Spring, fall favorites of Japan-bound Hawai'i folks

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Travel Writer

Kiyomizu Temple is among the landmarks in Japan's ancient capital Kyoto. Associated Press

Though many travelers choose spring and fall when seasonal changes make Japan's countryside beautiful, most Island travel agents offer one- and two-week tours and packages year-round.

We asked some Honolulu travel agents what they offer customers looking for the "Japan experience" (prices may vary according to the dollar-yen exchange rate).

Nakamura Travel Agency's Harry Nakamura said Hawai'i folks generally choose to go in springtime for the Cherry Blossom Festival, or in the fall, when autumn leaves change color. Another favorite time is February, for the ice festivals on Sapporo.

"But then in summer, families take a trip or teachers and students will go on organized educational trips," Nakamura said. "On their first trip, Hawai'i visitors will often go to the big cities that they've heard about — Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima. Next time, they'll try something different, go further afield."

Nakamura said a tour linked to the sumo championships in Tokyo last May was a success. "With sporting events, folks get caught up with the excitement of the games, and being there really makes a difference," he said. "We'll try it again next year."

Nakamura's 12-day Momiji ("fall colors") tour in October costs $3,394, which covers airfare, hotel and includes daily breakfast and dinner.

Howard Kazama, manager of of Super Jet Travel Agency, also runs tours year-round and finds autumn to be the most popular season. Travelers used to go for a month, but now seven days is about the norm, he said. "Then they have to come back — no money!," he said jokingly.

Kazama said travel inside Japan is far easier than it was even a few years ago. "You don't have to speak Japanese; now, you'll always find someone who speaks English," he said. Super Jet's Japan tours range from $600 (round-trip airfare) to $1,000 (airfare and three or four nights' accommodations).

Panda Travel offers hotel and air packages for travelers who want to arrange their own itineraries as well as escorted tours in spring and fall, said travel consultant Jennifer Inaba.

The Momiji and Cherry Blossom tours start in Kyoto and finish in Tokyo. Cost is $1,700 and includes airfare, hotel, guide and admission fees. Panda also offers a Hokkaido (Sapporo) Snow Festival tour in February. Cost is $2,500 and includes airfare, hotel, guide and most meals.

"Travelers who choose not to go on escorted tours will find Japan's bigger cities very easy to visit, and our Japan Value Packages (JALPAK), are great value," Inaba said. Panda's fall JALPAKS start at $699 and include round-trip airfare and three nights' hotel accommodation in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya or Kyoto, based on double occupancy and weekday travel.

Peter Kobayashi of Kobayashi Travel Service agreed that the most popular times for travel to Japan are spring and fall, with fall slightly favored. "There is more abundance of fruits — apples, grapes, persimmons — and the weather is more comfortable. However, spring brings cherry blossoms," he said.

Kobayashi's most popular tours are the "Tokaido Odyssey," which highlights Japan's major cities (recommended for first-time travelers to Japan); Nihonkai tour (on the Japan Sea), the Winter Snow Festival tour to Hokkaido island in February and tours to Kyushu, a southern island where there are plenty of hot springs. Tours range from $2,900 to $3,500 (including airfare, accommodation and most meals), number around 20 to 35 people and always include an English-speaking guide.

"The majority of our clients are Asian-American, with a growing number of younger travelers," said Kobayashi, adding that Japan is a very comfortable place to travel and much more visitor-friendly than it was a decade ago. "Our fall tours are filling up, and bookings for next year have started coming in," he said.

Royal Adventure Travel offers autumn Momiji tours, spring Cherry Blossom tours, the February Sapporo Snow Festival tour and an eight-day Royal Summer Escapade tour to northern Japan. The tour visits Osaka, Nara, Kyoto/Hakone, Kamakura and Tokyo. "This is a great introduction to Japan," said Royal travel consultant Sharon Matsushima "Our tour guides really make these tours special." Tours cost from $2,400 to $3,000 and include airfare, hotel, transportation, entry fees and most meals.