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seniors

Increased Travel Frequency May Lead to Happiness and Reduce Dementia: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (5)

Increased Travel Frequency May Lead to Happiness and Reduce Dementia: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (5) In this article, we explore how increasing travel frequency among seniors could significantly reduce societal costs. Previously, according to Sony Life’s ‘Senior Living Consciousness Survey 2023,’ we discovered that many seniors wish to travel. But why do people want to travel? Research conducted by Tohoku University’s Institute of Aging Medicine and the travel giant Club Tourism indicates that frequent travelers experience increased happiness. This research involved a survey of about 835 individuals around the age of 60 who participated in Club Tourism’s tours. The study, titled “Curiosity–tourism interaction promotes subjective wellbeing among older adults in Japan,” has been published on Nature’s website. According to this study, the ‘Subjective Happiness Scale (average score)’ was 4.55 for individuals who traveled more than 10 times a year, 4.34 for those who traveled 5-9 times, 4.52 for 3-4 times, 4.13 for 1-2 times, 4.09 for those traveling only once every 2-3 years, and 4.11 for those who hardly traveled at all. Assuming the annual travel frequency of individuals who traveled more than 10 times as 10, those who traveled 5-9 times as 7, 3-4 times as 3.5,read moreIncreased Travel Frequency May Lead to Happiness and Reduce Dementia: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (5)

Does Decreasing Travel Frequency Mean Seniors Don’t Want to Travel Anymore?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (4)

Does Decreasing Travel Frequency Mean Seniors Don’t Want to Travel Anymore?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (4)   Continuing our exploration of the ‘Travel Divide,’ we delve deeper into its causes. In our second and third installments, we verified that the reasons behind the ‘Travel Divide’ are not a lack of money or time but rather the possibility of ‘heavy luggage.’ This time, we explore why it is crucial to address the ‘Travel Divide.’ After all, if no one is troubled by its existence, then perhaps it is not a problem. Again, we consider the decline in travel frequency among seniors. According to the Cabinet Office, “72.6% of at-home physically disabled individuals are over 65,” indicating a close connection between seniors and people with disabilities. Furthermore, considering the global trend of an aging population, examining travel frequency among seniors is essential. ソニー生命の「シニアの生活意識調査2023」の調査で「現在の楽しみ」というアンケート調査があります。この調査は日本の50歳~79歳の男女1,000名に対する調査です。「現在の楽しみ」の1位は「旅行(39.9%)」でした。以下、2位が「テレビ/ドラマ(38.4%)」、3位が「グルメ(27.1%)」でした。2017年から「現在の楽しみ」という調査項目がありますが、旅行は7年全てで1位でした。従って、シニア(高齢者)は「旅行」に強く行きたいと思っていると言っていいでしょう。「旅行に行きたい」のに、「旅行に行けない(旅行回数が減少する)」ということは「トラベル・ディバイド」を解消すべき理由の一つです。 Sony Life’s ‘Senior Living Consciousness Survey 2023’ included a questionnaire about ‘Current Enjoyments.’ This survey, which involved 1,000 Japanese men and women aged 50-79, found that ‘Travel (39.9%)’ ranked first as the current enjoyment. This was followed by ‘TV/Drama (38.4%)’ and ‘Gourmet (27.1%).’ Since 2017, travel has consistently ranked first in this survey category every year. Therefore,read moreDoes Decreasing Travel Frequency Mean Seniors Don’t Want to Travel Anymore?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (4)

Jump

Travel Industry Registration: Stepping into a New Era

Travel Agency Registration: Stepping into a New Era Our company, EDO KAGURA Corporation, proudly announces a new beginning as a regional travel agency (Tokyo Metropolitan Governor’s Travel Business Registration, Area – No. 8490) as of December 28, 2023. Our initial focus is on promoting the Shinjuku district and its surrounding areas. We aim to spread the allure of Japan worldwide by designing travel products tailored for international tourists. Furthermore, we seek to facilitate tourist flow to regions like Hokkaido, using Shinjuku, especially Kagurazaka, as a hub for travel and transportation information. This new registration in the travel industry presents an excellent opportunity to introduce Japan’s traditional crafts and culture to visitors. We intend to incorporate various traditional craft experiences from Shinjuku and other Tokyo areas into our tours, bringing Japan’s rich culture and history closer to travelers. We are also eager to share the unique values of Japanese spiritual culture, like Zen philosophy, and our simple way of life with the world. Integrating a clothing rental service into our travel products will reduce the baggage burden for travelers, offering a more comfortable travel experience. This innovative approach in the travel industry is a first in the world and aims toread moreTravel Industry Registration: Stepping into a New Era

clown

The Surprising Reason for Decreasing Travel Frequency?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (3)

The Surprising Reason for Decreasing Travel Frequency?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (3)   Continuing our exploration of the ‘Travel Divide,’ we seek to understand its underlying causes. In our previous article, we verified that the decrease in travel frequency among the elderly is not due to ‘money’ or ‘time.’ Surprisingly, it showed an inverse correlation. According to the ‘Travel and Tourism Consumption Trends Survey‘ published by the Japan Tourism Agency in 2018, the top reasons for not undertaking domestic overnight trips (for tourism and recreation) were ‘unable to take vacation due to work or other reasons’ (29.3%), followed by ‘financial constraints’ (26.4%), and ‘holidays not aligning with family or friends’ (21.0%). These top three reasons all relate to time and money. However, the fourth reason was ‘personal health reasons’ (18.1%). Therefore, this article aims to investigate the relationship between travel frequency and ‘physical fitness tests.’   Source: Japan Tourism Agency ‘Travel and Tourism Consumption Trend Survey, Q1 2018 Based on the ‘2022 Physical Fitness and Exercise Capability Survey‘ by the Japan Sports Agency, we calculated a ‘Physical Fitness Test Index’ using the age-specific scores of universally conducted tests: ‘grip strength,’ ‘sit-ups,’ and ‘sit and reach,’ for all ageread moreThe Surprising Reason for Decreasing Travel Frequency?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (3)

No Time

Is Money or Time the Reason for Decreasing Travel Frequency?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (2)

Is Money or Time the Reason for Decreasing Travel Frequency?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (2)   Continuing our analysis of the ‘Travel Divide,’ I aim to delve into its causes, particularly the decline in travel frequency among the elderly. According to the Cabinet Office, ‘72.6% of at-home physically disabled individuals are over the age of 65,’ highlighting a close connection between the elderly and the disabled. Additionally, given the global trend towards an aging population, examining the travel habits of the elderly is of paramount importance. The ‘Market Research for Future Demand Stimulation – Survey Results on Tourism’ published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2014 presents a fascinating study. In this survey, the predominant belief amongst travelers (those who travel at least once) and non-travelers (those who do not travel at all) was that ‘travel is something one does when there is both time and money’—50.5% of travelers and 43.7% of non-travelers shared this view. Furthermore, the ‘Travel and Tourism Consumption Trends Survey‘ released by the Japan Tourism Agency in 2018 investigated the reasons why people did not engage in domestic overnight trips (for tourism and recreation purposes). The top reason for notread moreIs Money or Time the Reason for Decreasing Travel Frequency?: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (2)

elderly

How to Travel When You’re 100: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (1)

How to Travel When You’re 100: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (1) I am a huge fan of traveling. I have traveled over 200 times, both domestically and internationally. It’s safe to say that traveling is my favorite activity. I believe many others like me love to travel. My life goal is to continue traveling even when I’m 100 years old. However, it’s clear that the frequency of travel decreases for the elderly. Not just the elderly but also people with disabilities and families with infants and young children travel less frequently compared to the average. Is this a natural occurrence? I refer to the significant reduction in travel frequency among certain age groups and other demographics as the ‘Travel Divide.’ This term defines the disparity between those who can and cannot travel. It is a term inspired by the ‘Digital Divide,’ which refers to the disparity between those who have and do not have access to information and communication technologies like the internet.   Sources: JTB Travel Annual Report 2020, Tourism Academy, Wheelchair Travel   In the year 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline in the average number of trips was evident: 34% for domestic trips byread moreHow to Travel When You’re 100: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (1)

Effective Ways to Avoid Long Taxi Wait Times in Japan

Effective Ways to Avoid Long Taxi Wait Times in Japan

Effective Ways to Avoid Long Taxi Wait Times in Japan Since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable increase in foreign tourists to Japan, leading to long queues for taxi rides at many locations. This taxi shortage is especially prevalent at airports and tourist spots, where wait times can sometimes extend to several hours. A significant cause of this issue is the aging population of taxi drivers, compounded by a decrease in their numbers. From 2004 to 2022, the number of taxi drivers in Japan decreased by 31%, with the average age rising to 59 years. This age is significantly higher than the average age of 44.5 years across all industries in Japan, highlighting the severity of the aging issue among taxi drivers.   Source: National Federation of Auto Transport Workers Unions   Source: National Federation of Taxi and Hire Taxi Associations   Additionally, with the implementation of the “Work Style Reform Bill” in April 2024, which limits drivers’ working hours, the shortage of taxi drivers is likely to become even more acute. Although there is active discussion around alternative solutions like ridesharing, a definitive resolution has yet to be reached. In response, our company proposesread moreEffective Ways to Avoid Long Taxi Wait Times in Japan

climate change

Endorsing Carbon Pricing Proposals

Endorsing Carbon Pricing Proposals   Table of Contents 1: Endorsing Carbon Pricing Proposals 2: The Content of the Proposals 3: Recognizing the Significance of CO2 Emissions During Travel   1: Endorsing Carbon Pricing Proposals On December 5, 2023, the Japan Climate Initiative released the proposal “Carbon Pricing Proposals by the Members of the Japan Climate Initiative: Toward Simultaneous Achievement of 2030 GHG Emission Reduction Targets and Enhanced International Competitiveness.” As one of the 186 organizations (including 140 corporations, 9 municipalities, and 37 organizations & NGOs), our company has endorsed these proposals. Major corporations such as 61 companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime and cities like Omi-Hachiman, Kawasaki, Kyoto, Sapporo, Setagaya, Tokyo, Toyonaka, Hamamatsu, and Musashino have also expressed their support. 2: The Content of the Proposals This proposal aims to introduce carbon pricing able to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in Japan, paving the way for its internationally competitive economy. To this end, this proposal calls for six principles including the following that should be fulfilled in the future design of the system, improving the current government proposal. ・Bringing the schedule of the introduction forward to around 2025 ・Aiming sufficient carbon price in 2030 such as USDread moreEndorsing Carbon Pricing Proposals

airplane

Do you know the biggest CO2 emitter when traveling?

Do you know the biggest CO2 emitter when traveling? Do foreign tourists know what activity contributes the most to CO2 emissions while traveling in Japan? It’s air travel. While it’s not surprising that airplanes emit a lot of CO2, it often goes unnoticed that luggage (20kg) can contribute to emissions four times higher than an entire week’s stay in Japan. For example, a round trip from Narita Airport to New York, Singapore, and Taipei produces CO2 emissions of 942kg, 594kg, and 147kg for a passenger. The average for these three cities is 612kg. In contrast, the CO2 emissions for luggage (20kg) for these cities are 244kg for New York, 114kg for Singapore, and 55kg for Taipei, making up 18-26% of the total emissions from passengers (data sourced from ICAO’s “CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR”). The average for these cities’ luggage emissions is 138kg.   Source: ICAO’s “CARBON EMISSIONS CALCULATOR,” National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan   On the other hand, the CO2 emissions for a 7-day stay in Japan are only 34kg. This figure is calculated based on the average household CO2 emissions of 4.9kg per day by the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan. The average luggage emission of 138kg forread moreDo you know the biggest CO2 emitter when traveling?

How to Overcome Inconveniences in Japanese Business Hotels: Tips on Card Keys and Refrigerators

How to Overcome Inconveniences in Japanese Business Hotels: Tips on Card Keys and Refrigerators Hotel card keys may seem convenient, but they can be troublesome. Often, removing the card key turns off all room power, making it impossible to charge electronic devices while out. To resolve this, insert a different card, like a point card, instead of the key when leaving. Some hotels require a long key to be inserted for power. In such cases, I recommend inserting a toothbrush when going out. Be aware that in some hotels, the refrigerator power is off at check-in for energy saving. Ensure it’s on, or your drinks won’t cool. Japanese business hotels are functional and convenient, but knowing these tips about card keys and refrigerators can make your travel even smoother!

One-Man Trains

Let’s Learn How to Board One-Man Trains

Let’s Learn How to Board One-Man Trains Boarding and alighting from local trains in Japan can be quite different from doing so in major cities, and often, there are only Japanese signs, making it very inconvenient for foreign tourists. Indeed, in the Japan Tourism Agency’s 2019 survey on “Acceptance Environment for Foreign Visitors to Japan,” 50% of foreign tourists responded that they had trouble with local trains. Additionally, in the same survey, only 8% of tourists found local public transportation convenient. Especially inconvenient are one-man trains, which operate differently from regular trains. Many local trains in Japan are one-man due to the few passengers, meaning only one driver is on board. Often, only the first carriage (the one at the front of the train’s direction) has doors that open and close. Also, on a one-man train, you must press a button to open the door when boarding or alighting. When boarding, just like on a bus, you take a numbered ticket, and when getting off, you put the ticket and fare into the fare box. If you’re using a one-man train, always try to board the first carriage for ease. However, whether you board from the front or rear doorread moreLet’s Learn How to Board One-Man Trains

Hokkaido University

Awarded the title of “Startup Launched at Hokkaido University”

Awarded the title of “Startup Launched at Hokkaido University” We, EDO KAGURA Corporation, have been honored with the title of “Startup Launched at Hokkaido University” from Hokkaido University. The system of awarding titles to “Startup Launched at Hokkaido University” was established to support startups that were founded to implement the research achievements of Hokkaido University into society. It is a great honor for us to be recognized as a member of the Hokkaido University Ecosystem, a national university. Our company aims to realize accessible and sustainable “Ultimate Luggage-Free Travel” for foreign tourists through our clothing rental service and pre-travel concierge. Furthermore, we seek to eliminate physical barriers (luggage) and informational barriers (Japanese language) to create a travel style that requires nothing but a passport and smartphone. In addition, we are committed to significantly reducing CO2 emissions from airplanes by reducing luggage, thus contributing to limiting climate change. As part of this effort, we have joined the “Japan Climate Initiative.” The Japan Climate Initiative is a non-profit organization in Japan comprised of private companies, municipalities, NGOs, and citizens. Through “Ultimate Luggage-Free Travel,” we aim to realize accessible tourism, enhance convenience for travelers, and work towards attracting more foreign tourists to localread moreAwarded the title of “Startup Launched at Hokkaido University”

kkday

Our online store is now available at KKday Mall

Our online store is now available at KKday Mall   EDO KAGURA Corporation has opened a store in KKday Mall following our online store “Ninja Kotan.” We will continue to support foreign travelers by providing clothing rentals and free pre-travel concierge service in foreign languages to help them have a great travel experience, even in the countryside in Japan, where there are many stairs and hills and few foreign language displays. In addition, baggage reduction through clothing rental reduces the carbon footprint of travelers during their trip to Japan by approximately 20% (based on a 20 kg reduction in checked baggage). The daily CO2 reduction from baggage reduction is 16 to 42 times that of solar panels and electric vehicles, making it a significant contribution to climate change mitigation. KKday is a Taiwanese online booking site that sells local experiences and tickets to travel destinations. Offering more than 300,000 unique local experiences worldwide, KKday provides services that improve the convenience of travel planning by eliminating the need for travelers to arrange tours and tickets individually. The KKday Mall rental service offers two plans: “Stay-Based Clothing Rental” and “Specify the Type and Rent.” The “Stay-Based Clothing Rental” plan is the sameread moreOur online store is now available at KKday Mall

rail

Unhappy with Rental Cars? Solve Your Woes by Opting for Clothing Rental and Using Public Transport!

Unhappy with Rental Cars? Solve Your Woes by Opting for Clothing Rental and Using Public Transport!   Table of Contents 1: Stress-Free Travel 2: Freedom from Alcohol Restrictions 3: Everyone Can Enjoy the View 4: Reducing Fatigue 5: Deep Interaction with Locals 6: Conclusion   1: Stress-Free Travel Lightening Your Luggage and Enhancing Public Transport Convenience: Using a clothing rental service significantly reduces your luggage, making mobility smoother and more accessible for using public transport. In particular, traveling light makes it easier to get around in Japan’s regional train stations, where escalators and elevators are scarce. Moreover, among the 47 prefectures across Japan, 33 (70%) have an accessible rate of less than 50% (according to a 2021 survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). Stress-Free Travel: A rental car in Japan can introduce unexpected challenges due to the opposite driving seat, different traffic rules, and potentially tricky conditions like snowy or mountainous roads. Utilizing clothing rental and public transportation frees you from these worries, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed and worry-free travel experience. Reduce the risk of traffic accidents and create richer travel memories.   2: Freedom from Alcohol Restrictions Public transportation allows you to enjoyread moreUnhappy with Rental Cars? Solve Your Woes by Opting for Clothing Rental and Using Public Transport!

Successfully Passed the Domestic Certified Travel Supervisor Examination!

Successfully Passed the Domestic Certified Travel Supervisor Examination!   Greetings to our valued customers and readers! I am thrilled to announce that Shinya Yamada (CEO of EDO KAGURA Corporation) has successfully passed the Domestic Certified Travel Supervisor Examination. The results were announced on October 20th. The Travel Business Law mandates this certification in Japan. Travel agencies and their representatives must appoint a Domestic Certified Travel Supervisor at each business location. This supervisor explains transaction conditions to clients and oversees travel business operations. I’m proud to report that my score was 92 out of 100 points, significantly surpassing the pass mark of 60. The pass rate for the 2023 examination was 35.7%. EDO KAGURA Corporation plans to apply for a travel registration following this achievement. Our pre-travel concierge services, including clothing rental, have been provided for free. After acquiring the travel business registration, we will offer these pre-travel concierge services as standalone paid services. We deeply appreciate your continued support for our services and hope to serve you better in the future!   EDO KAGURA Corporation CEO Shinya Yamada

car rental

Discover what car rentals and clothing rentals have in common and make new choices for your trip!

Discover what car rentals and clothing rentals have in common, and make new choices for your trip! Table of Contents 1: Freedom, Comfort 2: Convenience, Economy 3: No Hassle   1: Freedom, Comfort Do you know the commonalities between our traveler’s clothing rental and car rental services? There are indeed many. Understand these shared aspects and feel the convenience of our traveler’s clothing service. Freedom: Rental cars offer the allure of moving without being bound by public transport, allowing you to visit any place you desire. Similarly, clothing rental lightens your load, making moving stairs or slopes less burdensome and letting you see hidden local gems not found in guidebooks. Comfort: Traveling by rental car is comfortable and not influenced by the weather. Similarly, moving with only the essentials through a clothing rental means moving efficiently on rainy or snowy days without the need to deal with umbrellas.   2: Convenience, Economy Convenience: Rental cars can access locations inconvenient by public transport. Reducing luggage by clothing rental allows stress-free use of public transport. With a rental car, you can choose a 4WD to traverse mountain roads, for instance, selecting according to your purpose. With clothing rental, even if you’re planningread moreDiscover what car rentals and clothing rentals have in common and make new choices for your trip!

Attended the Japan Climate Action Summit 2023

Attended the Japan Climate Action Summit 2023 On October 6th, I attended the “Japan Climate Action Summit 2023” held at the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 49F, “Roppongi Academy Hills Tower Hall.” The “Japan Climate Action Summit 2023” is an international conference discussing climate change mitigation, organized by the “Japan Climate Initiative: JCI,” of which our company is a part. At this international conference, various speakers, both from Japan and abroad, took the stage, including Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the UAE, COP28. Lively discussions ensued throughout the event. Panel discussions titled “Acceleration of Decarbonization,” “Collaboration and Co-creation for Decarbonization,” and “Top Leaders’ Session” took place, where experts discussed measures to combat climate change. While our company participated only as a single attendee this time, we are keen on promoting CO2 reduction by encouraging the idea of reducing the luggage loaded onto airplanes through clothing rental. Our service, clothing rental, has the potential to reduce checked baggage on airplanes and thereby significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Suppose every passenger had 20 kg of checked baggage. In that case, it’s estimated that CO2 emissions would amount to 145.1 million tons – surpassing the annual emissions of countries like Israelread moreAttended the Japan Climate Action Summit 2023

Dazai

Travel to Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture (2)

Travel to Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture (2)   Table of Contents 1: Itinerary to Goshogawara 2: Lunch and apple pie in Goshogawara 3: Excellent sushi and very popular izakaya 4: “Tsugaru Shamisen Kaikan” and “Shayokan” 5: Popular Chinese restaurant “Houtenyu” 6: “Tachineputa House” 7: Amazing Izakaya in Hirosaki   4: “Tsugaru Shamisen Kaikan” and “Shayokan” On the second day’s morning, I revisited Kanagi Station to listen to a live Tsugaru Shamisen performance at the Tsugaru Shamisen Kaikan. The Tsugaru shamisen is said to have originated in the Kanagi area. It was a powerful and excellent live performance. Afterward, I went to “Shayokan,” a 3-minute walk away. As mentioned earlier, “Shayokan” is known as the birthplace of Osamu Dazai (real name: Shuji Tsushima) and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. It is also known as a luxurious residence; it was built in 1907 by Dazai’s father, Genemon Tsushima (who then served as a member of the House of Representatives and the House of Peers). The name “Shayoukan” is derived from Osamu Dazai’s best-selling novel “Shayou.   5: Popular Chinese restaurant “Houtenyu” After returning from Kanagi Station to Goshogawara Station, we decided to have lunch at Machinuka “Houtenyu,” as promisedread moreTravel to Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture (2)

sushi

Travel to Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture (1)

Travel to Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture (1)   Table of Contents 1: Itinerary to Goshogawara 2: Lunch and apple pie in Goshogawara 3: Excellent sushi and very popular izakaya 4: “Tsugaru Shamisen Kaikan” and “Shayokan” 5: Popular Chinese restaurant “Houtenyu” 6: “Tachineputa House” 7: Amazing Izakaya in Hirosaki   1: Itinerary to Goshogawara I went to Goshogawara City and exchanged with them and Tsugaru Railway to exchange opinions on attracting tourists. I also went sightseeing in Goshogawara City on that occasion, so I am posting a mini-trip. The itinerary to Goshogawara City is very far. I departed from Tokyo Station on the Hayabusa No. 1 at 6:32 a.m., arrived at Shin-Aomori Station at 9:49 a.m., transferred to the Ou Line, arrived at Kawabe Station at 10:29 a.m., moved to the Gono-Line, and arrived at Goshogawara Station at 11:05 a.m. The total trip took more than 4.5 hours. Also, even if you fly, if you take JAL Flight 141, leaving Tokyo Station at 6:15 a.m. and departing from Haneda Airport at 7:30 a.m., you will arrive at Goshogawara Station at 11:05 a.m. This journey takes more than 4.5 hours either by Shinkansen or airplane. Goshogawara is far away, so it mayread moreTravel to Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture (1)

霧

您想在下次旅行中到訪「日本隱藏的景點」嗎?

您想在下次旅行中到訪「日本隱藏的景點(Hidden Gems in Japan)」嗎?   目次 1: 我們已被Facebook群組「Hidden Gems in Japan(Travel and stay)」認證為「傑出貢獻者」 2: 使用我們的旅行前禮賓服務來計畫只屬於您的「日本隱藏的景點行程」 3: 我們一起去鄉郊地區觀光,尋找「日本隱藏的景點」嗎?   1: 我們已被Facebook群組「Hidden Gems in Japan(Travel and stay)」認證為「傑出貢獻者」 各位可能知道除電郵外,我們每天會在SNS(Facebook、Instagram)上發送各種英文和繁體中文的旅行信息。事實上我們已被Facebook群組「Hidden Gems in Japan(Travel and Stay)」認證為「傑出貢獻者(Top Contributor)」。 如果您對「Hidden Gems in Japan」感興趣,請務必查看我們的SNS(Facebook、Instagram)。 2: 使用我們的旅行前禮賓服務來計畫只屬於您的「日本隱藏的景點行程」 如各位所知,本公司提供服裝租賃和旅行前禮賓服務,其中旅行前禮賓服務是為旅客制定編排行程。而這項服務獲得了用戶92分的滿意度評價。所以請各位使用我們的旅行前禮賓服務來計畫只屬於您的「日本隱藏的景點行程」。此外,為慶祝我們的網上商店開業,我們為使用服裝租賃服務的顧客提供免費的旅行前禮賓服務。以下是我們計畫的八個範例行程。 相信不少旅客已經厭倦了東京、大阪、京都等日本著名的旅遊勝地,並想去其他地區旅遊。但現實的情況是,由於鄉郊地區的旅遊網站上缺乏外語資訊和交通換乘資訊,令很多想去鄉郊地區觀光的旅客望而卻步。事實上,根據日本觀光廳的調查顯示,92%的外國旅客認為在鄉郊地區的公共交通不方便,44%的人認為鄉郊地區沒有多語言標識不方便。所以如果我們能為各位消除這些不便,並通過我們的旅行前禮賓服務向您介紹當地的「日本隱藏的景點」,我們也會非常高興。   3: 我們一起去鄉郊地區觀光,尋找「日本隱藏的景點」嗎? 鄉郊地區旅遊業的另一個障礙便是車站的無障礙化進展緩慢。 與無障礙率較高的東京(94%)、大阪(83%)、京都(63%)相比,無障礙率低於50%的縣有33個(佔全國的7成)。這對於攜帶大件行李的旅客來說是非常不便的事情。因此,我們公司通過租賃服裝的方式實現「空手旅行」。我們的目標是希望讓前往鄉郊地區的旅客能更加方便地旅行,同時通過發現「日本隱藏的景點」,提高旅客的滿意度,促進當地經濟並維持當地的公共交通系統。 您想與被「Hidden Gems in Japan(Travel and Stay)」認證為「傑出貢獻者(Top Contributor)」的我們一起去鄉郊地區觀光,尋找「日本隱藏的景點」嗎?

霧

Want to visit “Hidden Gems in Japan” on your next trip?

Want to visit “Hidden Gems in Japan” on your next trip?   Table of Contents 1: Recognized as a “Top Contributor” in the Facebook Group 2: Introducing “Hidden Gems in Japan” 3: Let’s go to “Hidden Gems in Japan”   1: Recognized as a “Top Contributor” in the Facebook Group As some may know, besides this blog, we post daily information in English and Traditional Chinese on SNS (Facebook, Instagram). We are recognized as a “Top Contributor” on the Facebook group “Hidden Gems in Japan (Travel and Stay)” (31,000 followers). We invite everyone interested in “Hidden Gems in Japan” to visit our SNS (Facebook, Instagram). 2: Introducing “Hidden Gems in Japan” As you know, we offer clothing rental and pre-travel concierge services. The pre-travel concierge service provides travelers with tailor-made itineraries. The pre-trip concierge service has received a high user satisfaction rating of 92. We invite you to use our service to create an itinerary filled with “Hidden Gems in Japan.” We are now offering a free pre-trip concierge service to all customers who purchase a clothing rental to celebrate the opening of our online store. We have also created 8 itinerary models, which can be viewed at the linkread moreWant to visit “Hidden Gems in Japan” on your next trip?

heavy luggage

本公司參加了由日本內閣府運營的「振興地區SDGs官民互助平台」

本公司參加了由日本內閣府運營的「振興地區SDGs官民互助平台」   目次 1: 參加了由日本內閣府運營的「振興地區SDGs官民互助平台」 2: 「提高便利性」對於吸引旅客到鄉郊地區旅行十分重要 3: 鄉郊地區的車站沒有提升無障礙化率也是一個問題   1: 參加了由日本內閣府運營的「振興地區SDGs官民互助平台」  株式會社EDO KAGURA(總公司:東京都新宿區,代表董事:山田真也,以下簡稱「本公司」)於2023年9月15日參加了由日本內閣府運營的「振興地區SDGs官民互助平台」。 因為我們相信我們的服裝租賃和旅行前禮賓服務「NINJA KOTAN」能吸引外國旅客前往鄉郊地區旅行,並為當地經濟作出貢獻。因此為了達成這個目標,必須消除旅客的「不便」。 能讓各位從出發到回國的期間能空手旅行,提高旅行的便利性,同時也可以維持當地的公共交通繼續營運下去。 2: 「提高便利性」對於吸引旅客到鄉郊地區旅行十分重要 據日本觀光廳的旅行統計調查顯示,2023年的上半年(1月至6月),73%的外國旅客選擇在日本主要的5大都道府縣中旅行(東京、大阪、京都、北海道、沖繩),其集中的程度是繼2007年以來最高。   Share of Foreign Visitors’ Overnight Stays in the Top 5 Prefectures as a Percentage of the Total Note: Data for 2023 is for the January-June Source: “Lodging Travel Statistics Survey” by Japan Tourism Agency   根據日本觀光廳2019年的《改善外國旅客訪日環境調查》顯示,曾到訪日本的主要城市和鄉郊地區的外國旅客中,86%的人回答說在城市地區使用「公共交通很方便」,而回答鄉郊地區的「公共交通很方便」的人只有8%。此外,在「多語言對應」方面,城市地區為 87%,而農村地區只有52%。    Inbound Travelers Who Visited Both Urban and Rural Areas Found “Convenient” Source: “2019 Survey on ‘Improving the Reception Environment for Foreign Visitors to Japan” by Japan Tourism Agency   3: 鄉郊地區的車站沒有提升無障礙化率也是一個問題 除此以外,鄉郊地區的車站沒有提升無障礙化率也是一個問題。 根據國土交通省《2021年度各都道府縣消除階梯的應對狀況》的調査顯示,有 33 個都道府縣的無障礙率低於50%(佔總數的7成)。 這對於攜帶大件行李的旅客來說很不便的事情。事實上,無障礙率與住宿設施的入住率的關聯性高達72%(住宿旅遊統計調查),所以無需擔心階梯問題的「空手旅行」是必須的。還有為實現無障礙社會的改善財務狀況並進行投資也十分重要。   Accessibility at stations and occupancy rate of accommodation Note: Data for 46 prefectures, excluding Okinawa Prefecture, which has no railroad network Source: Japan Tourism Agency, “Lodging Travel Statistics Survey 2019,” Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, “Status of the Accessibility Rail Stations by Prefecture at the End of FY2021”   這次我們參與「振興地區SDGs官民互助平台」,是希望通過本公司提供的「空手旅行」服務,能吸引旅客前往各個都道府縣旅行。 我們已經向兩個地方政府提出了吸引旅客的提案,並計劃在未來繼續提出各種建議。        

heavy luggage

Joined The “SDGs for Regional Revitalization Public-Private Partnership Platform”

Joined The “SDGs for Regional Revitalization Public-Private Partnership Platform”   Table of Contents 1: Joined The “SDGs for Regional Revitalization Public-Private Partnership Platform” 2: “Improving Convenience” is Essential to Attracting Tourists to Rural Areas 3: Accessibility Rate of railroad stations is not progressing in rural areas   1: Joined The “SDGs for Regional Revitalization Public-Private Partnership Platform” On September 15, 2023, our company joined the “SDGs for Regional Revitalization Public-Private Partnership Platform” run by the Japanese Cabinet Office. This is because we have determined that our sharing services, NINJA KOTAN (clothing rental and pre-travel concierge service), can contribute to attracting inbound tourists to rural areas. Attracting tourists to rural areas is necessary to remove the “inconvenience.” By improving convenience through “Complete Luggage-Free Travel” from departure to return of the trip, NINJA KOTAN will contribute to revitalizing local economies and maintaining local public transportation systems by attracting tourists to rural areas.   2: “Improving Convenience” is Essential to Attracting Tourists to Rural Areas According to the Japan Tourism Agency’s Lodging Travel Statistics Survey, in the first half of 2023 (January-June), 73% of total overnight stays by inbound visitors were concentrated in five prefectures (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Okinawa), the highestread moreJoined The “SDGs for Regional Revitalization Public-Private Partnership Platform”

Discussions with Tsugaru Railway and Goshogawara City on attracting foreign tourists

Discussions with Tsugaru Railway and Goshogawara City on attracting foreign tourists   Table of Contents 1: Discussions on attracting foreign tourists 2: Attractiveness of Tsugaru Railway 3: Nationalities of foreign tourists around Tsugaru Railway   1: Discussions on attracting foreign tourists The other day, we discussed with Tsugaru Railways and the Urban Transport Division of the Goshogawara City Construction Department at the Goshogawara City Hall (Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture) about attracting foreign tourists. Tsugaru Railways is the railway company connecting Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station and Tsugaru-Nakasato Station (operating distance of 20.7 km). Tsugaru Goshogawara Station is connected to JR East’s Goshogawara Station. Like other regional railways, Tsugaru Railways is also loss-making. In pre-COVID-19, the operating result of the railway track business was a loss of 25.35 million. This number is a significant deficit, representing 21.6% of the turnover of the railway track business. Like other regional railways, Tsugaru Railways has been affected by the decline in population and motorization of the people living along its lines. It is, therefore, necessary to attract tourists in the future. We made a proposal using various data to see if we could help Tsugaru Railway as a company that provides clothing rental and pre-trip concierge servicesread moreDiscussions with Tsugaru Railway and Goshogawara City on attracting foreign tourists

Shiga

Travel to Shiga: Japan’s Biggest Hidden Gem

Travel to Shiga: Japan’s Biggest Hidden Gem   Table of Contents 1: Omi Hachiman 2: Chikubu Island 3: Hikone Castle 4: Dinner 5: Supplementary information on sightseeing in Shiga Prefecture   1: Omi Hachiman The other day, I posted a blog entitled ‘Surprising areas rich in cultural properties.’ I want to report on my trip to Shiga Prefecture, arguably the most hidden area in Japan, which I mentioned in that post. First of all, I went to Omi Hachiman City. Omi Hachiman City was developed based on the castle town of Hachimanyama Castle, built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu (nephew of Toyotomi Hideyoshi). In modern times, the city flourished as a commercial town in the birthplace of the Omi merchants. The ruins of Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga, are also located in Omi Hachiman City. However, the ruins of Azuchi Castle have located some distance from the center of Omi Hachiman (approx. 6 km). Several companies originate from Omi Hachiman, including bedding manufacturer Nishikawa Corporation and pharmaceutical manufacturer Omi Brothers Ltd. Omi Hachiman is a national Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings as a ‘merchant town.’ Famous for its moats that retain scenes from the Edo period, Hachiman-bori is aread moreTravel to Shiga: Japan’s Biggest Hidden Gem

Shrine

Surprising areas rich in cultural properties

Surprising areas rich in cultural properties   Table of Contents 1: What are National Treasures and National Important Cultural Properties? 2: Ranking of National Treasures and National Important Cultural Properties by number 3: Prefectures rich in national treasures and cultural properties not visited by foreign visitors 4: The best ‘Little‐known good spots’ for travelers seeking a local trip or a trip to an unfamiliar place   1: What are National Treasures and National Important Cultural Properties? We compiled the National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties by prefecture according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs‘ website. The Agency for Cultural Affairs designates national treasures as being of particular value from the perspective of world culture. Important cultural properties are also defined as ‘important cultural properties.’ National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are categorized as ‘buildings’ and ‘arts and crafts.’ 1,132 National Treasures and 13,377 Important Cultural Properties (including the number of National Treasures) had been designated as of 1 April 2023. Of the ‘National Treasures,’ 230 are defined as ‘Buildings’ and 902 ‘Arts and Crafts.’ Of the ‘Important Cultural Properties,’ 2,557 are designated as ‘Buildings’ and 10,820 as ‘Arts and Crafts’ (including the number of National Treasures). As a non-specialist inread moreSurprising areas rich in cultural properties

Climate change

We’ve Joined “Japan Climate Initiative”

We’ve Joined “Japan Climate Initiative” After undergoing a document screening, we are honored to announce our participation in the “Japan Climate Initiative” due to the recognition of our activities. The “Japan Climate Initiative” is a network that brings together diverse organizations to realize a decarbonized society. They are led by three organizations: CDP Japan, WWF Japan, and the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation. It’s worth noting that CDP is a leading British non-governmental organization addressing global environmental challenges. As of September 1, 2023, the total number of participating organizations is 784. We are very proud to be a member of the “Japan Climate Initiative,” which includes major corporations, local governments, and research institutions. The initiative’s primary goal is to achieve a decarbonized society by 2050″ and accelerate activities toward realizing the “1.5°C target.” This 1.5°C target is the upper limit of temperature increase set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and meeting this target is recognized as a significant global challenge. Our service, clothing rental, has the potential to reduce checked baggage on airplanes and thereby significantly reduce CO2 emissions. Suppose every passenger had 20 kg of checked baggage. In that case, it’s estimated that CO2 emissions would amountread moreWe’ve Joined “Japan Climate Initiative”

sakurajima

An Enriching Trip: Delving Deep into the Charms of Kagoshima

An Enriching Trip: Delving Deep into the Charms of Kagoshima     Table of Contents 1: Lunch (ramen noodles) and dessert (shaved ice) 2: Sengan-en Garden 3: Tram and Shiroyama Hotel 4: Dinner and bar 5: Lunch (eel bowl) 6: Visit to Kagoshima Prefectural Office 7: Dinner (Yamagataya Restaurant) 8: Airplane and sky   1: Lunch (ramen noodles) and dessert (shaved ice) I have been to Kagoshima to explain our services to the Kagoshima Prefectural Government and hotels. I will post the places I ate and visited during my visit. When you arrive at Kagoshima Airport and head to the bus stop, you will find a footbath called “Oyattosaa.” “Oyattosaa” is a Kagoshima dialect word meaning “Thank you for your hard work” or “Thank you for your effort.” In front of the footbath is a wooden carving of Takamori Saigo. There are only a few footbaths at airports such as Kagoshima Airport and Oita Airport. After going to Kagoshima City and checking into my reserved hotel, I visited a nearby ramen restaurant, Ramen Kokinta. Ramen Kokinta is Kagoshima’s No. 1 ramen restaurant, scoring 3.66 on the Tabelog. I expected a long line, but surprisingly I could get in without waiting.read moreAn Enriching Trip: Delving Deep into the Charms of Kagoshima

Nanshukan

與HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館作為商業合作夥伴正式開始運營

與HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館作為商業合作夥伴正式開始運營   本公司株式會社EDO KAGURA(本部:東京都新宿区、代表董事:山田真也、以下簡稱「EDO KAGURA」)決定與HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館(本部:鹿兒島縣鹿兒島市、代表董事:橋本龍次郎、以下簡稱「南洲館」)成為商業合作夥伴。今天我們要為各位介紹HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館。從2023年9月1日起,我們EDO KAGURA將開始為南洲館的住客提供無障礙的行李及語言的旅行服務「NINJA KOTAN」。 這是繼The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido之後的第二次業務合作。我們公司的「NINJA KOTAN」提供服裝租賃和旅行前禮賓服務。 而今天我們要為各位介紹HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館。   HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館 「HOTEL & RESIDENCE南洲館」是一家位於鹿兒島市的老字號住宿設施,並將於2024年迎來開業100週年。他們以「美味、親切、愉悅的酒店」為理念,為滿足各式各樣旅客的需求,至今仍然經常實施客房的改造、及提供多樣的體驗服務。 距離觀光區和鹿兒島隋一的市中心・天文館只需步行5分鐘,因此出入非常方便。 近年南洲館的客房進行了一次現代風格的翻新,有著各種的客房,如住宅式、宿舍式客房、以及以西鄉隆盛為主題的日式畫廊客房。 還有著可以從祖父母到孫子,一家人一起入住的「2世代,3世代方案」,以及可以與寵物狗一起入住的「狗狗計劃方案」。這種能滿足國內外遊客的各種需求的客房和服務極具吸引力。 此外,在南洲館的酒店大堂有提供燒酒品嚐的服務,以及與人力車和嘟嘟車合作的獨特體驗。 這些創新的客房和服務在各個旅遊預訂網站上均獲得極高的評價。 並且南洲館提供的「黑熊火鍋」在「全國火鍋大競技場」中獲得總優勝,深受國內外眾多顧客的一致好評。如下圖所示,「黑熊火鍋」的視覺效果也是令人驚嘆。 設施名稱:有限公司 南洲館 代表人   :橋本龍次郎 地址      :〒892-0842 鹿兒島縣鹿兒島市東千石町19−17 開業時期:1924年4月 網址URL:https://nanshukan.co.jp/ 對於曾經出國旅行200-300次,熱愛旅行的人(代表董事・山田真也)來說,HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館的「美味、親切、愉悅的酒店」理念非常有魅力。事實上,旅行者對住宿的主要要求也可以概括為「美味、親切、愉悅」。 我認為在鹿兒島旅行的首要樂趣便是「美味(美食)」。而HOTEL & RESIDENCE南洲館除了「黑熊火鍋」,他們也有薩摩炸魚餅、鶏飯、豚骨、雞肉生魚片、銀帶鯡等各種在日本很有名的鄉土料理。 鹿兒島縣的畜牧業和漁業非常發達,黑毛牛、豬和肉雞的飼養數量都是位居日本第一。 此外,鰤魚、紅魽和鰻魚的養殖產量也是日本第一。 甜點方面,也有著一種叫做「白熊」,加了輕糖和紅糖的刨冰。 飲料方面,以「知覽茶」為首的「鹿兒島茶(日本茶)」的產量只僅次於靜岡縣。 並與日本茶產量持續下降的靜岡縣相反,鹿兒島縣的茶產量卻呈現上升趨勢,現在的產量為靜岡縣的93%。 可能鹿兒島縣成為全國第一也只是時間的問題。 而薩摩燒酒是清酒愛好者的必備品。HOTEL & RESIDENCE南洲館提供的燒酒品嚐服務可以說是最好的服務。鹿兒島縣廳舍的入口附近的電梯也放置著許多瓶薩摩燒酒。 對於想要品嚐鹿兒島美食的遊客來說,最好的地方就是聚集了大量餐廳的天文館。天文館有著近百間飲場店,提供各式各樣的美食佳餚。而且鹿兒島市旅遊諮詢中心也位於天文館內,所以對於旅客來說也是很方便的地方。 各位不坊嘗試入住距離天文館步行5分鐘的HOTEL & RESIDENCE 南洲館,享受一場美味、親切、愉悅的鹿兒島觀光嗎?    

Nanshukan

Started business alliance with HOTEL & RESIDENCE Nanshukan (Kagoshima)

Started business alliance with HOTEL & RESIDENCE Nanshukan (Kagoshima) EDO KAGURA Corporation (Head office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinya Yamada) has started a business alliance with Nanshukan Co (Head office: Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture; Director: Ryujiro Hashimoto). EDO KAGURA will begin offering the “NINJA KOTAN” travel service to guests of Nanshukan on September 1, 2023. This business alliance is our second business partnership, following The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido. NINJA KOTAN is our service that provides clothing rental and pre-trip concierge. Today, we would like to introduce our business partner, HOTEL & RESIDENCE Nanshukan.   HOTEL & RESIDENCE Nanshukan HOTEL & RESIDENCE Nanshukan is a long-established lodging hotel in Kagoshima City that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. Under the concept of a “Delicious, Friendly, and Delightful hotel,” the hotel continues to make innovative efforts, such as room renewal and various experience services, to meet the diverse needs of travelers. The hotel is located just five minutes walk from sightseeing areas and Kagoshima’s most prestigious shopping district, Tenmonkan. In recent years, they renovated the guest rooms in a modern style, including gallery-style Japanese rooms with a theme of Takamori Saigo, dormitory-type rooms, and residence-type rooms. The hotel also offers aread moreStarted business alliance with HOTEL & RESIDENCE Nanshukan (Kagoshima)

yagan

與野岩鐵路進行吸引外國旅客的意見交流

與野岩鐵路進行吸引外國旅客的意見交流   目次 1:關於吸引外國旅客的意見交流 2:野岩鐵路的魅力 3:使用野岩鐵路的外國旅客的國籍     1:關於吸引外國旅客的意見交流 我們公司於日前與野岩鐵道本部(栃木縣日光市藤原)進行了吸引外國旅客的意見交流。 野岩鐵道是連接新藤原站和會津高原尾瀨口站的鐵路公司(運行距離30.7公里)。在新藤原站與東武鐵道相連,在會津高原尾瀨口站與會津鐵道相連。 根據國土交通省2019年的「鐵路統計年鑑」顯示,野岩鐵路的定期票使用者僅佔1.7%(按運輸距離計算)。換句話說,可以推測野岩鐵路的主要客群為觀光旅客。因此吸引旅客的手段對野岩鐵路來說非常重要。 但由於2020年新型冠狀病毒的流行,在那以後旅客人數減少,因此恢復觀光業是刻不容緩的課題。 我們作為一家為外國旅客提供服裝租賃和旅行前禮賓服務的公司,希望能利用各種數據,是否能為野岩鐵路提出有用的建議。 首先,我解釋了車站的樓梯消除率(以下稱「無障礙化率」)與住宿設施的入住率之間存在非常高的關聯性(關聯係數為72%)。 此外,「無障礙化率」與在旅遊目的地的鐵路使用率(81%),和與日本旅客的增長率(2007- 2019)(65%)也有著很高的關聯性。 在分析這個數據之前,我並不認為無障礙率與酒店客人和旅客數量之間有很大差異。   注:46都道府縣的數據,不包括沒有鐵路網的沖繩縣 資料來源:國土交通省《2021年:各都道府縣樓梯消除措施的實施情況》、《住宿統計(2019年)》 注:46都道府縣的數據,不包括沒有鐵路網的沖繩縣 資料來源:國土交通省《2021年:各都道府縣樓梯消除措施的實施情況》、2020年JTB旅行年度報告(2019年的旅行數據) 注:46都道府縣的數據,不包括沒有鐵路網的沖繩縣、2019年與2007年住宿人數成長率比較 資料來源:國土交通省《2021年:各都道府縣樓梯消除措施的實施情況》、《住宿統計》   我認為為了增加遊客數量,有必要提高「無障礙化率」,但也因為有著投資風險,所以不是一件簡單能解決的事情。因此,首先需要增加能克服樓梯障礙的旅客,之後增加投資,提高「無障礙化率」。 這裡指出的「能克服樓梯障礙的旅客」,就是行李比較少的旅客。我們相信通過我們的服裝租賃服務,能減少各位的行李,從而增加能克服樓梯障礙的旅客。此外,也能減輕老年人和殘疾人士的行李負擔,即使在高齢化社會中也能維持旅客數量,為社會做出貢獻。 我們相信世界各地的旅客大部分都以「懷舊」,「鄉郊地區」,還有「陌生的地方」為旅行目標。 而這一些旅客的喜好對鄉郊地區的旅遊業和鐵路公司來說是非常有利。 Travel and experiences that will be most popular in 2023 資料來源:Booking.com《2023年旅行預測》   但與此同時,約一半的外國旅客在鄉郊地區利用公共交通時會遇到困難,有92%的人對於設施内的多語言標誌和與工作人員的溝通感到不便。 公共交通對於「公共交通的使用」感到困難 公共交通對於「公共交通的使用」感到困難   資料來源:日本觀光廳,2019年度《有關改善接待外國旅客的環境 調查問卷》調查結果   感到方便的地方(曾到訪城市地區和鄉郊地區的人)   資料來源:日本觀光廳,2019年度《有關改善接待外國旅客的環境 調查問卷》調查結果   因此,我們相信增加「行李較少」的旅客的同時,通過使用外語為旅客提供換乘情報等資訊來提高便利性,便能增加利用野幹鐵路的外國旅客的數量。   2:野岩鐵路的魅力 我們認為野岩鐵路最大的魅力點在於它可以到達許多的旅遊景點。南方有鬼怒川溫泉、日光,北方有尾瀨、大內宿、會津若松等。從新藤原站到鬼怒川溫泉的路程只需約10分鐘,並且距離東武日光站的路程也大概只有約1小時。另外,會津高原尾瀨口站有直達尾瀨的巴士(會津巴士到檜枝岐只需75分鐘),如果是從大內宿・會津若松出發的話需要2小時以上。 此外,野岩鐵路的路線被大自然包圍,所以有很多適合拍攝的地點。 還有像是「三依溪流垂釣場」等可以享受釣魚和露營的場所。透過以上所介紹的特點,可以說野岩鐵路是最適合想要遊覽各種觀光景點的同時,享受戶外活動的旅客的鐵路。   3:使用野岩鐵路的外國旅客的國籍 最常到訪野岩鐵路周邊的旅遊景點的正是台灣旅客。此外,和台灣旅客一樣使用繁體字的香港旅客也很多,尤其是鬼怒川溫泉所在的前藤原町和會津若松,台灣和香港的旅客佔了總遊客數的約一半。因此,使用繁體中文提供旅行資訊和發布信息是非常重要。   資料來源:日光市遊客及住宿調查結果   資料來源:日光市遊客及住宿調查結果   資料來源:會津若松市                                  

Sapporo

許多地方政府和酒店都贊同我們的服務

許多地方政府和酒店都贊同我們的服務 我們在7月份時到訪了日本各地的地方政府、酒店、鐵路公司,並推廣我們的服務。具體為北海道觀光局、鹿兒島縣觀光局、北海道觀光振興機構、鹿兒島縣觀光聯盟、札幌國際廣場、釧路市觀光振興室,釧路新聞社,鹿兒島城山酒店、札幌克羅斯酒店、南州館Residence酒店、野岩鐵道等。 而我們所到訪的地方,都非常贊同我們的服務,並且願意為擴大我們的服務提供合作。真的非常感謝各位。有關我們的服務,受到各位高度評價的「服裝租賃服務」和「旅行前禮賓服務」,都能有助提高外國旅客在日本旅行的便利性,同時實現無障礙和可持續的旅遊。 通過「服裝租賃服務」減少行李,能讓您更簡單輕鬆地旅行,免去「旅行前準備、旅行中搬運行李、旅行後收拾」的麻煩。 減少行李也能讓老年人、殘疾人士、使用嬰兒車的家庭等旅客更方便行動,實現無障礙旅遊的理念。 通過減少飛機上托運行李的數量,不僅可以消除行李丟失的風險,還可以大幅減少二氧化碳的排放量。根據我們的計算,減少攜帶20公斤的行李,可以減少約20%日本旅客所造成的二氧化碳排放量。 光是到訪日本時單程的旅行中,減少行李的減排效果是太陽能電池板的21倍、電動汽車的58倍(每天使用的效果比較)。我也不知道還有其他減排措施能有這麼大的效果。可以說我們的服務能達到高效的可持續旅遊。此外,如上所述,各位可以在輕鬆出遊的同時,大幅減少二氧化碳的排放量。 我們也經常收到了「由於日語障礙,收集旅行資訊時很困難」的聲音。 尤其是,92%的旅客在鄉郊地區使用公共交通時會感到「不方便」(根據日本觀光廳的調查)。但通過我們的旅行前禮賓服務所提供資訊,便能夠消除使用公共交通時的不便,並能為各位提供大量已經翻譯的日本限定旅行資訊。 通過已使用過我們服務的客人的採訪證明,服裝租賃和旅行前禮賓服務都能極大地提高旅客的便利性。 這是受到眾多使用者和政府機構高度評價的「未來旅行方式」, 請考慮使用我們的服務。 感謝各位。 株式會社EDO KAGURA 代表取締役 山田真也

Sapporo

Many local authorities and hotels have endorsed our services

Many local authorities and hotels have endorsed our services   Since the beginning of July, we have visited many local authorities, hotels, and railway companies to explain our services. Specifically, we visited the Hokkaido Government Tourism Bureau, Kagoshima Prefectural Government PR & Tourism Division, Hokkaido Tourism Organization, Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau, Sapporo Convention Bureau, Kushiro City Tourism Promotion Office Industry Promotion Department, Kushiro Tourism & Convention Association, Kushiro Shimbun, and Yagan Railway and many hotels. We want to thank everyone we have visited for their endorsement of our services and cooperation in expanding them. Thank you very much. The points that everyone appreciated about our services were that both the ‘clothing rental’ and ‘pre-trip concierge’ services contribute to improving the convenience of foreign visitors to Japan and are in line with accessible and sustainable tourism. Reducing the amount of luggage by renting clothes means that travelers can travel lighter and more accessible, freeing them from the hassles of pre-trip preparations, moving luggage during the trip, and cleaning up afterward. The reduction in baggage also contributes to the elderly, disabled people, and families using pushchairs, which aligns with the principle of accessible tourism. In addition, the reduced checked baggage on boardread moreMany local authorities and hotels have endorsed our services

lost baggage

We can reduce the risk of lost baggage to zero

We can reduce the risk of lost baggage to zero   Table of Contents 1: I have experienced lost baggage five times 2: Probability of lost baggage 3: How to eliminate lost baggage   1: I have experienced lost baggage five times Have you ever experienced lost baggage? I have experienced it five times. Lost baggage is the loss of checked baggage when boarding a flight at an airport. Only 5% of baggage is Lost/Stolen, and most of the reason is delayed bags in transit (75%).   BREAKDOWN OF MISHANDLED BAGS Source: SITA   The biggest reason for delayed bags is “Transfer mishandling (45%).” There are various reasons, such as “Failure to load” and “Ticketing error.”   REASONS FOR DELAYED BAGS Source: SITA   I have had two lost baggage incidents in the USA, one in Japan, one in Italy, and one in the UAE. The amount lost due to lost baggage is eventually covered by insurance. However, I hurt my personal and business trips as I needed time to shop for clothing and other items. In December 2022, flight delays and associated lost baggage prevented figure skating pairs competitors (Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara) who traveled from their baseread moreWe can reduce the risk of lost baggage to zero

Hotel

與The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido作為商業合作夥伴正式開始運營

與The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido作為商業合作夥伴正式開始運營 本公司(株式會社EDO KAGURA)於2023年7月24日決定與The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido作為商業合作夥伴正式開始我們的服務(服裝租賃和旅行前禮賓服務)。今天我們要為各位介紹The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido。   The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido是提供公寓式住宿處的住宿設施。位於北海道上川郡東川町的中心部,以「在礦泉水和自然環境下生活,為您提供高品質的生活方式」為理念。距離旭川機場僅需10分鐘的車程,交通便利,為您提供有廚房和浴室的長期住宿處,方便您到處出行。 設施名稱:The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido 代表人:定居真希 地址:北海道上川郡東川町北町1-2-9 開業時期:2019 年 8 月 網址URL:https://peakvs.jp/ 作為一個過去在國內外旅行過200-300次,熱愛旅行的人來説(代表取締役 山田真也),The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido 所提倡「如同日常生活的旅行」的理念非常吸引。 相比從新千歲乘坐JR快速機場約40分鐘抵達的札幌站,或是乘坐機場巴士約30~40分鐘抵達的旭川市,所在於「距離旭川機場10分鐘車程」的地方可説是非常方便。 東川町在1985年時宣布當地為「攝影之町」,並於1994年舉辦「攝影甲子園」(此後每年舉辦),推動自然、文化和人們交流的「攝影好處多(写真映りのよい)」社區活動。而這樣的活動比「Instagrammable」更早開始。旅行時攝影是一種讓您能與當地人互動的交流工具,我們也很鼓勵外國遊客和當地人通過攝影進行交流。 從鎮外遷入東川町的人口不斷增加,從1994年的最低紀錄6,973人,到2018年的人口上升至8,382人,在日本所有的城鎮中,人口有持續增長是一件罕見的事。此外,東川町在商店街中引入「東川萬能卡(HUC)」,可以說是日本最早導入無現金的城鎮。 在冬天,您可以在東川町所在的大雪山旭岳(海拔2,291 m:北海道最高峰)享受各式各樣的滑雪體驗。而在夏天您也可以享受登山、釣魚、騎自行車、皮划艇、SUP、等多項戸外活動。 還有雪川釀酒廠等地方可以參觀。   旭岳 從地圖上看,東川町幾乎位於北海道的中心部分。可以輕鬆到訪深受遊客喜愛的富良野、美瑛以及北海道第二大城市旭川(旭山動物園等旅遊勝地)等地方進行一日遊。 為何不嘗試看看以東川町的The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido為據點,享受一場不一樣的北海道旅行 呢?   富良野   美瑛 The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido的老闆和老闆娘,定居真希(代表)和定居美徳(營運總監)都有出版過自己的書籍。並且兩人都有長期在海外業務的經驗,因此英語會話完全不成問題。 對於外國遊客來說,我認為最重要的是能住在一個沒有語言障礙的住宿處。  

Kushiro

Newspaper Kushiro Shimbun introduced our company through their article

Newspaper Kushiro Shimbun introduced our company through their article The Kushiro Shimbun published an article about our company on 2 August. Thank you very much for posting the article. The article is based on my visit to the Kushiro Shimbun on 27 July. Some extracts are given below. “While travel demand is shifting from ‘urban’ to ‘rural,’ large suitcases are not accessible for international travelers who wish to use public transport in rural areas. Accessible travel is important to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). President Yamada says, ‘Large luggage stops the travelers going to the countryside.’ So this spring, President Yamada started a clothing rental business for overseas travelers. With even a little less luggage, traveling by train and local buses becomes more accessible. If the use of public transport in rural areas increases, this will lead to the keeping of routes. The reduction in the weight of checked luggage will also reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of aircraft traveling between overseas and Japan by about 20%.” Kushiro City and other East Hokkaido regions are famous for their many tourism resources, including nature, such as marshlands and lakes, and wildlife, such as red-crowned cranes and Ezo deer. However, asread moreNewspaper Kushiro Shimbun introduced our company through their article

train

List of JR Kyushu’s limited express trains

List of JR Kyushu’s limited express trains english   Following on from “List of local railways with less than 1,000 daily passengers,” we will be compiling a list of all express trains in Japan, from JR Hokkaido to JR Kyushu, in sequence.   The greatest pleasure of train travel is enjoying the scenery from the train window. In particular, express trains have long intervals between stations so that you can enjoy beautiful landscapes continuously for a long time. Travelers can enjoy the beautiful scenery because most limited express trains have seats for two people or box seats, unlike the long seats common on regular trains.   Eating and drinking are also easier on express trains, as they are two-seaters or box seats. It is a pleasure to eat “Ekiben (train lunch)” and drink sake (locally brewed sake), Japanese wine, or craft beer with a view of the countryside on train travel. You can never experience this pleasure when driving a rental car.   Limited express train stations are often relatively large towns, even in the countryside. It is fun for travelers to get off the train on the way and stroll the local shopping streets.   Furthermore, rail travel isread moreList of JR Kyushu’s limited express trains

Hotel

Started with The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido as a business partner

Started with The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido as a business partner On 24 July 2023, our company (EDO KAGURA Co., Ltd.) started the full-scale operation of our services (clothing rental and pre-trip concierge) with The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido as a business partner. Today we would like to introduce The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido.   The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido is a condominium-style accommodation. They are locating in the center of Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido, just a 10-minute drive from Asahikawa Airport. They offer long-term accommodation with kitchen and bathroom facilities under “living with mineral water, providing a ‘quality lifestyle’ in a town rich in nature” and “traveling as you live.” Name: The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido Representative: Sadai Maki Location : 1-2-9 Kitamachi, Higashikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido 071-1426 Opening: August 2019 URL : https://peakvs.jp/ As a keen traveler who has traveled domestically and internationally 200-300 times, the concept of The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido as a ‘traveling as you live’ appeals to me (President Shinya Yamada). The location of The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido is very convenient. Because only 10 minutes by car from Asahikawa airport. Asahikawa City takes about 30-40 minutes by airport bus fromread moreStarted with The Peak Villa Suite Hokkaido as a business partner

train

List of JR Shikoku’s limited express trains

List of JR Shikoku’s limited express trains english   Following on from “List of local railways with less than 1,000 daily passengers,” we will be compiling a list of all express trains in Japan, from JR Hokkaido to JR Kyushu, in sequence.   The greatest pleasure of train travel is enjoying the scenery from the train window. In particular, express trains have long intervals between stations so that you can enjoy beautiful landscapes continuously for a long time. Travelers can enjoy the beautiful scenery because most limited express trains have seats for two people or box seats, unlike the long seats common on regular trains.   Eating and drinking are also easier on express trains, as they are two-seaters or box seats. It is a pleasure to eat “Ekiben (train lunch)” and drink sake (locally brewed sake), Japanese wine, or craft beer with a view of the countryside on train travel. You can never experience this pleasure when driving a rental car.   Limited express train stations are often relatively large towns, even in the countryside. It is fun for travelers to get off the train on the way and stroll the local shopping streets.   Furthermore, rail travel isread moreList of JR Shikoku’s limited express trains

yagan

Discussions with Yagantestudo Railway on attracting foreign tourists

Discussions with Yagantestudo Railway on attracting foreign tourists   Table of Contents 1:Discussions on attracting foreign tourists 2:Attractions of Yagan Railway 3:Nationalities of foreign visitors to tourist attractions near Yagan Railway     1:Discussions on attracting foreign tourists The other day, we discussed attracting foreign tourists to the area with Yagan Railway at its headquarters in Fujiwara, Nikko, Tochigi. Yagan Railway is a railway company that connects Shin-Fujiwara Station and Aizu Kogen Ozeguchi Station (operating distance of 30.7 km). The railway connects with Tobu Railway at Shin-Fujiwara Station and at Aizu Kogen-Ozeguchi Station with Aizu Railway. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Annual Report on Railway Statistics for 2019, only 1.7% of Yagan Railway’s passengers (based on transport distance) are commuter pass users. In other words, Yagan Railway relies on tourists. Attracting tourists is therefore essential. However, the number of tourists declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 onwards, and their recovery is an urgent issue. As we provide clothing rental and pre-trip concierge services for foreign tourists, we used various data to propose how we could help the Yagan Railway. First, we explained that there is a very high correlation (correlation coefficient of 72%)read moreDiscussions with Yagantestudo Railway on attracting foreign tourists

donuts

10th Donut Donation Day for the Japan Braille Library

3rd donation to Japan Braille Library Table of Contents 1: 3rd donation to Japan Braille Library 2: Donut Donation Day 3: Keep supporting the Donuts Donation campaign   1: 3rd donation to Japan Braille Library We made our third donation to the Japan Braille Library through our donut donation campaign. Thank you to all the travelers for eating the donuts during their trip to Japan. After the donation, we received the following letter from the Japan Braille Library. “We are deeply grateful for your thoughtful assistance. Your support is more than invaluable to the work of our museum. We will continue our efforts to bring the joy of reading to the visually impaired.” Note: This photo shows the letter we received last time. 2: Donut Donation Day Again, we would like to explain Donut Donation. Donut Donation is a unique initiative in which we ask our email subscribers to eat a donut, and we donate the same amount of the donation to the Japan Braille Library. We started Donut Donations on 30 March, with days with a zero (the 10th, 20th, and 30th) as Donut Donation days. Today is the tenth Donut Donation Day. For every 1,000 yen worth ofread more10th Donut Donation Day for the Japan Braille Library

JR Tadami line

Local trains in Fukushima 2 (JR Tadami Line, JR Ban-etsu West Line)

Local trains in Fukushima 2 (JR Tadami Line, JR Ban-etsu West Line) Table of Contents 1: Abukuma Express 2: Fukushima Transportation Iizaka Line 3: Iizaka Onsen 4: Symposium on Living with Railways 5: JR Ban-etsu West Line 6: Dinner on Day 1 7: JR Tadami Line 8: Hayato Onsen “Tsuru no Yu” 9: Tsurugajo castle 10: Sazae-do 11: Dinner on Day 2 7: JR Tadami Line On the morning of the second day, I rode the JR Tadami Line, which had been the main theme of the previous day’s “Symposium on Living with Railways.” The Tadami Line is a JR East line connecting Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Koide Station in Niigata Prefecture. In October 2022, the entire line was restored for the first time since the torrential rain disaster. Since then, many tourists have been traveling on the Tadami Line, and on weekends and holidays, the line can become as crowded as the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. I went to the Aizu-Wakamatsu station earlier than the departure time of the Tadami line. But the train was not crowded, and I was disappointed. Because both the owner of “Mugitoro (The restaurant for my last dinner)” of the previous day and the participantsread moreLocal trains in Fukushima 2 (JR Tadami Line, JR Ban-etsu West Line)

iizaka line

Local trains in Fukushima 1 (Abukuma Express, Fukushima Transportation Iizaka Line)

Local trains in Fukushima 1 (Abukuma Express, Fukushima Transportation Iizaka Line) Table of Contents 1: Abukuma Express 2: Fukushima Transportation Iizaka Line 3: Iizaka Onsen 4: Symposium on Living with Railways 5: JR Ban-etsu West Line 6: Dinner on Day 1 7: JR Tadami Line 8: Hayato Onsen “Tsuru no Yu” 9: Tsurugajo castle 10: Sazae-do 11: Dinner on Day 2 1: Abukuma Express In late May, I made a study trip to Fukushima Prefecture. The main purpose was to attend the Symposium on Living with Railways, organized by Fukushima Minpo, to consider the state of local railways. I took the Shinkansen from Ueno Station to Fukushima Station early in the morning. Most JR East’s Shinkansen trains, including the Tohoku Shinkansen and Joetsu Shinkansen, stop at Ueno Station. Ueno Station is the only underground stop on the Shinkansen in Japan, so it is refreshing to use Ueno Station on the Shinkansen sometimes. I bought the ‘Mankatsu Sandwich Panda Package’ version at Ueno Station and had it for breakfast on the Shinkansen to Fukushima Station. The ‘Panda Package’ is sold exclusively at shops in the Ueno Zoo and Ueno Station. I drank Gassata, a carbonated coffee, with the Katsu Sandwich. Itread moreLocal trains in Fukushima 1 (Abukuma Express, Fukushima Transportation Iizaka Line)

Cat

Local trains in Wakayama Prefecture (Wakayama Electric Railway)

Local trains in Wakayama Prefecture (Wakayama Electric Railway)   Table of contents 1: Wakayama Castle 2: Chohoji Temple 3: Ide Shoten 4: Wakayama Electric Railway 5: Itakiso Shrine 6: Nichizengu Shrine 7: Dinner 1: Wakayama Castle I traveled to Wakayama in late May. My first stop was Wakayama Castle. Wakayama Castle was built in 1585 by Toyotomi Hidenaga, the younger brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At the time of construction, Hidenaga’s vassal, Todo Takatora, served in charge of the building. Takatora Todo was a master castle builder who built many castles, including Edo Castle, Uwajima Castle (12 existing castle towers), and Imabari Castle. Wakayama Castle was the residence of the Kishu Tokugawa family, one of the three Tokugawa families. After the Meiji Restoration (1871), the castle tower and other buildings were maintained and designated national treasures when the castle was closed down. However, the castle tower and all other buildings designated as national treasures were destroyed by fire in the Wakayama Air Raid of 1945. The current keep was reconstructed externally in reinforced concrete in 1958. Wakayama Castle has a large castle tower, a small castle tower, and turrets arranged on four sides and connected by a series of turrets (renritsu-shiki).read moreLocal trains in Wakayama Prefecture (Wakayama Electric Railway)

Hitachi station

Local trains in Ibaraki Prefecture (Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo) (2)

Local trains in Ibaraki Prefecture (Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo) (2)   Table of contents 1: Naritasan Shinshoji Temple 2: Katori Jingu Shrine 3: Kashima Jingu Shrine 4: Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo 5: Hitachi Station, Mito Station   4: Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo After visiting Kashima Jingu Shrine, the train took the Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo to Mito Station. Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo is one of three regional railway operators headquartered in Ibaraki Prefecture (the other two are Kanto Railway and Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway). The operating distance of Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo is 53.0 km from Kashima Jingu Station to Mito Station. The standard journey time is just over one hour, but depending on the time of day, it may take just over one hour and 20 minutes. The fare from the journey’s start to end is 1,590 yen. Kashima Waterfront Railway started as a freight line to transport raw materials and other goods to the Kashima Waterfront Industrial Zone and is characterized by the fact that in FY2021, the proportion of revenue from passenger transport was 49%. In comparison, the balance of revenue from freight transport was still significant at 30%. In FY2021, the railway accounted for 92% of revenues, and the company still needs toread moreLocal trains in Ibaraki Prefecture (Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo) (2)

Tsuruoka

Do you know which city has the best food in Japan?

Do you know which city has the best food in Japan? 18 June is Sustainable Gastronomy Day. Today, I would like to introduce you to Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture, the only city in Japan to be recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It means that Tsuruoka City is the best food city in Japan. The food is delicious, and the city offers many attractive tourist attractions. Please consider a trip to Tsuruoka City on your next trip to Japan. Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture has many food, including rice, vegetables, edible wild plants, mushrooms from the Shonai Plain and many mountains, and seafood from the Sea of Japan. The city has a unique food culture, including developing vegetarian cuisine by monks practicing asceticism on the three mountains of Dewa and more than 60 varieties of conventional crops. Some of the ‘conventional crops’ are famous throughout Japan, such as ‘Moso-dake,’ a brand of bamboo shoots, and ‘Dadacha mame,’ a brand of edamame (green soybeans). I love the city of Tsuruoka and have visited several times. As a tourist attraction, I recommend the five-story pagoda at Mount Hagurosan, which is a national treasure. The five-story pagoda was built aboutread moreDo you know which city has the best food in Japan?

Katori jingu shrine

Local trains in Ibaraki Prefecture (Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo) (1)

Local trains in Ibaraki Prefecture (Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo) (1) Table of contents 1: Naritasan Shinshoji Temple 2: Katori Jingu Shrine 3: Kashima Jingu Shrine 4: Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo 5: Hitachi Station, Mito Station   1: Naritasan Shinshoji Temple I visited shrines and temples in Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures in late April. I took the Kashima Rinkai Railway to Hitachi Station. If you leave Tokyo early in the morning, a day trip is well worth the effort. First, I went to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is popular with foreign tourists because of its proximity to Narita Airport. I saw several foreign tourists on the day I visited. Shinshoji Temple boasts many worshippers, with the number of Hatsumode visitors ranking second in Japan after Meiji Jingu Shrine. However, when I visited early in the morning (after 8 am), there were hardly any worshippers, and I could see the temple at leisure. The precincts of Shinshoji Temple are extensive and vary in height. The temple has a theme park atmosphere due to the various monasteries. I could understand why it attracts so many worshippers, including foreign tourists. The temple grounds are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs, as lifts are installed throughoutread moreLocal trains in Ibaraki Prefecture (Kashima Rinkai Tetsudo) (1)