All roads lead to Tokyo

MANILA, Philippines - To better promote Japan and introduce different facets of Japanese tradition and culture to Filipinos, representatives from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government recently organized the Tokyo Wonderland Tourism Seminar 2017.

According to official data from the Japan National Tourism Organization, 350,000 tourists from the Philippines visited Japan and the metropolitan prefecture of Tokyo in 2016, and the numbers are steadily increasing. 

With all eyes set on the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games 2020 to be held in Japan, the world is curious to learn more about Tokyo. Thus the Tokyo metropolitan government is actively promoting Tokyo as a bustling urban tourist destination and distinguished cultural landmark.

Akito Tadokoro, director of marketing and promotion of the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB), expresses confidence that more Filipinos will pick Japan as their next vacation destination. 

“Tokyo has been at the center of politics and culture in Japan since the 17th century, becoming one of the world’s largest cities. Now, the city is very modern but still retains both present and traditional scenery. It is where the old meets the modern. The number of tourists is three times more than ten years ago, and almost 60 percent of Japan-bound tourists visit Tokyo,” Tadokoro emphasizes. 

He also highlighted the five core values of Tokyo as an emerging tourism brand: unique culture, excellent dining, exciting shopping, delightful stay and comfortable nature.

Following these values, plans are currently underway to entice tourists to visit Japan, specifically expanding the number of hotel rooms and retail shops. In 2015-2016 more than 10,000 new rooms were added, with 4,000 more under way with the opening two more hotels, The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho and Hoshinoya Tokyo.

Ginza Six, Japan’s largest commercial complex, is set to open this year, housing 241 foreign brands, half of which are flagship stores while the mixed-use complex of Shibuya Stream is scheduled to open by 2018.

To make each visit to the Japanese capital more convenient, the tourism department has set up a multilingual call center service, a Tokyo tourist information center in Shinjuku bus terminal and installed interactive digital signs that can be accessed through smartphones.

Among the highlights of the tourism seminar was the live demonstration of sado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. This ritual demonstrates the perfect presentation of matcha (green tea) paired with the traditional sweet cake ningyoyaki.

To know more about Tokyo, facets of Japanese culture and important details, email TCVB Tourist Promotion Department at asiapr@tcvb.or.jp.