February is traditionally one of the most intense and productive months for our product team. While it is considered low season for tourism, it is precisely during this quieter period that we can invest time in internal training and FAM trips, ensuring our teams stay fully aligned with the experiences we offer to our clients.
This year, our first internal FAM trip of the year took place in Kyushu, where the team visited Beppu, Fukuoka and Nagasaki. The trip included inspections of partner hotels, activity testing and meetings with local suppliers. It was an extremely valuable opportunity to evaluate experiences firsthand and exchange feedback, helping us continuously refine the quality and consistency of the services we deliver.
Another part of the product team travelled to Koyasan, a destination that continues to generate strong interest among travellers. Given the high number of inquiries we receive about temple stays, logistics and cultural etiquette, it is essential that our teams maintain direct, updated knowledge of the destination to support our partners and clients effectively.
Meanwhile, winter continues to shape the landscape across many regions of Japan, with heavy snow still covering northern and mountainous areas. At the same time, the first signs of Spring are beginning to appear. Plum blossoms and early-blooming cherry trees are already starting to flower, building anticipation for the upcoming sakura season.
Destination news
- Free Shinkansen Campaign in Kyushu (Planned)
Local authorities are exploring initiatives that could include free Shinkansen tickets for foreign tourists as part of broader strategies to boost regional tourism and encourage travel beyond major gateway cities.
- Cherry Blossom Outlook
Early forecasts indicate flowering in Tokyo and Fukuoka is expected to begin around late March, typically around the last week of the month depending on weather conditions. Forecasts remain subject to change based on temperatures and seasonal patterns.
- International Sumo Event – Paris 2026
A major sumo tournament is scheduled to take place in Paris in June 2026, marking a rare overseas event and highlighting the continued global interest in Japanese traditional culture.
- New & Upcoming Luxury Hotel Openings
Japan’s luxury hospitality segment continues to expand, with several high-profile openings and developments including:
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto (Opening: 5 March, 2026)
Scheduled to open just in time for the spring season, the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is one of the most culturally significant openings in the ancient capital. Located in the heart of the protected Gion district, the hotel is a stunning “adaptive reuse” of the historic Yasaka Kaikan, a 1936 theater and Tangible Cultural Property. This intimate 55-room sanctuary preserves the building’s original architectural spirit while introducing modern luxury. Notably, the new North Wing features the Imperial brand’s first-ever guest rooms with tatami flooring, allowing for a traditional Gion experience without sacrificing five-star comfort. Guests can also enjoy exclusive views from the rooftop, an open-air terrace reserved strictly for staying guests that overlooks the rooftops of Gion.
1 Hotel Tokyo (Opening: Early March 2026)
Bringing a nature-first philosophy to the city’s skyline, 1 Hotel Tokyo is set to debut in early March within the new Akasaka Trust Tower. As the brand’s first entry into Japan, it occupies the 38th to 43rd floors and features a “biophilic” design that uses reclaimed timber, preserved moss and volcanic Oya stone to create a sustainable urban oasis. Each of the 211 rooms are designed as a restful escape from the digital world, featuring hand-applied plaster finishes and interiors crafted by local artisans. The hotel’s wellness floor, “The Field House,” includes a Zen-inspired spa and an indoor pool with panoramic views of Tokyo Tower, offering a perfect retreat for mindful travellers.
Hotel The Mitsui Hakone (Opening: Late 2026)
Following the success of its sister property in Kyoto, HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE is planned to open in late 2026 within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Situated on a massive 135,000-square-meter estate formerly owned by the Mitsui family, the hotel offers an unparalleled sense of forest immersion. A standout feature is that every one of its 126 guest rooms will have natural hot spring water pumped directly into a private en-suite bath from a volcanic source on the site. Designed by the renowned Yabu Pushelberg, the property focuses on a “five-sense” relaxation experience, where guests can enjoy the murmurs of the nearby Jakotsu River and the lush mountain landscape from their private villas or the grand thermal spring facility.
Additionally, Conrad Nagoya is expected to open in summer and set to be the first international luxury brand in the city, occupying the top floors of a new tower in the Sakae district with views of Nagoya Castle. Also, towards the end of 2026 Waldorf Astoria Tokyo Nihonbashi will open in the historic “center of Japan.” This debut will feature the brand’s iconic Peacock Alley and some of the largest standard rooms in the city.
- Permanent Closure: Kai Aso
Kai Aso, a beloved boutique ryokan in the Aso-Kuju National Park, has officially announced it will permanently close its doors at the end of October 2026. Known for its 12 private villas each equipped with forest-view hot spring baths, it has been a cornerstone of luxury in Kyushu for two decades. The hotel plans to host special “farewell” events in September and October to celebrate its 20-year legacy.
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