Japan Tourism Agency select 7 routes for foreign travelers to visit more destinations
7 routes to be promoted to foreign tourists
Date: June 12, 2015
Source: The Japan Times
For the first time, the Tourism Agency on Friday selected seven regional sightseeing routes within the nation for foreign tourists. The agency aims to encourage foreign tourists — who primarily tend to visit the Tokyo metropolitan area, an area surrounding Mt. Fuji and the Kansai area — to visit attractive sightseeing spots in regional areas linked to specific themes.
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Akihiro Ota authorized the seven routes on Friday morning.
Among the seven routes, for example, “Exploration to the Deep North of Japan” introduces Lake Towada on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures, as well as the natural beauty and regional food culture of the Zao area in Yamagata Prefecture, the Aizu area in Fukushima Prefecture and other places. The tour is designed for individual travelers from places such as Taiwan and Hong Kong who have visited Japan many times.
The route called “Extensive Sightseeing Route of ‘Onsen Island’ Kyushu” highlights the Aso area in Kumamoto Prefecture, as well as Nagasaki and Kagoshima prefectures, setting hot springs as its theme because the area is blessed with the largest number of natural hot springs in the nation.
Utilizing the Tokaido and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, the route “Shoryudo” in the Chubu region visits Kanazawa, Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture and Ise, Mie Prefecture.
With this authorization, local governments across the nation are preparing to print up pamphlets in foreign languages, set up free public Wi-Fi networks and promote special excursion tickets.
The ministry allocated about ¥300 million for this plan in the fiscal 2015 budget, saying it will shoulder half of what local governments spend on preparations.
The Japan National Tourism Organization will promote the seven regional sightseeing routes to foreign visitors to Japan, while private travel agencies will likely sell travel products based on the authorized sightseeing routes.
Regional sightseeing routes designated by Land, Infrastructure, Transport an Japan Tourism Ministry
- Hokkaido: Route to Asian Natural Treasures
Takes advantage of eastern Hokkaido s bountiful nature Attracts affluent people.
Area: Furano district, Tokachi Makubetsu district, Shiretoko district, Kushiro district and etc. - Exploration to the Deep North of Japan
Explores history, culture and food. Hopes to accelerate reconstruction in disaster-hit areas through tourism.
Area: Hakkoda, Towada, Oirase district, Kakunodate, Tazawako district, Sendai, Matsushima district, Zao, Yamadera district, Aizu, Kitakata, Bandai, Ouchijuku district and etc. - Shoryudo
Popularly called the dragon route as the shape of the route looks like a dragon. Expects to benefit from the opening of Hokuriku Shinkansen line.
Area: Shirakawago, Gokayama district, Kanazawa district, Hida Takayama district, Ise, Toba, Shima district, Fujisan Nanroku district and etc. - The Flower of Japan, Kansai
Utilizes live World Heritage sites located along the route. Attracts visitors to Kyoto and other parts of the Kinki region.
Area: Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara district, Kumanoji District, Amanohashidate district, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto district, Osaka Castle district and etc. - The Inland Sea. Setouchi
Attracts visitors with its views of the world’s premier inland sea. in addition to historical architecture.
Area: Tokushima, Naruto, Awaji Island district, Takamatsu, Naoshima, Kotohira, Shodoshima district, Shimanami Kaido district, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Iwakuni district and etc. - Spiritual Island: Shikoku Henro
Displays the simplicity found in the Shikoku region, such as the 88 temple pilgrimage route.
Area: Nishiwaki district, Takamatsu, Higashisan district, Imabari, Saijo, Niihama district, Shimanto, Ashizuri district and etc. - Extensive sightseeing route of “Onsen Island” Kyushu
Aims at increasing the number of visitors traveling independently by making good use of abundant hot spring resorts.
Area: Fukuoka district, Nagasaki district, Aso, Kurokawa district, Miyazaki district, Kagoshima district and etc.
