Naotake Odake, former managing director of the Japan Tourist Bureau (JTB) and once director of the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau, spent years of his professional life traveling to cities across the globe in order to promote Tokyo as a worthwhile tourist destination. In his travels, he noticed a trait shared by all the major cities: they each had a unique and well-recognized landmark embodying the history and culture of the land. According to Odake, a structure of this sort is vital to bolstering a spirit of pride in any given population. Unfortunately for Tokyo, he believes that this sort of historical landmark is something that Japan’s capital city severely lacks. What he has against Asakusa Temple, Tokyo Tower, or Tokyo Skytree, I’m really not sure. But, it is for this reason that Odake has taken the lead as the chairman of a non-profit organization which hopes to rebuild the Edo Castle’s innermost tower. “In order to present Tokyo as a proud tourist city, we need something like Edo Castle,” he says. But will the payoff really outweigh the costs?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
New anime mecha figure’s pilot is…you!?!【Photos】
Japan’s buzzword of the year nominees: A great way to learn and be baffled by Japanese vocabulary
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Starbucks Japan releases the new Soupuccino, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
Death Spray from Japan causes buzz online for powerful ability to cut ties with bad energy
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Starbucks Japan releases the new Soupuccino, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
Death Spray from Japan causes buzz online for powerful ability to cut ties with bad energy
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Chinese drivers flocking to Japan for quick and easy route to international licenses
Where’s the very best seat to sit in on Japan’s Shinkansen? Our expert has an answer
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Ichiran Ramen opens new premium branch in Ginza with high-class boxed noodles
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】