Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh
在エディンバラ日本国総領事館

1. Implementation of "Yokoso! Japan Weeks"

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has joined hands with the private sector in carrying out the "Visit Japan Campaign," which is aimed at providing information about Japan's tourism appeal in order to attract as many visitors from abroad to Japan as possible.

As part of the projects that form the nucleus of the Visit Japan Campaign for fiscal year 2004, "Yokoso! Japan Weeks" will be held from Saturday, the 5th through Sunday, the 20th of February, 2005, during which a variety of events will be conducted intensively both at home and abroad.

2. Key words: "Fun, Economy and Convenience"

The focal points of Yokoso! Japan Weeks are the following:

• Implementation of events to welcome tourists from abroad (fun)

• Ease of foreign tourists' financial burden by cutting travel expenses (economy)

• Elimination or reduction of inconvenience for tourists from abroad (convenience)

In order for them to enjoy these benefits, we will carry out the following projects:

(1) Implementation of events, etc., to welcome tourists from abroad (in 45 places) (fun)

        - Opening event (Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, 4th February (Fri.))

        - Events intended for Chinese tourists (Fujikyu Highland in Yamanashi, 8th February (Tues.))

        * 5th (Sat.) to 20th (Sun.) Feb.: The "Free Pass" is discounted from ¥4,500 to ¥3,500/adult.

Events that allow foreign tourists to have a hands-on experience of Japanese culture or exchanges with local Japanese are scheduled in 41 different places across the nation.

In addition to the aforementioned events, Japan's national treasures, important cultural assets and others will be on special display at temples and shrines in Kyoto, Nara and Shiga Prefectures (Byodoin Temple, Todaiji Temple, Yakushiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, Hikone Castle, and others).

(2) Ease of foreign tourists' financial burden by cutting travel expenses (economy)

In order to reduce travel expenses for foreign tourists, which are said to be higher than those in other nations, we will make the following efforts:

• Create travel products that are attractive in terms of price and substance (tours to Japan from abroad and domestic tours tailored to FIT (foreign independent tour) travelers)

• Give discounts at tourist facilities, hotels/inns, electric appliance malls, shopping malls, restaurants/bars, etc.

(3) Elimination or reduction of inconvenience for tourists from abroad (convenience)

In order to facilitate travel within Japan by foreign tourists, we will make the following efforts:

• Assist foreign tourists in traveling around the country by making use of information technology, such as PDA (personal digital assistant).

• Implement a "Charge-free Bilingual Guide Day Program" (6th February, available at some tourist facilities).

• Draw up a guidebook that introduces restaurants/bars that can accommodate foreign tourists

• Facilitate the use of credit cards by drawing up a manual to better serve customers, for example

• Expand the routes for which foreign tourists are allowed to use a rail pass

3. Have Yokoso! Japan Weeks widely known to the public by launching the homepage and others

In order to allow foreign tourists to get an accurate grasp of the substance of the campaign, we will conduct the following to have it widely known to them:

• Launching of the homepage

We have launched our homepage to inform foreign tourists of various events including the special viewing of national treasures/important cultural assets, easy-to-use services, domestic tours specifically designed for foreign travelers, tourist facilities, hotel/inns, retail shops, restaurants/bars that give discounts, and others. For further details, please access www:visitjapan.jp.

• Production of the Yokoso! Japan Weeks Handbook

Twenty thousand copies of the Yokoso! Japan Weeks Handbook, which contains nearly the same information as that on the homepage, will be produced and distributed at Narita International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Chubu International Airport, and information centers located at train stations, hotels and other facilities during the Yokoso! Japan Weeks.

Creation of the catch phrase, the Yokoso! Japan Weeks logo and the Yokoso! Japan Weeks poster.

With "Welcome with a big smile" as the catch phrase, we have designed a logo that represents a warm heart full of hospitality. In addition, we have prepared a poster showing an impressive smiling face and will put it up at train stations, airports, hotels and others.

• Production of the Yokoso! Japan Weeks video

To have the Yokoso! Japan Weeks known widely to visitors from abroad, we have produced a video by adding information on the Yokoso! Japan Weeks to a video aimed at promoting in-bound tourism, in which Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi appears in person, and will include it in in-flight programs or within airport facilities.

1. Kisarazu Umihotaru Festival 2005 (Chiba)

Events to welcome foreign tourists with a performance of Japanese drums will be held, while souvenirs will be distributed at the Tokyo Bay Umihotaru.

2. Hearty Walk and Photo Contest (Tokyo)

Tokyo Walk, in which foreign tourists and Japanese people get together for a walk, and a photo contest by non-Japanese nationals will be held at several places in Tokyo, including Asakusa.

3. Juni Hitoe Fitting Demonstration and "Ocho no Mai" Dance (Kyoto)

The process of wearing the ceremonial attire of a Japanese court lady (Juni Hitoe, consisting originally of twelve layers of unlined kimono worn one on top of another) will be demonstrated, which will be followed by a Japanese Court dance performance by dancers in Juni Hitoe at the Shimogamo Shrine.

4. Green Powdered Tea in a Tea Ceremony Room (Kyoto)

Green powdered tea will be served for foreign tourists at a tea-ceremony room free of charge at the Kodaiji Temple.

5. Dance and Music Dedication (Bugaku Hono) (Nara)

Music accompanying traditional Japanese Court dances, which have been handed down as performing arts conducted as a Shinto ritual, will be performed in front of the altar of the Kasuga Taisya Shrine.

6. Performance and Experience of the Spear, Etc. (Nara)

The Hozoin style spear fight will take place at the Kofukuji Temple, and spectators will be able to have a hands-on experience of it. In addition, the first story of the five-storied pagoda at the temple (national treasure) will be open to foreign tourists who watch this performance.

7. Setouchi Sunset Festival (Kagawa)

Programs, including cruising while watching the stunning sunset at the Setonaikai Inland Sea, will be offered.

Summary of measures to ease foreign tourists' financial burden by cutting travel expenses

1. Creation/marketing of Yokoso! Japan Weeks commemorative tours

ex. Creation of a commemorative tour from China, in which several events specifically designed for Chinese tourists are incorporated, offered at a special price (4-night 5-day tour to Tokyo, Fuji and Hakone: normally offered at ¥120,000 yen is discounted to ¥100,000); and creation of other commemorative domestic tours, in which programs, such as a hands-on experience of kamakura (snow dome), are incorporated

2. Discounts of tours intended for foreign tourists marketed on the domestic market

ex. A pass offered by Kinki Nippon Railways for foreign tourists to Japan will be sold at 50% discount (¥3,500 > ¥1,750), while a one-day city bus pass will be offered in Kyoto.

3. Discounts at retail shops for foreign tourists

ex. At electric appliance malls in Akihabara, Tokyo, large-scale camera shops, outlet malls, and others

4. Discounts at various facilities for foreign tourists

        ex. Hotels, youth hostels, restaurants/bars, theme parks, hot springs, and other facilities