Ending 2021 on a high, Black Diamond is delighted to announce several awards and accolades across the travel industry on behalf of long-standing client JNTO. From the icy mountains of Hokkaido to the lesser-known Shikoku, read on to find out where (and why) UK travellers are heading to in 2022.
Readers Choice Awards
National Geographic Readers Awards 2021
Recognised in two categories, these awards offered a double whammy win for Japan taking home ‘Best Long Haul Destination’ and ‘The Wish-List Destination.’ National Geographic said: “This is a timeless destination, where a stay at an ultra-modern, high-rise hotel can be combined with a bullet train ride out to a traditional, rural ryokan or a soak in a steaming onsen. There’s never been a more exciting time to visit, either: from countryside walking tours to deep-dive food and culture itineraries, tour operators are now offering more choice than ever before.”
Read the full feature here.
Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2021
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka took the top three spots in Best Cities in the World category while Japan also won ‘The Best Train in the World’ for the Seven Stars Kyushu. Condé Nast Traveller said: “The Olympic effect was in full swing, with Japan taking gold, silver and bronze in world cities, with merits for food, sights and culture.”
Read the full feature here.
Wanderlust Readers Awards 2021
Japan won Silver for Long Haul Destination for 2022
Read the full feature here.
Publication Awards
Condé Nast Traveller Destinations for 2022
Hachinohe – a lesser-known region in Japan’s Aomori Prefecture – was listed as one of Conde Nast Traveller’s 22 Destinations for 2022. Condé Nast Traveller said: “The recently rebuilt Michinoku Coastal Trail – which connects the city of Hachinohe with Soma in Fukushima – is a splendid way to explore. Wriggling along the coast of Tohoku, the trail takes in hidden Shinto shrines, bear-filled forest and fragrant wildflower meadows along 1,000 picturesque kilometres. Shack up in one of the many welcoming guest houses along the way, and you’ll snatch a glimpse of authentic Tohoku life while directly supporting local families.”
Read the full feature here.
Lonely Planet Destinations Best in Travel for 2022
Shikoku – the smallest of Japan’s four main islands – was awarded #6th Region in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022.
Read the full feature here.
National Geographic Travellers Best of the World
Hokkaido – Japan’s northernmost island – was awarded one of the ‘25 Amazing Journeys for 2022′ in the ‘Best for Culture and History’ category.
National Geographic said: “Most visitors to Hokkaido, Japan’s wildly scenic and northernmost main island, don’t have many opportunities to learn about the Ainu, Indigenous people from the northern region of the archipelago. But the new National Ainu Museum and Park at Upopoy, which opened in 2020, hopes to change that. It joins the Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum, which opened in 1992, in teaching Japanese and international visitors about Ainu culture.
Read the full feature here.
