Animal Welfare Policy

At Japan Travel, we are deeply committed to promoting responsible and ethical tourism practices that respect the welfare of all animals. We recognize the critical importance of wildlife conservation and the protection of biodiversity, and we strive to ensure the activities we recommend to our clients, on our website or throughout our Travel Agency, align with the highest standards of animal care and ethical interaction.

No Captive Wildlife Excursions

We do not offer or promote excursions that involve wildlife in captivity, except for those that are properly regulated and in full compliance with local, national, and international laws. Such facilities include members of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA), accredited National and quasi-national parks, sites recognized by UNESCO, and government-accredited facilities.

Details on Accredited Facilities

• Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA): JAZA is a respected professional organization in Japan that promotes the ethical management and development of zoos and aquariums, with a focus on conservation, education, and improving animal welfare. JAZA is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), adhering to international standards of animal care and conservation.
• Japanese National Parks: For wildlife experiences in Japan, we recommend visits to Japan's National Parks, which are governed by strict environmental regulations aimed at protecting wildlife and their habitats. These parks play a key role in Japan's conservation efforts, providing visitors with opportunities to experience wildlife in their natural environments, without compromising the health and well-being of the animals. All wildlife-related activities within these parks must be sustainable and adhere to local and national conservation laws.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: UNESCO World Heritage Sites are recognized for their outstanding universal value, including their role in protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage. Some sites in Japan focus specifically on wildlife conservation, including Shiretoko, Yakushima, the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa), Nikkō, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, and the Gusuku Sites. Additionally, Japan has other significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Mount Fuji, the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, and the Historic Monuments of Nara, which is famous for its free-roaming deers. Activities at these sites are subject to international guidelines for environmental protection and sustainable tourism, ensuring that wildlife is treated humanely and habitats are preserved.
• Government-accredited facilities adhere to strict standards for animal welfare and contribute to educational initiatives regarding wildlife and conservation.

Conservation and Education Focus

While our primary focus is creating media content about activities in Japan and offering travel services, we recognize the importance of conservation and education. Although we rarely promote wildlife-related activities, we provide information on accredited facilities such as UNESCO World Heritage sites and JAZA-accredited institutions when relevant. We only recommend zoos or aquariums in response to specific client requests. For sustainable tours that involve visits to national parks, we arrange accommodations near these parks, encouraging responsible tourism that respects local ecosystems. Our goal is to raise awareness about conservation efforts and to support initiatives that contribute positively to environmental sustainability.

Maintaining an Updated List of Accredited Facilities

We maintain an updated list of JAZA-accredited institutions, as well as National and quasi National Parks, that we can recommend to customers who are interested in these activities. This ensures that any excursions we recommend are not only ethically sound but also contribute to global conservation efforts. Our team regularly reviews and updates this list to ensure that only the most responsible and sustainable facilities are included.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

We are dedicated to continuously assessing and improving our animal welfare policy. We ensure that our media content exclusively promotes activities from the approved list mentioned above, and if requested by our customers, we only recommend activities that align with these approved facilities and guidelines.

We also welcome feedback from our clients to help us uphold the highest standards in sustainable and ethical tourism practices.