#Japan #Tokyo #Japan tourism #Touristship #Travel Quiz

Introduction

On October 25, 2025, the '2nd Nationwide Travel Quiz Event' will take place, uniting four prefectures: Yamagata, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. This initiative aims to promote tourism etiquette and foster connections between travelers and local cultures through engaging quizzes. After the success of the inaugural event last year, this year’s format builds on the collaboration between these regions, creating a vibrant platform for culture exchange, recognizing the importance of travel etiquette in combating overtourism.

What is the Travel Quiz Event?

The 'Travel Quiz Event' sets up dedicated booths at various tourist locations where travelers can learn about the unique culture, history, and etiquette of that area through interactive quiz formats. Participants can quickly engage and learn while enjoying the experience, naturally absorbing the necessary manners and rules. Since its inception in 2023, the event has spread across over 15 regions from Hokkaido to Okinawa, attracting around 24,000 participants, with more than 90% being international visitors, resulting in exceptional multilingual support and positive feedback from overseas travelers. The term 'Touristship' epitomizes this movement, representing a sportsmanship-like behavior in tourism, where visitors enjoy their stay while being considerate and contributing positively to the places they visit.

Goals of the Nationwide Event

The collaboration among local governments and tourism organizations allows for a unified approach to promote tourism etiquette on a larger scale.

1. Addressing Overtourism Collectively

Overtourism is a challenge that cannot be solved by individual regions alone. The flow of tourists often spans across multiple cities and areas, necessitating shared information and strategies to address these issues jointly.

2. Delivering a Unified Message to Tourists

Holding the event simultaneously nationwide creates a compelling narrative for travelers. Instead of fragmented communications from individual regions, this synchronized effort sends a strong message that various areas across Japan are collectively tackling tourism etiquette, making a notable impression on visitors as a unified national initiative.

3. Facilitating Knowledge Exchange Between Regions

Despite their geographical differences, regions often face similar challenges. By sharing successful strategies and knowledge, localities can learn from one another, allowing each destination to evolve and adapt their tourism practices continually.

Event Locations and Schedule (From North to South)

• - Yamagata Prefecture: Iide-machi, at the Roadside Station Iide Mezami-no-Sato (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
• - Tokyo: Sumida-ku, in front of the Sumida Hokusai Museum (11:00 AM – 3:30 PM)
• - Tokyo: Taito-ku, at Senso-ji Temple (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
• - Kyoto: Kyoto City, at the Nijo Castle (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
• - Kyoto: Kyoto City, at Yasaka Shrine (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
• - Kyoto: At the foot of Arashiyama Shoryuen (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
• - Hiroshima Prefecture: Hatsukaichi City, in front of the Miyajima Ferry Terminal (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)

Event Details

Iide-machi, Yamagata

The Roadside Station Iide Mezami-no-Sato aims to alleviate congestion at the popular scenic spot of Lake Shirakawa’s submerged forest through initiatives like night illuminations for nighttime visits and financial support for parking to address traffic issues, showing a balanced approach between economic growth, environmental preservation, and enhancing locals' satisfaction with tourism.

Sumida-ku, Tokyo

The Sumida Hokusai Museum is distributing tools to encourage proper tourist etiquette among lodging facilities, addressing issues like smoking, littering, and noise. They host cultural exchange events incorporating tea ceremonies and traditional performances to foster harmony between tourists and residents.

Kyoto City

Nijo Castle continues to advocate for sustainable tourism while striving to enhance Kyoto’s tourism experience. They focus on creating lasting memories that contribute positively to local society.

Arashiyama

The Arashiyama Shoryuen has rebirthed the popular bamboo grove lighting event, 'Arashiyama Tsukitouro.' They create delightful nighttime paths and paid areas to enrich evening tourism, dispersing foot traffic and invigorating the local economy.

Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima

At the Miyajima Ferry Terminal, the city emphasizes the principle of 'Shikoh Yoshi,' aiming for tourism that is friendly to tourists, the economy, the environment, and residents. They promote facilities that ease congestion and improve the quality of visitor experiences.

Continuous Community Engagement

As the Senso-ji Temple and Yasaka Shrine continually engage with the public through the Touristship initiative, they emphasize the importance of maintaining tourism manners and rules on an ongoing basis.

Conclusion

The 'Travel Quiz Event' represents a critical step toward promoting responsible tourism practices across Japan, reflecting the collective ambitions of local governments and tourism bodies. By participating in these events, visitors not only enjoy learning about local customs but contribute to a sustainable future for tourism in Japan.