Major Japanese Travel Agency Accepts Bitcoin and Offers Bitcoin-Exclusive Deals

One of Japan’s largest travel agencies, H.I.S., will start accepting bitcoin payments at some of its stores via Japan’s largest bitcoin exchange, Bitflyer. The company will also offer some bitcoin-exclusive tour packages to commemorate the event.
H.I.S. Co. Ltd will start accepting bitcoin payments on September 23 through Bitflyer, as announced by both companies on Tuesday. The transaction amount for purchases will be limited to the equivalent of 2 million yen. The companies claim that H.I.S. is the first major company in the Japanese travel industry to accept the digital currency.

Founded in December 1980, H.I.S. is a Tokyo-based travel agency specializing in low-cost package tours. Among the group’s many businesses are two theme parks, Huis Ten Bosch and Laguna Ten Bosch. In June this year, Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) provided an analysis of 49 major Japanese travel agents. It showed that H.I.S. ranks second for outbound travel for the year ending February 2017, behind only the industry leader JTB.

According to H.I.S.:

The number of H.I.S. Group’s business offices has expanded to 295 in Japan and 230 overseas in 66 countries. The number of countries where offices are held is the largest in the world as a travel agency.