As the home of Mount Fuji, there’s already an expectation that Shizuoka will be a scenic delight of any trip to Japan. But outside the shadow of Japan’s highest mountain is a cultural heritage, beaches, and fresh seafood cuisine.

Disasters are following one another in Japan, where two airports are closed and searchers are looking for survivors of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that rocked the western coast on Monday.

Japan’s Tokyo Haneda Airport is closed following a crash between a Japan Airlines jet and a Coast Guard plane on its way to provide earthquake relief.

The coastal city of Wajima, home to more than 27,000 people, appeared to be among the worst hit; CNN reports 15 dead there, as well as smoldering fires and destroyed buildings. At Noto Airport, damage to the terminal and its access roads has left about 500 people. Officials say the airport will be closed until at least Thursday.

At Haneda Airport, meanwhile, all 379 people on the passenger plane, JAL flight 516, were safely evacuated, but five crew members on the second aircraft, operated by the Japan Coast Guard, were killed.

The majority of departures from Haneda Airport are now canceled and it’s unclear when flight services will resume, Japan’s NHK news reports.

After 15 years of cruising in Japan, MSC Cruises on May 1 opened sales for its first-ever winter season in the Land of the Rising Sun, beginning this year.

The new program will start in November 2023, sailing on MSC Bellissima, and include 6-, 9-, and 11-night sailings from Yokohama. Then from January to March 2024, MSC Bellissima will add 4- and 5- night itineraries within Japan and to Keelung, Taiwan (China), visiting Okinawa, Ishigaki, and Miyako island, sailing out of a homeport in Naha/Okinawa.

MSC Bellissima is the second ship in the MSC Meraviglia class and one of the largest in the MSC fleet, holding 4,500 guests. It features 12 dining venues and more than 20 bars and lounges, including a steak house, the French specialty restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot and Chocolate & Café, home of unique and elegant chocolate desserts.

Japan is known for its sprawling metropolises, cities that bask in the light of every color from signs and advertisements. Yet, outside these massive cities is an island country with natural beauty that shines bright on the pale petals of the cherry blossom—on the delightful purple of the wisteria tree. Adored by Japanese poets and painters is a sight that soars above them all, the UNESCO World Heritage Mt. Fuji.

With this week’s news that Japan’s borders will reopen to foreign tourists after more than two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, global tour operator Collette today announced that booking is now open for its two Japan itineraries. Departures begin this November.

“We’re so excited travelers can once again explore Japan. Prior to the pandemic, Japan was one of our most popular destinations. Nearly every departure we offered was sold out,” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, president of Collette. “Our product development team just returned from a three-week review of our two itineraries. Our partners – everyone from hotels to restaurants to local guides – and of course our tour managers cannot wait to welcome travelers back to Japan on two culturally-rich tours.”

Collette’s newest tour to Japan is Japan: Past and Present , which begins at $5,749.00 per person. This small group adventure with just 14-24 guests includes a variety of activities designed to connect guests to Japan’s rich culture, traditions, culinary delights, and natural beauty. Highlights include overnighting amongst Buddhist monks at a monastery on Mount Koya; meeting an individual who experienced the devastating affects of the Atomic bomb firsthand; joining the Ama pearl divers to hear tales about their unique and sacred rights of this women-only profession; and using the public transportation in Tokyo to efficiently explore the city to experience life like a local.

Collette’s popular Cultural Treasures of Japan tour begins at $4,999.00 per person and offers cultural and culinary experiences like a sake tasting, a sushi-making class, a geisha show in Kyoto and the chance for travelers to experience the centuries-old art of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Collette’s guests can book their tours with confidence knowing that when they add Collette’s Travel Protection Plan, they will receive a full money-back refund if they need to cancel – up to 24 hours before departure.

Please visit www.collette.com for more information.

Beginning Sept. 7th, Japan will double its maximum number of daily visitors to 50,000. This announcement also comes with the allowance of non-guided package tours, both a huge reversal in COVID-19 restrictions.

The Japan Tourism Agency has determined to conduct a “test tourism” program in May prior to a full opening to travelers. Small group tours will be permitted into the country in May to ascertain how well protocol measures will prevent an increase in Covid-19 cases. Read the rest of this entry »