J-CAT
[Complete charter type] Sightseeing experience e-commerce site for inbound individual travelers Looking ahead to the post-corona era, “Wabunka”, an English version that solves the problems of the Japanese tourism industry, opens and accepts reservations
-Technology support for Japanese traditional culture and art fields, which are lagging behind IT and globalization-
While the deregulation of immigration is progressing worldwide and the number of foreigners visiting Japan is increasing, the hurdles to using Japanese tourism services are becoming an issue. Japan Culture and Technology Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Ryu Iikura, hereinafter referred to as J-CAT), which supports traditional Japanese culture, arts, and tourism with technology, works with craftsmen and artists in historic temples, shrines, and long-established workshops. Released the English version of the tourism experience EC site “Wabunka” that allows you to reserve a special experience in an extraordinary space. From October 5th (Wednesday), we have started accepting reservations for foreign individual travelers.
[Wabunka English version]
https://wabunka-media.jp/en/
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While the number of foreign visitors to Japan is increasing, the problem of “not knowing, not finding, not being able to convey” tourism experiences is becoming apparent
With the easing of immigration restrictions accelerating globally, the number of foreign visitors to Japan has exceeded 100,000 for five consecutive months since April 2022. From September onwards, it will be possible to accept tours without a tour conductor, and the number is expected to increase in the future. On the other hand, as value is found in the consumption of things rather than consumption of things, the fields of traditional culture and art in Japan are being left behind due to IT and globalization. However, there are issues such as “I don’t know, I can’t find it, I can’t tell you.”
Even if prospective travelers from overseas want to participate in sightseeing experiences, there is a lack of concrete information about what kind of culture Japan has. On the other hand, it is difficult for business operators to respond in English and the craftsmen are aging, making it difficult to attract customers and advertise using IT, making it difficult to find tourism experiences.
In addition, even if it is possible to implement a sightseeing experience, if the craftsman or artist who is the lecturer is not familiar with English, or if an English-speaking tourist guide can be arranged as an interpreter, In some cases, important backgrounds such as the spirit of craftsmen are not conveyed, making it difficult for both parties to communicate and experience Japanese arts and culture. (* Japan National Tourism Organization / JNTO:
https://www.jnto.go.jp/jpn/statistics/data_info_listing/pdf/20220921_monthly.pdf) English version of “Wabunka” released to solve inbound tourism issues for the post-corona era
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“Wabunka” is a service that allows you to book high-quality
“experiences” in extraordinary spaces such as historic Japanese temples and shrines, long-established workshops, and luxury hotels. Since the launch of the service for domestic individuals in 2021, the number of members and reservations has steadily increased even though tourism demand has dropped significantly due to the corona crisis. The English version has been opened to solve the problems of both foreigners visiting Japan and tourism businesses. We will expand genres that are highly in demand by foreign visitors to Japan and provide plans that support multiple languages. In addition, in response to the removal of the upper limit on the number of immigrants and the lifting of the ban on individual travel scheduled from October 11 (Tuesday), we will start accepting reservations for inbound individual travelers.
Features of the English version of “Wabunka” that realizes a private cultural experience in an extraordinary space
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A lineup of special experiences where you can fully enjoy Japanese culture Wabunka plans a better plan based on the analysis of user data accumulated through the operation of the Japanese version. We are devising and posting attractive experiences with the thoughts of people involved in the fields of traditional Japanese culture and art. Please look forward to the future lineup.
-An example of an experience plan-
◆Zazen Meditation Experience at Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto
Zazen experience to relax your body and mind at Daitokuji Daijiin in Kyoto -Conversation with a Buddhist monk and matcha green tea included-
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Daitokuji is the head temple of the Daitokuji sect of the Rinzai sect. This experience is a special plan to sit in meditation and have matcha green tea at Daiji-in Temple, which is a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji Temple and has a long history founded in 1585 (Tensho 13). At a temple that is normally closed to the public, you can sit in zazen with a beautiful garden in front of you, and have a chat while enjoying matcha green tea made by the monk himself. If you relax your body and mind while learning the spirit of Zen, you will be able to get the chance to spend your days with a light heart.
◆Uji Tea Ceremony Experience With Hands-on Green Tea Milling Experience Uji “Nakamura Tokichi Honten” Tea ceremony experience and full tea plan to enjoy strong tea and light tea -with raw tea jelly-
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“Nakamura Tokichi Honten” has been established for more than 160 years in Uji, Kyoto, which is synonymous with matcha. A Wabunka limited tea plan was born, where you can experience a tea ceremony in a tea room that is not open to the general public. You can also grind tencha with a stone mill, and learn about the world of tea while having fun. For meals, we will have “Cha Soba” and “Namacha Jelly”, which are the popular menus of Nakamura Tokichi Honten.
◆Private Tour and Traditional Braiding Workshop at Domyo Braid Shop Experience the 360-year history of Kumihimo Domyo through a private studio tour and accessory production in Ueno
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A long-established store with a history of 360 years, a private workshop tour and a craft experience to make Nara Gumi pierced earrings / earrings / necklaces. In addition to observing the process from silk thread dyeing to molding, you can make your own original braid accessories from the popular brand “DOMYO” sold at the store.
Also develops corporate service “Wabunka Experience”
J-CAT also offers the “Wabunka Experience,” a service for corporations that invites first-class craftsmen and artists to serve as lecturers and conduct corporate training through full-scale Japanese cultural experiences. Since the corona crisis, it has become difficult to hold events with immigration restrictions and large numbers of people. So far, we have mainly used global clients such as Amazon and Paris Saint-Germain FC. We will continue to support Japanese traditional culture and arts, and at the same time, we will continue to respond to inbound demand and travel needs in the post-corona era.
J-CAT’s founding history and CEO’s comment
“The impetus for founding the company was my own original experience. My mother, who is a calligrapher, wanted to spread the culture of calligraphy to people overseas. did not come true. Even if you have great talent as an artist, if you don’t do a good job of PR, your value won’t be noticed. I felt a strong sense of discomfort in such a situation.
In addition, when I was working for a trading company, I was assigned overseas and witnessed diverse cultures, IT, and technologies from all over the world. This made me keenly aware that the fields of culture and art in Japan were being left behind by technology.
Born in a family of artists, I want to use the knowledge I have gained in the IT field to support Japanese culture, art, and tourism with technology. We will contribute to the further development of the industry. ”
(Ryu Iikura / CEO of Japan Culture and Technology Co., Ltd.) ・You can download the photo materials used in this press release from here. https://m.wabunka-media.jp/3fCpQdW
・”Wabunka” is looking for business operators who can cooperate in posting, as well as guides and interpreters who can help guide guests. Please feel free to contact us from any page.
Businesses who wish to be listed here: https://wabunka-media.jp/for-provider Click here for guide/interpreter recruitment:
https://forms.gle/VEwLASncnhH3DJKL7
Company Profile
・Company name: Japan Culture and Technology Co., Ltd. (J-CAT) ・Representative: Ryu Iikura
・ Head office location: 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building (Coredo Nihonbashi) 5th floor / THE E.A.S.T. Nihonbashi 1-chome Room 01
・ Business: Operation of high-end sightseeing and experience reservation service “Wabunka”, planning and provision of traditional culture-related events for foreign visitors to Japan, support for artists and craftsmen (web production, IT support, etc.)
・Company HP: https://j-cat.co.jp/
Details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000012.000052864.html