Goway Launches Kyushu and Shizuoka Packages as Japan Travel Demand Soars

Responding to unprecedented demand for travel to Japan, Goway Travel has expanded its Japan portfolio with new immersive experiences in Kyushu and Shizuoka, offering more options beyond the country’s busiest destinations.

Travel to Japan has surged in recent years, with visitor arrivals exceeding 40 million in 2025. At Goway, bookings to Japan rose 41% year over year, with a growing number of travellers seeking alternatives to heavily visited hubs such as Tokyo and Kyoto. In response, Goway has introduced new itineraries focused on Kyushu and Shizuoka—regions that welcome far fewer international visitors while delivering Japan’s signature blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, including renowned cherry blossom and autumn foliage displays.

“I recently visited Kyushu and it delivered on every level,” says Moira Smith, VP of Asia at Goway. “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. Travellers should seek it out before it catches on.”

Goway’s newly launched Kyushu programs highlight the southern island’s rich culinary scene, ancient cedar forests, dramatic coastlines, and diverse onsen culture include:

• Highlights of Southern Japan: Undiscovered Kyushu explores the island by rail, travelling from Fukuoka to Beppu and the scenic Takachiho Gorge.
• Japan Road Trip: Kyushu Edition offers a self-drive experience, with travellers exploring at their own pace from Yakushima’s primeval cedar forests to Miyazaki’s rugged coastal cliffs.

Goway has also introduced a new itinerary featuring Shizuoka Prefecture, located along Japan’s Pacific coast between Tokyo and Osaka, known for Mount Fuji, green tea plantations, and the coastal scenery of Suruga Bay:

• Essential Tokyo & Kyoto: The Fuji Coastline Route includes time on the Izu Peninsula, a stay in the onsen town of Shuzenji, and Mount Fuji viewing experiences from Suruga Bay.

“Shizuoka is an excellent option for first timers going to Japan for a short stay,” says Brittany Banks, Commercial Manager for Asia at Goway. “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.”

Goway says they are continuing to evolve its Japan offerings to address overtourism while providing more authentic, meaningful travel experiences. For more information, visit Goway.com.