Double Delights in Japan

by Suman Gupta

Launching new seasonal services to Niigata

and rejoicing the return of Tokushima

The Cathay Pacific Group is giving customers more reasons to jet to Japan this winter with the addition of two extra seasonal routes including a new service to Niigata and the return of flights to Tokushima. Travellers looking to hit the slopes can look forward to a new twice-weekly service to Niigata starting 30 October 2019, opening up an exciting new region of Japan famed for its snowy winters. The route will be operated by Cathay Dragon on Wednesdays and Saturdays, subject to regulatory approval, using a two-class Airbus A330 aircraft, connecting Niigata with Dubai and Bahrain via Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the popular seasonal service to Tokushima on Shikoku Island, launched last winter will be returning on 9 November, subject to government approval. Two weekly Cathay Dragon flights, also operating on Wednesdays and Saturdays, will run throughout the winter season using a two-class A320.

Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager- SAMEA, Mark Sutch said: “Japan is fast becoming a popular destination for travellers from the Middle East and the addition of these seasonal direct flights from our home in Hong Kong provides additional travel options for those flying from India. Our customers now have more ways to discover exciting new experiences across this beautiful and culturally rich country. “Opening up new routes to destinations forms a key part of our growth strategy and further boosts Hong Kong’s status as the leading international aviation hub in Asia.”

Tickets are now on sale on www.cathaypacific.com. Open-jaw tickets are also available, giving customers the option to fly to Niigata or Tokushima and return to Hong Kong from another gateway in Japan, or vice versa.

The addition of these two winter services will cap off an exciting year of expansion in Japan for the Cathay Pacific Group. Earlier this year, Cathay Pacific launched a new scheduled summer seasonal service to Komatsu, opening up Ishikawa Prefecture’s rich natural landscapes and cultural attractions to travellers. The Komatsu service is scheduled to operate until 26 October 2019.

Snow White Niigata: Located on the western coast of Japan’s main Honshu island, Niigata Prefecture is known for the impressive snowfall that covers its inland mountains during the winter months, leading to it being dubbed yukiguni, “snow country”. Travellers looking to hit the slopes will find a plethora of alpine areas available to them, with Yuzawa in particular home to 12 ski resorts.

Meanwhile, snow festivals such as February’s “Tokamachi Yuki Matsui” offer a more leisurely way to experience the snowy getaway. Beyond the mountains, Niigata has plenty to offer fans of Japanese cuisine with rice, sake and seafood all local specialties. Niigata prefecture is one of Japan’s main producers of rice and the central Uonuma region has become renowned for its koshihikari rice crop. Meanwhile, fresh nanban shrimp and grilled blackthroat seaperch are popular seafood delicacies.

Taking in Tokushima: Blessed with a beautiful coastline and scenic mountain ranges that stretch right across the island, Shikoku has made a name for itself among lovers of the great outdoors. Culturally minded visitors find delight in the many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that dot the region, while the island is also synonymous with fabulous cuisine including Tokushima ramen noodles and grilled Awa odori chicken.

Details of the new Niigata and Tokushima services are as follows (all times local):

Hong Kong (HKG)-Niigata (KIJ)

Hong Kong (HKG)-Tokushima (TKS)*

*Flight operation is subject to government approval.

Cathay Pacific operates two daily flights from Dubai and one daily service between Dubai and Bahrain, with onward connections to more than 200 destinations through its own dedicated terminal at Hong Kong International Airport. Passengers should check www.cathaypacific.ae

About the Cathay Pacific Group: The Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Group offers scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 200 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, Europe and Africa, using a fleet of more than 200 aircraft. The company is a member of the Swire group and is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Group has made substantial investments to develop Hong Kong as one of the world’s leading global transportation hubs. Cathay Pacific is a founder member of the oneworld global alliance. For more information, please visit www.cathaypacific.com.