Tokyo is expanding its approach to international tourism by connecting visitors with destinations beyond the Japanese capital.
On September 14, 2026, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched KITAKANTO×TOKYO, a new English-language tourism website designed to introduce international travelers to Tokyo and the northern Kanto region, including Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma.
The platform provides tourism information, transportation details and travel services to help visitors discover destinations that can be combined with a trip to Tokyo.
Connecting Tokyo With Northern Kanto
The new website is part of a collaboration between Tokyo and northern Kanto destinations.
The participating areas include Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture and Gunma Prefecture, along with Tokyo and East Japan Railway Company.
The initiative aims to encourage international visitors to explore several destinations during the same trip rather than limiting their journey to the capital.
This approach gives travelers more information about destinations that can be reached from Tokyo while also highlighting transportation options.
Travel Information Available in English
One of the main features of KITAKANTO×TOKYO is its English-language content.
The website introduces tourism attractions in the participating areas and provides information about transportation services. This can make it easier for international visitors to plan trips outside central Tokyo.
Tochigi, for example, is home to destinations such as Nikko, Utsunomiya and Kinugawa Onsen. The Japan National Tourism Organization describes the prefecture as accessible from Tokyo, with some destinations reachable in under an hour by bullet train.
Regional Travel Routes Are Also Planned
The tourism project is not stopping with basic destination information.
Tokyo says the website will later introduce travel routes connecting Tokyo with northern Kanto destinations, including suggested sightseeing spots.
Those itineraries are scheduled to be added around December 2026.
The planned routes could give international visitors more ideas for combining city travel with regional experiences during the same Japan trip.
A Wider Tourism Collaboration
The website is part of Tokyo’s broader effort to work with other local governments and private-sector organizations to attract international travelers.
The collaboration includes online advertising, overseas media promotion, information activities aimed at foreign visitors in Tokyo, brochures and video production.
Tokyo is also preparing for Tourism EXPO Japan 2026, scheduled for September 24–27, where the city plans to promote attractions and travel experiences connected with Tokyo.
More Options for International Travelers
The launch of KITAKANTO×TOKYO gives international visitors another resource when planning a Japan itinerary.
Instead of viewing Tokyo as an isolated destination, travelers can use the capital as a starting point for exploring nearby regions with different cultural, historical and natural attractions.
With additional regional itineraries planned for December, the website is expected to continue expanding its information for international travelers looking to explore more of the area around Tokyo.
