Welcome to the year of the Ox

6th January 2009

Great reasons to go – a year in Japan to eclipse all others

No matter when they visit or whatever their interests, everyone has a reason why they love Japan. The culture, from samurai and geisha to beautiful temples and gardens, is so different from anywhere else.

Japan has stunning and romantic scenery ranging from natural hot springs to exotic beaches, the Japanese are so very friendly, it is clean and safe - and cheaper than many people think - to name but a few. However, 2009 has one or two particularly good reasons why a trip to Japan should go straight into the new diary.

The Japan specialist’s ‘Winter Sports and Culture’ trip offers ski and snowboard lovers the chance to experience a relatively unknown winter sports destination while opening their eyes to the country’s rich and unique cultural heritage. From December to early spring skiers and boarders can discover uncrowded slopes deep in dry powder brought over and dumped by winds from Siberia. Much of central and northern Japan, with world-class snow resorts throughout, is under snow at this time of year but it is the northern island of Hokkaido that is Japan’s true skiing Mecca. Resorts such as Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu are now gaining a reputation for the quality of runs they offer.

Alastair Donnelly, InsideJapan Tours Director, comments: “Japan is a real treat for anyone who dares to stray from the busy European and North American resorts, and offers excellent value for eating out and après ski drinks. Japanese culture is as enticing as the snow with fantastic food, traditional ryokan accommodation with warm hospitality and, after a day on the slopes, the surrounding volcanoes produce the thermal hot spring baths that provide welcome relief to aching muscles. More than simply ticking a box, when people visit Japan for skiing their minds invariably turn towards a return visit.”

The all-round cultural experience Japan offers ranges from the vibrant metropolis of Tokyo, with the neon lights of Shinjuku and Shibuya, to the Geishas and World Heritage temples of the ancient capital Kyoto. Ryokan stays are available, such as in lesser known areas of the country like Yudanaka, where hot springs bring macaque monkeys from the mountains to bathe during the winter months. The ryokan is a unique Japanese experience allowing visitors to stay in traditional tatami rooms, sleep on futons, bathe in the hot spring baths and eat fantastic kaiseki dinners.

InsideJapan Tours’ two-week, self-guided ‘Winter Sports and Culture’ trip enables visitors to get the best out of skiing in Hokkaido along with an unforgettable taste of culture on the mainland. Priced from £2,190 pp, the trip includes four nights’ accommodation in Tokyo, five nights in Niseko, three nights in Kyoto and one night in Yudanaka (all with breakfast), all transport, internal flights, transfers, lift passes, Japan Rail Passes as well as private guiding in Tokyo and Kyoto. Excludes international flights, which can be booked through InsideJapan Tours.

As specialists in Japan, the company can expertly tailor-make trips to suit any level of interest, skiing ability, time frame and budget, taking you to Hokkaido and other famous resorts such as Hakuba in the Japan Alps.

For more information and to book call InsideJapan Tours on 0870 120 5600
(www.insidejapantours.com).

Ends – 6 January 2009

NOTE TO EDITORS: Launched in 2000, Inside Japan Tours is a small, dedicated team of specialists, all of whom have first-hand experience of living, working and travelling in Japan. The company offers a range of original, affordable packages for small groups and independent travellers. Inside Japan Tours has offices in the UK and Japan. It is a member of AITO, and is fully bonded via AITO Trust and ATOL.

PRESS: For more details, please contact James Mundy, PR Manager, tel. 0117 314 4633, email james@insidejapantours.com. Issued on behalf of Inside Japan Tours by Travel PR, tel. 020 8891 4440, email s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk or i.bradley@travelpr.co.uk.