Japan Tourism Agency Starts New Tohoku Campaign

Above, Godaido temple at Matsushima Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, the number of tourists fell 20 to 40% from pre-3/11 levels, according to an editorial in The Japan Times.

The Japan Tourism Agency has a new tourism campaign (started March 18) to try to drive up Tohoku tourism numbers.

The Japan Times wrote:

"Destination Tohoku," the tourism campaign to help promote and revive tourism in the Tohoku region, started March 18. The Japan Tourism Agency and the local governments and tourism industry in the region hope that the campaign will bring tourists back to the region, which was devastated by the 3/11 earthquake and tsunami, and the subsequent Fukushima nuclear crisis.

The appeal of the campaign, which will last through March 31, 2013, is that people can help Tohoku recover from the effects of the disasters by enjoying hot springs, festivals, shopping, local food, cherry blossoms, and other attractions in the region.

It is hoped that as many people as possible will visit Tohoku. Schools are strongly encouraged to choose Tohoku as the destination of their excursions. Business enterprises should strive to hold their employee-training seminars in the region.

The Tohoku region is one of the most scenic in Japan. I visited the region in 2006. Matsushima Bay, a short train ride from Sendai, is one of the most scenic in Japan and is often compared to Carmel, California in scenery.



The family-run Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan (above) in Sendai was one of the nicest ryokans (Japanese inn) I've ever stayed in. It is one I don't have to hesitate to recommend!

To read the full editorial go here.

“Japan. Thank You”

Japan's tourism industry had a rough year due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and resulting tsunami and radiation problems of the Fukushima nuclear power plant. But indications are that the industry is recovering.

According to eTravelBlackboard.com:

Marking the one year anniversary of the Japan Earthquake, Japan Tourism Agency and Japan National Tourism Org have launched a new campaign called “Japan. Thank You.”

The aim of the campaign is to express the people of Japan’s appreciation to people around the world who have given their support to the region since it was severely affected by the earthquake and its aftermath.

According to JTA the country's recovery has been more rapid than previously expected, with international tourist arrivals for January 2012 at about 700,000, representing only a 4.5 percent decrease compared to the same time last year.

Through the new design logo “Japan. Thank You”, Japan wishes to show their sincere gratitude to all the tourists from overseas for their continued support.

Some of the main activities include a special logo “Japan. Thank You.” and a special poster to be displayed in various parts of the world.

To read the full article, go here.

Japanese Tourism Agency Chief Calls On Citizens To Be More Traveler Friendly

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The head of the Japan Tourism Agency wants the Japanese people to show their appreciation to foreign tourists for the support shown this past year during the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11.

The Mainichi Daily News reported:

Hiroshi Mizohata, commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), called on the Japanese people on Feb. 21 to be more receptive to foreign tourists and revitalize the domestic economy along the way in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and subsequent Fukushima nuclear crisis.

During a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), he spelled out measures to recreate Japan as a major tourism nation and said his agency and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will launch a "Japan. Thank You." campaign in late February to express Japan's appreciation for support from around the world and to promote inbound travel at the same time.

Mizohata displayed two boards with banners -- "Japan. Thank You." and "Japan, Rising Again -- Thank you for your support" featuring an illustration of soaring carp -- at his news conference.

The Japanese people, I've found, are very hospitable to foreign tourists. They've been very courteous and helpful to me during my past visits. This has been the case with people I've met in shops, tourist information centers, theaters, trains, restaurants and on the street.

I cannot praise them enough.

To read the full article, go here.

10,000 Free Flights To Japan In 2012: Ain't Gonna Happen!

Above, the Ginza Mitsukoshi Department store in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Remember that story of a few months ago about 10,000 free flights to Japan for foreigners from the Japan Tourism Agency to help boost Japan's tourism? Well, it ain't gonna happen, folks!

The Wall Street Journal reports:

Back in October, Japan’s national tourism agency floated a plan that seemed an ideal remedy to boost flagging visitor numbers in the wake of the March 11 disasters. Free flights to Japan in 2012. A full 10,000 of them.

Now, as the country crunches through the detail of tight budget numbers for next year, the hope many had for visiting Japan in 2012 has evaporated into a pipe dream: There won’t be any free flights next year, period. The budget for them has not been approved.

Whatever tourism authorities thought a good idea, Japan simply can’t afford it, the government’s budget planners have concluded.

Above, the Imperial Palace's Nijubashi Bridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Somehow, the announcement was made prematurely, with wire services, news organizations and other sites (including travel-related blogs) running with the story. Potential travelers salavated over the prospect of free airfare.

All this means is that foreign tourists wanting to visit Japan in 2012 will have to come up with the airfare funds on their own. Aw, fiddle sticks!

Above, the Godzilla statue in Hibiya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Oh, well. Just get The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan and go anyway.

To read the full article, go here.

Budget Cuts Threaten 10,000 Free Airfare To Japan Plan

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan."

The plan to give away 10,000 free airfares to foreign tourists by the Japan Tourism Agency may not be a sure thing.

According to an article posted at Travel Weekly.com:

Japanese tourism leaders have admitted there is no guarantee that a plan to pay the airfares of 10,000 overseas visitors next year will go ahead as it emerged that the general budget for international markets will be cut by around 10%.

The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) is seeking 1.2 billion Yen to fund the Fly to Japan project but admitted nothing was certain.

JTA has even posted a message on its website saying the matter is "still under examination for government budgetary approval and is at this moment undecided."

To read the full article, go here.

Free airfares or not, go to Japan anyway and bring along The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Japan's 10,000 Free Airfare Plan, More Details

Above, the garden at Nijo Castle in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

News of the proposed 10,000 free airfares plan to foreigners by the Japan Tourism Agency hit the news by storm.

Gaijinpot.com has posted more details:

TOKYO — Japan will offer 10,000 foreigners free airfares to visit the country next year, in an attempt to boost the tourism industry which has been hit by the ongoing nuclear disaster, a report said Monday.

The Japan Tourism Agency plans to ask would-be travelers to submit online applications for the free flights, detailing which areas of the country they would like to visit, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said.

The agency will select the successful entrants and ask them to write a report about their trip which will be published on the Internet.

Tourism authorities hope that positive reports from travelers about their experiences in Japan will help ease international worries about visiting the country, the newspaper said.

Above, Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While the public relations behind this plan is a good one, it still doesn't fix the chronic problem (of the past three years) of the poor rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen. The exchange rate is currently hovering around the 76-77 yen per dollar exchanged. Unless the amount of yen obtainable by the dollar improves, travel to Japan by Americans will remain down.

The only silver lining in this is that if Japan travelers don't spend all of their money in Japan, they actually can buy more dollars when they exchange their yen before heading home. I was able to obtain $115 for every ¥10,000 I exchanged last year at Narita Airport. Right now, a tourist can buy more dollars than I did in Japan. This is something to consider.


If a tourist plans wisely (including finding hotel and airfare bargains), and manages to not spend all of their vacation money, they can actually still have a great Japan vacation and make money.

The Japan Tourism Agency's airfare plan is one kaiju fans should try to jump on board.

To see Gajinpot.com's full article, go here.



Left, Ginza, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Free Japan Airfare To 10,000 Foreigners Coming In 2012?

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Looking to drum up tourism to Japan next year, the Japan Tourism Agency has announced an interesting plan.

According to the Wall Street Journal's online edition:

[The] Japan Tourism Agency has proposed offering free airfare to 10,000 foreigners to visit the country next year.

The project would only cover travelers’ airline fees: visitors would have to pay their own food, lodging and other costs. Still, if implemented, it will cost about ¥1.1 billion ($14.3 million). That’s roughly 10% of the tourism agency’s overall 2012 budget appropriation request, and an indication of how serious the tourism slide may have become. The national budget is expected to be approved in parliament next March.

“Since the earthquake, the number of visitors has dropped drastically, so to make an impact we think it’s necessary to have this many people (10,000) come to Japan,” said Shuichi Kameyama, a Japan Tourism Agency official, on Tuesday.

This sounds great, if implemented, for Japanese monster fans. All they'd need is a "certain travel guide" and some food, lodging and souvenir money.

To read the full WSJ article, go here.