MUMBAI – The Cherry Blossom season is the perfect time to visit Japan as the country’s iconic sakura (cherry blossoms) flowers blanket the country in soft pink splendour and capture the attention of visitors. The re-opening of the destination after two years, ahead of the highly awaited Sakura Season has fuelled travel demand for Japan. To capitalise on this demand, Thomas Cook (India) Limited – India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, have launched an extensive range of ready-to-book, air-inclusive, land-only and customizable holidays across Japan, starting.

Thomas Cook and SOTC’s product range extends across affordable luxury and premium holidays. Consumers can avail of attractive deals like Buy One Get One – Companion Free offer and cash discounts. With a range of Japan Sakura tours, the companies intend to target India’s families, millennials/young professionals, couples and honeymoon segments.

Japan offers Indian consumers a diversity of unique activities and offbeat experiences such as a visit to Suzuka Circuit to enjoy its motorsport-themed rides, Japan’s popular anime culture tours or a unique Ninja experience at its Ninja village resonating with millennials; bar hopping at Nonbei Yokocho, a little street bursting with character or Japanese whisky trails. Also, street shopping at famous Harajuku’s Takeshita Street or Osaka Shinsaibashi, hillside spa of Jozankei Onsen – for hot spa tours or indulging in local Ja anese cuisine at Osaka. Additionally, the Sumida River Cruise allows tourists to see the Heart of Tokyo – the city of water.

Iconic locations in Japan that are popular among Indians include Mount Fuji, the country’s highest mountain peak; the city of Nara – hub of Japanese culture for centuries; Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, at the epicenter of the atomic blast and the Nara Deer Park in the first capital of Japan. The famed Osaka Castle, known for its contribution to the unification of Japan, encompasses a garden that is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot.

In addition, Hakone is famous for hot springs, natural beauty and the view across Lake Ashinoko; Naritasan is a popular Buddhist temple in Narita with a history of over 1000 years and Kyoto is home to numerous Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces and gardens.

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited. said, “The reopening of Japan after over two years is a significant opportunity that we look forward to leverage via our Sakura tours. Our customers have a growing appetite for experiential destinations like Japan that offer unique activities for all segments and our product portfolio has been created to attract segments of families/multigenerational families, young professionals/millennials, couples and honeymooners. To help our customers plan their perfect holidays, we have launched an exciting range of Japan holidays with special offers like Buy One Get One Free. Customers can select from our array of ready-to-book and personalised options to plan their perfect holiday.”

Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “The Sakura season is spectacular and represents Japan’s largest travel period and with positive customer sentiment, travel desire is at an all-time high. With the launch of our Japan holidays in sync with the reopening of the destination after over two years, we look forward to further capitalise on the growing travel demand for Japan. We have designed our itineraries with unique experiences and a range of exciting activities to explore the destination.

Our strategic intent will focus on highlighting the unique sightseeing options, signature wellness experience and extensive range of local food & shopping attractions to drive demand. With exciting early booking offers on our range of Japan holidays, we welcome customers on a holiday that is cherished forever.”