Japan to offer Zeppelin joy rides
TOKYO – Nippon Airship Corporation (NAC) is offering air cruises over Tokyo and neighbouring cities in its Zeppelin NT airship between November 21 and January 4 next year to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the LZ127 Graf Zeppelin’s world voyage via Tokyo.
NAC cruises will fly above the eastern Japan cities of Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Saitama, in its Zeppelin NT (new technology) which is one of only three operational Zeppelin airships in the world.
The Tokyo Cruise gives passengers the opportunity to view the city’s iconic landmarks including Roppongi Hills, Ginza, National Diet Building, Asakusa and Tsukiji Fish Market from an altitude of about 500 metres.
Special flights including Christmas night cruises (December 18-25), and a New Year’s Day morning cruise, are also available in Tokyo.
The Yokohama Cruise highlights include views of the Yokohama Bay Bridge and Landmark Tower.
The longest cruise, Kamakura Cruise, flies above the historical seaside town of Kamakura, south of Tokyo, which was Japan’s capital for more than a century from 1192.
Cruise prices (per person)
* Tokyo Cruise (1.5 hours): from 126,000 yen ($1508)
* Yokohama Cruise (2 hours): from 168,000 yen ($2010)
* Kamakura Cruise (2.75 hours): 188,000 yen ($2249)
* Saitama Cruise (30 minutes): 50,000 yen ($598)
All cruises depart from and return to Honda Airport in Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture.
HISTORICAL NOTE: The heyday of the Zeppelin was during the 1930s when the airships Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg operated regular transatlantic flights from Germany to North America and Brazil. The Hindenburg disaster in 1937, when the air ship caught fire and 35 passengers died, hastened the demise of the Zeppelin.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists