‘Until We Meet Again:’ Japanese Tourist Spots Show Love for Thais

A ninja holds up a sign that reads, “Waiting for the day we meet again” at Matsue Castle in Shimane. Photo: Japan National Tourism Organization

BANGKOK — Dear Thai tourists, we miss you a lot. 

That’s the message of a social media initiative launched by the Japanese tourism agency on Tuesday to remind Thai travelers that Japan yearns for their return when  international travel is possible again. 

Under a campaign called “Missing Japan,” the Japan National Tourism Organization posted photos of workers at popular attractions holding up signs asking Thai tourists to return to the Land of the Rising Sun after the coronavirus pandemic is over. 

Featured photos include a ninja at Matsue Castle, a JR West train operator, the oiran courtesan at Edo Wonderland, and the famed mascot Kumamon.

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Employees at Edo Wonderland park in Tochigi hold up a sign that says, “We miss Thais so much!” Photo: Japan National Tourism Organization

“Thanks to all the Thais who are missing Japan travel. We’re so encouraged by your words of ‘I want to go to Japan’ and ‘missing Japan,” the tourism website said. “Our ‘Missing Japan’ campaign will help you plan your future trips. When you can travel here again safely, we are waiting to welcome you back.” 

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JNTO’s Thai office said in a media report that more than 1 million Thais visited Japan in the first 10 months of 2019 alone, contributing 140 billion yen to the Japanese economy. 

Thais make up the sixth largest group of visitors to the island nation, with Chinese, South Korean, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, and American tourists topping the first five spots. 

Kumamon holds up a sign that reads, “Waiting to meet you again in Kumamoto!” at the city’s Prefectural Office Promenade.
“Thais always welcome,” reads a sign held by vendors at the Hakodate Morning Market in Hokkaido.

คิดถึงญี่ปุ่นกันไหมคะ? คนญี่ปุ่นคิดถึงคนไทยมากๆ และมีข้อความฝากถึงเพื่อนๆ ทุกคน นอกจากรูปในโพสต์นี้แล้ว…

โพสต์โดย การท่องเที่ยวญี่ปุ่น – Visit Japan เมื่อ วันอังคารที่ 29 กันยายน 2020