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Category: Accessible tourism

CategoriesAccessible tourism Experience Sustainable travel

Cross Hotel Sapporo Features Our Clothing Rental Service

By ninjakotan

Cross Hotel Sapporo Features Our Clothing Rental Service: Experience Traditional Culture and Nature     Honored to Have Our Clothing Rental Service Valued by Cross Hotel Sapporo, a Hotel That Emphasizes Experiences Beyond Just Accommodation We are thrilled to announce that Cross Hotel Sapporo, part of the ORIX Group, has featured our clothing rental service, NINJA KOTAN, on their website. Cross Hotel Sapporo, known for its exceptional “experience where hotel meets local culture,” caters to the modern traveler’s desire for unique experiences. We are honored that they recognize how our clothing rental service enhances these experiences. It’s a privilege to be featured by a hotel that not only provides accommodations but also offers a variety of experiences. Cross Hotel Sapporo opened on July 20, 2007, as the first establishment under the CROSS HOTEL brand. Since its inception, the hotel has been unique in providing experiences that can only be found here, such as local artist exhibitions and events featuring regional ingredients. The hotel embodies the concept of “staying with art,” with 181 lifestyle rooms designed in collaboration with artists active in Hokkaido. This artistic concept also attracts many artists to stay at the hotel. In addition to hosting various hotelread moreCross Hotel Sapporo Features Our Clothing Rental Service

Tsurugagroup
CategoriesAccessible tourism Others Sustainable travel

Business Alliance with Tsuruga Group, Leader in the Hotel Industry

By ninjakotan

Business Alliance with Tsuruga Group, Leader in the Hotel Industry Our company, EDO KAGURA Corporation, has established a business alliance with four companies of the Tsuruga Group (Tsuruga Resort Co., Ltd., Tsuruga Tourism Development Co., Ltd., Hotel Yamaura Co., Ltd., and Abashiri Hokuten no Oka Co., Ltd., hereinafter referred to as ‘Tsuruga Group’). We have commenced offering our accessible travel service for luggage and language, ‘NINJA KOTAN,’ to guests of the Tsuruga Group from January 1, 2024. Our collaboration extends to 11 lodging facilities of the Tsuruga Group, a top group in Japan’s hotel industry, which is a great honor for us. Today, we are pleased to introduce the Tsuruga Group. The Tsuruga Group was founded in 1955 with the establishment of the Akan Grand Hotel. Since then, overcoming many challenges, their ‘Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga’ won the ‘JTB 2001 Excellent Service Ryokan Hotel’ award, standing at the pinnacle among 4,600 inns nationwide. In 2006, it was ranked first overall in the ‘Top 250 Popular Onsen Ryokan Hotels Chosen by Travel Professionals,’ hosted by the Tourism News Agency, establishing the Tsuruga Group as a top-class lodging group in Japan. In 2009, they launched the ‘Zero Carbon Project’ and wonread moreBusiness Alliance with Tsuruga Group, Leader in the Hotel Industry

Travel Divide
CategoriesAccessible tourism

An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (Summary)

By ninjakotan

An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (Summary)   Table of Contents 1: The Cause of the ‘Travel Divide’ Isn’t Money or Time 2: Heavy Luggage Identified as a Key Factor in Reduced Travel Frequency 3: Decreased Travel Leads to Lower Dementia Risk and Significant Economic Benefits 4: Achieving the SDGs’ Goal of Leaving No One Behind in the Travel Industry   The ‘Travel Divide’ refers to the significant reduction in travel frequency among specific groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, and families with infants. This series has explored the background of the ‘Travel Divide,’ its impacts, and strategies for resolution.   1: The Cause of the ‘Travel Divide’ Isn’t Money or Time Data from 2019 shows a 34% decrease in domestic travel and a 72% decrease in international travel for those over 70. There’s also a significant reduction in international travel for people with disabilities and families with infants. The reasons for this decline in travel are intriguing. Source: JTB Travel Yearbook 2020 Source: JTB Travel Yearbook 2020   According to a 2018 survey by the Tourism Agency, the main reasons for not traveling were ‘lack of time’ and ‘household budget constraints.’ However, there is a negative correlation ofread moreAn Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (Summary)

inbound visitors
CategoriesAccessible tourism

The economic impact of the increased number of senior inbound visitors: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (7)

By ninjakotan

The economic impact of the increased number of senior inbound visitors: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (7)   This post is the final installment of our “Travel Divide” discussion. We will analyze the economic impact if the senior (elderly) segment of inbound visitors increases the number of trips they make. The proportion of inbound travelers by age group is 10% for those in their 50s and 5% for those in their 60s or older (according to the Japan Tourism Agency’s “2019 Annual Report on Spending Trends of Foreign Visitors to Japan“), a figure that may surprise many in the travel industry. The 85% of inbound travelers under the age of 40 indicate that a serious “travel divide” is occurring among inbound travelers. Sources: JTB Travel Annual Report 2020; Japan Tourism Agency, “2019 Annual Report on Consumption Trends of Foreign Visitors to Japan.   According to the United Nations State of World Population 2023, the percentage of the population aged 65 and over is 10% for the world and 20% for the more developed regions. The rate of inbound visitors in their 60s and over is 5%, which is still relatively small. On the other hand, Japanese domestic travelers inread moreThe economic impact of the increased number of senior inbound visitors: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (7)

lady
CategoriesAccessible tourism

The Significant Economic Impact of Increased Travel Frequency Among Seniors: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (6)

By ninjakotan

The Significant Economic Impact of Increased Travel Frequency Among Seniors: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (6)   Our last post commented on how increased travel frequency can lead to greater happiness, reduced dementia cases, and lower social costs. This time, we will analyze the potential significant economic impact of increased travel frequency among seniors. First, let’s examine domestic overnight trips. Pre-pandemic data from 2019 shows that the average frequency of domestic overnight trips was 1.36 times per year for all age groups. However, this number drops to 1.16 times for people in their seventies and further to 0.64 times for those aged over eighty, according to the Japan Tourism Agency’s “2019 Travel and Tourism Consumption Trends Survey Annual Report.” This highlights a ‘Travel Divide’ among seniors. Source: Japan Tourism Agency “2019 Travel and Tourism Consumption Trends Survey Annual Report”   We analyzed a scenario where the travel frequency of seniors aged 70 and above increases. Based on the average travel expenditure of 57,973 yen for this age group, a 10% increase in their travel frequency could result in an economic impact of 150.2 billion yen, a 20% increase could lead to 300.3 billion yen and a 30% increase couldread moreThe Significant Economic Impact of Increased Travel Frequency Among Seniors: An Analysis of the “Travel Divide” (6)

seniors
CategoriesAccessible tourism

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

By ninjakotan

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)

CategoriesAccessible tourism

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

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism Activities Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan Others Sustainable travel

Travel Industry Registration: Stepping into a New Era

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism

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

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism

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

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism

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

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan Sustainable travel

Effective Ways to Avoid Long Taxi Wait Times in Japan

By ninjakotan

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

Hokkaido University
CategoriesAccessible tourism Sustainable travel

Awarded the title of “Startup Launched at Hokkaido University”

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan Sustainable travel

Our online store is now available at KKday Mall

By ninjakotan

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

霧
CategoriesAccessible tourism Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan

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

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism Sustainable travel

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」

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism Sustainable travel

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

By ninjakotan

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”

CategoriesAccessible tourism Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan Sustainable travel

Discussions with Tsugaru Railway and Goshogawara City on attracting foreign tourists

By ninjakotan

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

sakurajima
CategoriesAccessible tourism Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan local cuisine ramen Sustainable travel traditional food

An Enriching Trip: Delving Deep into the Charms of Kagoshima

By ninjakotan

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

Sapporo
CategoriesAccessible tourism Accommodation Sustainable travel

許多地方政府和酒店都贊同我們的服務

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism Others Sustainable travel

Many local authorities and hotels have endorsed our services

By ninjakotan

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

Kushiro
CategoriesAccessible tourism Others Sustainable travel

Newspaper Kushiro Shimbun introduced our company through their article

By ninjakotan

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

yagan
CategoriesAccessible tourism Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan train

Discussions with Yagantestudo Railway on attracting foreign tourists

By ninjakotan

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
CategoriesAccessible tourism Others

10th Donut Donation Day for the Japan Braille Library

By ninjakotan

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

iizaka line
CategoriesAccessible tourism Itinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan

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

By ninjakotan

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)

local railway
CategoriesAccessible tourism

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (4)

By ninjakotan

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (4)   Table of Contents 1: Correlation between accessible railway stations and the number of overnight stays 2: Making accessible railway stations after increasing the number of travelers 3: Reasons why foreign travelers do not travel to local areas 4: Positive impacts of using regional railways by foreign travelers   1: Correlation between accessible railway stations and the number of overnight stays There is a high correlation between the rate of steps eliminated at railway stations and rail travel. In prefectures where the rate of steps eliminated at railway stations is low, the share of rail travel is also low. In contrast, the share of rail travel is high when the rate of steps eliminated at railway stations is high. There is also a relationship whereby the share of overnight stays (the share of overnight visitors traveling for tourism purposes by prefecture, 2019) is lower when the rate of steps eliminated at railway stations is low.   Rate of steps eliminated at stations by prefecture and share of the number of overnight stays by prefecture SOURCE: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Tourism Agency  read moreWill it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (4)

wheelchair user
CategoriesAccessible tourism

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (3)

By ninjakotan

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (3)   Table of Contents 1: Accessibility at regional railway stations 2: Reasons for delays in making local railway stations accessibility   1: Accessibility at regional railway stations Accessibility of large passenger facilities in Japan (railway stations, bus terminals, ferry terminals, and airports) is steadily progressing: in passenger facilities with an average of more than 3,000 passengers per day, the rate of steps eliminated at the end of FY2020 is 95.1%, the rate of guidance blocks for the visually impaired is 97.2%, and the rate of accessible toilets is 92.1%, approaching 100%.   Accessibility in passenger facilities with more than 3,000 passengers per day (%) SOURCE: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism   However, only 50% (4,734 out of 9,379) of all railway stations in Japan have ‘steps eliminated’ at the end of FY2021. Regarding the percentage of ‘stations with steps eliminated’ by prefecture, 22 prefectures (47% of the total) have less than 30%. The low rate is particularly noticeable in rural areas, such as Yamaguchi, Kagoshima, and Aomori prefectures, where the percentage is 17%, 19%, and 20%, respectively.   The proportion of stations with stepsread moreWill it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (3)

神姫バス
CategoriesAccessible tourism

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (2)

By ninjakotan

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (2)   Table of Contents 1: Current situation of passenger bus operators 2: Discontinued passenger bus routes   1: Current situation of passenger bus operators A passenger bus is a bus that carries an unspecified number of passengers. Passenger buses include express buses and sightseeing buses that run between cities, but this section discusses passenger buses. The number of passengers declined by 19% between 2003 and 2019. This situation is similar to regional railways. Number of passengers carried by passenger buses (million) Source: Nihon Bus Association   Due to a decline in the number of users and other factors, regional passenger bus operators continue to lose money, with the proportion of loss-making operators consistently exceeding 80%. Percentage of loss-making passenger bus operators Source: Nihon Bus Association   2: Discontinued passenger bus routes These difficult conditions have led to the continued closure of regional passenger bus routes, as well as regional rail routes. Between 2010 and 2020, 13,845 km of routes (an average of 1,259 km per year) were closed. In the same period, rail routes were closed down for a cumulative total of 407 km, so itread moreWill it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years? (2)

Kyoto Tango railway
CategoriesAccessible tourism

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years?(1)

By ninjakotan

Will it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years?(1)   Table of Contents 1: Introduction 2: Current status of regional rail operators 3: Ageing rolling stock and infrastructure of regional rail operators 4: Discontinued railway lines   1: Introduction In our four-part series, we describe the plight of regional rail operators and passenger bus operators on the main routes for travel to rural areas of Japan. Most operators are losing money, and if the current situation continues, the closure of rail and bus routes may accelerate and make it impossible to travel to rural areas of Japan by public transport. The first article discusses regional railways, the second passenger buses, the third accessibility of regional railway stations, and the fourth measures to promote travel to the regions. 2: Current status of regional rail operators Regional railways refer to railway lines other than Shinkansen, conventional main lines, and urban railways. Of these, small and medium-sized private railways and semi-public corporations are referred to as regional railway operators, of which there were 95 as of 1 April 2022.76 of the 95 companies had operating losses in the railway track industry in FY 2019. The proportion of losses isread moreWill it be impossible for travelers to visit local Japan in 10 years?(1)

less tiring journey
CategoriesAccessible tourism Others

了解海外旅行感到疲倦的原因

By ninjakotan

了解海外旅行感到疲倦的原因   目次 1：海外旅行感到疲倦的主因 2：沉重的行李可能會危害健康 3：從各種研究了解危害健康的風險 4：旅行者攜帶比日常生活重8.5倍的行李   1：海外旅行感到疲倦的主因 許多人旅行時會感到疲倦。但您知道原因是什麼嗎？其實沉重的行李便是感到疲倦的主要原因。那您知道沉重的行李也有危害健康的風險嗎？ 2：沉重的行李可能會危害健康 NIOSH指出、在理想條件下拿起物品的最大推薦負載重量為51磅（23.1kg）。美國國家職業安全與健康研究所 （NIOSH） 是美國的聯邦機構，負責工作相關的傷害和疾病，對此進行研究並提出預防的建議。 許多航空公司會依照NIOSH的基準，而設定托運行李的重量限制為23kg（51磅）。但請注意，此標準是為機場工作人員的身體健康而決定，並不是旅客攜帶行李的推薦重量。   各航空公司的托運行李重量限制(kg) 注意：經濟艙的情況       此外，日本厚生勞動省在「預防腰痛職場指南」中也規定了搬運重物時需注意事項。18歲以上的男性搬運重物時，重量上限為自身體重的40%或以下，而女性的重量上限為男性的重量上限的60%。以日本18歲以上男性平均體重的67.6 公斤為例，18歲以上男性搬運重物時的重量上限為 27.0 公斤。另一方面，因日本女性搬運重物時的重量上限是男性重量上限的 60%，所以為 16.2 公斤。也就是說，男女平均的搬運重量上限為21.6公斤。以上使用2019年日本人的平均體重的數據。   3：指摘從各種研究了解危害健康的風險 除NIOSH和日本厚生勞動省外，也有各種研究指出攜帶重物時有危害健康的風險。 Eupean Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology：年輕健康的女性和男性，如果各自長時間使用單手拿著6kg，10kg的物品的情況下，可能導致心血管的狀態不穩或 EMG（肌電圖）出現疲勞跡象等徴症，因此不推薦長時間拿起重物。 European Journal of Sport Science: 拿著10 kg、15 kg或 20 kg步行約60分鐘後，可能會導致生理、代謝和感知的參數增加。   4：旅行者攜帶比日常生活重8.5倍的行李 通過以上的分析，相信各位能明白攜帶30kg的行李去旅行時有危害健康的風險。所以大家要嘗試使用服裝租賃服務，來體驗一場輕鬆的旅行嗎？同時減少行李時也可以大幅降低二氧化碳的排放量。 讓我們更輕鬆舒適地旅行吧！ 為了您的健康。為了我們的地球。

less tiring journey
CategoriesAccessible tourism Others

The reason why we are tired of traveling abroad

By ninjakotan

The reason why we are tired of traveling abroad   Table of Contents 1: Main causes of tiredness when traveling abroad 2: Heavy luggage can create health risks 3: Various studies point to health risks from heavy luggage 4: Travelers carry 8.5 times heavier luggage than in everyday life   1: Main causes of tiredness when traveling abroad Traveling abroad is fun, but many people feel tired after the trip. Do you know what causes travel fatigue? In conclusion, heavy luggage is the leading cause of tiredness when traveling abroad. Moreover, heavy luggage can create health hazards. 2: Heavy luggage can create health risks The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the US federal agency that researches and recommends preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is a US federal agency that analyzes and recommends preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. The US NIOSH states that the maximum recommended load weight to be lifted under ideal conditions is 51 lb (23.1 kg). Because of this NIOSH standard, many airlines set the checked baggage limit at 23 kg (50 lbs). However, this is only a standard to prevent health hazards for strongread moreThe reason why we are tired of traveling abroad

Japan Braille Library
CategoriesAccessible tourism Others

The first donation to the Japan Braille Library

By ninjakotan

The first donation to the Japan Braille Library   Table of contents 1：The first donation 2：Donut Donation Day 3：Keep supporting the Donuts Donation campaign   1：The first donation We first donated to the Japan Braille Library through the Donut Donation Campaign. Thank you to all the foreign tourists for eating donuts when traveling to Japan. The Japan Braille Library made the following comment at the time of our donation. “Thank you very much for your support. We have accepted your donation of the amount you requested. We will use your generous donation carefully to fulfill the wish of the visually impaired to read books. We look forward to your continued support.”   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 Donation on 30 March, with days with a zero (the 10th, 20th, and 30th) as Donut Donation days. For every 1,000 yen worth of donuts that email subscribers eat with the 1,000 yen gift ticket we provide, we will donate 1,000 yen toread moreThe first donation to the Japan Braille Library

donut
CategoriesAccessible tourism

Donuts donation campaign launched

By ninjakotan

Donuts donation campaign launched   Table of Contents 1: Donuts Donation Day 2: Japan Braille Library and accessible tourism 3: Gift tickets by the gift service company Giftee   1: Donuts Donation Day From today, 30 March, we will make Donuts Donation Days with zero days (10, 20, and 30). Donuts Donation Days are our original campaign 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. 2: Japan Braille Library and accessible tourism For every 1,000 yen worth of donuts that email subscribers eat with the 1,000 yen gift ticket we provide, we will donate 1,000 yen to the Japan Braille Library. We will send Gift tickets on days with zero (10,20,30). Gift tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email subscribers can use it for six months. We developed this donuts donation campaign to help the Japan Braille Library, which we recently introduced and located a two-minute walk from our office. Our donation to the Japan Braille Library will help the visually impaired access more braille books and information. We believe this campaign will lead to our Company’s goal of a societyread moreDonuts donation campaign launched