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Press Release

Tourism EXPO Japan Promotion Office

September 6, 2018

Tourism EXPO Japan 2018, organized by Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents

(JATA), and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), will be held over 4 days from September 20 (Thu.) - 23 (Sun./ Nat.

Hol.) at Tokyo Big Sight. Bolstered by the recent remarkable growth of the tourism industry, this event, now in its fifth year, will

welcome many first-time countries, companies, and organizations. A record number of 1,440 participants will gather to convey

the latest tourism information and share the appeal of each destination.

Highlights of Tourism EXPO Japan 2018 - New Tourism Theme Zones and Booths Offering Fulfilling Experiences

◇ New tourism theme zones added, including Industrial Tourism, Sake Breweries, Sports, and Resort Weddings

Travel is becoming more diversified and so this year separate tourism theme zones have been created. In both inbound

and domestic tourism, there is a growing interest in experiences based on different topics, so visitors can enjoy booths

covering industrial tourism, sake breweries, sports, resort weddings, adventure, and more. They can acquire information

and enjoy simulations of experiences at booths most relevant to their needs.

◇ The business meeting period has been extended to 2 days and an updated registry system smooths the

opportunities for discussions

From this year, the period for in-booth business meetings by prior appointment has been extended to 2 days. The registry

system has also been updated to greater increase the number of opportunities for business discussions with the most

appropriate partners. This year, 7,450 meetings will take place, a rise from the 6,886 meetings held last year.

◇ VR, 4DX, and a Planetarium – Amazing contents at booths

The trend in tourism is shifting from material consumption to enjoying experiences and countries are reflecting this in their

booth content by adding interactive and attraction style elements. Visitors will marvel at the never-before seen installations

- virtual reality that allows visitors to experience the beautiful scenery of destinations, impressive 4DX attractions that

surpass 3D, and even a planetarium giving the best views of the night sky. They can also enjoy a range of other benefits,

including tasting local specialities and receiving original novelty goods.

◇ Wide selection of food from local rice bowl dishes to world gourmet

In the Food Zone, a championship will be held to select the most delicious local specialty rice bowl dish in Japan. In

addition, a Local Specialty Market has been developed with more than 100 regional foods that have been sourced from

around Japan, including sweet milk puddings and specialty curries, and that will be available on a limited basis. Visit the

gourmet area as well to find out about one-day food excursions that can be enjoyed.

World’s largest tourism trade fair with more than 1,400 companies and organizations

from over 130 countries and regions

Tourism EXPO Japan 2018

Vast range of exciting contents and attractions

at domestic and overseas exhibition booths and stages

Date: September 20 (Thu.) - 23 (Sun./Nat.Hol.) 2018 / Venue: Tokyo Big Sight

Inquiries regarding Tourism EXPO Japan Tourism EXPO Japan Promotion Office

Tel：03-5510-2004 E-mail：event@t-expo.jp

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More than 1,400 Domestic and Overseas Participants with Attractive Booths and

Stage Events!

■ Featured Booths / Regions in Japan Hokkaido

Drive a Hokkaido Shinkansen Plarail model train

JR Hokkaido will have a display featuring rail information on the Hokkaido Shinkansen

and commuter express trains that run through the Seikan Tunnel, which marks its 30th

anniversary this year of linking Hokkaido and Honshu. Information on specially-priced

tickets will be available and visitors can learn about the attraction of travelling round

Hokkaido by train. In addition, there will be an opportunity to drive a Plarail Hokkaido

Shinkansen H5 model. A space simulating the interior of a train has been installed and children can dress in JR Hokkaido

uniforms to become train conductors and have their photo taken. Everyone from train lovers to families can enjoy this booth.

North Kanto Region (Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture)

A visit from a real alpaca

Visitors can enjoy learning about these three prefectures in North Kanto through a

variety of activities, including taking a commemorative photo in an astronaut suit and

creating a herbarium with kochia from Hitachi Seaside Park to represent Ibaraki

Prefecture, and painting Takasaki daruma dolls for Gunma Prefecture. For the booth

events, a real alpaca will visit from Nasu Animal Kingdom, Shiho, producer of

“Breath-taking Views”, will give a talk on the amazing scenery and charms of these 3

prefectures, and there will be an original cocktail show with bartender from Utsunomiya

Cocktail. Sake tasting is also planned.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government /

Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TAMASHIMA & TOKYO LOCAL SPECIALTIES) : TAMASHIMA

ZONE

Giant robot arm stamp and virtual reality views through the eyes of animals

At the TokyoTokyo booth, a stamp corner is planned that will use a giant robot arm to

make the stamps and visitors can learn first-hand about traditional Tokyo culture.

There will also be a display and retail space for Tokyo souvenirs. On the booth stage on

the 22nd (Sat.) a talk show will be held with the art critic Goro Yamada, and interactive

performances are also planned.

At the Tokyo Metropolitan booth (special products of Tokyo City, Tama Region, and

Tokyo Islands), the zone for Tama and the islands has VR video showing the regions

from the perspective of the animals living there and unique workshops representing

each area will be held. In the Tokyo special product zone, visitors can try samples of

food and drink from all 62 wards, towns, and villages that make up Tokyo, enjoy

purchases goods, and participate in workshops. Discover the rich charms of Tokyo through its traditional culture, nature,

and famous products.

Achi ☆ Hirugami Tourism Board

Enjoy a 360 Degree Planetarium Attraction

Achi Village and Hirugami Hot Springs is said to be the best place in Japan to view the

night sky, and at this booth visitors can feel they are actually there with ‘Dome Planet’, a

new 360 degree planetarium attraction that creates new sensations. Visitors can

immerse themselves in the mystical starry skies of Achi Village, Nagano Prefecture,

purchase local specialty foods, and learn the latest information about the most beautiful

starry skies in Japan.

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Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau

Recreation of Okinawa’s Churaumi Aquarium Giant Tank

Once again this year at the Okinawa tourism booth, the gigantic tank at Churaumi

Aquarium will be recreated. A range of interactive programs are planned, including

creating bottle aquariums and playing traditional Okinawan instruments like the

3-stringed Sanshin and the bamboo percussion instrument Yotsutake. Visitors to this

booth will all receive charming Okinawan goods. With performances of traditional

Ryukyuan and Eisa dances, as well as appearances by mascot characters and beauty

queens from different areas of Okinawa, this will be a magnificent stage event.

i enjoy! Para-Sports Park

Wheelchair Sports - Try Rugby Tackling and Playing Basketball

Children and adults, with or without disabilities, can enjoy para sports at this theme

park-style event. Try a variety of para sports including wheelchair basketball, boccia,

wheelchair racing, and para powerlifting. This year, wheelchair rugby players and staff

will give lessons in the sport and give impressive demonstrations on how to tackle. There

will also be a picture-story show so that visitors can get a more indepth understanding of

para sports and learn about para sports’ appeal.

■ Featured Booths / Overseas Regions

Hawaii Tourism Japan

Feel the breeze of Hawaii! Hawaii 4DX Ride

This is the first time that the Hawaii 4DX Ride will appear at Tourism EXPO Japan. This

attraction surpasses 3D imagery as the seats move in all directions and special effects

are combined with the video, allowing visitors to get a full taste of Hawaii and feel like

they are actually there. This unique pavilion also has a special photo booth that takes

photogenic images and offers a range of other activities. The latest information on

activities and places to visit in Hawaii will also be available.

Turkish Embassy, office of the Cultural and Information Counsellor

Display and Mini Concert Celebrating 20 Years of the Archaeological Site of Troy as a UNESCO World

Heritage Site

This year, 2018, marks 20 years since the archaeological site of Troy, famed for the

legend of the Trojan Horse, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Watch out for

a replica of the Trojan Horse and enjoy a mini concert by the Troy Quartet, named after

the ancient site. Take part in workshops for traditional Turkish crafts (Oya lacework and

Hat Islamic calligraphy) and don’t miss the chance to taste the renowned stretchy

Turkish ice-cream.

Macao Government Tourism Office

Enjoy Local Popular Dishes at Macao Cafe

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, joining Hong Kong and Macao, is due to open

within this year and will make Macao even more accessible than ever. Macao has been

recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy so this year’s booth focuses on

gourmet food. Activities include a Macao Cafe offering popular local dishes for visitors

to try and a special video game in collaboration with the food game application Cooking

Mama: Let’s Cook! The booth, designed to look like a Macao town square, will feature a

double-decker bus. The interior of this bus houses a photo gallery, including many

images taken just this August so visitors can see the most up-to-date views of Macao.

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Korea Tourism Organization

Special Stage Appearances by Korea Tourism Honorary Ambassador and Famous Bloggers

The concept for this booth is ‘Korea - not just a hashtag!’ and a number of themes will be

covered including local tourism, cultural heritage, food, traditional and culture

experiences, South Korean pop culture, and medical tourism, focusing particularly on

how Korea has evolved. The stage events at the Korea booth draw attention every year

and this time Japanese celebrity Suzanne, appointed as Korea Tourism Honorary

Ambassador, will talk about fantastic soul trips that young women can enjoy. The fun

stage program also includes talks with famous bloggers, local tourism quizzes and an

exciting lottery draw. An interactive corner has been set up too, so visitors can make Korean soap, do painting, and other

traditional crafts.

Tahiti Tourisme

Tahitian Dance Performances

On September 22 and 23 at the Tahiti Tourisme booth, visitors can get a real feel of the

tropical island with a dance performance by a Tahitian dance group. This event will take

place twice on each day. The professional dancers will make the audience feel like they

have been transported to Tahiti. Take the opportunity to pose for photographs with the

wonderful dancers after the shows.

ATOUT FRANCE

Photo exhibition celebrating 160 years of French-Japanese relations

A photo exhibition entitled ‘Paris Île-de-France and Normandy - a Trip with the

Impressionists’ will be held to commemorate 160 years of French-Japanese relations.

Scenery painted by impressionists and modern-day images captured by Japanese

photographers who visited those same locations will be on display, allowing visitors to

see the changes time has brought to the landscapes. Seminars will be held by the

attending Paris Tourism Office staff to inform visitors about recommendations for places

to visit in Paris and other regions in France, and to introduce useful information.

■ Featured Booths / Companies

All Nippon Airways CO.,LTD.

AVATAR – the future of experiencing travel and fishing remotely

At the ANA booth, visitors can learn about AVATAR, which in the future will allow people

to experience travel and fishing remotely. In March this year, ANA announced ANA

AVATAR VISION, which will use Avatar, or remotely controlled robots, to address social

issues and create new services. Using robotics and technology to artificially convey the

feeling of touching objects, Avatar can be remotely controlled. Visitors can learn about

the technology that eventually will allow people to move and communicate as if they were

actually in those locations.

Jetstar

Make Pilot and Cabin Crew Announcements with Airplane Karaoke

Visitors to this booth can participate in Airplane Karaoke, becoming cabin crew and the

pilot to make announcements. Those who take part will be entered into a lucky draw to

win flight vouchers. Jetta, the official Jetstar character and Orangeman, in his orange full

body Zentai suit, will also make appearances and visit other booths too that are

destinations on Jetstar routes. They are sure to liven up the exhibition.

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NIPPON TRAVEL AGENCY CO.,LTD

Talk Event with Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki

There will be a wide variety of stage events at Nippon Travel Agency booth. Visitors can

enjoy a seminar by Tomomi Kuno, a TV announcer and train lover, who will recommend

her favourite local train lines. Other contents to enjoy include learning tips and

techniques from social media influencers on how to take instagrammable travel photos,

and don’t miss the astronaut Naoko Yamazaki giving a special talk on the future of space

travel.

■ Featured Booths in the New Tourism Theme Zone

Industrial Tourism

Crafts Created Using Traditional Techniques

This themed zone introduces industrial tourism and 16 exhibition booths from around

Japan will present the artisans, factories, and products special to each region as well as

provide information on historic factory sites and industrial buildings that can be visited by

tourists.

Shachihata will run an industrial tourism stamp rally and visitors can collect the colourfully

illustrated stamps at the booths. At the ‘UNESCO Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial

Revolution’ booth, visitors can learn about the historic charm of the sites, enjoy quiz

games, and have a chance to win commemorative goods. There will also be a display of crafts created using traditional

techniques and artisan works, as well as many other wonderful experiences.

Sake Brewery Tourism in Japan

A Tour of Sake Breweries and an Opportunity to Taste Sake, Awamori, and more

At the Japan Sake Brewery booths, 5 areas - Saitama, Tone Numata (Gunma), Harima

(Hyogo),Higashi Hiroshima, and Okinawa - will be represented. View display panels and

leaflets introducing tourist information and sake brewery details for each area, and enjoy

tasting each local sake while listening to indepth presentations on the breweries. This is a

valuable opportunity to learn about breweries located all over Japan as well as compare

tastes of the different types of sake.

■ Featured Events in the Food Zone

JAPAN LOCAL DONBURI CHAMPIONSHIP

Enjoy comparing delicious rice bowl dishes featuring select local ingredients at a reasonable price

On September 22 (Sat.) - 23 (Sun. Nat. Hol.) at Tourism EXPO Japan 2018, a championship will be held to select the most

delicious local specialty rice dish. Visitors can taste and compare these rice bowls that have been gathered from all over the

country and vote on which one is the best. This time, there are 16 different dishes in the running to win the competition. The

winning rice dish will be decided at Tourism Expo Japan 2018.

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Local Specialty Market

Wide Selection of Limited Edition Milk Puddings, Curry Dishes, and Burgers

Sweet milk puddings and spicy regional curries have been sourced from around Japan

and more than 100 of these dishes will be available on a limited basis. Visitors can also

enjoy burgers from a popular burger shop in Mie Prefecture, Tantan mixed soba noodles

from Osaka, a variety of Mexican food, and traditional Turkish ice-cream that less than

100 artisans in the world can create. Food carts will also serve special regional food and

ice-cream.

■ Must-See Stage Events

North Kanto Region (Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture)

A Masterpiece Cocktail Performance Showcasing Superb Skills

A professional bartender from Utsunomiya Cocktail will give an exclusive Tourism EXPO performance with cocktails created

to represent Ibaraki, Gunma, and Tochigi. The regional spokes characters for each prefecture, Hustle Komon (Ibaraki),

Gunma-chan (Gunma), and Tochimaru-kun (Tochigi), will also appear and visitors can learn information about the best

spots to enjoy the upcoming seasons.

2019 Sanriku Disaster Risk Reduction & Reconstruction Project Executive Committee

Guinness-certified World’s Largest Taiko Drum Festival - Morioka Sansa Odori

Morioka Sansa Odori, a representative festival held from August 1 - 4 every year in Tohoku will be performed on stage.

Anyone can participate in Sansa Odori, so it is a festival that people can attend, watch, be impressed by, and become

involved. In 2014, it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the largest Taiko drum performance and is

now recognised as the world’s largest Taiko drum festival. This entertaining performance is sure to inspire people to visit

Sanriku in Iwate Prefecture.

Guam Visitors Bureau

Traditional Guam Dancing - Colorful Costumes and Unique Steps

Chamorro dance, an important part of traditional culture in Guam, will be performed. This time, as well as dance influenced

by life in the ancient Chamorro period, the performance will also include styles added during the Spanish rule, known as

Spanish Chamorro dance. This is a rare opportunity to see a live performance of these songs and dances in Japan.

※ Images show last year’s stage performances

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■Main Program in Business day

Outline of the program on 20th , Sep

＜Opening Ceremony＞ invitation only

Opening Ceremony

Time ：9:30～9:45

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight West Exhibition Hall 3

Japan Tourism Awards Ceremony

Time ：9:45～10:25

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight West Exhibition Hall 3

Keynote Speech

Time ：10:25～11:05

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight West Exhibition Hall 3

Presenter ：H. E. Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization

(UNWTO)

Ms. Gloria Guevara Manzo, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council

(WTTC)

＜The 2nd TEJ Ministerial Round Table＞

Time ：14:30～16:30

Venue ：Tokyo Conference Center Ariake 4th floor Hall B2

Theme ：Managing Sustainable Tourism for Community Development

Speakers ：Ms. Anita Mendiratta, Founder and President of CACHET Consulting.

Panelists ：Tourism Ministers from Albania, Bhutan, Cambodia, Iceland, Indonesia, Malaysia,

Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sudan, Thailand Latvia (Vice Ministers),

UNWTO, WTTC, PATA, ATTA, Governors of Prefectures in Japan

＜WELCOME RECEPTION＞

Time ：18:30～20:00

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight West Exhibition Hall 3

Participants：exhibitors/sponsors, Business Meeting buyers / sellers, VJTM buyers /

Media, guests

Contents ：1 Opening ceremony

2 Promotions by exhibitors and sponsors

3 Presentation of Japanese contents

4 Light meal & drinks are served.

Outline of the program on 21st , Sep

＜Thematic Symposia＞

●Digital Marketing Symposium

Theme ：Explore Winning ICT Marketing Strategies for Community Development

Time ：10:00～12:00

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight Conference Tower 6th floor, Conference Room 605/606

Keynote speech：Theme / Future Local Traffic To Destination by Utilizing AI

Spesrker / Mr. Naoki Tani, Senior Vice President, Managing Director,

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IoT Business Department. Corporate Sales and Marketing Division,

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

Moderator：Mr. Koji Tsurumoto, President & CEO, Travel Voice Japan Ltd.

Panelists：

Mr. Kenji Yoshida, Global Strategy Headquarters Director, Japan National Tourism

Organization (JNTO)

Mr. Noriyasu Taniguchi, Regional Development Chief Officer & Area Manager for Greater

Osaka, Expedia Group Lodging Partner Service

Mr. Tomoe Makino, Country Manager, Trip Advisor K.K.

Mr. Yasuhiro Taki President, Gero Spa Tourism Association

●Luxury Travel Market Symposium

Theme ：Inbound Promotion for Luxury Travel Market

Time ：13:00～14:30

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight Conference Tower 6th floor, Conference Room 605/606

Moderator ：Mr. Takahisa Kashiwagi, Executive Vice President, Japan National Tourism

Organization (JNTO)

Panelists ：

Mr. Masami Kono, Founder & CEO, CRIL Privee & Cie

Mr. Tomohiro Muraki, Marketing Advisor, Setouchi Tourism Authority, President &

CEO, Intheory, Inc.

Ms. Aiko Imaizumi, Chief Concierge, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Vice President,

Les Clefs d‘Or Japan

●Overseas Travel Symposium

Theme ：Looking for Inventive Ways to Increase the Number of Outbound Travelers

Time ：15:30～17:00

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight Conference Tower 6th floor, Conference Room 605/606

Keynote Speech：Theme / The number Japanese overseas travelers in light of Japan's economic

power and growth inhibitors (tentative)

Speaker / Mr. Kenji Inaoka, Executive Vice President, COO, ANA Strategic

Research Institute Co.,Ltd

Moderator：Mr. Yoshiro Ishihara, Director,Edtior in ,Chief Wing Aviation Press Co.,Ltd .

Panelists ：

Mr. Tetsunori Dambara, Managing Director, Miki Tourist Co.,Ltd.

Mr. Sang Ho Kwon, Managing Director / Japan Global Business Dir., Hanatour Service Inc.

Mr. Kenji lnaoka, Executive Vice President&COO, ANA Strategic Research lnstitute CO.,Ltd.

＜Asian Tourism Business Leaders’ Forum＞

Time ：10:00～12:30

Venue ：Tokyo Big Sight Conference Tower 6th floor, Conference Room 607/608

Overall Moderator ：Masato Takamatsu, Senior Executive Fellow, JTB Tourism Research &

Consulting Co.

Opening Remarks ：Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA 10:00～10:05

Keynote Speech ：Global Trending Challenges in Sustainable Tourism (tentative)10:05～10:20

Speaker ：Prof. Graham Miller (Distinguished University Professor, Deputy

Director, Center for Tourism Research, Wakayama University,

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Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Surrey)

１）Session 1

Theme ：Managing Tourism for Sustainability

Time ：10:20～11:10（Presentation 30 min, Panel Discussion 25 min.）

Moderator ：Mr.Masato Takamatsu,senior Executive Fellow, JTB Tourism

Research&Consulting Co.

Panelists ：Mr. Daisaku Kadokawa, Mayor, City of Kyoto

Mr. Kentaro Yasuda, General Manager, Bus Transportation Headquarters

Marketing Planning Department, Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd. (Japan)

Dr. Mario Hardy

２）Session 2

Theme ：Tourism Business and Community Wellbeing

Time ：11:10～12:00（Presentation 30 min., Panel Discussion 20 min.）

Moderator ：Prof. Graham Miller

Panelists ：Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and

Culture (Malaysia)

Mr. Paras Loomba, Founder & CEO, Global Himalayan Expedition (India)

Mr. Akihiko Sugawara, Chairman, Kesennuma Chamber of Commerce &

Industry (Japan)

３）Wrap-up Session

Theme ：Future for Sustainable Tourism Business

Time ：12:00～12:30

Moderator ：Mr. Masato Takamatsu

Panelists ：Dr. Mario Hardy, Prof. Graham Miller

＜Inbound Tourism Business Expo 2018＞

Again this year, Tourism EXPO Japan and Nikkei Inc. are co-organizing “Inbound Tourism Business

Expo” in the form of “fair in fair” at Tourism EXPO Japan.

We are accepting applications for exhibiting from the companies and organizations who deliver the

services supporting tourism businesses, such as marketing, multi-language & ICT solutions, video images

& web contents, related equipment & infrastructure, space design & interior, human resources, sales of

goods and experience planning.

Date& Time ：September 20 (Thurs) & 21 (Fri), 2018 for two days 10:00～18:00

Venue ：Inbound Tourism Business Expo 2018" area within East 5 - 6 Hall east exhibition

building of Tokyo Big Sight area

Organizers ：Tourism EXPO Japan, Nikkei Inc.

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■Tourism EXPO Japan 2018 Outline

Event Name Tourism EXPO Japan 2018

Date & Time

September 20th 09:30～20:00(Business day )

September 21st 10:00～20:00(Business day )

September 22nd

10:00～18:00

September 23rd

10:00～17:00

Organizers

Japan Travel and Tourism Association(JTTA)

Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)

Japan National Tourism Organization(JNTO)

Support

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Tourism Agency, Ministry of

Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan Sports Agency,

Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and

Fisheries, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of the Environment, Tokyo

Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, JETRO, Keidanren(Japan

Business Federation), The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), The Tokyo

Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Venue Tokyo Big Sight East Hall

Tokyo Big Sight Inc. 3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan 135-0063

Admission Fee

Admission Fees for September 22rd and 23th as general public

* Advance ticket: Adults 1,100 yen, Students 600 yen(tax included)

* Day ticket: Adults 1,300 yen, Students 700 yen(tax included)

Admission is free for junior and senior high school students, and elementary school

children and younger accompanied by a guardian.

* For students, Please bring student ID to show at the Admission office.

Concurrent

Event VISIT JAPAN Travel & MICE Mart (VJTM)2018(Organized by JNTO)

Official Website http://t-expo.jp/

Inquiries regarding Tourism Expo Japan

Tourism Expo Japan Promotion Office Tel：03-5510-2004 E-mail：event@t-expo.jp