Experience Japan Virtually

With the world on lockdown and travel restrictions in place due to COVID-19, many of us are grounded at home for the foreseeable future. However, we can still explore virtually and enjoy a collection of virtual tours of 20 of Japan’s top attractions created using Google Maps and Street View.

Curated by JRPass, this collection of tours allows viewers to view the sakura, Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms, and marvel at the sunrise from the peak of Mt Fuji. As an additional benefit, one lucky participant will receive a cash reward if their review of one of the virtual tours is selected in a social media competition.

Explore the beautifully renovated Himeji Castle, renowned as one of Japan’s most exquisite castles, or take a luxurious train journey, and participate in the Saga Balloon Festival. Additional experiences include visiting a zen garden at the Adachi Museum of Art and taking a virtual stroll through Tokyo’s famous Shibuya Crossing, a location typically bustling with 2500 pedestrians.

Candidates keen on becoming the company’s “virtual travel tester” should share a nostalgic holiday photo on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtag #JapanVirtualTravel. They should also include a review of at least one of the virtual travel experiences from JRPass and tag @JRPass in their post. The chosen candidate will be announced at the end of the application period and will receive £200 (€223).

For the full virtual travel experience, see the JRPass blog post on the locations here.

Lockdowns are easing globally as the planet adjusts to a new normal. Find out how COVID-19 is changing travel.