A Japanese travel agency, Nippon Travel Agency Co., announced its ambitious plan to launch a transport service from Tokyo to U.S. cities in just 60 minutes via a route through outer space. If successfully executed, the service is set to begin sometime in the 2030s.
The travel agency is partnering with reusable rocket development startup Innovative Space Carrier Inc. for this project. A round trip using this service is projected to cost a customer ¥100 million (approx. $652,000 USD).
According to the companies, the transport vehicle would be launched from an offshore spot and could ultimately connect any two points on earth within 60 minutes, with the initial focus on linking Tokyo and the United States.
“We hope this business will be a new starting point to connect space travel and tourism,” said Nippon Travel President Keigo Yoshida at a news conference in Tokyo.
Rendering of the Innovative Space Carrier Inc. “ASCA” space travel rocket | © Innovative Space Carrier Inc.
Project Timeline and Services
The project will proceed in stages, with advance applications set to be accepted starting in Japan’s next fiscal year, from April 1, 2026. Initial related offerings, such as space-food tasting and tours of ground facilities related to space, are also slated to begin at the same time.
Under the partnership, Nippon Travel will be responsible for designing and marketing related products. Kojiro Hatada, president of Innovative Space Career Inc., stated that his company will work to reduce the travel cost by boosting the number of flights possible within each vehicle’s life span.
In the 2040s, Nippon Travel hopes to launch a service offering orbital stays, moving beyond a quick point-to-point ride to a full space hotel or habitat experience for tourists.
