Bringing "Authentic" Traditional Cultural Experiences in Tokyo to More People
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your exceptional support last year.
As we step into 2025, our entire team remains committed to providing services that ensure your satisfaction. We sincerely hope for your continued patronage this year as well.
Here are some of the challenges we aim to tackle in 2025:
1. Creating Videos to Increase Awareness of Our Tours
Starting in late December 2024, we began filming short videos featuring our tours, which we are sharing on platforms like YouTube and other social media sites. These videos are short clips, each lasting less than one minute, where our guides share insights about Tokyo’s traditional culture and the Kagurazaka area in Shinjuku, the primary location of our tours. The goal is to raise awareness of our tours while also showcasing the excellence of our guides.
In 2024, we posted blogs almost daily, resulting in 293 articles explaining traditional culture and other related topics. As a result, our Google search rankings improved, allowing us to receive bookings directly from foreign travelers through our e-commerce site without paid advertisements. In 2025, we aim to create 300 videos to further enhance our presence.
2. Expanding Tours for Corporate Incentives and Training Programs (MICE)
In 2024, we focused on promoting our tours to domestic and international travel agencies as well as luxury hotel concierges in Tokyo. This effort led to visits to nearly all major travel agencies, resulting in their adoption of our tours.
Additionally, our tours have been highly praised by concierges for providing “authentic” traditional cultural experiences in Tokyo, and they have been actively recommending them to their hotel guests, leading to increased bookings.
Thanks to the support of these travel agencies and concierges, we already have confirmed bookings through fall 2025, with projected participants tripling compared to 2024.
Cumulative Number of Tour Participants
Note: Indexed with the 2024 average set at 100
Source: EDO KAGURA Corporation
72.9% of MICE Participants Seek Traditional Cultural Experiences
In 2025, we plan to expand our promotional activities beyond travel agencies and hotels to include corporate clients. This is because “authentic” traditional cultural experiences are ideal for MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions/Events).
According to the Japan Tourism Agency’s “FY2023 MICE Total Consumption Survey Report (published in March 2024),” 72.9% of overseas MICE participants ranked traditional cultural experiences as the most desirable activity at conference destinations.
Preferred Experience Content at Conference Venues
Source: Japan Tourism Agency
Unlike tourist-oriented shows, MICE participants seek genuine traditional cultural experiences, making our tours the perfect fit. In December 2024, we received inquiries from representatives of major Japanese electronics and beer manufacturers regarding our tours, and we aim to respond to such needs in 2025.
3. Targeting Luxury Travelers
In 2024, our tours were chosen by ultra-wealthy individuals, including the founder of a U.S. fintech company, CEOs of major corporations, and a famous German movie star. Like MICE participants, these high-net-worth individuals are not interested in tourist shows but rather in “authentic” traditional cultural experiences. In 2025, we aim to enhance our offerings for the luxury market.
We are honored to have been recognized for our “authentic” traditional cultural experiences and have been invited to participate in a domestic networking event on January 21, 2025, as a representative of high-value-added travel services. High-value-added travel refers to luxury travel aimed at affluent individuals. We will showcase our tours at trade events to appeal to this audience.
Additionally, in 2025, we plan to apply to join the “TOKYO LUXURY AUTHORITY (TLA)” managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB). Established in 2019, TLA is a network for Tokyo-based businesses providing luxury tourism content and arrangements for luxury hotels and travelers.
Domestically, our ukiyo-e experience has been selected for JTB Royal Road Ginza’s luxury tour titled “Enjoy the World of Ukiyo-e and Spring Delicacies in Edo with ‘TRAIN SUITE Shiki-Shima.’” This three-day, two-night tour in April 2025 costs between 990,000 and 1,550,000 yen per person, making it one of Japan’s premier luxury tours. Being chosen for such a prestigious tour is a significant milestone for us.
Moving Forward
As outlined above, we aim to accelerate our efforts in 2025. We sincerely appreciate your continued guidance and support.
EDO KAGURA Corporation
CEO
Shinya Yamada
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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