The National Travel Support Program has finally started. As I wrote in this article, I, Yukipyoo, whose planned overnight trip to Kamikochi coincidentally coincided with the start date of the National Travel Support (October 11), have returned to Tokyo.
I was happy to hear that “discount application is available even for reservations made before the start of the nationwide travel support program” announced by Rakuten Travel, but then, two days before departure (October 9), I was disappointed to hear that the “stay eligible for ‘discount application’ will be after check-in on October 12, 2022”. I am pleased to report on my trip to Kamikochi, which was quite a thrilling experience.
I had chosen “online card payment” instead of “local payment” for this stay. In the end, on the day of the trip, the long-awaited “Apply for Discount” button did not appear on ……. The National Travel Assistance program starts on the 11th, but only the stay on the 11th, which I had reserved in advance, was not eligible for the program. I was wondering why. Even if I could not get a discount on the room rate, I might be able to get a coupon for 3,000 yen on weekdays. With this faint hope in mind, my friend and I drove to the hotel.
Incidentally, Nagano Prefecture has been distributing transportation coupons, which can be used on buses, cabs, and trains within the prefecture, at lodging facilities to users of block discounts and nationwide travel support since October 1. The amount is for 1,000 yen per person per night (2 x 500 yen coupons) and can be used from the day of check-in to the day of check-out. I had previously researched that these transportation coupons could be used for shuttle buses and cabs to Kamikochi, so I purchased only one-way tickets instead of round-trip tickets at the ticket counter on the first day. May you get this one too, along with the sightseeing coupon!
We arrived at the hotel a little after 4:00 p.m. and checked in. First, I received a room key and a breakfast ticket. And so far, it was business as usual. Next, I was asked, “Would you like to take advantage of the National Travel Assistance program that started today?” I answered “Yes! Then I was told, “Then please fill in the name and address of the representative and present your vaccination certificates here.
Showing the inoculation certificate app on my phone, I received a weekday coupon worth 3,000 yen and a transportation coupon worth 1,000 yen. He also said, “This will also give you a 5,000 yen discount per person on your room rate.” What a miracle, I almost gave up on this, but now I’m eligible to stay for the National Travel Assistance! Thank you!
When I checked out the next day, I immediately used the coupon to pay for the beer and wine I drank at dinner. I used the extra coupon to pay for a boxed lunch at Gosenshaku Kitchen, which I had reserved. My friend bought a bell to keep bears away as a souvenir of her first visit to Kamikochi with the coupon. Yes, be careful how you use the coupon, because you will not get any change when you use the tourist coupon. And don’t forget to have some coins ready, because they only accept cash for the difference.
When I returned from the trip and looked at my personal page on the Rakuten Travel app, I saw that the 10,000 yen (5,000 yen x 2 people) that was discounted for this national travel support was shown as the card refunded amount.
It seems that Rakuten Travel handled the refund since the original room rate had already been paid. We were blessed with fine weather and were able to enjoy two days in Kamikochi in autumn at a discount price, as our advance reservation was eligible for the National Travel Assistance program.
© Source travel watch