Visit Japan this winter for great deals & special events

Yokoso means welcome in Japanese, and the Japanese government has designated 20 January to 28 February 2007, Yokoso! Japan Weeks.

Winter is a great time to visit Japan with its excellent snow resorts, amazing winter festivals and onsen (natural hot springs) to keep you warm. During the Yokoso! Japan Weeks campaign visitors to Japan will be able to enjoy a wide range of special offers and special events to make their Japanese winter holiday extra special.

Yokoso! Japan Weeks activities will include:
Japan Winter Sale 2007
Numerous shopping centers in Japan offer the biggest bargain and clearance sales in January and February. Hottest styles can be purchased at remarkable discount prices. Select shops holding sales during the Yokoso! Japan Weeks will be offering free gifts or further reductions on already discounted items to international travellers. Discounts of up to 80% will be available.

Special Discounts on Tours & Sightseeing Attractions
Sky Bus, Japan's first double-decker open-top tour bus company, will be offering 50% off its Tokyo tours. Tokyo City View, the observation deck that stands 250m above sea level with nothing to obstruct the view offering a 360-degree panorama of Tokyo, will be offering 20% off. In Kyoto, Toei Movie Land - a film studio theme park where samurai films are made - is offering 25% off entry and for 4,000 yen (less than £20) travelers can rent out a full set kimono including sandals and accessories, and see the sights of Kyoto in classical clothing – great for photos! Also available are discounts on theatre and museums and special restaurant offers.

Spectacular Winter Festivals
The Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan’s most famous winter festival, runs from 6-12 February. Visitors are greeted by over 300 works, from giant snow and ice creations rendered in minute detail to snow statues. Other spectacular winter festivals taking place during Yokoso! Japan Weeks include the, Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival. Tokachi River Swan Festival and the 47th Asahikawa Winter Festival, where you can stand on the world's biggest balcony made of ice and snow - as high as a five-story building!

Snow Resort Special Events
The snow and ski resorts of Japan contain world-class slopes that have hosted two Winter Olympic Games and various World Championships, and are known for their ease of access, dazzling array of scenery and excellent powder quality. From snowboarding to snow tubing, Japan’s snow resorts offer something for everyone. During this special time period, snow resorts throughout Japan will enhance your stay with special events and presents as well as major discounts.

Relax in Traditional Japanese Spas
Every trip to Japan should include a visit to an onsen (natural hot springs). Each region and inn has something unique, and while a long soak in just one spa is still a treat, touring several onsen is another kind of pleasure. Some regions have a convenient pass system called the "Onsen Pass" that allows you to visit various hot springs in a designated area.

Low-cost Transit Tours
Passengers in transit at Kansai Airport will be able to take advantage of special transit tours to help make the most of their brief stop in Japan. The transit tours include a shopping mall tour for those with limited time or a castle walking tour. The tours are available from just 200 yen – about £1!

Hotel Discounts
Hotels all over Japan will be offering discounts of 20-50% off normal room rates during the campaign, including hotels in the popular cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

For more information, visit seejapan.co.uk.