Politics · Japan · 12 hrs ago
Kagoshima Shinkansen subsidy draws 1,004 bookings after a month
Kagoshima is subsidising one-way Shinkansen fares for foreign tourists travelling from Hakata in Fukuoka to Kagoshima-Chuo.
To qualify, travellers must stay at least one night at accommodation in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The scheme has a budget of 278 million yen and aims to bring in 20,000 overnight stays.
It had 1,004 bookings by October 13, about a month after reservations opened, but the number of people who will use the subsidy has not yet been counted.
Kagoshima Governor Shiota said promotion had not spread widely enough, and the prefecture plans to work with travel companies to publicise the offer.
The prefecture says it will step up promotion, while a separate local tourism support scheme had used more than 90% of its budget by October 13.
Kagoshima Prefecture’s subsidy for foreign tourists using the Kyushu Shinkansen had received 1,004 bookings by October 13, about a month after reservations opened.
The scheme subsidizes a one-way fare from Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo for foreign tourists who stay at least one night in Kagoshima Prefecture.
The prefecture budgeted 278 million yen and expected the scheme to generate 20,000 overnight stays.
Governor Koichi Shiota said promotion had not yet reached enough people and that the scheme had been running for only a short time.
A separate prefectural tourism support program had used more than 90% of its budget by October 13.
- Who
- Kagoshima Prefecture is offering the subsidy to foreign tourists visiting from Fukuoka.
- What
- The prefecture subsidizes a one-way Kyushu Shinkansen fare from Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo. Travelers must stay at least one night in Kagoshima Prefecture.
- When
- Reservations opened on September 18. There were 1,004 bookings as of October 13.
- Where
- The subsidized trip is from Hakata, Fukuoka, to Kagoshima-Chuo, Kagoshima.
- Why
- The prefecture aims to attract foreign tourists visiting Fukuoka to Kagoshima.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Reservations opened for the Shinkansen fare subsidy.
Kagoshima Prefecture reported 1,004 bookings and Governor Koichi Shiota commented on the scheme’s promotion.
- Bookings
- 1,004 as of October 13
- Budget
- 278 million yen
- Target
- 20,000 overnight stays
- Eligibility
- At least one night at accommodation in Kagoshima Prefecture
- Booking start
- September 18
What people are saying
It feels like the promotion has not really reached people, and it has not been running for very long, which makes things somewhat difficult.