Posted earlier by Danny Choo on his site, the Japan National Tourism Organization is planning to invite 10,000 visitors over in the hopes of boosting tourism in the wake of the earthquake earlier this year. Since the earthquake, parts of Japan have seen tourism drop as much as 80%.
The strategy here is that travelers will blog and use social media to share their experiences in Japan. The Japanese government plans to spend about 1.1 billion yen on this particular project. (Note: Dannys website reports 1.1 billion, the Yomiuri article linked above, translated, reports 11billion)
If you wish to have a chance at an invite, you will need to submit your travel plans for while you are there in Japan. If the government thinks you truly intend to visit and not overstay, then there’s a chance they will pay your ticket.
This sounds like a once in a life time opportunity for Otaku and others alike. I’ve seen many pictures from Japan. Seen anime where different parts of Japan were incorporated into the show. Heard about other areas of Japan. Sounds like it would be a multi-trip destination with something new to see each time.
As I’ve only traveled out of the country once, and that was for a job, my international travel planning is virtually non-existent. If I were to go to Japan, I would like to see some of the Tourist traps as well as see some of the more traditional areas. I’d like to experience some real culture and not something that has been changed to show to tourists.
I’d like to experience some of the following:
- Tea Ceremony
- Harajuku
- Tokyo
- Shibuya
- etc.
I still have loads of thinking on what I would do if I were able to go there. Do you have suggestions? I hope to bring the entire family and would love to find shows that each family member would enjoy. I think it would be great to be worn out from a trip because you did so many things.
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