Many cities all over Japan have a variety of subsidization schemes to attract and support international conferences and incentive tours. In this issue, we’d like to introduce the support systems of Gifu – a city famous for its Japanese paper products, high-quality craftworks and 1300-year-old tradition of cormorant fishing – and Okinawa – a resort island with magnificent nature in Japan’s only subtropical region.

Gifu, located about 50 minutes from Centrair airport or about 20 minutes from Nagoya by train, is an excellent choice as a post-tour destination for international conferences and incentive meetings in Nagoya. At the center of the city is the verdant Mt. Kinka, with Gifu Castle at its summit and the clear waters of the Nagara River at its foot. Demonstrations of cormorant fishing are held on the river almost every night from May through October. This tradition goes back more than 1300 years, and the fishing masters still operate by a hereditary system. Many celebrities have visited the river, with Charlie Chaplin being one of the enthusiastic past observers of this fascinating event.

The Nagaragawa Convention Center, adjacent to Gifu Miyako Hotel (192 rooms), was designed by the world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. The splendid panoramic view of both Mt. Kinka and the Nagara River from its conference facilities is sure to make your conferences and incentive meetings unforgettable. For more on what the Center has to offer, see their English website:

NagaragawaConvention Center
http://www.g-ncc.jp/e-framepage.htm

Gifu has increased its support for shuttle bus services for events organized by corporations and associations and its subsidies for the costs of meeting facilities and chartered tour buses. Now, even small groups with 15 or more foreign participants can apply. For details, see the support program web page:

World Event and Convention Complex Gifu Tourism and Convention Support Program
http://www.gifucvb.or.jp/en/09_convention/09_03.html

Okinawa is one of Japan’s hottest resort convention destinations, blessed with a subtropical climate and top-notch international conference facilities. The Bankoku Shinryokan, built for the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit in 2000, faces the picturesque Busena Point and is a facility with an impeccable resort atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Okinawa Convention Center features 10 meeting rooms for workgroups of up to 500 participants, a 2500 m2 event hall, and a large, 1700-seat theater hall to meet every need for general conferences, international congresses and mass meetings.

The Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau now offers subsidies of up to 500,000 yen for chartered buses or entertainment expenses to meeting and incentive organizers that meet the following four conditions:
1)Groups must be traveling from overseas to Okinawa.
2)Events or trips must start between October 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010.
3)There must be a minimum of 40 participants in the group.
4)All participants must stay at least one night in Okinawa.

In addition, Okinawa can offer exciting excursion plans to highlight the charm of the city, as well as volunteers and other kinds of convention support. There are programs that allow you to try your hand at traditional crafts like Ryukyu glass blowing, ceramics, dyeing and weaving, along with eco tours to experience the unique nature of Okinawa. With the sun shining from a clear blue sky over brilliantly colored flowers, Okinawa truly is a magical place.

For more information on the Bankoku Shinryokan, Okinawa Convention Center and Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, visit the following links:

Bankoku Shinryokan
http://www.shinryokan.com/e/top.html

Okinawa Convention Center
http://www.oki-conven.jp/en/

Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.ocvb.or.jp/index.php?current=General_Page&action=Top_Page&mode=isel&lang=en

The 1300-year-old, ever-popular cormorant fishing on Nagaragawa River in Gifu. ©JNTO	The Bankoku Shinryokan, scene of the 2000 G8 Summit, surrounded by Busena Point in Okinawa. ©JNTO