Aussie agents explore Tohoku

EIGHT Aussie retail travel agents jetted off to Japan courtesy of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Sydney office earlier this month.

The group embarked on a five-night fully hosted tour of the country as part of the Japan E-Learning Top Scorers Familiarisation Trip.

Supported by Japan Airlines, Hilton Hotels, Prince Hotels and Hoshino Resorts, the agents explored the Tohoku region on Japan’s main island of Honshu.

Highlights included a shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Tokyo to Sendai, a 1,000 step pilgrimage to Yamadera mountain temple, a cruise of Matsushima Bay and a visit to a traditional castle town.

The team relaxed at varied accommodation ranging from a family resort, ski resort, city hotel and ryokan (a Japanese-style inn), complete with a kaiseki meal and natural hot-spring baths.

Pictured at the Ryokan about to tuck into a kaiseki meal (Japanese degustation) are, left from front to back: Sarah Browning, MTA Travel; Lara Pritchard, Italktravel; Tegan Gray, MTA Travel; Stephanie Sng, JNTO Sydney Office and Yoko Kuroishi, guide.

Right, from front to back are: Christine Riou, Newport Travel; Heather Harrison, RAC Travel; Sinead Allison, Helloworld Travel; Nicole Rappel, Helloworld Travel and Sandra Brasier, Italktravel.