Tour operators stretch the boundaries in Japan

NEW YORK -- Although Japan remains largely undiscovered beyond the major cities for most travelers and underutilized by tour operators, there are signs that the barriers are beginning to break.

As familiar as Japan is to Americans through its exported products, culture and arts, packaged travel has been limited almost entirely to the urban centers of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.

Many of the packages on the market combine Japan with China and other Asian countries so that few dedicate more than a few days to the entire country of Japan.

But some operators now are venturing into new areas and new styles of travel in Japan. A sample of some of the new programs follows:

The operator will fashion tours based on other aspects of Japanese culture by request.Prices for 2002 are now being formulated. Call Absolute Asia (800) 736-8187 for reservations.

The program will include some of the elements Asia Transpacific Journeys considers its trademarks, such as home and village visits, walking itineraries and journeys off the beaten path. Rates have not been set. For reservations, call (800) 642-2742.

Walking routes include the merchant quarters of Takayama and geisha houses in Kanazawa. The itinerary includes cycling on the Noto Peninsula, hiking in Yamanaka and excursions into the countryside and remote harbors.

An optional two-day extension in Kyoto is available. The price for 2001 is $6,750 per person, double. Call Butterfield & Robinson at (800) 678-1147 to book.

The From Farmhouse to Tea House itinerary visits Tokyo, Gunmaken Onsen, Niigata, Nagano, Yadanaka, Kiso Valley, Takayama, Northern Givuken and Kyoto.

The Brushes with Inner Japan tour focuses on contemporary arts and crafts with visits to Tokyo, Izu Peninsula, Mie-ken, Koyasan, Kurashiki, Shikoku and Kyoto.

Both programs are priced at $4,485, per person, double, land only. Call (800) 527-2612 to book.

The land-only price starts from $9,995 per person, double. For reservations, call (800) 992-2003. The Web site is at www.travcoa.com.

The land-only price is $4,165 per person, double. To book, call (800) 763-5987 or visit www.ushotairballoon.com.

Japan tourism effort gets boost

NEW YORK -- The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) is trying to counter what officials said they see as a trade deficit in tourism between the U.S. and Japan.

According to Takeshi Kibe, executive president of the JNTO, 5 million Japanese visited the U.S. last year, including the mainland, Hawaii and Guam. Fewer than 800,000 visited Japan from the U.S.

But the effort to boost tourism to Japan is getting some help from changes in factors that have held it back in the past.

While Japan is one of the most familiar Far Eastern countries to Americans, as the major financial capital of the East, it has been more expensive than many Southeast Asian countries, which has caused tour operators to favor China, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam.

In 1995, the value of the yen reached 80 per dollar, making Japan extremely pricey. In the summer of 1998, however, the yen dropped in value to 140 per dollar. In recent months, it has hovered around 115 yen to the dollar, still low enough to make a trip to Japan relatively affordable.

Another boost was an interair agreement between the U.S. and Japan in January 1999. It opened the market previously dominated by United and Northwest airlines to increased coverage by American, Delta and Continental. The result was greater availability and more competitive prices.

Tour operators who backed off when prices were high are looking back to Japan with a friendlier eye now. Some new tour products are appearing on the market that offer creative ways to take travelers beyond the standard introductory packages to Tokyo.

Study program highlights lesser-known destinations

TOKYO -- The Japan National Tourist Organization recently sent several tour operators and agents who book groups on a study tour to introduce them to possibilities for tours beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

The tour concentrated on the Seto inland sea area in the southwestern part of Japan, including two districts (prefectures) on Japan's main island of Honshu and one on a smaller island to the south, Shikoku. Included were Hiroshima City, Yamaguchi City, Hagi City, Matsuyama and Miyajima and Omishima islands. The entire area has been largely neglected by U.S. tour operators.

Highlights included museums, shrines, temples, spas, a cave, ancient castles and Samurai residences. Participants said the trip gave them new possibilities for building tours to the area.

"Of course you realize life exists beyond the major cities," said Donald Wheat of Bellinger Davis/Pro Travel in New York, "but you don't realize the extent of the possibilities that exist, especially for the kinds of trips we put together that focus on the arts and culture."

Angela Muldoon of San Diego-based Japan & Orient Tours said the tour gave her "a lot of ideas for progams we could do in the future."

"If the land operator gives us what we want, we'll be able to sell more Japan."

Iweeta McIntosh, president of McIntosh Tours in Dallas, said, "In the past Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara were about as far as we could go. But if we introduced Hiroshima and a side trip to one of the islands like Miyajima, some of our folks might be ready for that."