The new year begins with strong momentum for Japan, as global interest in the destination remains exceptionally high. This enthusiasm is further confirmed by “Nagasaki and Okinawa being featured in The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2026”, highlighting Japan’s continued appeal beyond its most iconic cities.
In 2025, Tokyo was the second international destination by air arrivals, with a growth of +2.3% while Okinawa alone recorded a +36% increase in arrivals, reflecting growing interest in regional and resort destinations.
2026 is also a very special year for us at EXO Travel Japan, as we celebrate our 15th anniversary. From our beginnings to today, we have grown into a team of over 250 professionals and we continue to expand, always with the same goal of delivering outstanding travel experiences while maintaining the highest standards of service. Thank you for your continued trust and for choosing to work with us.
As we do every year, we also continued our annual tradition of visiting a shrine at the start of the year, a meaningful moment to reflect, express gratitude and wish for a successful and safe year ahead for our team, partners, and clients.
We step into 2026 with excitement and determination, ready to embrace new opportunities and face the challenges ahead together.
Destination news
- Temporary & Maintenance Closure:
January-February 2026
Benesse House Park and Beach will be closed for maintenance from Monday, 5th January, 2026 to Friday, 27th February, 2026.
■ May-June 2026
Naoshima New Museum of Art will be closed for maintenance from Monday, 11th May, 2026 to Saturday, 6th June, 2026.
■ June 2026
All art facilities in Naoshima will be closed for maintenance from Monday, 15th June, 2026 to Friday, 19th June, 2026.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
The Peace Memorial Museum will be closed to the public from 16th February to 21st February, for maintenance. We recommend adjusting any Hiroshima itineraries during this week to focus on Miyajima Island and other monuments in the Peace Park.
Miyajima Ropeway
Travellers planning to visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island should note that the Miyajima Ropeway is closed for scheduled maintenance from 16th January (Saturday) to 6th March (Monday).
- New Openings
MoN Takanawa (The Museum of Narratives)
A stunning new cultural landmark is arriving at Takanawa Gateway City (Tokyo). Designed by the renowned Kengo Kuma, it will be a centrepiece of the new Takanawa Gateway City, blending tradition with digital art and manga and the opening is set for March 2026.
Kawaii Monster Land
Some years after the closure of the iconic Kawaii Monster Cafè, the “kawaii” spirit returns to Harajuku! This new immersive experience continues the legacy of the iconic Kawaii Monster Cafe, offering an explosion of colour and Harajuku pop culture. The grand opening is set to be 13th February.
PokéPark Kanto
We have an updated opening date! The world’s first permanent outdoor Pokémon attraction at Yomiuriland is now set to welcome its first “trainers” on 6th February.. Initial demand is extremely high, so early planning for future bookings is essential.
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