Brief History Current Affairs Namahage Sedo Festival Feb

Ｔｏｕｒｉｓｍ　ｉｎ　Ｊａｐａｎ & Ａｋｉｔａ Brief History & Current Affairs Namahage Sedo Festival. Feb. Hiromu Kikuchi for Akita Prefecture Tourism Federation hiromu@akita-kanko. com

Outline 1. Brief History of Tourism in Japan 2. Outlook of Akita’s Sightseeing Resources. 3. Statistics and Current Tasks 4. Challenges to so-called New Tourisms

Brief History of Tourism in Japan “Tourism”　　観光　（Kanko） 　　国の光を観せる（観る）　 = Show / View the Light of the region 　　　　（Idea from confusianism in China)

Brief History of Tourism in Japan Tokai-do Roads, the most important infrastructure for tourism Nakasen-do Koshu-do Nikko-do Ohshu-do Shirakawa Nikko Shimo Suwa 　　　　（Idea from confusianism in China) Kyoto Edo(Tokyo)

Brief History of Tourism in Japan Oise shrine Visit. Utagawa Hiroshige (18 C)

Brief History of Tourism in Japan Kanko, or tourism became popular and important after opening the country on mid 19 C.

Brief History of Tourism in Japan Railways / Highways consolidated late 19 C and enabled mass group tour.

Brief History of Tourism in Japan Tourism Agency Started on 2008. Oct. 1 st. Change of Foreign tourists to Japan X 10, 000 pax

Outlook of Akita’s Sightseeing Resources. Please take a close look at some Akita’s sightseeing resources. Today I will show you mainly where you visit. • Kazuno/Kosaka • Kakunodate/Tazawako • Akita • Oga

Statistics and Current Tasks Tourists to Akita-Pref increased four times compareing to 50 years ago. Now growth seems stucked again. Change of Foreign tourists to Japan

Statistics and Current Tasks Tourists to stay Akita overnight is reducing a bit, while daytime stay recovered. X 1, 000

Statistics and Current Tasks Tourists from other Prefs to back to 2 years ago, i. e. before big quakes in northern Japan. X 1, 000

Statistics and Current Tasks Ｍｏｎｔｈｌｙ　fluctuation and ratio. Ideas to see Tourism biz calender. (2009 Akita Pref) X 1, 000

Statistics and Current Tasks Inbound tourists’ 1/3 are Korean & Taiwanese each. Mainland Chinese to increase rapidly.

Statistics and Current Tasks Inbound tourists from other countries are increasing.

Statistics and Current Tasks Money consumption of tourists who stay overnite increased sharply by about 10%, even in this depression. We must prepare much good circumstances to invite more overnite people.

Challenges to New Tourism To Invite cinema-shootings. Supporting Korean drama “IRIS” made a great success to invite Korean and made the whole region unforgettable tour site for fans.

Challenges to New Tourism Local foods and new groups who serve them are highlighted in today's Japan. So-called “B class Gourmets”. Yokote Yakisoba(Fried Noodle) in Akita won 1 st Prize on 2009 and is now enjoying many visitor for those shops along the street, and empowers the other groups in Akita.