KATHMANDU: Nepal is participating in the four-day Japan Tourism Expo 2026 in Tokyo, with the Nepal Tourism Board leading a delegation of nine private-sector travel, trekking and hotel companies to promote Nepal in the Japanese market.

The 12th edition of the expo, which began Thursday at Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Centre, has brought together 1,420 companies and organisations with 1,553 booths from 74 countries and regions and all 46 prefectures of Japan. The organisers expect around 180,000 visitors during the four-day event.

The first two days, September 24 and 25, are dedicated to business-to-business (B2B) meetings, with 6,454 pre-scheduled meetings involving 855 buyers and 1,019 sellers. Business-to-consumer (B2C) activities will be held on September 26 and 27.

According to Nepal Tourism Board senior officer Pradip Gaire, Nepali companies have been holding meetings with Japanese travel agencies since the opening day, discussing tourism packages, services and travel conditions in Nepal following the recent Bhotekoshi floods. The Nepali delegation has also been providing information on the safety of tourist routes and preparations for receiving visitors.

The participating private-sector companies are Gaucheli Tours and Travels, Sumegh Tour and Travels, Himalayan Guides Nepal Treks and Expedition, Langtang Ri Trekking and Expedition, Ghale Treks and Expedition, Buddha Maya Gardens, Rupakot Resort, Chhaya Devi Complex (Aloft Kathmandu Thamel) and Gorkha International Travels. Nepal Airlines is also participating with a pavilion.

Yubaraj Gurung, another senior officer of the Tourism Board, said Nepal's participation was intended to provide information on the country's tourism situation following the floods and strengthen its presence in the Japanese market.

Nepal is promoting its Himalayan range, Lumbini, cultural heritage and biodiversity at the expo. The Nepal pavilion is providing information through audio-visual materials and brochures throughout the event.