On Monday evening, Japan Airlines (JAL) and the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) provided a Japan Seminar at The Kitano Hotel. Our guests were made up of meeting planners, travel agents and media people. Even TV Tokyo reported about this event in their news on Tuesday July 17th [Available in Japanese only]. The purpose of this event was to promote Japan as an attractive incentive destination. The evening started with a reception on the wonderful terrace at the hotel. Among other things it was accompanied by a sake tasting provided by Ataru Kabayashi from the Niigata Sake Selections.
Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi serve special sake The actual seminar began with a brief introduction by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo's DVD. It was followed by two presentations from JAL and the Japan Convention Bureau of JNTO. Both contained interesting and useful information about travel to Japan and arguments as to why companies might consider Japan as a potential incentive destination. Afterwards, JAL Pak provided a brief presentation of their reasonable package tours to Japan to convince the attendees to choose Japan as their future destination.
Dinner seminar Before dinner, Mr. Kabayashi gave an informative Niigata sake presentation. After that, the participants obtained further possibilities to taste six delicious sake on the roof top. The long awaited dinner included sushi and tempura.
Anyway, the highlight of this evening was the Modern Ukiyoe demonstration of Kabuki by Ms. Mari Mihashi after dinner. She is an Ukiyoe Artist and brought an almost completed painting along to the demonstration. During this demonstration she completed it in front of all the participants accompanied by Japanese music.
Ms. Mari Mihashi painting and her video It was a great and successful event to introduce the specialty and the variety of Japan, also as an incentive destination. Even for me, because I had no specific knowledge about Japan before I started working for JNTO. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the beauty of Japan as well as the possible travel options from JAL and JAL Pak. Actually, my personal highlight was that I had the possibility to wear a yukata for the first time. Thanks to Kawasaki san again for helping me out. That is the kind of memory that will last even when I return home to Duesseldorf, Germany.
My first yukata! Tanja S.
