To coincide with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra’s tour of Japan, representatives from the Dresden Tourism Board visited Japan and held a roundtable discussion for the travel industry at the German National Tourist Board’s Japan office. This was the Dresden Tourism Board’s first visit to Japan in about 10 years, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the outset, Director Corinne Miser explained that the Japanese market is performing well in 2026. “The number of Japanese guests from January through April rose 45 percent year-over-year, marking a strong start to the year. I hope this trend continues throughout the year,” she said, expressing her optimism.
Amid the ongoing weak yen, he suggested visiting during the winter off-season (excluding the Christmas season). He cited Dresden’s abundance of indoor attractions—such as art museums and concerts—as a key advantage, noting that while hotel occupancy rates reach 80% during peak season, they drop to around 45% during the off-season, making accommodation rates more affordable.
Meanwhile, Marketing Manager Christoph Münch offered his recommendations for enjoying the Christmas season. While weekends tend to be crowded, Sundays through Thursdays are relatively quiet, and hotel rates are lower, making them a good choice. In addition to one of the world’s oldest Christmas markets, Münch highlighted the December Stollen Festival. He suggested combining a visit with Christmas-themed concerts—including Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio”—and tours of art museums.
Mr. Münch also introduced events scheduled for 2026 and beyond. The Old Masters Gallery at the Zwinger Palace will host a Correggio exhibition from fall 2026 through early 2027, followed by a Rubens exhibition from June through January 2028.
The year 2027 marks the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, and as part of the commemorative events, we plan to hold a concert featuring his complete symphonies and a performance of *Leonore*, the precursor to the opera *Fidelio*.
In addition, the “Zemper Opera Ball” will be held on February 6, followed by the “Elbe Venetian Carnival” on the 7th, promising a special weekend where you can enjoy both festivals back-to-back.
© Source travel watch