"ILTM Asia Pacific 30" was held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from June 2025th to July XNUMXrd.
ILTM stands for International Luxury Travel Market, and ILTM Asia Pacific is a global business conference that brings together the finest luxury travel suppliers and buyers from throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Africa, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
The event was a huge success, with 740 supplier brands, 740 buyers, and 70 media representatives in attendance.
The Japan Pavilion is exploding in popularity!
In Japan, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has made a serious effort to allocate a budget, making it somewhat easier for suppliers to participate. As a result, "Team Japan" was able to set up a large booth.
Compared to when I saw it 12 years ago, it really feels like a different era.
At the time, Japan's booths were small, and the number of buyers visiting was sparse, leaving the exhibitors who had traveled from Japan to Cannes and Shanghai (not Singapore at the time) with nothing to do.
The Japan boom is now a global trend, and the schedules of the Japanese exhibitors were so packed that there was no free time, and they were jostling each other.
Now, I would like to introduce some notable exhibitors from Japan, including those at booths other than the Japan Pavilion.
A rare experience staying at a cultural property
Yanagawa feudal lord Tachibana residence Onohana
It is rare to find an inn with such a long history in all of Japan. Its history dates back 400 years to the Edo period, when it was the residence of the Tachibana family, lords of the Yanagawa domain.
The inn is located on grounds that include a vast Japanese garden.
The place where the mansion was built became decorated with seasonal flowers and was affectionately known as "Ohanabatake" (flower fields), which is the origin of the current name of the mansion, "Ohana."
During the Meiji period, it became a count's house, and is currently run as a restaurant and inn by the 18th generation descendant of the Tachibana family.
Both the inn, which was originally a mansion, and the vast garden, Shotoen, are cultural assets, so it's amazing beyond imagination. If you're not of noble birth, you might feel a little intimidated, but you can rest assured that you'll be well-received.
Not only the guest rooms, but the hotel has also been completely renovated in a clean, modern Japanese style.
It's rare to see a hall like this.
The restaurant opened in 1950, so the food is also one of the highlights, with kaiseki cuisine using local seasonal ingredients and Yanagawa's specialty, steamed eel.
You'll want to plan your trip using Onna as your base for northern Kyushu.
Yanagawa feudal lord Tachibana residence Onohana
Address: 1 Shintomachi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture
TEL 0120-336-092 (representative)
Hiroshima's new destination
SIMoSE ART GARDEN VILLA
Speaking of noteworthy facilities in Hiroshima Prefecture right now, this is the one that stands out.
A beautiful and colorful museum.
Located near Miyajima, facing the Seto Inland Sea, the vast grounds centered around the Shimose Art Museum are dotted with Emile Gallé's garden, cafes, and villas.
The first photo shows the floating art museum in the water basin, with the "Waterside Villa" next to it and the "Forest Villa" a little further away in the woods. Both are villa-like homes designed by architect Shigeru Ban.
As it is an art auberge, meals are served in French style, making use of local produce.
The Waterside Villa is located next to the museum.
You can relax in the private space of your villa while being blown by the sea breeze, or stroll around looking at the art.This is a slightly innovative accommodation that looks like it will be a lot of fun.
SIMoSE ART GARDEN VILLA
Address: 2-10-50 Harumi, Otake City, Hiroshima Prefecture
An art museum surrounded by mountains and forests
Hakone State Guest House Rinho Kiryu
Although the hotel is exhibiting at a standalone booth, it could also be described as an art hotel. Located in Miyanoshita, Hakone, secluded in the middle of the mountains, is the Hakone Guest House Rinpo Kiryu.
There is armor, but artwork is placed throughout.
The first feature is that each guest room is decorated with artworks created by various artists, depicting symbols of good fortune such as the kirin, phoenix, turtle, and dragon. Each room is meticulously designed by a different artist. The artworks are diverse, including sculpture, plastering, calligraphy, dyeing, and karakami paper.
Of course, each guest room is supplied with water from Dogashima Onsen, one of the Seven Hot Springs of Hakone, without any added water.
Just one step past the front door is like another world.
Of course, the meals are also excellent. Dinner and breakfast are served in each room by a butler.
You can also enjoy spa relaxation in the treatment rooms, which are equipped with open-air baths and bedrock baths.
With just nine rooms, the ultimate luxury experience awaits.
Espacio Hakone State Guest House Rinho Kiryu
Address: 72 Miyanoshita, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
TE+:0460-87-9200
A long-awaited arrival at Hakone Hot Springs
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE
Another hotel in Hakone that I would like to introduce is HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE, the second hotel following the Mitsui Fudosan Group's highest-end luxury hotel, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO (opening November 2020).
It boasts a vast site in the mountains of Hakone.
Four luxury hotels operated by the Mitsui Fudosan Group have received three Michelin keys: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, BVLGARI Hotel Tokyo, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, and AMANEMU.
Both hotels have a strong presence, but HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO in Kyoto has already established a reputation, and Hakone is its second.
The site is located within Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, on a vast site of approximately 3 tsubo (the size of three Tokyo Domes) surrounded by the natural beauty of the Hakone mountains. Part of the site and the surrounding area is land associated with the Mitsui family, as it once housed a group of their villas.
It was constructed with great luxury and without any compromise.
If Kyoto is an opportunity to encounter Japanese culture, then Hakone will be an experience surrounded by magnificent nature.
There are 126 guest rooms, with interior design by the world-renowned design firm Yabu Pushelberg and restaurant design by AND (AOYAMA NOMURA DESIGN). Of course, another attraction is the abundant natural hot springs that are accessible to all the guest rooms.
It is scheduled to open in 2026.
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE
Address: 450-1 Misukurizawa, Kowakudani, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
Water and Craftsmanship
The last company we will introduce is Mizu to Takumi, a tourism and regional development organization (regional collaboration DMO/regional DMC) based in the western part of Toyama Prefecture that is working to promote the region through tourism.
This is a farming experience plan. You can eat the crops you harvest at the restaurant.
Blending experience at the famous Saburomaru Distillery.
Water and Craftsmanship Co., Ltd. (DMC)
Text: Toshizumi Ishibashi (former editor-in-chief of Claire and Claire Traveler)
