Lighting up the nights
Visitors to Japan have long been enamoured with the glittering displays of light that add extra appeal to various Japanese cities including Kobe and Osaka.
Night views or yakei are very much part of Japanese culture and several yakei attractions in Japan have become famous across the world.
The recent Japan Night View Tourism Festival 2017 in Bangkok introduced yakei charm to Thai tourists and tour operators.
“Yakei is now enjoying growing popularity among tourists,” said Marumaru Moto-O, the director of Yakei Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Yakei tour operators from Japan are available here for business discussions.”
He pointed out that advice from experts allowed the development of interesting tour programmes for tourists keen on exploring yakei charm.
“We can recommend golden routes,” he added. “For example, the panoramic view of sparkling Sapporo will appear before tourists’ eyes if they go up Mount Moiwa.”
Kato Kunihiko, deputy mayor of Nagasaki, also in town for the event, said his city ranked among the top three with the most beautiful night views.
“From Mount Inasa, you can see lights lining the Urakami River. The sight is so beautiful that the waterway seems heavenly. The views of Nabe Kammuri and the colourful Glover Garden are also spectacular.”
Moto-o has high hopes that yakei will help bring more Thai tourists to Japan. “It’s a fresh way to indulge,” he said, adding that Japanese authorities expected to see the number of Thai tourists soar past one million this year.
Since 2013, Japan has granted visa exemption to Thai tourists for a stay of up to 15 days.
Learn more at www.Yakei.jp.
