Goway has focused on Japan’s growing challenge of overtourism with new product expansions centered on less-visited regions. As of Jan. 8, 2026, the company reported a 41 percent increase in bookings to Japan compared to the previous year, mirroring the country’s broader surge in tourism, which brought more than 40 million visitors in 2025. With Tokyo and Kyoto experiencing the heaviest visitor traffic, Goway has added new itineraries in Kyushu and Shizuoka.
“I recently visited Kyushu and it delivered on every level,” says Moira Smith, VP of Asia at Goway, in a press statement. “This is an ideal place for everyone from first-time visitors to seasoned Japan travel veterans. It’s stunningly diverse, has gorgeous onsen experiences throughout, and some of the best food I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy. This is Japan at its best and without the crowds. Travelers should seek it out before it catches on.”
Goway Goes a Different Way
The new Kyushu programs highlight the island’s mix of culinary, natural and cultural attractions, supported by efficient rail networks and scenic drives. Highlights of Southern Japan: Undiscovered Kyushu follows a rail route from Fukuoka through Beppu to Takachiho Gorge. Your clients will experience local food traditions, rural landscapes and historic sites tied to Japan’s southern heritage. Japan Road Trip: Kyushu Edition is structured around independent self-drive exploration, giving travelers a rental vehicle to visit areas such as Yakushima Island, known for ancient cedar forests, and the coastal formations along Miyazaki. The programs focus on the island’s geographic range, from inland mountains to thermal hot springs dotted throughout its towns.
Goway’s additional product line extends north to Shizuoka Prefecture, positioned between Tokyo and Osaka. This area attracts fewer international visitors despite its proximity to urban hubs. The new Essential Tokyo & Kyoto: The Fuji Coastline Route combines a city stay with time along Suruga Bay and the Izu Peninsula. It includes viewpoints of Mt. Fuji from tea-growing districts and coastal areas, along with time in Shuzenji Onsen, a well-known hot spring town on the peninsula.
“Shizuoka is an excellent option for first timers going to Japan for a short stay,” said Brittany Banks, Commercial Manager for Asia, in a press statement. “It’s not as busy as Hakone and easy to access as it’s on the bullet train line from Tokyo to Kyoto. It also lets you see the cherry blossoms before the massive crowds sweep over Japan. If you visit in February, you can see the blossoms in Kawazu town six weeks before the trees bloom on other parts of the mainland.”
For more information, visit goway.com.
