There is a lot of preparation going on in Japan for the Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo in 2020.  In addition to new hotels and venues that will expand the many existing options for events, transportation infrastructure will be transformed. Plans include a ring road that will bypass central Tokyo, a central arterial road that will better connect central Tokyo to the Tokyo Bay area, a new railway connecting Haneda Airport and Tokyo Station, plus improvements to the existing Narita Airport railway system that will cut transit time from thirty minutes to a mere eighteen.

Tokyo, however, is only one of many destination choices in Japan for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).  While Tokyo is the most Michelin starred city in the world, it is followed closely by Kyoto and Osaka. Japan has 21 UNESCO world heritage sites, and a vast number of locations suitable for sizeable meetings.

In February, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) launched a new website focused specifically on the meetings and events market. The website, which displays JNTO’s new logo and tagline, New Ideas Start Here, showcases twelve regions that have the capacity and some unique appeal perfect for hosting events. 

“There are many different regions and experiences, which will have appeal to different groups’ passions and requirements,” said Alicia Hinds, convention specialist for Japan National Tourism Organization.

She added, “The islands of Japan are so geographically and culturally varied that you can find something for anyone: tropical beaches in Okinawa, ski slopes in Hokkaido, tranquility and refined tradition of old towns like Kyoto or Kanazawa or the hustle and lights of ultra-modern cities like Tokyo and Osaka. The new site is set up to help guide planners in the right direction.”

The twelve featured regions – which each contain a number of cities – are:

• Hokkaido
• Tohoku
• Hokuriku Shinetsu
• Kanto
• Tokai
• Kansai
• Chugoku
• Shikoku
• Kyushu
• Okinawa Islands

The Japan Meetings website allows planners to search through the cities based on categories that are relevant to their needs. The categories currently include metropolitan area; historic/cultural area; tech hub; academic/research; hot spring; and outdoor activity.

The site also covers the industries and fields that comprise the region’s expertise. For example, Fukuoka University is a leader in renewable energy research and IT, and the city has become the fastest growing start up hub in Japan. Aichi Prefecture, where Nagoya is located, is home to the Toyota Motor Corporation and has a strong electrical machinery and automotive industrial expertise.

“MICE planners can find a wide variety of options for their events [in Japan],” Hinds stated.  “Not only does Japan have the right infrastructure to accommodate all sizes of events, the unique character of Japan and its many strengths can add an intangible value to MICE events.”

To help event and incentive planners get started, the website includes an extensive searchable list of venues and suppliers along with eight suggested incentive travel itineraries. 

To learn more about all that Japan has to offer as a meetings destination, visit JNTO’s Japan Meetings site at https://www.japanmeetings.org/