A Message from the Expert
Mr. David Atkinson
On October 1st and 2nd, 2020, we welcomed Mr. David Atkinson to Kada, Wakayama as a part of the “Creation of New Travel Styles and Diversification Program” of the Japan Tourism Agency.
Mr. David Atkinson
Born in the UK, CEO of Konishi Decorative Arts and Crafts Co, a company that repairs important cultural properties in Japan for more than 300 years. His book “New Edition -Building a Nation with Tourism Theory” won the 24th Yamamoto Shichihei Award. He takes part as an expert in the national and regional tourism policy and continues to spread his policies based on data analyzing from his experience of a financial analyst.
During his Stay
The first day
1. Orientation
2. Kada Kasuga Shrine
3. Kada Kasuga Shrine
4. Lunch at Inasa Fresh Fish Cuisine
5. Inspection of the Kada Bay and Tomogashima
6. Review Meeting
7. Feast at the Kada beach
The second day
8. Experiencing the traditional pole-and-line method “Ippon Zuri”
Review Meeting
We held a review meeting in the evening of the first day with Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Miyagi from the Shogoin Temple, and the people of the Kada area. We discussed in a limited time of an hour and a half about our sentiments towards our town, the Shugen, how we can promote our town to tourists from overseas and how to entertain them when they visit us.
What We Learned from the Meeting
- 1. We should consider what we want to introduce, as well as what the tourists really want to know.
We must recognize that what the townsfolks want to show is not always what the tourists are interested in. It is important to introduce the Shugendo with the information of why it has lasted so long as 1300 years rather than the fact itself. The “why” is the most important part for the foreign tourists to take interest in differences and common points between the two cultures.
- 2. Link the local specialties to the Shugendo experience.
For example, Koyasan has many offers such as trekking the Kumano Kodo, Zen meditations or enjoy the structures of the temples and all these experiences attract tourists from overseas. It is important to make sure when they come to Kada, they can explore not only the Shugen, but also enjoy fishing and taste some delicious red sea breams. The key is to enrich the tourists’ lives by their visit to Kada.
- 3. A local mountain priest who loves Kada from his heart should guide the town.
The mountain priest guide should be a local one who loves Kada rather than a priest from the Shogoin Temple because he would be able to be a better escort. We should have a one-and-only guide of Kada.
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