Promotion of tourism industry

• The number of tourists (including both overnighters and day-trip visitors) has been greatly decreased due to the earthquake, nuclear accident and harmful reputation. While there has been some recovery in the number of visitors to Fukushima Prefecture, it still remains below the level seen before the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.
• While the number of visitors to Fukushima had been increasing until FY2019, the pandemic and repeated offshore earthquakes in Fukushima in 2021 and 2022 have caused the number of tourists to decline. 
• After the pandemic, the number of tourists and educational trips has been on the recovery trend.
• Cumulative number of foreign overnight visitors recovered significantly in FY2023, surpassing previous records.

Trends in tourist, educational trips and foreign overnight visitors

Number of Tourist

• There was a substantial decrease immediately after the earthquake, but a recovery was observed during 2019. This later dropped to levels similar to just after the disaster due to the pandemic, but has been on a recovery trend in FY2022.
• Fukushima Prefectural Tourism Promotion Division「Fukushima Prefecture Tourist Survey」https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/32031a/kanko-koryu3.html(Japanese Only)

Educational trips

• There was a significant decline immediately following the earthquake, but came back toward 2019. This later dropped to levels similar to just after the disaster due to the pandemic, but has been on a recovery trend in FY2022.
• Fukushima Prefectural Tourism Promotion Division「Fukushima Prefecture Educational Trip Survey Report」https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/32031a/kyouiku-irikomi.html(Japanese Only)

Cumulative number of foreign overnight visitors

• There was a significant decline following the earthquake, but came back toward 2019. This later fell back to levels similar to those immediately after the disaster due to the pandemic, but has been on a recovery trend in FY2023.
• Japan Tourism Agency「Overnight Trip Statistics」https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/siryou/toukei/shukuhakutoukei.html

Development of projects to attract visitors centred on Hope Tourism

Hamadori Blue Tourism

• A trip around destination associated with the sea in Coastal Area. You get to enjoy marine activities like fishing, surfing and beach bathing. You also get to enjoy fresh seafood. There are plans available where you can try horseback riding along the beach as well.
• Fukushima Prefecture Official Tourism Information Website "Fukushima Travel"  (Fukushima Journey)https://www.tif.ne.jp/jp/news.html?news=17664

Extreme Tourism

• The term "extreme" refers to "the extraordinary".  It signifies a journey where you can discover unseen landscapes and experience unprecedented sensations through activities full of thrills and adventures.
• Fukushima Prefecture's "EXTREME FUKUSHIMA'"https://extremefukushima.ne.jp

Tadami Line

• On 1 Oct. 2022, the track between Aizu-Kawaguchi station and Tadami station, which was severely damaged by the torrential rains in Niigata and Fukushima prefectures in July 2011, was fully restored and the line resumed full operations for the first time in about 11 years.
• Tadami Line offers captivating scenic views throughout the year with the Tadami River flowing alongside and the majestic mountains creating a tapestry of natural beauty.  
• "Tadami Line Portal Site"https://tadami-line.jp/

Green Tourism

• This is a stay-based leisure activity that allows visitors to enjoy the interaction with nature, culture and local communities in the green-rich rural areas. With its expansive landscape, Fukushima Prefecture offers distinctive experiential activities tailored to each region.
• Fukushima Prefecture "Fukushima Green Tourism"https://www.pref.fukushima.lg.jp/sec/32031a/fui-gt.html(Japanese Only)

Hope Tourism

• An educational journey where one can grow by witnessing the unfiltered reality of Fukushima and engaging in dialogue with the resilient individuals of Fukushima. Through this journey, participants contemplate the lessons learned from the earthquake and nuclear disaster, the path to recovery and how to overcome such adversity.
• The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum and the preserved remains of Namie Municipal Ukedo Elementary School, among others, attract numerous visitors.
• "Hope Tourism"https://www.hopetourism.jp/

Fermented Tourism

• A travel experience focusing on a healthy lifestyle, utilising the foods and culture of fermentation nurtured across different areas of Fukushima Prefecture.
• Fukushima Prefecture "Brew Fukushima" https://www.tif.ne.jp/hacco/(Japanese Only)