Club Wyndham is one of the hospitality giants investing in developing experiences in regional Japan, a move enriching options available to travellers and further expanding the Japanese tourism industry.

With 33 million inbound travellers predicted to visit Japan in 2024 – and 24 million already recorded by August – Japan’s popularity shows no signs of slowing.

And the Japanese Government is seeking to expand the 5.3 trillion yen (AU$54 billion) industry by developing its regional offerings – for example, by utilising private sector investment from hospitality giants.

Club Wyndham, part of Travel + Leisure Co. – the leading global vacation ownership and travel membership company – has seen the opportunity and recently acquired Club Wyndham Shirakabaso Shiga Kogen.

It became the first international resort in the pristine Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park and is part of the 600-hectare Shiga Kogen, Asia’s largest ski precinct and a host location of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Guests can access 60 ski lifts by gondola ride or short cross-country ski, while the resort offers snow equipment for hire, and repairs. After an active day, guests can enjoy six onsen, sauna, Japanese restaurant, private dining room, whisky bar, lobby café, and rooftop terrace.

Further improvements have been promised: upgrades to 32 guest suites, refreshed public spaces, a new pizza restaurant and a family-friendly area on the deck.

It comes as a 200-million-yen refurbishment concludes at Club Wyndham Chikumakan Nagano, a historic ryokan acquired earlier in 2024.

Club Wyndham kept the resort’s Japanese feel while incorporating Western attributes. For example, many rooms feature traditional tatami mats and Western-style bedding – a combination growing in popularity. A fresh Japanese menu is offered alongside Western dining options like pizza.

Guests can share in Japanese experiences like sushi making, soba cooking, pottery classes, zen meditation and stained glass making through local businesses, or take part in a resort-led cycling tour.

These initiatives diversify regional Japan’s offerings and give Club Wyndham South Pacific and Club Wyndham Asia members a unique taste of this growing market. For more club news from Japan, visit wyndhamap.com.