On November 10 and November 24, a group from the OKUYAMA Masayuki Seminar at the School of Political Science and Economics conducted a demonstration test for the Tama Weekly Tourism, a demonstration test event for micro-tourism, in Tama City, Tokyo.
The event was adopted as a project by the Tama Area Microtourism Project Executive Committee, which consists of Tama City and other organizations. The project is an initiative that invites applications for micro-tourism projects based on issues in the Tama area of Tokyo, and aims to create and commercialize projects in cooperation with local governments, tourism associations, and local businesses.
The Tama Weekly Tourism, organized by the OKUYAMA Seminar, is a daily and “ultra” micro-tourism aimed at preventing frailty (a condition in which mental and physical functions have become weaker), targeting the elderly in light of an aging population and other challenges in cities with suburban residential areas. Leveraging parks and pedestrian walkways that have not been used as tourism resources as tourism resources, the project combines food and interaction to create opportunities for going out, engaging with people and the feel of travel, and offers these experiences in combination.
The participants experience enjoyment from around the world and then interact with each other through a focus on food. As for enjoyment from around the world, they enjoyed Molkky, which originated in Finland,
Chautong Huetang, a traditional play from Myanmar, and
Netachinne, a traditional play from Nepal, and experienced parts of different cultures from around the world. As for food, we prepared, for instance, lunch boxes using local ingredients in collaboration with companies in Tama City, which is actively hiring people with disabilities.
We received participants’ comments such as: “It was very exciting and helpful in revitalizing our community”, “I have become more confident of enjoying my life in good health” and “I want to invite my friends to participate in the next event.” Based on the participants’ opinions, we will work to improve the quality of the project, and commercialize it from next year onward, aiming to involve other municipalities in the Tama area.
Comment from YAMADA Nao , the representative for the group
In Tama Weekly Tourism, participants enjoy eating lunch boxes using local vegetables and enjoyment from around the world in a park full of greenery in Tama City. Through this project, we want to further deepen our ties with Tama and refine the project so that it will work as a catalyst for the creation of new communities and hobbies for the elderly.
Comment from Professor OKUYAMA, a seminar instructor
Suburbs, which are neither rural nor urban, face many challenges, such as a rapidly aging population, while residents are returning to urban areas. The Seminar will continue to work on not only local revitalization but also suburban revitalization.
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