View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/96cca9ea2a39/host-your-next-congress-in-japan-okinawa?e=2...) ** Welcome to the latest Japan Meetings & Events e-newsletter for Associations. ------------------------------------------------------------ We look forward to providing associations with relevant information and updates regarding hosting your future congress in Japan. ** Another Japanese proverb to kick off this edition's e-newsletter: ------------------------------------------------------------ 腹八分目 - Hara hachi bun me “Eat until you're 80% full” (An Okinawan practice contributing to their longevity.) Since 11 October 2022, the visa-waiver program from 68 countries (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=a5c22757ef&e=202c24bde1) has been reinstated. FIT travel is allowed to resume. Daily pax arrival caps have been removed. At this stage, travellers are still required to either: Be triple vaccinated and provide a vaccine certificate, OR Have a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure. A convenient online application (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=af9bb77f44&e=202c24bde1) has now been established for international travellers, and visitors are encouraged to use this for quick and easy entry into Japan. Click here for more information (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=5c380dc848&e=202c24bde1) Okinawa Japan's southernmost prefecture and chain of islands (160 of them) is known for its beautiful beaches and abundant sealife, unique Ryukyu culture, World Heritage sites as well as qualifying as one of the world's five 'blue zones' given its high proportion of centenarians. Naha Tug-of-War Festival in autumn Okinawa Prefecture has a population of 1.45 million living amongst 49 islands (of which Okinawa is the largest) and the highest percentage of young Japanese. Located in a subtropical zone, Okinawa offers a mild climate all year round with an average temperature of over 20℃, seldom going below 10℃ even in winter, and is therefore suitable for hosting outdoor MICE events throughout the year. Transport: Okinawa is roughly 2.5 hours by plane from Tokyo. The main airport for flights to Okinawa is Naha Airport with some domestic and international flights landing in some of the more remote islands such as Ishigaki and Miyako. Buses, taxis and a monorail assist with transportation on the main island. Key Business Sectors: Tourism is the largest sector with IT, logistics and construction industries, growing. Farming agricultural crops and the processing of foods such as pineapple and sugar, is the number one manufacturing industry. What to Visit: The Blue Cave (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=ed2b1af414&e=202c24bde1) and other snorkelling or scuba diving spots (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=a4225670a2&e=202c24bde1) , endless beaches and resorts to enjoy, World Heritage sites such as hiking in the beautiful Yambaru National Park (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=56633be02e&e=202c24bde1) or kayaking on Iriomote Island (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=e2661fd3f9&e=202c24bde1) and visiting Shuri Castle (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=6d4d0feecd&e=202c24bde1) in Naha (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=b70d7433ae&e=202c24bde1) the capital of Okinawa. Try to time your visit to experience one of the many centuries-old and local festivals like the tug-of-war (pictured above), Shishimai (lion dance) festival and Dragon Boat races. What to Eat: 'Awamori', a liqueur unique to Okinawa made from Indica long-grain rice and aged in clay pots to mellow it, is most commonly served with water and ice, but it can also be enjoyed straight; 'shiquasa', Okinawa's answer to the lime; Okinawa raw cane sugar, often eaten as a sweet treat during teatime; and 'soki' which are pork spare ribs soaked in awamori, soy sauce and sugar and placed in a noodle soup. Click here for more information - Okinawa (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=4163c33763&e=202c24bde1) Bankoku Shinryokan A tranquil convention centre surrounded by stunning coastal scenery, Bankoku Shinryokan (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=531a2d9ab1&e=202c24bde1) , meaning “Bridge between nations”, is one of Japan’s leading resort-type MICE facilities that hosted the 26th G8 summit (see inset picture). It offers excellent hospitality and support services for international conferences and academic meetings and can host almost 1000 attendees in theatre-style format in its Summit Hall (500), Ocean Hall (340) and Sunset Lounge (128). Okinawa Convention Centre - Theatre Okinawa Convention Centre Located on the west coast of Central Okinawa Island, adjoining the beach, Okinawa Convention Centre (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=43ab2f20ec&e=202c24bde1) (OCC) is the largest multi-function complex in the Prefecture with a theatre, exhibition hall and 12 large and small conference rooms. The theatre offers an unique space for 1700 people but the exhibition hall, with a maximum capacity of 5000 people, is a multi-purpose space that can be used for product fairs, exhibitions and major conventions. The many conference rooms can be used for meetings or workshops. Contact the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau for more info (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=fc26d3eba9&e=202c24bde1) Download Okinawa Planning Resources here (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=a54926cd02&e=202c24bde1) ORIENTAL HOTEL OKINAWA RESORT & SPA This resort-style hotel located 6 minutes by car from Bankoku Shinryokan conference centre, offers ocean views from the private balconies of all of its 361 spacious guest rooms (from 44m2 in area). Boasting one of the largest pools in Okinawa Prefecture with a total length of 170m, the Oriental Hotel's (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=ea1061ed12&e=202c24bde1) resort garden pool and its other smaller pools and jacuzzis, offer a panoramic view of the sunset over the East China Sea. LAGUNA GARDEN HOTEL Only an 8-minute walk from Okinawa Convention Centre, the Laguna Garden Hotel (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=134a927dc0&e=202c24bde1) has 303 generous guest rooms with beautiful views overlooking a blue lagoon, as befits its name. The location provides a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere and there are many leisure options to enjoy during some downtime with an indoor pool, outdoor pool, public bathhouse and direct hotel access on foot to Tropical Beach. The Ryukyu Kingdom Okinawa Prefecture, previously called the Ryukyu Kingdom, was once an independent country before it became part of Japan. The island survived by trading with its surrounding countries, China, Japan and SE Asia, welcoming and entertaining their guests 'in the spirit of courtesy'. Although small, the Ryukyu Kingdom had a rich culture and skilled artisans and achieved strong relationships through their diplomatic gifts. As a result, many aspects from different cultures were absorbed into the kingdom which resulted in the development of unique cuisine, entertainment, arts and crafts, still practiced today: Ryukyu lacquerware, awamori liqueur, textiles and dance performances. And although the Ryukyu Kingdom is no longer, you can still find scattered throughout the main island of Okinawa nine ruins (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=665fdd1ef2&e=202c24bde1) symbolizing its culture. Another reason to come and visit Okinawa is that it is quite different from the rest of Japan and shows another side of the country that visitors may not have experienced before. Yotsutake Ryukyu Dance Upcoming Meetings and Events in Japan (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=542975de88&e=202c24bde1) Visit Japanmeetings.org (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=f9cad69eed&e=202c24bde1) Download Resources for MICE Planners (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=982425d86d&e=202c24bde1) View the Japan Virtual Site Tour (https://gainingedge.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ecff7b7b23ff03219da8552ad&id=63e0bbf499&e=202c24bde1) ** Thank you. We look forward to assisting you with planning your next event in Japan. ------------------------------------------------------------ ============================================================ Disclaimer You are receiving this email because your email address is on our subscribers' list. If you are not interested in receiving more emails like this one, please click on the Unsubscribe link below. Every effort has been made to provide accurate information at the time of publication and we encourage you to contact the featured suppliers or the destination’s Convention & Visitors Bureau directly, to find out more detailed information. 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