Introduction

Included in the website will be information about the main characteristics of Japan which relate to tourism and events. Along with mobilities and the experience economy, how and why mobilities are vital in relation to tourism and events. Evaluation of the travel flow how easy and accessible Japan is for both inbound and outbound tourists to visit events however big or small. Also included domestic travel trends both past and present. Evaluation of the transport both to and around Japan. Japans resources natural, cultural and key events. A case study on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. A SWOT analysis and key recommendations for the client based on my research.

Japan has some key characteristics when it comes to tourism and events. This is because Japan is famous and well known across the world for its colourful and enriching events and festivals. Festivals are so popular in Japan it doesn’t matter what city you are visiting you are sure to find celebrations to mark an occasion no matter how big or small either a local or national event will be happening. Japan has annual festivals as well as one off festivals like the Olympic Games (JNTO, 2016).

Mobilities and the experience economy, the concept of mobilities encompasses both the large-scale movements of people, objects, capital and information across the world (Hannam et al., 2006, 1). Hypermobility is vital in terms of tourism and events because when events are been organised it can be used to allow easier accessibility ensured via technology/communication. Hypermobility is key in relation to tourism and events because accounts for the increased annual intake of international arrivals across 200 countries ‘tourism endorsement’. Hypermobility also incorporates physical travel with use of technology, making it more mobile and accessible.

Aim of Website

• The aim of the assignment is to design a website

• The website will contain information analysing whether Japan is a suitable country to hold a cultural event

Evaluation of Travel Flows

International tourists arrivals have risen significantly in recent years in japan in 2010 8,611000 (UNWTO, 2016, 9) inbound tourists entered the country, in 2013 10,364000 (UNWTO, 2016, 9) inbound tourists entered the country, in 2014 13,413000 (UNWTO, 2016, 9) inbound tourists entered the country and in 2015 19,737000 (UNWTO, 2016, 9) inbound tourists entered the country. As you can see from figure 1 the number of international tourists choosing to visit the country year on year has increased by 11,126000 between 2010 and 2015.

Outbound destinations Japanese people travel to include China, USA and Europe. Figure2 shows that in 2010 3,700,000(Germanlands, 2014) Japanese tourist went to China but by 2013 the number of Japanese tourist visiting had dropped to about 2,900,000 (Germanlands, 2014) in 2013 that is a decrease of 800,000 over three years. In 2010 2,950,000(Germanlands, 2014) Japanese tourist went to the USA but by 2013 the number of Japanese tourist visiting had increased to about 3,700,000(Germanlands, 2014) in 2013 that is an increase of 7, 500, 00 over three years. In 2010 3,250,000 (Germanlands, 2014) Japanese tourist went to Europe but by 2013 the number of Japanese tourist visiting had increased to about 3,700,000 (Germanlands, 2014) in 2013 that is an increase of 4, 500, 00 over three years.

Domestic Travel Trends

Japanese domestic tourism is more substantial in capacity and expenditure than international tourism in relation to the Japanese travel market. Leisure trips make up the bulk of trips, business and VFR substitute for the rest. Japanese domestic tourists take holidays to places including Pilgrimages to Shinto and Buddhist Shrines remain favoured by families whereas hot spring resorts appeal more to the anxious managers at vacations. The Western inspiration is evident in the swift growth of skiing, golf, baseball, water spots and visits to theme parks such as Tokyo Disneyland (Boniface et al., 2012, 443). Skiing is enjoyed by approx. 15 million Japanese (Boniface et al., 2012, 443). The mountain regions of Northern Honshu and Hokkaido (Boniface et al., 2012, 443) have excessive amounts of snow during winter meaning that a large number of ski resorts have been opened in recent years.

Evaluation of Transport

Flights from the UK and other European countries to Japan are frequent, over one hundred direct flights every week to four of Japan's 22 International Airports (JNTO, 2016). Direct flights from the UK to Japan is via London Heathrow. There are no direct flights from Ireland, Norway and Sweden to Japan (JNTO, 2016).

Road and rail is the main methods of transport for domestic travel. The island of Hokkaido which is northern is linked to the island of Honshu by the world’s longest rail tunnel (Boniface et al., 2012, 445). Bridges are used to link Kyushu and Shikoku with the key transport network, enhancing the ferry services (Boniface et al., 2012, 445). Substantial railways 20,000km (Boniface et al., 2012, 445) running along the railways are the renowned Shinkansen bullet trains which are used to link Tokyo to Osaka and Fukuoka to the west, Niigata and Morioka to the north (Boniface et al., 2012, 445). Majority of tourists fly to Tokyo’s Narita Airport other airports include Osaka’s Kansai Airport 60km from central Tokyo (Boniface et al., 2012, 445). Haneda which is another airport in Tokyo deals with domestic flights (Boniface et al., 2012, 445). The most popular domestic routes are to South-east Asia, Hawaii and the USA, the main airlines are Japan Airlines and ANA (Boniface et al., 2012, 445).

Destination Resources

Mount Fuji is the highest and most well-known mountain in Japan at 3,776 meters above sea level (JNTO, 2016). Mount Fuji is the most popular tourist route with sightseeing spots and resorts, 300,000 climbers each year (JNTO, 2016). Day visitors are recommended to take a bus tour which takes you to the fifth station and the five lakes (JNTO, 2016)

Chūbu-Sangaku National Park offers remarkable walking in the Kamikochi region (Inside Japan, 2016). Substantial snowfall in the winter month’s means that buses and hotels only operate between April - November (Inside Japan, 2016). Kamikochi is a 15km plateau along the Azusa River, 1,500 metres above sea level (Inside Japan, 2016).

Horyuji Temple is well-known as it’s the world’s oldest wooden structure. Demonstrating how 6th and 7th century temples would have looked (JNTO, 2016). The Horyuji temple was the centre of worship in 607 (JNTO, 2016). Within the grounds of the temple tourists can experience buildings from every era. There were around 2,300 items of national treasures, registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in December 1993 (JNTO, 2016).

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range which overlooks the Pacific Ocean (UNESCO, 2016). It’s made up of three sacred sites Yoshino and Omine, Kumano Sanzan, Koyasan (UNESCO, 2016). These sites run into each other by pilgrimage routes to the ancient capital cities of Nara and Kyoto, reflect the fusion of Shinto (UNESCO, 2016). Woodlands have bordered the mountains for over 120 years (UNESCO, 2016). Within the mountain ranges you will find streams, rivers and waterfalls, important aspects of Japanese existing philosophy, visited by around 15 million visitors annually, all locations have shrines, some dating back to the 9th century (UNESCO, 2016).

The 2020 Olympic Games will be hosted by Tokyo, fifty-six years after the 1964 Olympic Games (Olympic Games, 2016). The 2020 Olympics aims to reuse as many of the venues built for the previous Olympics as possible. Some renovations will take place in the The Tokyo National Stadium; this is where the opening and closing show will be hosted. The Olympic Games 1964 was the first to be staged in Asia (Olympic Games, 2016).

Aoi Matsuri is an annual festival held in Japan that has a history of 1,000 years reproduced in Kyoto, each year approx. 500 people wearing fabulous ancient costumes and old-style make-up pass through the streets of Kyoto (JNTO, 2016). The festival got its name Aoi Matsuri because aoi hollyhock leaves decorate people’s outfits, cows and horses (JNTO, 2016). Festival replicates the parade of administrators delivering the Emperor’s message and contributions to the two shrines of Shimogamo and Kamigamo. Woman ordered to dress in official style of the majestic court (JNTO, 2016).

Case Study

Tokyo in Japan set to host the 2020 Olympic Games, fifty-six years after they organised the last Games which radically transformed the country (Olympic Games, 2016). The 2020 Olympic Games will be the most ground-breaking event organised, relying on three essential values to change the world; striving for your personal best, accepting one another and passing on a legacy for the future (Olympic Games, 2016).

The 2020, Tokyo Games aim to use as many locations built for the last Olympic Games in 1964, like the prestigious Nippon Budokkan for judo, the Baji Koen Park for equestrian events, and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for handball, the Tokyo National Stadium will be renovated this is where the opening and closing Ceremonies will be held for the 2020 Olympic Games (Olympic Games, 2016).

Japan was always ready to host another Olympics since the 1964 Games took place there (Olympic Games, 2016). The 1964 Olympics was the first ever Olympics to be held in Asia (Olympic Games, 2016). The 2020 Games will be Japans fourth Games if you take into account the Winter Games of 1972 in Sapporo and the Winter Games of 1998 in Nagano (Olympic Games, 2016).

The governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike is to meet the International Olympic Committee and the organisers of the 2020 Olympics because figures have shown that the 2020 Olympic Games could cost 3tn yen, ‘£23bn’, that’s four times the initial costing, this has led to the possibility of plans for three new venues to be cancelled (The Guardian, 2016).

SWOT Analysis

Strengths - Japan has a lot to offer in terms of strengths for tourism as it has a wide range of destination resources in relation to attractions like Mount Fuji (JNTO, 2016), Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (UNESCO, 2016) and mega events like the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Olympic Games, 2016). Japan also has strong transport links around the country with renowned Shinkansen bullet trains (Boniface et al., 2012, 445).

Weaknesses – Japan has a few weaknesses when it comes to tourism, mainly in the rural areas where attractions like the Ajimu Rural Homestay are situated (Japan Travel, 2016). Another weakness that tourists find shocking is that something that might be cheap in your home country will be far more expensive in Japan. If you visit Tokyo for an event you are likely to feel underdressed.

Opportunities - Japan has lots to offer in terms of opportunities for tourism, because of the rising inbound tourist figures year on year (See 4.1 inbound tourist arrivals figure table) Japan will continue to develop all aspects of tourism and win bids to host more mega events like the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Olympic Games, 2016).

Threats – Japan is faced with a number of threats including war from North Korea (Mail Online, 2016). Earthquakes and Tsunamis also hit Japan. 2011s Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami was the strongest earthquake in its recorded history (National Geographic Society, 2016).

Key Recommendations

Based on the information that the client has provided and from research that has been carried out, Japan is a suitable country for them to organise large cultural festivals. Events held in Japan will attract large numbers of international and domestic visitors. This is because Japan offers a number of different destination resources within the country like Mount Fuji (JNTO, 2016) and the Aoi Matsuri annual festival (JNTO, 2016). These can be experienced to help visitors learn more about Japan and what it has to offer. Research has shown Japan is a viable destination because of good inbound and domestic travel opportunities. Over one hundred direct flights are offered from the UK and other European countries each week (JNTO, 2016). You can travel around Japan using the extensive rail network which the famous Shinkansen bullet trains operate on (Boniface et al., 2012, 445).

Conclusion

Throughout this website information has been provided about the main characteristics of Japan which relate to tourism and events. Along with mobilities and the experience economy, how and why mobilities are vital in relation to tourism and events. Evaluation of the travel flow how easy and accessible Japan is for both inbound and outbound tourists to visit events however big or small. Also includes domestic travel trends both past and present. Evaluation of the transport both to and around Japan. Japans resources natural, cultural and key events. A case study on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. A SWOT analysis and key recommendations for the client based on my research. This information has been given to help the client decide whether Japan is a suitable country to hold a cultural event.

Reference List

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