Kanazawa and Nagano pitch U.S. travel agents on a new Japan route

The Kanazawa–Nagano Tourism Promotion Council hosted a tourism seminar in Culver City, California, for 20 U.S. travel professionals on Oct. 23, 2026. The event aimed to raise awareness of the two cities and steer travelers beyond Japan’s best-known routes.

Why it matters: - The Kanazawa–Nagano Tourism Promotion Council is trying to expand U.S. demand for travel to two Japanese cities that sit outside the country’s most familiar tourist circuit. - The push matters for Japan’s regional tourism strategy because travel advisers can shape what destinations get booked and recommended. - The seminar was designed to give U.S. professionals concrete reasons to sell Kanazawa and Nagano as part of a broader Japan itinerary.

What happened: - The Kanazawa–Nagano Tourism Promotion Council held a seminar titled “Where Tradition Meets Nature: Kanazawa and Nagano, Japan” on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at the Japanese restaurant Hayama by WATAMI in Culver City, California. - Twenty people attended the event. - The seminar was part of the “U.S. West Coast Tourism Promotion Project.” - The project aims to raise awareness of Kanazawa and Nagano in the U.S. market and encourage travel to both cities. - The event used the concept “Beyond the Golden Route: Discover the Rainbow Route.”

The details: - The program included separate tourism presentations for Kanazawa and Nagano. - Kanazawa’s presentation focused on historic streetscapes and traditional crafts, with an emphasis on history and craftsmanship. - Nagano’s presentation highlighted natural surroundings, seasonal scenery, and historical and cultural attractions. - Nagano’s segment also featured temple stays and shojin ryori, the traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. - English-language brochures and maps for both cities were available at the venue. - The seminar ended with a question-and-answer session and lunch networking. - A raffle offered Kanazawa gold-leaf craft items as prizes.

Between the lines: - The council is positioning Kanazawa and Nagano as complementary destinations: one centered on heritage and craft, the other on nature and spiritual tourism. - The “Beyond the Golden Route” framing suggests an effort to move U.S. travelers past the standard Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka itinerary. - Direct outreach to travel professionals is a practical way to influence future itinerary planning and package design.

What's next: - The council will use the seminar’s outreach and networking to support future recommendations for travel to Japan. - The broader West Coast promotion project appears aimed at building longer-term awareness in the U.S. market. - The council is likely to continue presenting Kanazawa and Nagano as add-on or alternative destinations for travelers seeking cultural and nature-focused experiences.

The bottom line: - Kanazawa and Nagano are being marketed to U.S. travel sellers as a fresher Japan option built around heritage, nature and experiences beyond the country’s best-known routes.