Blue Monday: 'Here's your sign you need to book a trip to Japan'

9Travel's Blue Mondays are here to kick start your month and get you dreaming about your next holiday. We'll share some of our own dream travel spots, the best deals, as well as a few travel tips and tricks we've learned.As I gear up to tick off one of my travel bucket list items very soon, I thought I'd share some of my excitement in the hopes it acts as a little pick me up for anyone feeling a little overwhelmed with the fact that we're already in August!While the Olympic Games continue in Paris, with a host of Aussies in Europe to support the Green and Gold (don't miss anything with our coverage here), here at 9Travel we're also starting to turn our attention to one of the most popular destinations right now.This month, it's all about Asia. And I am so excited to be heading to Japan in a few weeks, alongside the thousands of Aussies that have been flocking to the land of the rising sun already this year.READ MORE: All the random fees and charges you could be hit with while travellingWhile we will be featuring travel guides, tips, and deals on a host of destinations across Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea, given that I am about to head to Japan it should be no surprise that it is one of my top three this month.Top travel spotOver a quarter of a million Aussies have travelled to Japan between January and March this year, which is up a whopping 46.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2019, according to data released by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).Australians are also staying longer in Japan compared to previous years, with stays of over 14 days rising by 7.6 per cent compared to 2019, while short stays of under one week dropped by 4.4 per cent.READ MORE: Why the Swiss city of Lausanne is considered the 'Olympic Capital'"There are many things to see and do in Japan beyond the most popular tourist hotspots. Allowing more time to explore deeper and experience the full breadth of the country's cultural and scenic offerings not only enriches your overall travel experience, but it also supports more sustainable travel in Japan overall," JNTO Sydney Office Executive Director, Naoki Kitazawa said.Indeed, when I visit Japan, I'll be heading out of the big cities to the Kii Peninsula where it is said "tradition meets tranquillity". Sounds ideal.READ MORE: Hotel review: Hoxton Paris hotel is a chic choice full of trendy localsThe Shizuoka Prefecture is considered another 'off-the-beaten-path' area to visit. The area has also seen growth rates of 64.4 per cent above the national average, the Japan Tourism Agency revealed.This surge surpasses pre-pandemic levels and highlights the appeal of Shizuoka's attractions, including breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, lush tea plantations, and unique cultural experiences, drawing Australian visitors in unprecedented numbers.Top deal I've seenIf you needed another sign that now is the time to head to Japan then this is it. Jetstar ramped up flights to Japan earlier this year and now operates 25 flights per week from Australia to Tokyo and Osaka.And flights are on sale! The airline has just launched a 72-hour Japan edition of its 'Return for FREE' sale. Customers who purchase an outbound starter fare to Tokyo (Narita) or Osaka (Kansai) direct from Brisbane, Cairns or Sydney, within the listed travel dates, can choose a return fare for free.The sale ends at 11.59pm AEST on Thursday (August 8), unless sold out prior. Travel dates vary per route but include late September 2024 to late June 2025.Top travel tip I've learntNow that I'm facing the task of having to pack a suitcase for a trip to a place I've never been before, this handy piece of advice from a luggage expert is going to come in handy.9Travel recently spoke to Veronica Lette from American Tourister and she revealed her number one packing rule to help keep the weight of your suitcase down."I personally love using compression packing cubes to keep my suitcase organised and also limit what I can fit for each category of clothing," she says, "They're also great for separating out laundry for washing."And don't pack too many pairs of shoes - one thing I struggle with the most!Watch every moment, every medal of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event ad-free and in 4K on Stan Sport.