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[kakatootoshi]

http://www.shinkyokushinkai.co.jp/mo...hp?storyid=376

Midori Daihyo recently visited Kankocho (Japan Toursim Agency) and the Chief of the Kankocho has promised to be a guest at the annual Sakura Marathon in Amami Oshima, the hometown of Midori Daihyo.

Under the new toursim policies of Japan, it is believed that Budo as a traditional Japanese culture can be used to attract tourists. The 10th World Tournament of Shinkyokushinkai this year is recognised as an important event in the promotion of Japanese tourism.

Shinkyokushinkai
http://www.shinkyokushinkai.co.jp/mo...hp?storyid=376

Kankocho
http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/topics01_000056.html

[smoothsake]

Tokyo, and Japan, definitely needs the tourist's yen. I found out that neither the capital city or country are in the Top 10 in tourist immigration visas or tourism receipts. Even Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur was in the Top 10 most visited cities. Now that's just sad in my opinion.

[ushideshinidan]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Tokyo, and Japan, definitely needs the tourist's yen. I found out that neither the capital city or country are in the Top 10 in tourist immigration visas or tourism receipts. Even Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur was in the Top 10 most visited cities. Now that's just sad in my opinion.

Why do you think it is?
Osu!

[smoothsake]

Originally Posted by ushideshinidan

Why do you think it is?
Osu!

I have my opinions. Japan is not really an English friendly tourist destination. There are no beaches to really speak of (except in Okinawa). The yen makes it an expensive travel destination on par with Paris/London/NYC. Sushi/seafood ain't for everybody? Much of Toyko was bombed by the Americans in WW2 so there aren't many historic buildings or sites.

But there's plenty to love about Tokyo and Japan too. First class dining if Japanese food is to your liking. Excellent shopping, public transportation, and extremely safe. Alcohol is free flowing. Things to do to cater to literally every interest, hobby, passion, or moe otaku. The list goes on and on.

[ushideshinidan]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

I have my opinions. Japan is not really an English friendly tourist destination. There are no beaches to really speak of (except in Okinawa). The yen makes it an expensive travel destination on par with Paris/London/NYC. Sushi/seafood ain't for everybody? Much of Toyko was bombed by the Americans in WW2 so there aren't many historic buildings or sites.

But there's plenty to love about Tokyo and Japan too. First class dining if Japanese food is to your liking. Excellent shopping, public transportation, and extremely safe. Alcohol is free flowing. Things to do to cater to literally every interest, hobby, passion, or moe otaku. The list goes on and on.

Thank you Smoothsake for your response. I was lucky enough to have my share of travelling in my life but have been in Japan only once, in 2007 for the 9th worlds, was there for 3 weeks and loved it. Spent more time in Tokyo but did the regular tour, Fuji, Mitsumine etc. I am going back again this fall and really looking forward to it as we want to expend the tour. As far as for the lack of tourism, my opinion might differ from yours a bit... I think that living on an island and being Islanders might be one of the reasons. With time, you learn to become auto sufficient and live with what and with who is around you. You don’t feel that you need tourism to help you support your economy. History and past experience with “tourism” might be another cause… Let’s say that past experiences with tourism weren’t always very positive for the Japanese population (anyway that is what I have learned on my last trip)…
Times are changing and population we have to adapt…
We will be around 8 people from the dojo going to Tokyo this year and we are all very excited and can’t wait to be there!
Osu!

[smoothsake]

Being an island nation definitely does have an impact on the Japanese psychology, but not so sure I agree that it has anything to do with their stance on tourism. I will say with a deflated economy, a tourist's yen is just as good if not better than a yen from a local. All the same, glad to hear you liked Japan and that you're going again in November. Maybe I'll see you there! Tokyo is cool, but the countryside is even better. Glad you got see Fuji, Mitsumine, etc.

I will tell you that tourism is very important to Japan, and they're trying hard to attract more tourists and their money. Haneda Airport now allowing international flights is a big push in the right direction. Almost all JR stations in major cities are quadlingual Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English. Visa restrictions have been lifted or lessened with some of Japan's neighbors.

But if I was your average tourist and I had one choice in Asia I would probably look past Japan... why? If it's pretty ladies and beaches: Thailand. If it's history and current "talk of the town:" China. Both of which are well represented in the same data I referenced above.

Anyway back on post, I hope karate and budo enthusiasts worldwide will look to traveling to Japan to seek out it's origins.

[ushideshinidan]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Being an island nation definitely does have an impact on the Japanese psychology, but not so sure I agree that it has anything to do with their stance on tourism. I will say with a deflated economy, a tourist's yen is just as good if not better than a yen from a local. All the same, glad to hear you liked Japan and that you're going again in November. Maybe I'll see you there! Tokyo is cool, but the countryside is even better. Glad you got see Fuji, Mitsumine, etc.

I will tell you that tourism is very important to Japan, and they're trying hard to attract more tourists and their money. Haneda Airport now allowing international flights is a big push in the right direction. Almost all JR stations in major cities are quadlingual Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English. Visa restrictions have been lifted or lessened with some of Japan's neighbors.

But if I was your average tourist and I had one choice in Asia I would probably look past Japan... why? If it's pretty ladies and beaches: Thailand. If it's history and current "talk of the town:" China. Both of which are well represented in the same data I referenced above.

Anyway back on post, I hope karate and budo enthusiasts worldwide will look to traveling to Japan to seek out it's origins.

I agree with you, present economy doesn't help tourism
Because of work, had the chance to go "past Japan" quite often. This time, I am going to Japan for the Shinkyokushin 10th and clinic with Shihan Midori. I will let you know when time come. It would be great to meet with you and potentially train with you over there.
Osu!

[sandman]

Osu!

Japan has always been high on my travel wish list, but so far Mrs Sandman and I haven't gone due to the relatively higher prices and the distance. For us, Europe is more accessible so that's where we've been going. With the two young kids, an 8 to 9 hour flight to Europe is difficult enough. We are hoping for a trip to Asia in a couple of years, but Mrs Sandman is leaning more toward Thailand. I guess that's where we'll be going

[ushideshinidan]

Originally Posted by sandman

Osu!

Japan has always been high on my travel wish list, but so far Mrs Sandman and I haven't gone due to the relatively higher prices and the distance. For us, Europe is more accessible so that's where we've been going. With the two young kids, an 8 to 9 hour flight to Europe is difficult enough. We are hoping for a trip to Asia in a couple of years, but Mrs Sandman is leaning more toward Thailand. I guess that's where we'll be going

Good choice...The whole Sandman family should enjoy Thailand. People are nice and welcoming, large variety of food, weather is beautiful but not as beautiful as the beaches are...but more importantly, you can travel and have fun on a budget !
Osu!