TORONTO — Japan has plenty of reasons to celebrate these days.

Voted the number one country to visit – as per the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards – is just one of them.

Japan is also experiencing a significant increase in Canadian visitors, with a 40% rise in numbers as of September. And the enthusiasm of Canadians for travel to Japan is not slowing down anytime soon.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) hosted an event at the Japanese Cultural Centre in Toronto on earlier this week, welcoming travel professionals, tour operators and media. 

The event’s focus was to underscore their travel partners’ importance.

“This is my first opportunity to meet so many of you in person. I am truly honoured to be here with such a great group of professionals,” said Yuka Suzuki, Canada’s newly appointed JNTO executive director.

“This achievement would not have been possible without everyone here,” she added.

The evening included a mini trade show, greetings and updates from the JNTO, Consul-General of Japan, Tokyo Tourism and East Japan Railway Company, followed by dinner and entertainment. Other suppliers at the event included Air Canada, Japan Airlines, AYABEX Inc, IACE Travel, Japan World Tours, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, New Otani Hotels, TravelBrands and West Japan Railway Company.

The Toronto event followed a successful SITV travel show in Montreal the previous weekend. 

Among Japan’s increasingly recognized attributes – culture, dialed-in food scene and rich history – JNTO sent a clear message encouraging Canadians to venture beyond the trifecta of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, which currently accounts for 51% of visitation.

 “We want visitors to get off the beaten path and discover other regions our country offers,” said Suzuki. “Japan has something for everyone!”

The tagline ‘Delve Deeper,’ prominently displayed at the event, will guide JNTO’s tourism theme moving forward.

Some of Japan’s other regions, particularly the Seto Inland Sea, are not to be overlooked. This unique area boasts a Mediterranean climate and serves as the body of water that separates Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu – the three major islands of the Japanese archipelago.

Additionally, the sea is home to over 700 islands, with Kyushu especially renowned for its outdoor adventures.

For Canadians eager to check Japan off their travel bucket list, now is an excellent time to visit. A weakened yen, bolstered flights and the upcoming Expo in Osaka, Kansai, scheduled for 2025, make it an ideal opportunity. 

The evening’s celebratory mood got an extra boost with gift prizes, hotel night giveaways and airline tickets awarded by the suppliers, Japan Airlines and Air Canada, all presented with lively fanfare.

EASY AIRLINE ACCESS 

Getting Canadians to Japan is becoming increasingly convenient.

Japan Airlines offers daily connectivity from Vancouver and nine gateways throughout the U.S.

Soon, Japan Airlines will introduce its newest aircraft, the A350, which will provide flights from New York and Dallas with enhanced comforts such as quieter cabins, new seating and personalized services.  

International passengers can also benefit from complimentary domestic flights through JL’s Discover Japan program.

 Air Canada also offers direct flights from Toronto to Osaka three times a week, with the frequency of flights from Vancouver to Osaka set to increase from four to six times weekly. This is in addition to AC’s direct routes from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to Tokyo.

For more information about Japan visit www.japan.travel/en/ca and www.GoTokyo.org/en/.