TOKYO . The four-day Japan Tourism Expo 2026 officially began Thursday at Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center in Tokyo, bringing together tourism stakeholders from around the world under the theme “The Changing Shape of Travel.”
Nepal is participating in the prestigious 12th edition of the expo under the leadership of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), with nine Nepali tourism companies and hotels showcasing the country’s tourism products and services.
The expo is jointly organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi extended her best wishes for the event through a video message during the opening ceremony.
This year’s expo features 1,553 booths representing 1,420 companies and organizations from 74 countries and 46 prefectures of Japan. Organizers expect around 180,000 tourism professionals and visitors to attend during the four-day event. Of the total exhibition space, 597 booths have been allocated to international participants.
For Japanese travelers, Nepal’s Himalayan destinations, Lumbini—the birthplace of Lord Buddha—cultural heritage sites, trekking routes and rich biodiversity remain major attractions. Nepal’s participating tourism businesses are using the expo to directly promote these tourism products and services to Japanese travel companies and consumers.
The first two days, September 24 and 25, are focused on business-to-business (B2B) activities, with 6,454 pre-scheduled business meetings being held between 855 buyers and 1,019 sellers. Business-to-consumer (B2C) activities will be conducted on September 26 and 27.
According to Pradeep Gaire, senior officer at the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepali tourism companies have been holding business meetings with Japanese travel agencies and tourism professionals since the first day of the expo.
He said the discussions cover tourism packages, trekking and other travel services targeting the Japanese market, while also providing factual information about Nepal’s tourism situation following the recent Bhotekoshi floods, the condition of tourist destinations and trekking routes, and tourist safety.
“We are providing Japanese tourism professionals with factual information about Nepal’s current tourism situation and informing them that tourist destinations remain safe and operational. The effort is aimed at strengthening confidence in the market,” Gaire said.
Along with the Nepal Tourism Board, the participating Nepali companies and hotels are Gochali Tour and Travels, Sumegh Tours and Travels, Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks and Expedition, Langtang Ri Trekking and Expedition, Ghale Treks and Expedition, Buddha Maya Gardens, Rupakot Resort, Chhaya Devi Complex (Aloft Kathmandu Thamel), and Gorkha International Travels.
Another NTB senior officer, Yuvraj Gurung, said the expo is an important international platform for further strengthening the long-standing tourism and people-to-people relations between Nepal and Japan.
He emphasized the need to maintain Nepal’s presence in international tourism markets even after recent natural disasters, saying international platforms such as the expo provide an opportunity to effectively communicate that Nepal’s tourism sector remains operational and ready to welcome visitors.
Throughout the four-day expo, visitors to Nepal’s stall will receive information about major tourist destinations, activities and services through audiovisual presentations, brochures and other promotional materials.
The Nepal delegation is also prioritizing direct promotion of Nepal’s tourism products in the Japanese market and the expansion of business contacts through both B2B and B2C engagements.
