I am reading in the news right now that the Japan Tourism Agency is planning to give away 10,000 flights to Japan beginning next year!
According to Fox News:
It’s not finalized yet, but Japan’s national tourism agency has announced it plans to give away 10,000 free airlines tickets to international tourist who visit the country.
The giveaway — set to start in April if it receives final government approval–is an effort help Japan boost its beleaguered tourism industry crippled after the tsunami and Fukushima nuclear plant disasters.
To apply for the flights, visitors will be required to submit online applications, including details of where they plan to visit, reported The Yomiuri Shimbun, citing preliminary plans.
I will definitely be keeping my eyes and ears open to when this begins and how we can apply, and will of course let you know when I find out. How about you? If you won a free flight to Japan, would you go, despite the risks?
Hiragana Mama 
Hm… sounds desperate which makes me sad… I think tourism is dying there. People in Japan try to support local tourism. I hope next year will be better and I can go home in summer… hmm.. 😦
You’re right, it is sad 😦 Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure its likely that tourism will be down for a long time after what has happened. Even people like me who desperately want to visit Japan have reservations about going. I hope they recover quickly and will be able to find many ways to support their economy.
We’d be there in a flash – the only thing is that I understand that the tickets will be available from April… so our baby would be all but 1-2 months. Not good for travelling. However, if we could choose the time, it would be fantastic. The other thing is that they don’t necessarily say where you have to stay (although Tokyo isn’t a problem for us either, especially as we’ve family there).
Japan definitely needs to kick-start the tourist economy again. I don’t think you should have too many reservations. The risks are very small outside of the immediate area, and it also comes down to exposure… if you’re there a few weeks is a lot different to living in around the affected areas. Life’s too short to take too few risks… as long as you know the risks you’re taking IMO.
From the little I understand so far, it sounds like it begins in April but will go on for awhile so I would still apply! You get a free flight to Japan but where you go/stay is up to you (and not paid for). Hope they release more details soon.
I would absolutely go! I love it there, and I miss my friends, and I really want to help those affected by the tsunami any way I can. Free tickets would be awesome.
Also, just wanted to say that I stumbled on your site today and I’m super stoked. I used your kabutomushi coloring page to do an appliqued onesie for my son due any day now. 😀 Arigatou!!
A kabutomushi onesie? Sounds super cute! Congratulations, and good luck with the next few days!!
I heard about it. How can the government afford that many? And for those worried about the radiation risks, I suppose they could always fly to the southern part of Japan which is far away. I would go there in a heartbeat!
True, the southern part of Japan would be lovely!! I’ve heard it is similar to Hawaii. I have no idea where this money is going to come from.
I have just come upon tis site and think it will help me aslo as I am trying to learn the Japanese language. What I see so far is good.
Yeah!
I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for people to travel to Japan. I’ve only stopped over in the airport on the way to Taiwan, but I would love to visit some day.
it sounds sooooo good, i will participate it an i hope that i win one Ticket^^ I Love Japan