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, and will be the only non-stop service connecting Niigata with Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the popular seasonal service to Tokushima on Shikoku Island, launched last winter will be returning on 11 December, 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 Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Paul Loo said: “We’re delighted to offer these additional seasonal services to Japan this winter, providing our customers with more ways to discover exciting new experiences across this beautiful and culturally rich country.

“Japan is one of the most popular destinations for Hong Kong travellers and our routes there consistently perform well. Opening up routes to destinations not currently served 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.

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.