‘Go To Travel’ explained

national travel discount japan 2022

Part of a larger "Go To" campaign intended to restart the Japanese economy following the damage caused by the coronavirus , Go To Travel is a campaign by the national government that offers big discounts on travel inside Japan. Only residents of Japan (including foreign residents) are eligible to take advantage of the campaign.

What is Go To Travel?

  • A 35 percent discount on the total cost and
  • Coupons worth 15 percent of the total cost to be spent on other travel expenses during the trip

national travel discount japan 2022

Is there an upper limit?

Yes, there is. The maximum discount that can be received for overnight trips is 13,000 yen per person and night, while the maximum amount of coupons that can be received is 7,000 yen per person and night. In other words, the upper limit applies to travel plans that cost more than 40,000 yen per person and night.

In case of daytrips , the travelers can receive a discount of up to 7,000 yen and coupons of up to 3,000 yen per trip.

national travel discount japan 2022

Note that children are counted the same as adults. For example, a family of four with two kids can receive a discount of up to 52,000 yen (4 x 13,000 yen) and coupons of up to 28,000 yen (4 x 7,000 yen) on an overnight trip, even if the kids stay for free.

Furthermore, note that only up to seven nights per trip are covered by the campaign. On trips that are longer than eight days, travelers will not be able to profit from the campaign from the 8th night. Note that there is no limit on how many trips can be made during the campaign.

Who is eligible?

All residents of Japan, including foreign residents.

Can temporary visitors to Japan use the campaign?

No, only residents of Japan are eligible.

How long does the campaign last?

The campaign started in late July 2020, but was suspended in December 2020 due to rising coronavirus infection numbers. It is expected to resume once the infection numbers have decreased and continue until at least summer 2021.

Are there any other conditions for participating?

Yes, all participating travelers are requested to follow the "new travel etiquette" with regards to preventing the spread of the coronavirus on their trips. Please visit our page about coronavirus manners for more details.

national travel discount japan 2022

What is covered?

  • Overnight stays at registered lodgings
  • Travel plans purchased through registered travel agents

A large majority of hotels and travel agents across the country are registered. Lists of registered businesses are available on the campaign's official website .

Are all regions of Japan covered?

All regions of Japan are covered by the campaign. There is a possibility for some areas to be temporarily excluded from the campaign depending on the spread of the virus.

Does the campaign also apply to transportation, activities, meals and shopping?

The discount applies only if they are part of a travel plan. For example, the discount cannot be applied to regular purchases of flights or rental cars ; however, it does apply if a flight or rental car is part of a travel package sold through a registered travel agent. Likewise, if an activity or meal is part of the travel package, the campaign applies.

What type of daytrips are eligible?

The campaign applies only to daytrip travel packages sold by registered travel agents. The packages have to include 1) transport starting and ending at the same place on the same day and 2) at least some form of travel service besides transport in the destination area, e.g. meals or activities. For example, it does not cover 1-day bus tours that do not include any activities at the destination.

There is no limit on how many trips you can make during the campaign period. However, there is a limit of seven nights per trip that can be covered, meaning that those traveling for more than eight days are not able to profit from the campaign from the 8th night.

national travel discount japan 2022

How can I use it?

There are mainly two ways to profit from the campaign:

  • Book a stay at a registered hotel through the hotel, a travel agent or a reservation website that participates in the campaign.
  • Purchase a travel package through a registered travel agent.

At the time of your booking, you pay 65% of the total cost for the accommodation or package, while the 15% in coupons will be issued to you by the travel agent or hotel.

A list of registered hotels and travel agents can be found in Japanese on the campaign's official website . Many hotel reservation websites are also participating in the Go To Travel campaign, including Booking.com and Agoda .

How do I use the coupons?

Coupons can be used to make payments at registered stores and restaurants and for transportation and other travel services in the prefecture visited and surrounding prefectures during the day(s) of your trip. They cannot be refunded. A map showing registered businesses can be found on the campaign's official website .

national travel discount japan 2022

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2022 Domestic Travel Subsidy Program: Discounts for Residents in Japan!

article thumbnail image

Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, offering discounts of up to 11,000 yen per person, launched on October 11, 2022. This article gives an overview of the travel discount program, details on participating travel agencies and reservation sites, and prefectural websites!  

Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan

What Is Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program?

 2022 Domestic Travel Subsidy Program: Discounts for Residents in Japan!

Himeji Castle. Photo by Pixta The Domestic Travel Subsidy Program , aiming to stimulate Japan's tourism industry, launched in October 2022. Eligible travelers will be entitled to discounts up to a maximum of 11,000 yen each.

Due to the sudden flood of reservations, there is concern among those unable to make their bookings. However, a national budget of 560 billion yen has been allocated for this campaign. So, travelers can expect to benefit from the generous subsidies offered by this program.

This article will introduce Japan's Domestic Travel Subsidy Program with an outline and important things to keep in mind. MATCHA readers will learn details about participating travel agencies and reservation sites. There's also a list featuring each prefecture and its respective website!

Outline of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

What are the dates of this program.

The discount campaign runs from October 11 until December 20, 2022. Starting dates can differ slightly depending on the prefecture.

How Much Are the Travel Discounts?

Travelers will receive a 40% discount. The discount is capped at 8,000 yen per person per night for tours that include transportation and accommodation. The discount is capped at 5,000 yen per person per night for accommodations only.

Discount coupons can also be used in certain regions for restaurants and souvenirs. Additionally, there are 3,000 yen discounts for weekday accommodations and 1,000 yen discounts for accommodations on national holidays. These are available directly at the accommodation facility.

Important Points of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

 2022 Domestic Travel Subsidy Program: Discounts for Residents in Japan!

The Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Pixta

Here are some key things to keep in mind with this subsidy program.

Limited to Japanese Citizens and International Residents

The program's main criteria for eligibility is that applicants live in Japan. This applies to Japanese citizens and international residents. A driver's license, My Number card, or another form of identification is required to show proof of Japanese residency.

Unfortunately, the discount campaign is not available to international visitors but only to international residents of Japan.

Vaccine Passport (3 Shots) or a Negative PCR Test Required

Travelers who want to receive discounts on this campaign will need to present a vaccination certificate showing they've had three shots. Those who haven't received three vaccinations must provide a negative PCR test.

To receive an accommodation discount, please remember that all group members must present their vaccine passport (3 shots), not just the group representative.

How the Word "Holiday" Is Defined

The monetary amount of discount coupons differs depending on whether it's a weekday or a national holiday. Fundamentally, a "holiday" refers to a one-night, two-day stay on Saturdays and Sundays. In other words, a one-night, two-day stay on Friday-Saturday or Sunday-Monday will be considered a weekday accommodation.

Program Details Differ Depending on the Prefecture

Each prefecture in Japan is included in the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, making it different from the Go To Travel Campaign launched in 2020.

This is why the details of the subsidy program differ in each prefecture. Some prefectures even offer original travel discounts―in addition to the 11,000 yen maximum subsidy offered by the national campaign.

Which Accommodation Facilities Offer Discounts?

Keep in mind that not all accommodation facilities and tours are part of the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program.

Please note that at the end of this article, there's a list of websites for each prefecture's subsidy campaign. This article also features information on tours.

We Recommend Making Reservations ASAP!

Presently, accommodation facilities have received a flood of reservations, prompting travel agencies and tour companies to shut down their website reservation sites temporarily.

However, the subsidy program is backed by a 560 billion yen budget. Although many places have stopped taking reservations, there's a good possibility that they will resume bookings in the near future. So, please keep checking back with them.

Discounts in Addition to the Travel Subsidy Program

Iya Valley Gorge

Tokushima Prefecture's Iya Valley Gorge. Photo by Pixta

As previously mentioned, each prefecture's details concerning the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program will differ. Next, we'll introduce some of the prefectures offering original discounts in addition to the national subsidy program.

Tadaima Tokyo Plus (Japanese) is the website for accessing the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program in Tokyo. This can be used in conjunction with Motto TOKYO (Japanese), a discount service for travels in the greater Tokyo area for locals.

Motto TOKYO offers a 5,000 yen discount on one night's accommodation. With the national program, travelers can enjoy a maximum discount of up to 16,000 yen!

The start date for Motto TOKYO was October 20, 2022.

Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture's Shinshu Wari SPECIAL (Japanese) offers a 1,000 yen discount (500 yen coupon x 2) on transportation for a one-night stay per person. This will help keep transportation costs down when visiting spots within the prefecture.

Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture's Ima Nara Campaign 2022 (Japanese) offers discount coupons for souvenir shopping and other items at participating shops in the prefecture. 1,000 yen coupons are issued for national holidays, while 2,000 yen coupons are available for prefectural citizens.

Kochi Prefecture

In Kochi Prefecture, the Kochi Kanko Recovery Campaign (Japanese)―Kochi's original discount campaign―can be used with the Kochi Kanko Tokuwari Campaign (Japanese), the national program.

The Kochi Kanko Recovery Campaign offers travelers a 5,000 yen cashback on money spent on highway fees and public transportation.

Tokushima Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture's Minnade! Tokushima Travel Wari (Japanese) is aimed at travel packages within the prefecture that include accommodation and travel fees. It plans on giving each person a maximum of 5,000 yen cashback in addition to the national campaign's benefits.

Which Travel Sites Deal With the Travel Subsidy Program?

With the Travel Subsidy Program, discounts can be received when making a reservation directly with the accommodation facility. Travelers can also make a booking via a hotel reservation site.

Below, we've listed the reservation sites that handle the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program.

Currently, some sites are temporarily not accepting bookings due to the flood of reservations. There might be additional important points to consider, so please consult the official websites for more details.

Rakuten Travel

Join a Tour for a Worry-Free Experience

Some people might feel that it's troublesome to check the terms and conditions of the subsidy program in different prefectures.

We recommend booking a tour through a travel agency at times like this! Below, we've listed tour companies that handle the subsidy program, so by all means, please take a look.

Yahoo! Travel

Kinki Nippon Tourist

Nippon Travel Agency

Official Websites for Participating Prefectures and Cities

The prefectures and their official websites for accessing the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program are listed below. Please use this as a reference when departing on your next trip.

Note: All of the websites are in Japanese. Some websites have links to English travel content but not to the subsidy program itself.

Use These Discounts to Enjoy Travels in Japan!

 2022 Domestic Travel Subsidy Program: Discounts for Residents in Japan!

Rurikoin Temple in Kyoto. Photo by Pixta With the domestic COVID-19 situation gradually improving, many people in Japan are getting the travel bug.

In addition to the Domestic Travel Subsidy Program, several prefectures are offering their own unique travel discount services.

Please use these campaigns to save on expenses and fully enjoy your travels in Japan!

Main image: Tokushima Prefecture's Iya Valley Gorge. Photo by Pixta

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A nationwide travel discount program will be kicked off on October 11, supporting up to 11,000 JPY a traveler a night

national travel discount japan 2022

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced in New York on September 22 2022 that the government will kick off a nationwide travel discount program and an event discount program on October 11 2022. Kishida said, “With the programs, the government will support hospitality, travel and entertainment industries, which have suffered from the pandemic.”

A nationwide travel discount program, separately from ongoing prefectural travel discount program, was supposed to be launched in July this year, however it has been postponed due to re-spread of COVID-19. 

The program will discount by 40% a traveler a night. The discounted ceiling  is up to 8,000 JPY for a tour with transportation services and up to 5,000 JPY for others. In addition to the travel discount, the government will subsidize a shopping coupon of 3,000 JPY a traveler for weekdays and 1,000 JPY for weekend. The scheme allows a traveler to benefit a discount of up to 11,000 JPY. 

Together with full open of the border, the domestic travel program is expected to accelerate recovery of the tourism industry as a whole. 

Let us hear your VOICE Please feel free to leave any comments or opinions.

Japan will fully open the border on october 11 2022 by lifting visa requirement for foreigners and the limited entry cap a day, international arrivals in august 2022 were still 170,000 only, despite more than 100,000 for five consecutive months, latest news, jal achieved considerable increases in both revenue and profit for fy2023, carrying 1.5 times more international flight passengers, ana posted record-high operating income for fy2023 with more international passenger revenue than domestic passenger revenue for the first time, japan’s it solution provider tripla installs a multi-currency payment function in its booking engine for accommodations, a stay program in 400-years-old ‘marugame castle’ in kagawa prefecture will be on sale at 1.26 million jpy a night, japan national tourism organization continues focusing on sending inbound travelers to local regions in fy2024.

JAL and ANA have received around 10% more international flight bookings for this coming Golden Week holiday period

JAL and ANA have received around 10% more international flight bookings for this coming Golden Week holiday period

Japanese outbound travelers still recovered slowly to 1.2 million in March 2024

Japanese outbound travelers still recovered slowly to 1.2 million in March 2024

International visitors to Japan exceeded 3 million in March 2024, the record-breaking single month result in the history

International visitors to Japan exceeded 3 million in March 2024, the record-breaking single month result in the history

Guest nights in home-sharing in Japan for the first two months of 2024 were 30% more than a year ago

Guest nights in home-sharing in Japan for the first two months of 2024 were 30% more than a year ago

Interest in overseas travel of Japanese people is much lower than the world’s average

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Japan to run new domestic travel subsidy program to late Dec.: gov't

KYODO NEWS

Japan will run a new domestic tourism subsidy program from Oct. 11 to late December as part of efforts to spur domestic tourism and revive the coronavirus-hit economy, tourism minister Tetsuo Saito said Monday.

The "National Travel Discount" will provide the equivalent of up to 11,000 yen ($77) in discounts and coupons per traveler per day, which can be used for meals, shopping and accommodation expenses.

national travel discount japan 2022

The measure comes in line with a plan to remove the daily cap for overseas arrivals, currently set at 50,000, on Oct. 11 as part of easing COVID-19 border control measures.

Japan will also resume individual visa-free travel from abroad that day.

Airports and seaports across Japan will start preparations to resume international operations suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference.

The government will also start a program on Oct. 11 to offer discounts for event admission fees for people who have been vaccinated at least three times or present proof of a negative COVID-19 test, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.

Under the program, a 20 percent discount of up to 2,000 yen will be offered for events that are held by the end of January next year at theme parks and sports and music venues, for example, that take antivirus measures.

The National Travel Discount program, which is available to Japan residents only, comes in the wake of the "Go To Travel" subsidy program and expands on similar existing programs operating at the prefectural level.

Under a system where the national government subsidizes the costs borne by prefectural authorities to implement such programs, the 47 prefectures will be allowed to suspend the scheme depending on the infection situation within their jurisdiction.

Prefectural governments will have the authority to determine the scheme's running period or whether to implement it at all, leading to the possibility that it may not be launched simultaneously across the country.

The new program was initially planned to be introduced in July but was postponed due to the nation's seventh wave of infections.

A total of 87.81 million people took advantage of the Go To Travel program from July 22, 2020, until it ended on Dec. 28, 2020, due to the coronavirus spread.

national travel discount japan 2022

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national travel discount japan 2022

Japan’s New Go toTravel: National Travel Support(ZenkokuRyokoShien)Begins October 11, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Japan was open to foreign visitors on October 11, 2022, and the negative certificate before departure will be waived if you have proof of three vaccinations. From now on, free travel to Japan will be possible again.

At the same time, the “National Travel Support” campaign has been launched for domestic visitors. The campaign started in Tokyo on October 20, while the other 46 prefectures started from Oct. 11th.

Table of Contents

“National Travel Support”

national travel discount japan 2022

Picture from: 全国旅行支援とは?│割引の仕組みをチェック!【楽天トラベル】

The “National Travel Support” offers discounts on travel expenses and, like the 2020 go to travel, offers discount coupons by region.

Discount of the “National Travel Support”

The “National Travel Support” offers discounts of up to 40% on travel.

The maximum amount per person per day is 8,000 yen for accommodation including transportation and 5,000 yen for other expenses.

Regional coupons (地域クーポン) can be used at some stores in your travel destination for 3,000 yen on weekdays and 1,000 yen on DAY-OFFs.

There are different criteria for determining DAY-OFF.

In the case of the day of stay, if both the day of stay and the following day are a day of rest (Saturday, Sunday and Japan Day), then the day of stay is a DAY-OFF day. For example, if the day of stay is Saturday and the following day is a Sunday, then the day of stay(Saturday) is a “DAY-OFF”; if the day of stay is a Sunday and the following day is a Japanese holiday, then the day of stay(Sunday) is also a “DAY-OFF”.

In the case of a round-trip trip on the same day, Saturday, Sunday, and Japan’s holiday will be considered as a DAY-OFF

For trips of 8 days and 7 nights or less, you are eligible for the “National Travel Support” discount, and each person can receive the discount an unlimited number of times.

However, the maximum amount of subsidy per person per trip is 11,000 yen.

Requirements for the “National Travel Support” discount

Only Japanese nationals or foreign nationals with resident status in Japan are eligible for the discount. When applying for the discount, you will need to confirm your identity and residence.

My Number Card, Driver’s License, Passport, Resident Card, Special Permanent Resident Certificate, etc.

In addition, you must have proof of three vaccinations or a negative PCR certificate.

Implementation date of “National Travel Support”

October 11, 2022 – December 20, 2022

Only in Tokyo, the program will start on October 20.

The implementation of the program in 2023 will be determined based on the infection situation and demand at that time.

Minimum amount of “National Travel Support”

The minimum amount of “National Travel Support” per person per day/per person per trip is 5,000 yen on weekdays, and 2,000 yen on DAY-OFFs.

If the purchase of goods/accommodation is less than the minimum amount, the discount will not be applied.

Areas where “National Travel Support” is available

This program is available throughout Japan.

However, if there is an area in one of the 47 prefectures that does not wish to participate, that area will not be included in the program.

How to make a reservation for “National Travel Support”

There are several ways to receive discounts for “National Travel Support”.

  • Reservation through the travel reservation website
  • Reservation through a travel agency
  • Reservation by phone or online through an accommodation facility

When making a reservation, you must select or indicate to the staff that you need to make a reservation for discounted travel under the National Travel Support.

After confirming your identity and proof of vaccination, the staff will issue a discount coupon for that area at the time of your stay.

GetAround Japan is your number one travel guide, providing the latest information on visiting and living in Japan, with tips on what to eat, things to do, and places to stay. Whether you’re planning for a trip far in the future, or already in Japan in need of some fresh ideas, our archive of posts will help you find the best way to fill your time and get the most out of your travel experience. We provide you updates on serious policies that affect visitors and foreign residents while also keeping things light and fun with articles on quirky trends and pop culture. How do we know how to provide visitors the information they need? Our affiliate company CDJapan Rental provides WIFI and Sim Card rentals to thousands of visitors to Japan every year. In other words, we are constantly in touch with and listening to the voices of our customers, and infuse our blog with the information they ask us for. For inquiries, contact us here =Company Information= CDJapan Rental (Neowing Corporation) 1-10-15-3F Nihonbashi Horidome Chuo, Tokyo 103-0012, Japan

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Japan will resume its domestic travel discount from January 10 2023

Japan residents can save up to 20 percent on transport and accommodation with the National Travel Discount Programme

Tabea Greuner

Back in October, Japan introduced a nationwide travel subsidy programme for residents, with big discounts on transport and accommodation. The current edition of the National Travel Discount Programme is available across almost all prefectures until December 28 2022, with discounts of up to 40 percent on transport and accommodation. 

Now, the Japan Tourism Agency has announced that the programme will be extended from January 10 2023 , but with reduced discounts. The revised programme offers discounts of up to 20 percent (a maximum of ¥5,000 per person per night) on transport and accommodation.

What are the new deals?

As of January 10, the programme will offer discounts on public transport and accommodation packages  up to ¥5,000 per person per night . If you’re opting for a day trip , you can save up to ¥3,000 per person on transportation. The deal also comes with discount coupons worth up to ¥2,000 on weekdays and ¥1,000 on weekends and holidays , which you can redeem at local restaurants and other attractions. The current paper vouchers will be changed to digital coupons.

How to be eligible for the discount

Note that only those with residency status in Japan are eligible for the travel subsidy . Details regarding Covid-19 prevention measures, such as vaccination certificates and negative PCR test results, have yet to be announced for the revised programme. 

The new campaign with reduced discounts starts from January 10 . The discount deals are limited, so the campaign in each prefecture will end when the capacity has been reached. For details and additional requirements, make sure to check each prefecture’s campaign website here . Note that most of the websites will only be updated in the next few days, so don’t worry if you see campaign-end dates stating December 28.

The easiest and fastest way to book your vacation is via travel booking sites Jalan and JTB . Their official campaign booking sites will be updated in the near future after details have been confirmed by each prefecture.

This article will be updated as soon as new information becomes available.

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Japan go-to travel campaign | Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program

by Venese | Jun 1, 2022 | Japan Travel | 0 comments

Japan go-to travel campaign Featured Image

Have you heard of the Japan go-to travel campaign? Are you wondering how to use the latest Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program and want some inspiration for your next domestic travel?

Here is everything you need to know about Japan Domestic Subsidy Program and Japan Go-To Travel Campaign!

Table of Contents

Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy campaign overview

Japan go-to travel campaign overview

The Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy Program is a “nationwide tourism demand stimulation measure” that offers discounts on travel prices and grants regional vouchers.

Unlike GoTo Travel, which was a national collective initiative, the Japan Domestic Travel Subsity is organised on a prefecture-by-prefecture basis.

Therefore, the start date can also be after 11 October, starting with those prefectures that are ready.

The end date is also set for the end of December (most prefectures have set to end on 20 December), but it is up to each prefecture to decide whether or not to extend the date.

Please note that some of the contents may differ from prefecture to prefecture.

Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy campaign discounts

Japan go-to travel campaign Duration

The discount is 40% off the price of a trip (maximum per person per night: 8,000 yen for overnight travel with transport, 5,000 yen for others).

Along with this, you will receive a regional voucher worth 3,000yen for weekday use and 1,000yen for holiday use. These regional vouchers can be used at restaurants and other local businesses in the travel destination.

For day trips, you can get 40% off with maximum 5,000 yen support per person, along with regional voucher for 3,000yen for weekdays and 1,000yen for weekends.

The discount is valid for up to seven consecutive nights per trip, with no limit on the number of times the campaign can be used.

Duration of Go-to Travel Campaign

Japan go-to travel campaign discounts

The programme will be implemented from 11th October to 20th December 2022 (starting 20 October for Tokyo). After the new year, the decision on whether or not it will be continued will be based on the infection situation and demand trends.

Holiday vs Weekday

Japan go-to travel campaign Holiday vs Weekday

“Holiday” applies to overnight trips where both the day of the overnight stay and the following day are Saturday, Sunday or public holiday. Holidays for day trips are Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Other days are treated as ‘weekdays’.

What do I need to bring for Go-to Travel Campaign?

Japan go-to travel campaign What do I need to bring

In order to qualify for the discount, make sure to bring your identification documents such as a driver’s licence. You also need to present proof of three previous vaccinations (an image or a photocopy is acceptable) or a negative result of a PCR test or similar test is required.

How do I make a reservation for Go-to Travel Campaign?

Japan go-to travel campaign How do I make a reservation

To use the campaign and make a reservation, apply for a trip at a discount price through one of the following travel booking websites participating in the campaign, such as Rakuten Travel, a travel agency, or an accommodation facility.

Upon presentation of identification documents and proof of vaccination at the time of accommodation, the customer will receive a regional voucher.

Here are the websites where you can make reservations. Please note that this is subject to change. Please refer to the following websites for the most up-to-date information.

  • Jalan: https://www.jalan.net/ryoko-shien
  • Rakuten Travel: https://travel.rakuten.co.jp/special/zenkokuryokoshien/
  • Yahoo: https://travel.yahoo.co.jp/feature/zenkoku-ryoko-shien/
  • Ikkyu: https://www.ikyu.com/special/01/zenkoku-ryokoshien/
  • JTB: https://www.jtb.co.jp/kokunai/ryokoshien/webcoupon/
  • Rurupu: https://www.rurubu.travel/theme/gototravel/ryokoshien/
  • NTA: https://www.nta.co.jp/kokunai/special/ouen/ryokoshien/
  • JAL PAK: https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/ja/domtour/areatourism-cp/
  • HIS: https://www.his-j.com/kokunai/campaign/alljapan_plan/

Old vs New Go-to Travel Campaign 

Japan go-to travel campaign Old vs New

In the past, for Go-To Travel, half of the trip price was subsidised up to JPY 20,000 per person per night (35% travel discount + 15% common regional voucher), and the high discount limit made it popular with expensive accommodation. 

It was also pointed out that tourist attractions were crowded on weekends and consecutive holidays. There were talks that the increased human traffic may have contributed to the spread of infection.

Because of these issues, even before taking office, Prime Minister Kishida had launched Go-To 2.0, an evolved approach to infectious disease control, and decided to utilise the vaccine and testing package. The new system was based on the premise of safety and security, with a difference in discount rates between holidays and weekdays to disperse travel demand.

The discount rate and maximum discount amount have also been reduced to avoid concentration on luxury accommodation, and discounts are more generous when using transport operators, to support the recovery of tourism demand from transport operators and rural areas.

5 Most popular holiday destinations in 2022

Japan go-to Where to go

So now the question is, where should you go with the Japan Domestic Travel Subsidy? 

You might want to make use of this discount to visit places that you haven’t had a chance to check out yet or discover places that you have never heard of. Maybe some places might have been a little out of your budget and now with the discount, you want to make use of this opportunity. 

To help you figure out where to go, here are the 5 most popular holiday spots in 2021 to give you some inspiration for your domestic travel! The statics you can find here are taken from Rakuten Travel.

Japan go-to Nara

The first place was Nara prefecture travel became popular with + 235.6% compared to the previous year. In particular, the “Yoshino / Totsukawa / Tenkawa / Gojo area”, which is rich in nature and allows you to enjoy outdoor leisure activities that avoid dense mountains and rivers, increased by + 536.8% (about 6.4 times).

In addition, as a sacred place for the popular manga “Kimetsu no Yaiba”, “Katsuraki Nii Honoikazuchi Shrine <Fuefuki Shrine>” in Katsuragi City is a new tourist spot.

Nara Prefecture is the ancient centre of Japan and was the ancient capital of Heijokyo during the Nara period. Therefore, there are many buildings and Buddhist statues designated as national treasures and world cultural heritage, and there are various attractions.

The deer in Nara Park is also known nationwide. Some of the most spectacular spots are the Tanize Suspension Bridge and the Mitarai Valley, which are one of the longest in Japan.

Tokushima 

Japan go-to Tokushima

Tokushima Prefecture is in second place with a year-on-year increase of 151.3%. By age group, the number of people in their 20s to 30s has increased to + 194.7% (about 2.9 times), and the demand for travel within the prefecture among young people is increasing.

Tokushima Prefecture is full of individuality, with more than a quarter of the 88 sacred sites “Shikoku 88 places” scattered throughout Shikoku, such as “Naruto Whirlpools” and “Awaodori Kaikan”. The highlights are complete.

If you climb the mountaintop from the 5th floor of the Awaodori Kaikan on the “Mt. If you want to experience a mysterious sight, we also recommend the “Abashi / Unkai Observatory”, which is more likely to appear in the early morning of March-April and October-December.

From the observatory, you can overlook Oboke and the Yoshino River, which are known for their beauty in the valley, when there is no sea of ​​clouds.

Japan go-to Akita

Akita Prefecture is in third place with a year-on-year increase of 105.5%. By accommodation composition, “Children” travel increased the most at + 411.2% (about 5.1 times), and the number of nights for families increased.

Akita Prefecture has many important intangible folk cultural properties such as the Oga Peninsula’s quirky “Namahage” and the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku, the Kanto Festival.

Events that colour the four seasons are also famous, such as the “Kakukan Sakura Festival” in the spring, the “Omagari Fireworks (National Fireworks Festival)” in the summer, and the “Yokote Kamakura” in the winter.

At Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, the legend of Princess Tatsuko remains, and there is Gozanoishi Shrine, which is also known as a power spot, and is dotted with activities and sightseeing spots. In addition, Akita’s famous “Oyu Stone Circles” and “Isedōtai Site”, which are included in the “Hokkaido / Northeastern Jomon Archaeological Sites” are expected to be registered as World Cultural Heritage in July. Isedotai Seki) ”is also attracting attention.

Japan go-to Gunma

Gunma Prefecture is in fourth place with a year-on-year increase of 98.2%. There are scenic spots such as “Oze”, “Fukiwari Waterfall” and “Tone River”, and it is an area where you can enjoy many high-quality hot springs such as “Kusatsu”, “Ikaho”, “Minakami” and “Shiman” as one of Japan’s leading hot spring kingdoms.

There are historical and railway fans’ must-see tourist spots such as the world heritage “Tomioka Thread Mill”, the “Megane Bridge” which is the site of the Abt system railway, and the “Watarase Valley Railway” where the trolley train runs, and it is one of the best power spots in the Kanto region.

There are many attractions such as the famous “Haruna Shrine”. In October 2020, leisure spots that make full use of the latest video technology, such as the experience-based edutainment facility “ENNICHI by 1 → 10 AQERU Maebashi,” were born.

Okinawa 

Japan go-to Okinawa

The fifth place is Okinawa Prefecture (+ 95.3% compared to the previous year) where you can enjoy a tropical vacation with many spectacular beaches. Many hotels have plenty of sea activities and a variety of pools. In recent years, large resort hotels, villas, and condominium inns have opened one after another. Some luxury inns have private beaches and private pools.

The “Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” is famous nationwide, including the Ryukyu Kingdom-related ruins such as the world heritage sites “Shuri Castle” and “Nakagusuku Castle Ruins”. “Mihama Town Resort American Village” is dotted with wall art and fashionable cafes that you will want to upload to SNS, so you can enjoy it in a different way. In addition, remote islands such as Miyakojima and Ishigakijima are not to be missed and are tourist attractions.

Japan go-to travel campaign 2020

Japan go-to What is the Japan go-to travel

The Japanese government has proposed a number of steps under the name of a nationwide ‘Go To’ campaign aimed at increasing travel within Japan and supporting local businesses in reaction to COVID-19’s unprecedented impact on tourism. 

The Japan Go-To Travel Campaign began on July 22nd, 2020, and offers Japanese citizens and international residents discounts and subsidies of up to 50% on travel within Japan. Discounts are given in the form of subsidised lodging and ‘common coupons,’ which can be used at participating retailers, restaurants, and other locations.

Japan Go-To Travel Campaign is a travel campaign that aims to promote and encourage travel and tourism in Japan. Japan Go-To Travel is a government campaign that aims to increase the number of tourists visiting Japan by increasing awareness of the country through social media, such as Twitter and Instagram.

Japan’s Go-To Travel campaign was started in 2018 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Japan with the aim of increasing tourist visits to Japan. The Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida announced in March 2022 that the government is planning to relaunch the “Go-To Travel” campaign “when the opportune moment comes.”

According to Kishida, the government is looking into the COVID-19 infection situation and meeting with specialists to determine when the campaign should resume. This page will be updated as soon as an announcement is made. Until then, we’ll go over the last COVID-19 campaign to see what’s in store for the months ahead.

From July 22nd, 2020, the government will cover up to half of the cost of accommodation and transportation for 1-day trips up to JPY10,000 per person and 2. overnight trips up to JPY20,000 per person. Trips of up to seven days in length had been covered. The amount you are entitled to on an overnight trip is based on the cost of your lodging, with a maximum claim of JPY20,000 per person. This is what that support looks like:

70% will be provided through reduced accommodation; 30% will be made available through the usage of ‘common vouchers.’

News on Japan Go-To Travel Campaign 2020

Japan go-to Latest News

As of this, the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign will not proceed until the level of Corona is safe enough to travel with minimal spread. The tourism minister Tetsuo Saito stated, “We’re not at a point where we can announce a specific date for resuming the campaign, we’re in a situation where we should assume that the spread of (the coronavirus) will proceed rapidly.”

However, some travel companies and booking sites are considering resuming the Japan Japan Go-To Travel Campaign, and are planning to offer discounts for currently booked and newly booked vacations after the decision are made.

When it is agreed to restart the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign, for example, JTB and HIS will contact the target passengers individually via email, and if they agree to the participation criteria, the discount will be applied as is. Similarly, Rakuten Travel, Ikyu.com, and others have stated that the discount will be applied later without the need to rebook the trip.

How does the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign work?

Japan go-to How does the Japan

Travellers can apply through participating travel agents, online reservation sites, and lodging companies. Up to 30% of the travel fee will be decreased, and a “regional common coupon” (3,000 yen on weekdays and 1,000 yen on holidays) will be issued that may be used at registered member stores of travel destinations, as well as the entire tourist destination.

For Go To travel, the “Regional Common Coupon” will provide 15% off the ticket price. Paper coupons and electronic coupons are the two types of coupons available. Each voucher is issued in 1,000 yen increments and cannot be changed. The method of distribution is determined by the operator who booked the trip.

What kinds of trips are eligible for the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign?

All sorts of trips from long weekends to day trips.

What does the Japan Go-To Travel Campaign cover?

Japan go-to What does the Japan

The Go-To-Travel Campaign covers all forms of trips including accommodation, transportation, food and goods and services which include excursions.

How to use Japan Go-To Travel Campaign

Japan go-to How to use Japan

The official Japan Go-To Travel information states that the campaign is available for all residents of Japan, both Japanese citizens and foreign residents with valid visas.

Overnight stays at registered lodgings, trip arrangements made through registered travel agencies are all eligible for discounts, and the vast majority of hotels and travel agents across the country are registered.

The official website of the Japan Go-To Travel campaign has a list of associated businesses. The campaign is active in all of Japan’s regions. Depending on the development of the virus, some places may be temporarily excluded from participating in the campaign. Only if they are part of a trip package are they eligible for the discount.

The discount, for example, cannot be used on standard purchases of flights or rental cars; however, it can be used on flights or rental cars that are part of a vacation package booked through an authorised travel agent.

How to apply for the Go-To Travel Campaign

Japan go-to travel how to apply

In order to apply for the campaign, you have to reserve your desired trip through a campaign-registered hotel using the hotel, a travel agent, or a reservation website. On the other hand, you can purchase a vacation package from a registered travel agent.

You pay 65 percent of the total cost of the lodging or package at the time of booking, with the remaining 15 percent in coupons supplied by the travel agent or hotel. 

On the campaign’s official website, a list of registered hotels and travel brokers may be seen in Japanese. Many hotel reservation companies, such as Booking.com and Agoda, are also participating in the Japan Go-To Travel campaign.

The discount is not only good for lodging, but also for overnight transportation such as a cruise ship, an overnight ferry, or a sleeper train, for which you might receive a discount. The campaign will pay for your transportation, meals, and activities if you choose to go on a day trip.

How to use Go To Travel Coupons

Japan go-to How to use Go To Travel Coupons

During the day(s) of your journey, coupons can be used to pay for goods and services at registered stores and restaurants, as well as transportation and other travel services in the prefecture visited and nearby prefectures. Please note that they are non-refundable. The campaign’s official website includes a list of registered businesses.

Coupons are issued in either paper or electronic form, depending on the issuing agent (to be used with a mobile device). Coupons are provided in 1000 yen increments, with the amount adjusted up or down to the closest 1000 yen (500 and more is rounded up; less than 500 is rounded down).

What do you think about the Japan go-to travel campaign? Hope you find this guide helpful to help you figure out exactly what is Japan go-to travel campaign, how to use it and some inspiration on where to go!

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Japan considers resuming tourism discount as COVID eases, Nikkei reports

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A sign for 'Go To Travel' campaign is displayed at a shop at Asakusa district, a popular sightseeing spot, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Tokyo

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Japan travel products eligible for government discounts sell out quickly

national travel discount japan 2022

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:30 JST, October 12, 2022

Travel products eligible for discounts under a new government program launched Tuesday sold out quickly on some reservation sites, prompting local governments and other entities to scramble to arrange more sales.

The tourism campaign subsidizes travelers up to ¥11,000 per person per night. This is the first nationwide program aimed at boosting domestic tourism demand since the Go To Travel campaign was suspended in December 2020.

The program was launched Tuesday across the nation, with the exception of Tokyo. It has a budget of about ¥560 billion, which the central government allocated to local governments as subsidies, and the money is paid to travel agencies and reservation websites that handle eligible products.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday, major travel agency Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. said that products eligible for subsidies in 46 prefectures had sold out, as it had reached the limit of the money provided to the company by those prefectural governments.

The company said it would resume sales if additional funds became available.

Major travel reservation website operator Ikyu Corp. also saw its Yamagata Prefecture products sell out in less than two hours, according to a company official.

The Yamagata prefectural government is arranging to start additional sales in a few days. An official of its tourism revival strategy division said, “It was unexpected that the initial subsidies ran out so quickly, but there are more funds available.”

Discounts for travel and accommodation in Tokyo are scheduled to start on Oct. 20.

national travel discount japan 2022

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HAPAのにほん |  Hapa's Japan

A Look Into Japan’s Nationwide Economy Boost

Japan officially opened up its borders to international tourism earlier this year hoping to bring back the international community. This is not the only plan it has to help out the tourism industry. Its local and federal governments have been recharging the local economy once again.

Green Hiroshima street car

Throughout the pandemic, national to local governments have on and off run travel campaigns and deals. This past fall, the federal government has once again launched a nationwide travel campaign Zenkoku tabi wari , 全国旅割 or “National Travel Discount” campaign.

Up to 40% hotel discounts and 3,000 yen vouchers? Here is a little glimpse into the caffeine shot for the economy.

The basics of the “National Travel Discount” campaign

The National Travel Discount campaign’s formal name is Zenkoku Ryoko Shien (全国旅行支援), or National Travel Aid Campaign.

Lets breakdown the Kanji:

支援: Aid / Support

It provides individuals living in Japan (sorry foreign tourists) up to 11,000 yen per day in savings. As you can see, they designed the campaign to incentivize travel on the weekdays. This is to try to smooth demand from the weekends to the weekdays. (My personal hypothesis is perhaps to get Japanese people to use their vacation days ?)

Screen-Shot-2022-12-13-at-9.54.48-PM

For those who are not aware, it is typical for accommodations in Japan to charge by the person rather than the room. If you stayed at a Ryokan (旅館, traditional Japanese inn), it is common that meals are included and thus it makes sense to charge on a per person basis. Rooms usually do get cheaper the more people that stay in them.

The coupon/vouchers can be used in the region accommodation is in at places such as restaurants, gift shops, and tourist attractions.

Is this discount too good to be true? There are a few catches. You must have 3 vaccines (as of Dec. 9th 2022, 67.2% of the population has received a booster shot.) You also must also book travel on a designated Japanese travel website. Lastely, this campaign is only running from Oct 11 to Dec 27 of this year. The good news is that the government has announced they will run this campaign again next year (2023).

Go To Travel and Go To Eat

Prior versions of the current campaign were under the branding “Go To Travel.” Which had similar benefits such as up to 30% off hotels. As you can see below, the Go To Travel campaign was launched in 2020, prior to vaccines, which correlated with high infection rates, suggesting that the timing may not have been the best.

This campaign also has a little sibling called “Go To Eat,” where restaurant vouchers could be purchased for ¥12,500 (~$125) for ¥10,000 (~$100).

Go to Tokyo Sign

Go to Eat Tokyo

While in Tokyo, my family and I used Tokyo Go to Eat coupons to go to a fancy breakfast buffet, priced at 6,000 yen per person. I would never pay full price for this, but with a 20% discount, we decided to treat ourselves.

Breakfast Buffet in Japan with omlette and steak

1/3 trips we made at the breakfast buffet

Prefecture and regional campaigns

Prefectures and regional governments across Japan have had their own campaigns. Most of these have ended with the new National Travel Discount campaign. But here is a little idea.

Kanagawa Prefecture

Kanagawa prefecture, home to Yokohama and Kamakura, to name a few famous cities, recently started Kanagawa Pay. Kanagawa Pay gives consumers up to 20% back when they pay using the Kanagawa Pay app at select places such as restaurants and stores. The mechanics behind this is a bit convoluted so I will not go into the details. It does not help that it is also incredibly annoying to use as the UI is terrible. For your amusement, please see the photos below.

Breakfast Buffet in Japan with omlette and steak

Kanagawa Pay user interface

Shimogo, Fukushima

In the town of Shimogo (下郷町) in Fukushima Prefecture, there was a campaign for 45% off lodging (which mean hotels, ryokan, inns, etc.) I went back in May 2021 for a short trip and it was very nice. Fukushima is known for the terrible nuclear power plant incident from the earthquake and tsunami in 2011, but there is much more to the prefecture, including beautiful ponds.

Blue pond goshikinuma fukushima

One of the Goshiki-numa ponds in Bandai-kogen, Fukushima

Is this the best thing for the economy?

Is this the best way to recharge the country? Good question. I am no economist and “best” is very subjective, requiring the balance of economic needs and health of the people.

Anzai and Nishiura from the Kyoto University School of Public Health conducted a study and concluded that there was a correlation with COVID-19 cases. However, due to the simplicity of their study they could not deduce causation. I suspect that there was causation, but without proof I cannot say. The time of the timeline shown was 2020, before vaccines. Fortunately, things have been improving since then.

COVID-19-Cases-timeline-Japan-min

On the economic side, the Daiwa Institute of Research estimated ¥3 trillion in direct benefits and ¥1.9 trillion in indirect benefits (a total of about $45 billion) and includes the employment of 460,000 people in the 2020 campaign. Hospitality and restaurants have been particularly hit hard during this pandemic, so from the standpoint of targeting certain industries the logic does make sense.

Potential side effects

Despite strong discounts and incentives to travel, there have been reports of accommodation and travel prices rising that are negating the campaign benefits for consumers. According to NHK , this is likely due to a few factors, the first is dynamic pricing. With low demand throughout the pandemic, hotels and other accommodations lowered prices to attract travelers. However, now with the campaigns and foreign tourists, prices are reflecting the new demand and supply dynamics.

Travel Voice , a tourism industry publication, cites other reasons as well. First, rising energy prices from the Ukraine and Russia conflict have caused major increases in energy prices. In the last year, TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) raised its electricity prices by 20-40%. Second, many accommodations underwent renovations to mitigate spread of the coronavirus. For instance, accommodations centered around large groups remodeled their dining areas to have private rooms, or increasing individual private rooms rather than group rooms. These upgrades require investments which are often passed on to the consumer.

Final Thoughts

Nevertheless, I am one of those who is partaking in such travel campaigns. The deal may be a little too hard to resist. Depending on your timing and where you go, you may find a good deal. Where would you go if you were in Japan to go to travel (or eat)?

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Reservation sites jammed as Japan kickstarts travel discount program

October 11, 2022 (Mainichi Japan)

Japanese version

national travel discount japan 2022

TOKYO -- The Japanese government's "National Travel Discount" program aimed at sparking domestic tourism demand started on the morning of Oct. 11, attracting hordes of traffic at travel reservation websites and making some of them difficult to view.

From around 9 a.m., customers had difficulty accessing Yahoo! Travel's website as it began accepting reservations for package tours including air tickets and accommodation. Similar situations hit Rakuten Travel and Jalan's websites, with some people finding it hard to advance to search or reservation pages.

Under the National Travel Discount program, the government will subsidize 40% of travel expenses until late December.

(Japanese original by Mihoko Kato, Business News Department)

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Japan to Continue Nationwide Travel Discount Program in 2023

Rashaad Jorden , Skift

November 25th, 2022 at 1:00 PM EST

The Japanese government announced on Friday i t’s planning to resume its domestic travel discount program in the new year .

Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito said the government will decide when exactly to relaunch the program, which was initially expected to conclude on December 28 , after monitoring Covid cases in the country. Participants in the program, a campaign the government hopes will resurrect a tourism industry battered by the pandemic, are required to have received at least three Covid vaccine doses or test negative for the virus. The Japanese government relaunched the travel discount program in October after pausing it during the heart of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, discounts offered in the program will be reduced next year, with the discount rate to drop to 20 percent from the current 40 percent. The maximum discount amount available for travelers in tour packages, including public transportation services, will also decrease from $58 (8,000 yen) to $36 (5,000 yen).

An image from Asakusa

Tags: coronavirus recovery , discounts , japan , tourism , travel recovery

image

[LIVELY HOTELS] National Travel Discount Program

national travel discount japan 2022

Japan’s government’s “National Travel Discount” program to stimulate tourism demand is finally underway!

Here are some of the best deals and attractive plans available through the LIVELY HOTELS national travel support program. More eligible plans & discounts will be added soon, so stay tuned!

—– ◆ THE NATIONAL TRAVEL DISCOUNT PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO TO THOSE WITH RESIDENCY STATUS IN JAPAN AND DOES NOT EXTEND TO OVERSEAS VISITORS ARRIVING ON TOURIST VISAS . —–

What is the “National Travel Discount” program?

The “National Travel Discount” is a government program designed to stimulate tourism demand by offering discounts on transportation and accommodations throughout Japan.

The program has expanded from the previous “Prefectural Travel Discount” campaign to include all residents of Japan, regardless of their home prefecture. This includes long-term foreign nationals living in Japan with a properly registered home address.

Local vouchers of up to ¥3,000 per person per day are available for food expenses on weekdays, with vouchers of ¥1,000 per person per day available for food on weekends.

To be eligible for the discount, travelers need to either be vaccinated with three shots or submit a negative PCR test. However, some prefectures may have different requirements for the number of shots needed.

Campaign available until December 20th, 2022!

national travel discount japan 2022

Here’s how to make a reservation at LIVELY HOTELS:

national travel discount japan 2022

◆ Please note that proof of residence in Japan and proof of 3 vaccinations or negative results will be required at check-in.

LIST OF ELIGIBLE LOCATIONS

The lively osaka honmachi (osaka) → available from october 11th, 2022.

national travel discount japan 2022

Enjoy a petit luxury hotel stay at The Lively Osaka Honmachi, where you can enjoy authentic French cuisine in a casual setting. The special anniversary plan is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions!

Click here for the list of the eligible plans at this hotel

THE LIVELY FUKUOKA HAKATA (Fukuoka) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

The Lively Fukuoka Hakata offers several ways to enjoy the charms of being in Japan’s lively port city. The Croffle breakfast plan includes popular Korean sweets breakfast along with some other delicious baked goods. Whether you visit just before boarding a flight or are in town for business or pleasure, this hotel is sure to be an unforgettable experience!

THE LIVELY TOKYO AZABUJUBAN (Tokyo) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Try one of our exclusive cocktails while looking at the Tokyo Tower at the hotel’s top-floor bar, featuring some of Japan’s most talented bartenders. Take advantage of the loft room with its own outdoor terrace or the exclusive theater room for a truly immersive home cinema experience.

UNWIND HOTEL&BAR SAPPORO (Hokkaido) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Enjoy an experience that truly lives up to the wonder of Hokkaido’s snow country! Unwind is a lodge-like-themed hotel where you can discover local drinks and food in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy a plan with coupons that can be used at 10 great local restaurants that we recommend.

UNWIND HOTEL&BAR OTARU (Hokkaido) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Enjoy a unique European-style dining experience with seasonal fresh ingredients sourced locally. Choose from either a four-course dinner or high tea – both are accompanied by local wine as well. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at Unwind Otaru, which is spread out over three floors and features historical decor.

SLASH KAWASAKI (Kanagawa) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Watch live concerts, games and sports at slash Kawasaki, the hotel that never sleeps. With every room equipped with its own projector screen, you can transform your space into a private movie theater at your fingertips! Don’t miss the famous “Infinite Popcorn” plan, which allows you to enjoy as many popcorn refills as you like!

ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA (Okinawa) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Enjoy a relaxing stay at ESTINATE HOTEL NAHA, a lifestyle hotel where travelers can meet locals and exchange ideas & travel tips. The Ryukyu Modern Italian Dinner plan includes two meals from our extraordinary Italian fusion menu combined with traditional Okinawa ingredients.

THE MILLENNIALS KYOTO (Kyoto) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Experience the future of capsule hotels with The Millennials and its world-famous “SmartPod” concept, a 3㎡ space with an alarm function that wakes you up with lighting and bed reclining. Enjoy a simple but delicious original breakfast plan and all of this in an inspiring & creative design lounge.

HOTEL GRAPHY GRAPHY (Tokyo) → Available from October 11th, 2022

national travel discount japan 2022

Take in the sights and sounds of local downtown Tokyo on a bicycle tour. Enjoy the scenery of Ueno and Asakusa, along with Yanesen and Nezu, as you bike around northeast Tokyo. You can capture your memories with the instant camera provided at check-in.

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Confusing mix of policies sours start of domestic travel discount campaign

Tourists in Kyoto on Tuesday. The domestic travel discount program is causing confusion among travelers and tourist agencies. | KYODO

The kickoff of a nationwide travel discount program aimed at boosting the domestic tourism industry is facing headwinds due to a confusing array of policies that vary by prefecture.

Discounts of up to ¥8,000 ($54) per person per day will be available for package tours including public transportation, while discounts of up to ¥5,000 per person per day will be offered for bookings of accommodation only. Vouchers worth ¥3,000 per person per day are available for food and shopping expenses on weekdays, with the figure falling to ¥1,000 per person per day on weekends.

Travelers need to be vaccinated with three shots or provide a negative PCR test taken within three days of their departure. The discounts will be available for travel through Dec. 20.

Overall, the campaign began on Tuesday, but Tokyo has delayed accepting travelers using the discounts to Oct. 20.

Meanwhile, Miyagi Prefecture is allowing its residents to be eligible for the discounts with only two shots when traveling within the prefecture. But travelers visiting from outside the prefecture need to be vaccinated with three doses to qualify.

“By making prefectures implement (their own) discounts, they can flexibly run the system based on the spread of infections in their local areas,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Tuesday. “Prefectures are offering their own time schedule or types of discount and then conveying the information to relevant parties.”

The hodgepodge of rules is causing a headache for travel agencies and hotel operators.

Hoshino Resorts, which runs a hotel chain, decided to push back accepting reservations for the discounts until Oct. 25 so they can have a website ready that offers a comprehensive rundown of the details and conditions for the discounts for each of its hotels across Japan.

“Under the current system, users are expected to go through more steps to make reservations since the campaigns vary by prefecture and policy on vaccinations may differ among travelers,” Hoshino Resorts said on its website.

“As a result, we launched a dedicated website for the national travel discount from Oct. 11 that offers all the details at a glance,” Hoshino Resorts said.

In addition, the Japan Tourism Agency's announced that discounts could be applied to trips that had been booked before the start of the discount campaign, which only added to the confusion, with some booking agencies setting separate polices.

Travel agency H.I.S. has asked travelers who booked trips before Oct. 7 — ahead of the discount launch — to cancel their reservations and rebook after Friday if they want to apply the discounts for trips starting in November. The move prompted harsh criticism on social media.

Yahoo Travel, meanwhile, stopped accepting reservations for prefectures that have already received the maximum number of reservations for the funding allocated to the travel agency. Those prefectures include: Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, Niigata, Tochigi, Ehime, Nagasaki and Miyazaki.

Tourists in Kyoto on Tuesday. The domestic travel discount program is causing confusion among travelers and tourist agencies. | KYODO

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COMMENTS

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  22. [LIVELY HOTELS] National Travel Discount Program

    ALL. [LIVELY HOTELS] National Travel Discount Program. Japan's government's "National Travel Discount" program to stimulate tourism demand is finally underway! Here are some of the best deals and attractive plans available through the LIVELY HOTELS national travel support program. More eligible plans & discounts will be added soon, so ...

  23. Confusing mix of policies sours start of domestic travel discount

    Oct 12, 2022. The kickoff of a nationwide travel discount program aimed at boosting the domestic tourism industry is facing headwinds due to a confusing array of policies that vary by prefecture ...