CHIBA -- The Chiba city government is stepping up efforts to welcome Muslim tourists with "omotenashi" hospitality. Muslim visitors to Chiba, mainly from Southeast Asia, are expected to continue increasing, and the city wants to make their time in the city comfortable.
Measures include Japanese cooking classes for children on educational trips, and preparing a map of hotels and restaurants that can accommodate the needs of Muslim guests.
"We're trying to promote the city to them, by taking steps to weclome Muslim visitors," an official of the city government said.
Seven students from junior high and high schools in Malaysia made futomaki thick sushi rolls at Makuhari Baytown in Mihama Ward, Chiba, on Sept. 12. They were on an educational trip and stayed with host families in the city.
Taking instruction from an executive chef of the hotel, the students put vinegared rice, shrimp and fried egg on a sheet of seaweed and rolled it. They clapped when they cut the roll and saw its beautiful cross-section.
"I can't believe I could make it. I'll do it for my family when I get back home," a 15-year-old participant said.
The city government has hosted educational trips from Malaysia since 2014, when its citizens were exempted from needing sightseeing visas and local hotels had started to produce halal meals. About 230 students from junior high school and high school have participated so far.
This year, seven students spent three days and two nights in Chiba.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, there are growing numbers of visitors from Southeast Asian countries with sizable Muslim populations, such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
According to major travel agency H.I.S. Co., economic growth in these countries has heightened interest by the middle class in foreign travel. Chiba is a popular destination with its good access to Narita Airport, an amusement park and strawberry-picking popular among foreign tourists.
A total of 24,460 Malaysians stayed at least one night in Chiba last year, about 2.7 times the 9,228 who did so in 2016. The number is expected to continue growing as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics approach.
The city government issued an original map titled "Around Tokyo Chiba City -- Muslim Friendly Map," which introduces restaurants and hotels that can accomodate Muslims. The fourth edition of the map was to be published on Sept. 18.
It mainly covers the Makuhari area and near JR Chiba Station, and contains information about prayer spaces and halal certification. Distributed at the Chiba City Tourist Information Center and hotels, it can also be downloaded for free from the city government website.
"We want to take advantage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to bring more Muslim visitors [to Chiba]," a city government official said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
