Japan invites planners to get creative with unique venues

Beyond Japan's "big three" cities of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, where are the other prime, unique venues for hosting international conventions, events and incentives?

That was the agenda of a recent webinar hosted by Japan National Tourism Organization on 24 January, uncovering the where, why, and what planners can look out for in Okinawa, Fukuoka, Kobe, and Hokkaido.

Okinawa

The only sub-tropical zone in Japan, Okinawa hosts more than 1,000 MICE events per year, at various conventional venues including the Okinawa Convention Center (5,000 pax), National Theatre Okinawa (632 pax), and Music Town OTO-ICHIBA (1,100 pax) among others.

For something different, planners can opt for a Valley of Gangala Cave party (180 pax), events at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (100 pax), or the Fukushuen Garden which also offers the option of adding traditional tea ceremonies or concerts.

Groups also often plan itineraries to include trips out to sea either aboard the 'Moby Dick' for a dinner cruise, or a dive into the famous Blue Cave.

New hotel builds since 2021 include the 22-key Blue Ocean Hotel & Resort Miyakojima, and the 43-key Loisir Terrace and Villas Kouri Resort.

Fukuoka

Kyushu region's largest city, Fukuoka has the second most number of meetings in Japan behind capital Tokyo, and home to some next generation technologies including hydrogen energy development and industrial robotics.

Popular conference venues include the Fukuoka Sunpalace Hotel & Hall (2,316 pax), Grand Hyatt Fukuoka (1,000 pax theatre style), parties at the Marine World Uminonakamichi (150 pax), or the Hakata Bay crusing "Mariera" which serves up French cuisine for private charters of up to 230 (standing events).

Fukuoka's location in the northernmost Kyushu region also means groups with extra days and larger budgets can even consider a ferry ride to Busan in South Korea.

New hotel builds since mid-2020 include the 29-key Amistad Hotel Fukuoka for those with a smaller budget, the 159-key The 358 Sora which has 16 themed room styles.

Sapporo

The fifth largest Japanese city, Sapporo offers more than 30,000 hotel rooms, and conference venue staples include the Sapporo Convention Center (2,500 pax), Royton Sapporo (2,014 theatre style), or the iconic Glass Pyramid of Moerenuma Park, a former landfill site now offering 188.8 hectares of green parkland, a Hokkaido Michelin star French restaurant and event space for government events.

Like most Olympic host cities, Sapporo's Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium which was used for the Winter Olympics in 1972 is now a unique venue with an observatory (100 pax). Another fun option: the Shiroi Koibito Park (80 pax) — a chocolate factory which offers private tours.

New hotel builds since late 2020 include the 41-key 41 Pieces Sapporo, and the 318-key Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Sapporo.

Kobe

The capital of the Hyogo prefecture in the Kansai region, Kobe is an easy day trip away from Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima for groups with more flexibility to play around with longer trips.

Famous not just for its beef, the city has more than 60 convention and exhibition facilities, and is home to one of Asia's largest medical clusters.

Among the some 49 venues, there's the Kobe International Exhibition Hall which offers a massive capacity of 13,000 pax across its conference hall and rooms, or how about events in a cultural space within the Minatogawa Shrine Nanko Hall (250 pax)?

Unique venues include the 1934-built Garden Palace Soshuen which can host meetings, training, seminars, and lectures; or the Luminous Kobe 2, modelled after the SS Normandie, a luxury liner from the 1930s which now hosts 2,000 passengers for events while overlooking Kobe City and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

New hotel builds include the 209-key Remm plus Kobe Sannomiya, and 87-key Centurion Hotel Vintage Kobe.