The objective of our trip to Japan is to meet and develop a cooperative relationship with the US-Japan Economic, Business, and Cultural Forum in order to improve the contents of the Yokoso Japan, Aichi, & Mie tourism campaign promotion. The campaign is to attract prospective tourists in the United States such as the business community, college campuses, families, retirees, etc. through the Aichi, & Mie of Yokoso Japan. MiBiz is on a test tour along with Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, Aquinas College President Harry Knopke Ph.D. and Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce CEO Kathleen Mechem.

Sites and accomodations toured include:

• Westin Nagoya Castle
• Aichi Expo 2005
• Toyota Headquarters
• Kintetsu Railways train ride
• Tour Matsuzaka by bus
• Itsukinomiya Historic Auditorium
• Saigu History Museum
• Ise Shrine
• Okage Yokocho (Shopping Arcade) Experience in Flower Arrangements and Tea Ceremony
• Toba Kokusai Hotel
• Mikimoto Pearl Island
• Pearl Factory
• Toba Aquarium
• Yamaha Resort, "Nemuno Sato"
• Ocean Sightseeing Cruise in Mie
• Shima Kanko Hotel
• Bus Tour: Pearl Road to Samurai Village
• Chubu International Airport
• Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel
  

Articles about the trip are posted below. Also see the releated stories on the side bar to the right.

Click here to view photos from our trip!

The flash animation is from the Westin Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Japan. This was the first stop for accomodations on our trip.

Click here to visit theYokoso Japan website!

News from Japan! Click here to view photos from our trip!