Enjoying Online Tours in Japan During Covid
Are online tours only popular in Japan?
Japan has its own trends different from the rest of the world. For instance, so many older people still use flip phones there’s a huge market for them in Japan. We call those flip phones “Galapagos phones” — they continue their unique evolution in Japan.
Since the start of the Covid, tours in Japan have taken a similarly unique evolution as they’ve gone online.
I have been a big fan of KOTOBUS and Au TABI where they provide online tours in creative ways, including shipping customers local appetizers, drinks, a bag of coffee, and even a handmade seatbelt along with a travel brochure to enjoy the tour from home. I was happy to receive the packages that made the online experience more enjoyable.
Some of my friends like to participate HIS online world tours. They say it is a great way to discover the world and see where they want to visit in person when they can. It gives them lots of information prior to the actual visit. HIS had more than 150K guests participate in their online tours.
Online tours feel like another unique “galapagos” trend here in Japan during Covid. Some people are tired of online meetings and events but there are still many people who want to join online events.
Online tours are ideal for seniors and people with disabilities who have difficulty traveling. It’s also great for people who don’t have the time or income to travel abroad. It has been their joy to discover amazing locations through online tours.
During COVID, I have supported many sake breweries through more than 60 online sake brewery tours to raise the exposure of small craft sake breweries. It is enjoyable for me to see fermentation taking place (including inside the moromi tank) and go deep inside the brewery into the koji room and other places where guests aren’t normally allowed.
That is the online privilege. We also get to hear the explanation directly from the head brewer or the president of the brewery, adding value to those online events. If there’s demand, I want to support the small craft sake breweries as much as possible.
In March, there is an online bus tour to Kochi prefecture featuring Tsukasabotan sake brewery facilitated by the award-winning KOTOBUS.
People overseas can find the Tsukasabotan sake on their own and join the event from here. In the U.S., you can order a sake set for the tour from here (sent from Namazake Paul). Residents in Japan can apply through Peatix.
The tour is run by KOTOBUS so it’s going to be super fun! I look forward to learning about Kochi prefecture myself during the tour on March 20th.
What’s your favorite online tour? Have you ever joined one before? Tell me about your experiences in the comments. And if you haven’t joined one before and enjoy sake, this would be a great opportunity to travel Japan and see a brewery without having to leave home.
