Japan’s Hokkaido bets on helicopter tours for wealthy travelers

Travel & Leisure

Service now in trial runs offers bird’s-eye view of island’s natural splendor

 A tourism industry consortium hopes helicopters will become a popular way for wealthy tourists to travel across Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. (Photo by Hajime Tsukada) 

HAJIME TSUKADA

February 8, 2025 08:33 JST

SAPPORO, Japan — The tourism industry in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, is trying out helicopter tours as a premium travel option, hoping to attract affluent visitors who want a time-saving, scenic alternative to trains and cars.