Explera DMC Japan sees digital sightseeing passes such as TOHOKU FunPASS as useful for free time and independent travellers, less so for fixed group visits. The pass launched on 1 October 2026 with benefits at more than 30 places in Tohoku. For coach groups, pre-booked group admissions remain faster at the gate.
Travel Voice reported on 7 October 2026 that JTB, its group company Good Fellows JTB and Fontrip Technology Japan, the Japanese arm of Taiwan's Fontrip, are working together on digital passes for local sightseeing in Japan. Their first product, TOHOKU FunPASS, started on 1 October 2026. It runs on a smartphone: the traveller shows a QR code to receive benefits at more than 30 facilities and shops in the Tohoku region.
What is a digital sightseeing pass?
A digital sightseeing pass bundles entry, discounts or small extras at several places into one purchase on the phone. Fontrip's digital tourism platform is centred on Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and Macau, and the report says the group was selling more than 13 million digital tickets a year as of 2025. The aim of the partnership is to make it easier for travellers to visit several places without buying tickets on separate websites.
When does a pass help a group, and when not?
- Free time on a group tour. A pass gives clients something structured to do on an afternoon off, without the tour leader arranging each visit.
- Independent travellers. For FIT clients touring Tohoku at their own pace, a pass can be good value and simple to use.
- Fixed group visits. For a coach group visiting set sites at set times, we still pre-book admissions and pay as a group. One booking, one entry and one invoice is faster than thirty phones at a gate.
- Every traveller needs a working phone. Battery, data and the app all have to work on the day; see our connectivity guide.
What should agents check before selling a pass?
Before including any pass, we confirm what it covers, which facilities are open on the travel dates, whether benefits are entry or only discounts, and how a lost or broken phone is handled. Pass contents change, so we check close to departure. For the region itself, see our Tohoku guide and our guide to Iwate, Hiraizumi and Morioka.
Sources: Travel Voice report, 7 October 2026.
FAQ
What is TOHOKU FunPASS? A smartphone sightseeing pass from JTB and Fontrip, launched on 1 October 2026, with benefits at more than 30 facilities and shops in Tohoku.
Should a coach group use a digital pass? Usually not for fixed visits; group admissions booked in advance are quicker. Passes suit free time and independent travellers.
Can Explera check what a pass includes? Yes. We confirm coverage and opening dates before recommending one.
What happens if a client's phone fails during the trip? The pass lives on the phone, so a flat battery or lost phone can mean losing access. We check each pass's support terms and advise clients to carry a power bank.
Planning Tohoku for clients? Write to b2b@explera.jp, message the trade desk on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090, or register on the B2B portal. Proposals within 24 hours. IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
