New York, NY (January 4, 2006) – Kintetsu International Travel Consultants Company (a Division of Kintetsu International Express, USA Inc.), one of Japan's top travel companies and also recognized among the top 30 travel agencies in the United States, has partnered with Sony Pictures Entertainment to create its unique Memoirs of a Geisha Tour Program; visiting the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto, where both the novel and movie by this same name are primarily set. This is the first time a major motion picture studio has partnered with U.S. travel agency to promote such a unique tour. The tour, as featured in many publications including USA Today and Frommer's travel guides are available from January 2006.

Kintetsu's Memoirs of a Geisha Tour Program; includes round-trip airfare on American Airlines, five-nights stay at the New Miyako hotel in Kyoto, and a full-day sightseeing tour of Kyoto with lunch, for only $1,229. The two-day supplemental program, for an additional $763, visits the locations portrayed in the movie with a licensed guide, which includes entrances fees, meals – featuring a traditional kaiseki multi-course lunch, a tea ceremony, and a chance to try on kimono and dress up and have your photo taken as a geisha. Further tour details are available at japanforyou.com. The idea was "To create a special tour in association with Sony, based on their upcoming highly anticipated movie, 'Memoirs of a Geisha' and to satisfy westerner's curiosities about geisha," explains Kintetsu's Administrative Manager, Mr. Bill Sarcona. He further adds, "This is the first time a major motion picture studio has given exclusive rights to a U.S. travel agency to be the official tour operator for a travel package." For further tour details and sweepstakes information, please visit www.japanforyou.com. Adds Mr. Sarcona, "As a travel destination, Kyoto is a popular choice as it combines the serenity of the Japanese lifestyle and the magical flavor of a tradition that most Westerners are fascinated with — the tradition of Geisha. Memoirs of a Geisha is a movie that portrays the famous Geisha culture, most evident in the history-rich city of Kyoto, Japan."

Memoirs of a Geisha Sweepstakes

Sony Pictures will pick six lucky winners of a round-trip tour to Japan sponsored by Kintetsu and American Airlines. Entry flyers are available at the branded book displays in over 1300 Barnes & Noble, Walden Books, Ingram, and select Independent bookstores around the United States. In addition, anyone can enter online through www.japanforyou.com. Mr. Sarcona further adds, "The sweepstakes was created to add further excitement to this unique partnership with Sony Pictures and Random House, the publisher of this novel and give fans of the movie and the book a chance to see Japan in person!"

About the Memoirs of a Geisha Movie and the Novel

Based on the internationally acclaimed novel by Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha is a sweeping romantic epic set in a mysterious and exotic world that still casts a potent spell today. The story begins in the years before WWII when a penniless Japanese child is torn from her family to work as a maid in a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang). Beautiful and accomplished, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man who is out of her reach (Ken Watanabe). The movie opened nationwide on December 23rd to critical acclaim and has already grossed over $50 millions dollars at the box office.

About Kintetsu International Express

Kintetsu International is among the largest travel companies in the world, maintaining a full service global agency, whose specialty is Japan, but whose destinations are limitless. Travel is only a segment of the multi-billion dollar Kintetsu conglomerate that operate railroad systems, freight forwarding companies, department stores, restaurants, theaters and Hotel chains. Kintetsu is involved intimately in the way people move, the way they enjoy themselves and the way they conduct and run their businesses. This level of integration provides clients with a vast network of services that makes their travels exciting, cost effective and efficient. Kintetsu maintains six offices in the United States and 272 others around the globe. For more information visit: www.kintetsu.com