Tokyo, the world's largest city and an innovator when it comes to enhancing contemporary life among ancient treasures, has risen to meet recent international travel challenges in particularly creative ways. In its just-launched Tokyo Specialist Program at Travel Agent Academy, you will be introduced to some of the destination's most notable initiatives in the areas of sustainability and wellness, as well as learn about enlightened ways to travel when personal space and customization are top priorities. This slide show presents just a few of the program's top take-aways when advising clients on visiting Tokyo.

Early risers not only get to see the lotuses open at Ueno Park's Shinobazu Pond in July and August, but year-round they can also enjoy certain temples and shrines in peace and stillness -- the way most of these sites were meant to be experienced. The Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple even offers a breakfast of rice porridge, miso soup and 16 little plates of healthy, colorful bites.

Wellness, sustainability and freedom to explore are all of a piece when visitors take to the streets using Tokyo's Bike Share Service. Bolstered by technology and well-enforced rules of the road, the bikes (and e-bikes) are easy to rent and safe to use, while promoting wellness through outdoor exercise. And on a bike, visitors can go off the beaten path, follow meandering alleys into neighborhoods emanating a charm all their own.

There is perhaps nothing quite as unique and exhilarating as a rickshaw ride when it comes to sightseeing. A form of transportation dating to the late 1700s, rickshaws are human-powered carts seating one or two people. The carriage operator keeps tradition alive while offering an eco-friendly form of transportation, engaging with passengers and offering a unique perspective on major attractions and everyday life in Tokyo. One popular ride takes visitors through Asakusa, a traditional neighborhood where authentic crafts are made and sold.

Having your clients stay in a ryokan -- a small inn with features like tatami-matted rooms and friendly, talkative owners -- will certainly give them a personal experience of Tokyo. In the traditional neighborhood of Yanaka, for example, the staff at a ryokan will help guests explore the area on foot, directing them to the best cafes and restaurants for meeting local people. By staying local and avoiding large crowds, this approach to travel is healthy, environmentally friendly and personal!

A good way to help your client enjoy their stay in Tokyo is to balance the buzz of activity that envelops its urban markets, entertainment complexes and shopping districts with calm, reenergizing retreats in the city's immediate outskirts. Easily accessible and glistening with natural beauty, the Tama region is a mountainous sanctuary where your clients can pursue outdoor adventure, like hiking or rafting, as well as cultural interests. Lake Okutama, with its floating bridges, vibrant scenery and nearby hot spring facilities, is a special treat.

Working remotely, a trend that got a major boost during the pandemic, opens opportunities to travel more spontaneously. Clients who are looking to settle down temporarily in an interesting environment where they can work and experience new cultures, visit unique attractions or enjoy outdoor adventure on their breaks or days off, will find some highly attractive options in Tokyo. The Tokyo Specialist Program not only suggests suitable accommodations but also ideas for activities to do on break, from collecting artistic tokens at shrines to taking advantage of special deals at art museums to visiting Tokyo's islands for outdoor enjoyment.

Apps that alert travelers to foot-traffic congestion in subways, tablets on tables for ordering buffet food, public toilets with transparent walls to let you check for cleanliness before you enter (the walls turn opaque when someone is inside) -- these are just some examples of how Tokyo has harnessed technology to promote public health. The Tokyo Specialist Program will equip you with the knowledge you need to assure your clients of a safe trip.

The program also describes ways the destination has made public transportation and top attractions more accessible and brings you up to date on recent dramatic changes to the city landscape resulting from its preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games. It also provides a very handy downloadable sheet with links to Tokyo's top attractions. There is a myriad of ways to sell this remarkable, flourishing city, and so it's worth getting some ideas on how to tailor a trip to your clients' personal needs and interests. Enroll in Travel Agent Academy's Tokyo Specialist Program to jumpstart your inspiration!