Nagano Prefecture introduced to Philippine travel agencies
Japan has always attracted Filipino travelers, but it’s always been limited to the golden cities of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. It’s all well and good, but these cities have already become tourist traps and have limited what Filipinos can experience in Japan.
Yesterday, travel agencies in Metro Manila were exposed to a whole Prefecture that promises to give travelers something they won’t experience in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. It’s a place that combines accessibility, culture, and health: Nagano Prefecture.
MR. ATSUSHI MATSUURA, General Manager of SMaC, Inc. in the Philippines
Leading the way was Mr. Atsushi Matsuura of Sunada Matsuura and Company, Inc. (SMaC, Inc.). He gave those in attendance not just a primer on Nagano but also highlighted three reasons why Filipinos should visit the prefecture during this year’s Japan Nagano Tourism Seminar and Business Meeting at the Makati Sports Club.
HOME OF THE 1998 WINTER OLYMPICS. Nagano has some of the best ski slopes in Japan, and it was put to good use during the 1998 Winter Olympics.
One of the reasons for visiting Nagano that he highlighted was how accessible it was from the cities of Tokyo and Nagoya. “Tokyo is about 80 minutes away from the city of Nagano by Shinkansen and only 60 minutes by JR Limited Express from Nagoya via the town of Kiso.”
He also pointed out how the Prefecture is perfect for nature trips, history buffs, and experiencing Japanese culture as a whole. It boasts the most number of 3,000-meter high mountains in Japan along with unobstructed views of the night sky.
Nagano also boasts of harmony between man and nature, with 16 rice terraces in the Prefecture. It’s also home to some of the best ski slopes in Japan, with 87 ski grounds in all. It was also the home of the 1998 Winter Olympics and the popular Snow Monkeys.
Lastly, he highlighted how Nagano has some of the best food for those looking to live healthy lives. Nagano has the highest average life expectancy in Japan, with men living to a ripe old age of 80 years and women going as long as 87. “It’s not strange to hear about people in Nagano living past 100,” Matsuura added.
HAKUBA VILLAGE TOURISM COMMISSION, led by Mr. Kevin Mollard (right) and Mr. Yu Arai (middle)
ALPICO Group, represented by Mr. Yoshihiro Matsuki and Mr. Subaru Maruyama
MS. KAZUKO TAKEI of the Suwa Tourism Association
NAGANO TOURISM ORGANIZATION represented here by Mr. Shigeo Oshima
Matsuura was joined by representatives from Hakuba Village, home to Nagano’s premier ski grounds; ALPICO Group, who run most of the transportation and accommodation options in Nagano; and tourism representatives from Suwa and Nagano.
FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Ms. Prauline Lorena of Philippine Primer magazine (left) and Ms. Abigail Javellana of Our Awesome Planet presented Nagano from their point of view.
For a more personal touch, the seminar also featured presentations from two organizations who have sent people to experience Nagano first-hand: Ms. Prauline Lorena of Philippine Primer magazine and Ms. Abigail Javellana of Our Awesome Planet.
ALPICO Group
Hakuba Village
Nagano Tourism Organization
Suwa Tourism Association
The day ended with short meetings between the different organizations and companies all geared to create awareness and get more Filipinos to visit Nagano Prefecture.
Written by Andronico Del Rosario
