Agents head back to Japan with JNTO

To celebrate Japan’s borders reopening in October, JNTO has whisked agents away to gain firsthand knowledge of the incredible destination.

Working with Linkd Tourism to craft the perfect itineraries, JNTO hosted five separate fam trips through Kyushu, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Tokyo and Kansai throughout November.

Last week, JNTO business development manager Sally Miles hosted seven luxury agents for an all-inclusive 6-day luxury famil through Tokyo, Ise Shima, Kobe, Osaka, Sakai and Koyasan.

Flying Japan Airlines into Haneda, the group started the itinerary with 2 nights at The Okura Tokyo, staying in the property’s 6-star Heritage Wing. To ensure a variety of options to suit any client, accommodation through the trip included a range of hotels as well as a unique temple stay.

To showcase the breadth of cuisine available in Japan, meals ranged from ‘kaiseki’ traditional Japanese degustation paired with sake to exquisite Michelin-starred French cuisine, as well as a touch of Osaka soul food with an ‘okonomiyaki’ and ‘yakisoba’ cooking class.

Of course, a visit to Kobe would not be complete without having the famed melt-in-your-mouth Kobe Beef cooked right in front of their eyes.

Agents experienced traditional handicrafts and customs such as Edo Kiriko glass cutting, pearl harvesting, knife sharpening and a tea ceremony.

When asked about the most unforgettable highlights from the trip, opinions were mostly split between teamLab Planets, a multisensory digital art museum in Tokyo, and the temple stay at Koyasan, where agents dressed in traditional monk’s robes for their vegan ‘shojin ryori’ dinner before embarking on a night tour of Okunoin Cemetery.

From ancient traditions to modern innovation, the fam trips dazzled agents and inspired everyone to want to return to Japan.

Featured image: group shot after the Bonito Flake Experience overlooking Ise Shima