Hato Bus Co. has announced a lineup of 31 autumn tour courses (October-December 2016) in which English- and Chinese-speaking tour guides will take inbound tourists to various tourist spots.

(Photo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/opn/release/201609234546/)

By using ninja as a key attraction, the company is aiming to further stimulate demand from foreign tourists for its tours.

Nowadays, inbound tourists are placing more value on experience-based tours than goods they can obtain during their trips. As such, activities allowing tourists to try various Japanese experiences, including making traditional craft and being entertained by geisha women at a Japanese-style banquet, are drawing attention as tourist attractions.

To meet such needs and encourage more inbound tourists to participate in its tours, Hato Bus will introduce two new experience-based tour courses -- in which participants can experience the activities of ninja, such as throwing shuriken (ninja stars), at the "Oshino Shinobi-no-Sato" (ninja village) theme park situated at the foot of Mount Fuji.

In the English course, participants will be taken to the Shosenkyo canyon, where they can see seasonal changes in landscapes unique to Japan, to enjoy a stunning view of the valley and maple trees ablaze with fall colors -- in addition to Oshino Shinobi-no-Sato. In the Chinese course, participants will view Sagamiko (Lake Sagami) Illumillion, one of the largest illumination festivals in the Kanto (Tokyo and vicinity) region in which Sagamiko Resort is lit up with 5.5 million bulbs. Visitors to the event can enjoy the fantastic brilliance of illumination that cannot be seen in urban areas.

An example of tour courses:

Excursion at foot of Mount Fuji, ninja experience and Illumillion -- a forest of lights (Chinese)

Tour fee: 11,800 yen per adult; 8,800 yen per child

Period: Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between October 22 and December 25 (except for some designated days)

Itinerary: Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal (departure: 9:20) -- Kitaguchihongu Fuji Sengen Shrine -- Oshino Hakkai -- Oshino Shinobi-no-Sato -- Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway (aerial tramway) -- Sagamiko Illumillion -- Tokyo Station (arrival: around 20:30)

*Extra charges required for wearing ninja costumes and experience karakuri yashiki (a tricky house).

https://www.hatobus.com/int/en/