On January 9th, 2026, WaWo Japan Travel hosted its annual New Year’s Party in Akasaka, Tokyo, bringing our community together to celebrate the start of the new year.
The gathering welcomed more than 40 participants, including WaWo’s international community members, registered interpreter-guides, business partners, staff, and their families and partners. The atmosphere was warm and lively, reflecting the communal spirit we strive for at WaWo.
Guests enjoyed homemade Japanese dishes, sake tasting, and plenty of opportunities to connect and unwind. This year’s event also featured a traditional Japanese New Year’s game, in which participants could win artisanal gifts as prizes.
Following rave reviews at last year’s party, we brought on chef Yumiko Kimura to handle the food for this year’s event as well. We first became acquainted with the magic of Mrs. Kimura’s locally-sourced recipes while working with her on a project in Minamibōsō, Chiba Prefecture. Her thoughtfully crafted Japanese dishes were a big hit with guests throughout the evening.
The venue buzzed with conversation that crossed borders of nationality, language, and profession. WaWo’s international members represented a wide range of backgrounds, including the United States, France, Brazil, China, Cuba, and Denmark. They were joined by guides from the greater Tokyo area, as well as those traveling from Osaka and Hiroshima.
This year, many members’ families and partners also joined, further livening up the event.
We were likewise honored to welcome many of our business partners, including representatives from IGLOOO Inc., NEC Solution Innovators Ltd, and Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. Together, we reflected on last year’s initiatives and exchanged ideas for future projects and collaborations.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who continues to support WaWo Japan Travel.
In 2026, we remain committed to connecting people with communities–and communities with regions–through travel and shared experiences.
We wish you a year filled with growth, collaboration, and inspiration, and we look forward to continuing our journey together.