a free “AWT Bus” service available, connecting the different venues and making it easy to visit the different spaces and various unique experiences provided during the art festival. The pop-up “AWT Bar” designed by an innovative architect will also appear during the festival, serving food by an up-and-coming chef and cocktails created by select artists. Those who want to take a piece from the festival home with them should also certainly visit “AWT Focus,” an exhibit where all the artworks on display are for sale.
Art Week Tokyo

 

9. Make Your Own Traditional Japanese "Washi" Paper, Ehime
"Washi" is a traditional Japanese paper with a history of about 1,400 years. Made with the same traditional materials since ancient times, washi is known for its durability and pliability, making it perfect for preserving old materials such as books and artworks. Uchiko, Ehime Prefecture is particularly known for its washi, and with this experience, you can try your hand at making this beautiful Japanese craft. To start, you will visit the factory to learn about and watch the masterful techniques of the skilled washi craftsmen. Afterwards, with English guidance, you will be led through the steps of washi papermaking, and you can even use the washi paper you just made to create the covers of your own one-of-a-kind notebook that you can use and treasure for the rest of your life. In addition to the paper-making experience, this tour will also bring you to an origami vending machine and the Ikazaki Kite Museum to fully appreciate the wonders of Japanese paper. This is a wonderful opportunity to interact with friendly locals while learning about a treasured Japanese craft.
Washi and Paper craft Tour

 

10. Quintessentially Japanese Scenery and Culture in the Kunisaki Peninsula, Oita
The Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture is home to bountiful nature and traditional culture that paint vivid images of ancient Japan. A tour through this region will allow you to delve into the wonders of the pristine Japanese countryside, including exploring untouched natural sceneries such as the Minemichi Long Trail where “Shugendo” (mountain asceticism) practitioners once traveled, visiting historical shrines and temples including Fuki-ji Temple, and interacting with hospitable locals while learning how to make local cuisine. In addition to spending time in the great outdoors, interactive activities such as traditional craft workshops and tasting delectable local cuisine offer deep insight into the relatively unexplored Japan. Such areas and experiences are perfect for those looking to get off the beaten path and provide unforgettable memories for a one-of-a-kind Japan trip.
Experience Primeval Nature and the Traditional Way of Life in Kunisaki Peninsula

 

11. Get Your Super Early Bird EXPO2025 Ticket Now!
The opening of EXPO2025 OSAKA KANSAI, JAPAN is fast approaching, and under the slogan "EXPO2025 in your pocketbook," we are asking you to plan your visit to the EXPO2025 as soon as possible. Have you already made your plans to visit the EXPO2025?
There are a wide variety of tickets available for the EXPO2025, but we recommend the "One-Day Ticket - Super Early Bird Ticket," which will be on sale until October 6 of this year. This ticket has the following two major advantages:
(1) Get a 20% discount – A one-day ticket that is normally priced at 7,500 yen during the event period can be purchased for 6,000 yen
(2) Get an extra lottery entry – Receive one more entry than other tickets for the special lottery for admission to the most popular pavilions (held from 9/25 to 10/6 this year)
At present, there are three ways to purchase EXPO2025 tickets:
1. Direct purchase from the Exposition Association's official website
2. Direct purchase from the Ticket Department of the Exposition Association
(large purchases of 100 tickets or more per case from companies and organizations)
3. Purchase through a travel agency
There are many types of Expo tickets, and the reservation system may seem like a hassle, but in fact it is not.
By making reservations, the waiting time at the EXPO site could be greatly reduced.
For more information, please visit the official website.
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/tickets-index/information/

 

Notes:
・ The above details are correct as of the time of publication, and are subject to change.
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