#Japan #Ehime #WaWo Japan Travel #Inbound Guide

Training Course for Inbound Guides in Ehime

Wawo Japan Travel Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the training course aimed at nurturing inbound guides for foreign visitors in Ehime Prefecture. This initiative is part of a collaboration with Ehime Prefecture, marking the third consecutive year of involvement in this significant program.

Growing Interest in Ehime

As foreign travelers increasingly choose Ehime as their destination, the prefecture has seen a notable rise in foreign accommodation figures each year. In a recent report by the Japan Tourism Agency, Ehime ranked second in the nation in the growth rate of foreign visitor stays amongst prefectures for the year 2024. The statistics reveal that South Koreans represent 38% of visitors, followed by 30% from Taiwan, 11% from the United States, 7% from China, 5% from Hong Kong, and 4% from Europe. To enhance satisfaction among these travelers and increase tourism spending across various regions, Ehime Prefecture is proactive in training inbound guides.

Course Structure and Details

The 2025 Inbound Guide Training Course for travelers from Europe, America, and Australia caters to motivated individuals who wish to engage as inbound guides regardless of whether they hold a certified interpreter-guide license. This year’s course comprises three main components aimed at cultivating the essential skills and knowledge needed for effective guiding.

Participants will first attend online seminars led by industry professionals who will provide foundational knowledge about inbound guiding and introduce the unique tourist offerings of Ehime. Following this, participants will engage in practical training through visits to popular sites within Matsuyama City and the Ozu and Uchiko areas, allowing them to practice their guiding skills in a real-world context. In addition, an information exchange meeting will connect participants with tourism companies that cater to foreign visitors, fostering valuable networking opportunities to support their future endeavors as guides.

Course Schedule

• - Course Name: 2025 Inbound Guide Training Course for Travelers from Europe, America, and Australia
• - Organizer: Ehime Prefecture
• - Participation Fee: Free of Charge
• - More Information: Wawo Japan Official Page

Lecture Details

1. Fundamentals of Inbound Guiding
Date & Time: February 9, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Instructor: Kenichi Takagi, Wawo Japan Travel

2. Experiences as a Certified Interpreter-Guide
Date & Time: February 10, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Instructors: Kazuo Ito, Masami Tokuboko from the Shikoku Tourism Interpreter Association

3. Tourist Offerings in Ozu and Uchiko
Date & Time: February 12, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Instructor: Shi-Han Hsieh, Kita Management

4. Tourist Offerings in Matsuyama
Date & Time: February 13, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Instructor: Ruth Virgin, Special Professor at Ehime University

Orientation for Practical Training

Date: February 13, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Format: Online
Note: This session will follow the fourth lecture.

Practical Training Schedule

• - Day 1: Matsuyama

Date & Time: February 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (tentative)
Tour Locations: Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen, and Ishiteji (tentative)

• - Day 2: Ozu and Uchiko

Date & Time: March 1, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM (tentative)
Tour Locations: Garyuso, Ozu Castle Town, and Uchiko Town (tentative)

Information Exchange Meeting

Date: March 5, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (tentative)
Location: Conference Room near Matsuyama Station

For those interested in contributing to inbound tourism in Ehime, we eagerly await your applications!