Hokkaido University Research Profiles

Japanese
Tourism / Community development

Applied Research on Content Tourism

International comparative study on the propagation and acceptance of culture through content tourism and its application to the planning of tourism town planning measures

We are conducting an international comparative study of content tourism from the perspective of the propagation and reception of pop culture to clarify the role that such tourism plays in understanding others. The knowledge gained through this research is also returned to the fields of tourism and urban planning in the form of specific measures.

Content of research

Through this research, we are conducting an international joint research project on content tourism (the act of actually visiting a place that is given meaning by a “story” or “work” and its constituent elements, and experiencing the relevant content) with the following three objectives:
First, we will clarify the role that such tourism plays in understanding others by rethinking content tourism from the perspective of the propagation and receipt of pop culture. Secondly, based on this, we will consider how to create a model exchange-oriented tourism town with content at its core. Thirdly, we will focus on the East Asian region, where Japan's geopolitical situation calls for international mutual understanding, and consider the possibilities and challenges that content tourism, triggered by Japanese content, has for Japan's cultural security.

  • Fig.: Triangle model for content tourism-oriented town planning

Potential for social implementation

  • ・Planning of regional development using animation content
  • ・Planning of international exchange events on the theme of pop culture
  • ・Advocating and proposing policies on cultural security through tourism exchange

Appealing points to industry and local governments

are creating an international database of tourism that uses anime, manga, games, and other content as triggers and objectives. We are also examining how to attract inbound visitors in the future, based on surveys of visitors of overseas Japanese content-related events.

2022/5/27Released