Empowering Local Communities Through Sustainable Tourism in Kansai

From January 21 to February 18, 2026, the Kansai Center of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Kansai) will host a training program focused on sustainable tourism. Thirteen tourism experts from twelve developing countries will explore various regions of Kansai, including Shiga, Osaka, Hyogo, and Wakayama, to learn about sustainable tourism practices that contribute to local communities.

The Background: Why Focus on "Sanpo Yoshi" Tourism Now?

Tourism is increasingly seen as a cornerstone for economic growth in many developing nations. However, this rapid growth has exposed serious issues, such as profits from tourism development not benefiting local residents or environmental degradation occurring due to a surge in tourist numbers. To address these challenges, the training program will incorporate the philosophy of “Sanpo Yoshi” (the three-way satisfaction of sellers, buyers, and society) from Omi merchants, promoting a form of tourism that brings happiness to tourists, businesses, and local communities alike.

Participants, all active officials from tourism ministries or local governments in their home countries, will delve into sustainable tourism that prioritizes the well-being of local residents alongside that of tourists and businesses.

Program Highlights: Transforming Local Authenticity into Value

The program involves visits to Shiga, Osaka, Hyogo, and Wakayama, showcasing sites that promote tourism leveraging local uniqueness rather than large-scale development.

Shiga Prefecture: Becoming a Chestnut for Tourists Without Notable Attractions

Participants will learn about Shiga Prefecture, which lacks famous tourist resources yet attracts international visitors. Positioned next to the renowned tourist attractions of Kyoto, Shiga's strategies provide valuable insights for regions in developing countries that are similarly resource-constrained.

- Farm Stay Experiences in Higashiomi

During their stay, participants will experience Japanese rural life by homestaying with farmers, engaging in agricultural activities, and sharing meals in a Japanese household, fostering connections with local families. This approach has gained increasing popularity among foreign tourists, emphasizing the charm of rural Japan.

- Interactions with High School Students in Otsu

Participants will conduct fieldwork in collaboration with students from Otsu Commercial High School. On the final day, they will present their findings about Shiga's appeal and suggestions to the Shiga Prefectural Government from a foreign perspective, further enhancing experiential learning.

Osaka Prefecture: Reimagining Shopping Streets as Hotels in Higashi-Osaka

Participants will observe the concept of “SEKAI HOTEL,” which turns an entire shopping district into a hotel by repurposing vacant homes. Instead of dining at a single hotel, guests enjoy breakfast and dinner at various eateries in the shopping district, fostering economic returns to the local community and promoting natural interactions between residents and visitors. This concept offers a refreshing perspective to participants from developing countries where such community-driven commercial spaces are less common.

As international attention increasingly turns toward sustainable tourism, initiatives like these illustrate a path forward, harnessing the strengths of local cultures while benefiting the economies of developing nations. The collaboration fostered through this training program promises to yield insights not just for participants but for their home countries, setting a new standard for tourism development that prioritizes local values. By learning from Kansai's innovative practices, these experts can implement thoughtful tourism strategies that uplift communities at home and abroad.