"Exciting & TOKYO" Tokyo City Promotion 2016

 Opening remarks by the leader of delegation, Mr. Tsuchibuchi

More and more Filipino travelers are visiting Japan and the number has reached to 268,000 people in 2015, about four times larger than that of 2011. It is because the difficulties in obtaining visa for Japan, the major barrier for Filipino travelers to Japan, were eased in 2013 with the "alleviation of multiple entry visa regulations" and also the "simplification of single entry visa application for participants of packaged tours organized by accredited travel agencies".

Business Meeting

In view of Olympic and Paralympic games in 2020 and after, and also as the "gateway to Japan", Tokyo, the capital of Japan, played an important role more than ever to promote inbound tourism and actually Tokyo Metropolitan Government is now working hard. Along with it, Tokyo Metropolitan Government is also doing various efforts to establish the “TOKYO BRAND" as a tourist destination. And last October, Tokyo Metropolitan Government have launched the TOKYO BRAND logo and slogan "& TOKYO", which is expressing the brand concept of "a city that promises all kinds of fun by constantly generating new styles while bringing tradition and innovation together". The ampersand character of "& TOKYO" expresses Tokyo's many ways of making "connections", in other words, the  intention behind this logo and slogan is to express how Tokyo creates new kinds of enjoyment by forming new values and connections.

Recently, I attended the Tokyo Tourism Promotion held at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City. 

For the first time, a promotional event for travel agents and media in the Philippines happened to show the charms of Tokyo with the purpose of promoting the inbound tourism of Tokyo by using this logo and slogan. In the seminar, not only Tokyo Metropolitan Government but also tourism related companies and organizations from Chiba prefecture had presentations to introduce the tourism information. Also the local governments of neighboring prefectures of Tokyo such as Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa had their own stand to appeal each prefecture at the business meeting area for travel agents.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government lay out information about the culture, food and exciting places that deepen my understanding about their country. And for a short period of time, I have known some tourist-friendly destination in Japan. I have never been in Japan but personally, there are things that I would love to experience just like what the Tokyo Metropolitan Government introduced to us during the event. And here are those;

Japan has four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) . Spring is the season when the cherry blossoms bloom. During summer, fireworks festivals are held at various locations like Tokyo Bay, Sumida River and JinguGaien. Autumn is filled with beautiful red leaves and is perfect for recreation while Winter is the coldest season of the year.In the event, we were welcomed with a Tea Ceremony. Accordingly, tea ceremony is not only a tea-drinking experience, but will strengthen your understanding of Japanese culture.. I was delighted to see Japanese ladies who were wearing Kimono during the event.

 Photo session with shamisen performers "Se-shami street" 

I want to see and simply enjoy the views of the famous Skytree which consequently has a 634 meter high and the world's tallest free standing broadcasting tower. It was build with sophisticated technologies of modern architecture in Asakusa and Ryogoku area where historical and cultural heritages since Edo era are still well-preserved.

Presentation by Japanese Exhibitor 

I would love to bring my family at the Tokyo Disney Sea/ Tokyo Disney Land.  Sanrio PuroLand  is an exciting theme park too where accordingly, you can meet characters such as Hello Kitty, My Melody and Cinnamon. Snoopy Museum in Tokyo  will also open in Roppongi in March 2016. I have learned that there are so many attractive and exciting tourist spots where you can have a great time. And there are Tokyo Tourism Volunteers too that will help,guide and provide you information everything about Japan. I really hope to visit Japan soon....

With the theme "Exciting", one of the unique values of Tokyo's as a dynamic and energetic city which is constantly evolving, and with recognition of the interests of the Filipinos, Tokyo Metropolitan Government successfully promoted the tourism of Japan. They offered not only the latest information but also the easy-to-understand performative attractions, Japanese traditional instrument called shamisen and tea ceremony demonstration. 

To know more information GO TOKYO visit http://www.gotokyo.org/en/