Japan Tokyo SkyTree®

New York, NY, January 10, 2012: It is easy to find things recognized as the “world’s number-1” in a small country in Far East: Japan carries more than 400 Guiness world records, including the tallest lighthouse (348 feet tall Marine Tower in Yokohama), the steepest roller coaster made from steel (121 degrees, 95 feet drop at Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park), the oldest wooden structure, the Horyu-ji Temple in Nara from 607 AD, and the most Michelin stars (261 stars) given to 197 restaurants in Tokyo.

The popular city of Kyoto became the No.1 city in Asia in the US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice 2011. As Japan moves into the second decade of the 21st century, the country is adding more world’s No1s.

New Tower in the Big City
TOKYO SKYTREE®, the new broadcasting tower, will be finished in the eastern Tokyo as the tallest free-standing tower in the world. This 2,080 feet tall tower has been just finished its construction at the end of February, and awaiting the grand opening on May 22nd, 2012. Already becoming a new Tokyo’s icon tower, the neighboring district goes under redevelopment with new shopping and dining facilities.

Largest Planetarium
The planetarium in Nagoya became the world’s largest facility: Nagoya City Science Museum completed the renovation of the planetarium in March 2011 with the new dome of 35 meter (114 feet) long inner diameter, and the City of Nagoya announced that this facility has been recognized as the largest planetarium in the world by Guiness World Records. Before its opening, the largest planetarium dome was 30 meter (98 feet) long inner diameter in Ehime Prefectural Science Museum.

World’s No.1 Youth Hostel
Among young frugal world trotters, youth hostel is a great network of accommodation no matter where they go on the globe. The International Youth Hostel Association (IYHA) announced the top hostels for different categories, Shin-Osaka Youth Hostel was crowned as the cleanest facility in the world in 2010. Located in the proximity of Shin-Osaka bullet train (Shinkansen) station, the hostel is convenient to cruising Japan’s second largest city Osaka as well as travel to the ancient capital city Kyoto.

Top Meeting Country
Japan became Asia’s top venue for international meetings: According to the latest International Meetings Statistics Report on 2010 from Union of International Association (UIA), Japan hosted 741 international functions in 2010, which set Japan as the No. 1 Asian venue, and the second in the world after the United States. Japan jumped up from the 5th place in 2009, and this significant increase derives from 1) the growth in Asian academic conferences and more demands for venues in Asia, 2) major international events like Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) that generated affiliated meetings, and 3) Japan promoted domestic meeting venues and facilities in 2010 under Japan MICE Year campaign. Japan is aiming to promote venues for more international meetings in the years to come, appealing high-tech amenities, practical public transportation, clean facilities and rich cultural experience.

Best Brand in Tourism
Future Brand’s Country Brand Index (CBI) 2011-2012 list shows strong presence of Japan. The list is compiled by Future Brand, a global brand marketing consultancy, which is released every year with lists of multiple categories. In their tourism category, Japan is ranked No. 1 for its’ resilient recovery from the natural disaster and as the CBI explains that “Japan’s rankings in attractions, value of money, resort and lodging and food are strong and getting stronger, indicating that a country’s brand can be lasting vehicle for goodwill in the face of crisis.”