Innovative Golf Tourism Connecting Regions and the World: Amatellus Report

Amatellus Exchange Meeting Report: The Second Gathering

On March 4, 2026, Golf Tourism Japan Co., Ltd., led by Takafumi Kojima, hosted the second Amatellus exchange meeting at Sanbo BAR in Hamamatsucho, Tokyo. Titled “Innovative Golf Tourism Connecting Regions and the World,” the event brought together 30 stakeholders from the golf industry and local revitalization sectors. Participants engaged in enlightening discussions about the potential of golf tourism and its connections to local communities.

Event Highlights: Guest Talks that Enrich Local Revitalization

The highlight of the event was a talk session featuring Kenji Shintani, the CEO of Craft T Co., who leads a community of entrepreneurs. As an acclaimed innovator, Shintani shared his experiences of redefining local resources through tea production based in Shizuoka Prefecture. His insights resonated strongly with attendees, making it a valuable learning experience for many.

Following the talk, an informal networking session took place, where participants naturally grouped around their interests in local revitalization, inbound tourism, and golf business. This created new networks that went beyond existing connections, embodying Amatellus's vision of spreading the excitement generated at the event throughout Japan. The recurrent phrase, “I want to deliver this value to all 47 prefectures,” captures the essence of what Amatellus aims to achieve: a self-sufficient approach to regional development through impactful golf tourism.

Many participants were particularly enthused by Shintani's discussion on local initiatives. The gathering provided a platform for like-minded individuals interested in local revitalization and inbound tourism to connect and share ideas.

Announcement for Upcoming Event

Theme: Traditional Culture x Local Revitalization x Inbound Tourism

The next Amatellus meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2026, at the Sanbo Bar in Minato, Tokyo. The session will feature Ryota Tokairin, Executive Director of the International Traditional Culture Promotion Association and CEO of ITOSHIO, as a special guest. This gathering will explore the integration of traditional culture into the framework of local revitalization and inbound tourism while discussing how to sustain traditional culture as a viable industry.

Event Details:

- Date: April 23, 2026
- Time: Doors open at 17:15, followed by the event from 17:30 to 19:30.
- Location: Sanbo Bar, Hamamatsucho, Minato City, Tokyo
- Guest Speaker: Ryota Tokairin, Executive Director of the International Traditional Culture Promotion Association
- Registration: Details and Sign-Up

What is Amatellus?

Amatellus is a co-creation program with the mission of “connecting regions and the world to create lasting ties.” Through its connector system and the Izanami Golf platform, it aims to broadcast Japan's golf resources to the global stage and achieve local revitalization. Moreover, the launch of the golf tourism platform “Izanami Golf” officially connects affluent overseas travelers with local communities in Japan, heralding a new chapter for golf tourism in the country.

Brand Message: “TELL US WHERE TO PLAY.” This slogan encourages travelers to share their preferred golfing destinations, while partners convey insights on valuable local experiences, merging these voices to foster new travel opportunities.

Background and Market Opportunities

Japan ranks second globally in the number of golf courses, yet its appeal has been scattered across regions. Amatellus aims to integrate these fragmented values and enhance them to meet international standards, thereby elevating inbound golf tourism and contributing to the realization of local revitalization.