Nara and Kyoto are within 36km and 56km respectively of Osaka, and have more than 1,000 years of history. They leverage historical and cultural traditions while offering new experiences.
The Tourism Capacity Building Division of the Tourism Bureau of Nara Prefecture said: “We are seeing increased interest from corporate and incentive groups planning to visit the Expo also wanting to make trips to Nara, especially from Europe and Asia.”
Meanwhile, enquiries from Australia are for international conferences and incentive groups, with the tourism bureau targeting more from the Australian and New Zealand markets in the next fiscal year.
Recommended activities include a tour and sake tasting at Umenoyado Sake Brewery which has 130 years of history; walking and team-building in the Nara Yamanobe region – Yamanobe no michi is Japan’s oldest-recorded road – and a visit to Katsuragi City Sumo Museum where group members may engage in a good-natured match in a sumo ring.
New hotels such as Novotel Nara, Shisui Luxury Collection and JW Marriott Hotel Nara cater to meeting and incentive groups.
In Kyoto, besides culture and heritage tours, Takahiro Fujita, CEO of Nozomi Inc, suggested a food-related tour for Australasian groups.
“You can enjoy tempura, sushi and soba in a machiya (traditional building) or restaurant. Our sushi classes place great importance on teaching participants about Kyoto’s food culture, rather than just learning about sushi,” he said.
Junna Kusaka, Nozomi’s marketing executive and sushi instructor, said: “In 2024, we welcomed guests from over 10 countries, enriching their Japan experience through the art of sushi-making.
“This year, we have new initiatives and seasonal packages. At Sushi Lab, we combine traditional techniques with modern creativity, offering tailored experiences for various group sizes and interests.”
A popular event for 20 to 80 pax is the two-hour professional tuna-cutting demonstration and savouring fresh tuna sushi prepared by skilled chefs. Another choice is a class making sushi rice and tasting umami soup and nigiri sushi with optional sake pairing.
A vegan sushi-making class is the latest innovation. “Participants can enjoy a vegan meal while experiencing the art of sushi-making by rolling and topping their own creations,” Kusaka said.
