Inspiration for corporate meeting planners OSAKAIn collaboration with Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau 2 OSAKA 2017 CEI.ASIA WELCOME NOTE WELCOME Welcome to Osaka s the seat of the nation’s oldest capital and a hub of international exchange, Osaka has served as an economic and cultural centre of the nation for centuries. It is famous for Abeing Japan’s kitchen, a gourmet paradise and a city offering entertainment and fun, while its reputation for technology and innovation has created an exciting cultural and geographic hub. Ease of access to Osaka—the gateway to West Japan—has made the city a firm favourite among visitors to this country. They can explore the Kansai region, known as the ‘Cradle of Japan’, with many of the country’s Unesco World Heritage Sites and most celebrated monuments located within 30 minutes by train from Osaka. The Kansai region is also home to renowned global companies from a range of industries including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, finance, environment and new energy, and telecoms. Osaka not only provides attractive world-class facilities, but also offers unforgettable experiences for delegates to enjoy. You can be assured your delegates will leave Osaka with many fond memories. The Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau (OCTB) is an independent, public interest incorporated foundation established by Osaka Prefectural Government, City of Osaka and the local economic sector to promote Osaka as a premier tourist and convention destination. We will offer every support possible to hold successful and memorable events which delegates will remember for years to come. Hiroshi Mizohata President, OCTB CEI.ASIA 2017 OSAKA 3 CONTENTS 4 OSAKA 2017 CEI.ASIA CONTENTS Discover a new world A ride down the river at Dotonbori Contents Osaka at a glance 06 Introduction 08 Accessibility 10 Key venues 12 New developments 14 Unique venues 16 City incentives 18 Day trips 20 Team-building activities 22 Spas and saunas 24 Bars and restaurants 26 Case studies 28 Testimonials 30 Contacts 31 CEI.ASIA 2017 OSAKA 5 AT A GLANCE AT 6 OSAKA 2017 CEI.ASIA AT A GLANCE AT CEI.ASIA 2017 OSAKA 7 INTRODUCTION Osaka,Inside West Japan’s Osaka commercial hub, offers a taste of modern Japan combined with history and culture and one-of-a-kind unique venues saka is the centre and hub of international medical congresses the Kansai area which brings in particular, with the Kansai region together economy, history home to several leading Japanese andO culture to create a region with universities and research institutes. The diverse appeal. Historically, it was once city is also leading the way in sectors the centre of political and economic such as life sciences, environment and activity in Japan, and today contributes new energy, and telecoms. over US$1 trillion in gross regional MICE groups can expect a high product . It also has five of Japan’s 14 level of support for their events, with world heritage sites. The city is the economic and government bodies birthplace of iconic Japanese committed to working together to products—instant cup noodles and produce successful and memorable Suntory whisky to name just two—with business events. Meanwhile, visitors to groups able to host tours at venues Osaka often touch on how friendly and such as the Instant Ramen Museum easy-going the locals are. and the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery. The bustling hub of Umeda—one of Japan’s significant commercial districts Leading the way and centred on Osaka-Umeda station, Osaka is a popular choice for the largest transport hub in Western 8 OSAKA 2017 CEI.ASIA INTRODUCTION Bay delights include Tempozan Ferris wheel and an aquarium Japan—has a host of facilities catering see’ cities and sights—such as Nara, to MICE, including international hotels Kobe and Kyoto—can be easily and the Knowledge Capital Congrès combined with a meeting or incentive Convention Center, which opened event in Osaka, meaning groups can just over three years ago. maximise their time. They can also Nakanoshima has a number of discover West Japan’s hidden gems— buildings for the sciences, academia with destinations such as Wakayama, and art, such as the Osaka International Mount Koya and Tottori offering tours Convention Center, Osaka Science both varied and unique. Museum and the National Museum of Osaka is also known for its huge pop Art, Osaka, which are also used as culture scene. Anime, maid cafés, venues for meetings and events. manga, cosplay—Osaka has it all, with The Bay Area is also home to world- the Nipponbashi and Shinsaibashi class facilities such as International districts showcasing pop culture at its Exhibition Center Osaka (INTEX), best. The city is also renowned for its alongside an aquarium, shopping shopping and its food has deservedly centres and a Ferris wheel. earned a reputation as the (gourmet) food capital of Japan. The gateway to West Japan A melting pot of tradition and new, Osaka’s strategic position—located Osaka is bidding to host the World almost in the centre of Japan—means Expo 2025, which is expected to attract that other parts of the country are more up to 30 million visitors, there’s never easily reached from Osaka, and it is been a better time to consider the closer to Tokyo. Some of Japan’s ‘must- destination for a MICE event. CEI.ASIA 2017 OSAKA 9 Gateway to West Japan Osaka is home to one of world’s most highly developed and efficient transport systems, and is among Japan’s most accessible cities saka’s position in central for low-cost carriers, in January, Japan and its 24-hour featuring the first walk-through duty ACCESSIBILITY international airport mean free shop in any Japanese airport, and Othe destination is easily accessible two restaurants offering Japanese both domestically and from abroad. cuisine and Kansai specialities. Osaka has two airports: Kansai International Airport (KIX), designed New connectivity by Italian architect Renzo Piano and is In the past year, Hong Kong Airlines only 34 minutes by Nankai train from has doubled its flights from Hong the city centre, and the more centrally Kong to Osaka to 14, offering a twice- located Itami Airport, which only daily service. Air New Zealand, handles domestic flights. meanwhile, launched three non-stop KIX handles 1,200 flights per week return flights per week from Auckland connecting to 67 cities in 20 countries. International in November. The two main national carriers are For groups travelling from South Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Korea, Air Busan commenced daily Airways (ANA), while the major low- flights between KIX and Daegu cost Japanese carriers flying to other parts of Well connected Kansai International Airport Asia include Peach Air to Taiwan, Seoul, Hong Kong and China; and Vanilla Air to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the Philippines. There are also direct flights to Cairns with Jetstar, while Asia is connected by AirAsia X, Air Busan, Air China, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, to name a few. Kansai International Airport unveiled its new International Terminal 2 10 OSAKA 2017 CEI.ASIA ACCESSIBILITY Hokkaido in December, while Asiana Airlines Beijing JAPAN increased the number of flights Seoul between Osaka and Incheon from Nagoya Tokyo 21 to 28 per week in November. Fukuoka OSAKA Other new routes in the last year include Juneyao Airlines’ four flights Shanghai to and from Nanjing, a twice-weekly service between KIX and Dalian Okinawa Taipei from Tianjin Airlines and increased Taichung connections to and from Kuala Lumpur Hong Kong with AirAsia X. Within Osaka and beyond Guam The subway, JR Osaka Loop Line, private railways, water bus or cruise— Tokyo, thanks to the efficiency of the getting around Osaka is fast and Shinkansen (bullet train). From Itami efficient, and the city has reliable train Airport, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and connections to major Japanese cities. Sapporo can also be easily reached. Kobe, Kyoto, Nara and Wakayama Osaka can be twinned with another can all be reached in under an hour. Japanese city for an incentive In 90 minutes, groups can be in itinerary, or as part of a post- Hiroshima. Or in just over two hours, programme conference. CEI.ASIA 2017 OSAKA 11 KEY VENUES Sky high HEP Five Ferris wheel, Umeda (above); Grand Cube Osaka (below right) Show stoppers Modern convention centres, a theme park and high-end international hotels are among the city’s top venues for events Osaka International congresses. Its largest space caters for Convention Center up to 2,754 people with 5,900 sqm of (Grand Cube Osaka) meeting space. Located on Nakanoshima island, Osaka International Convention Knowledge Capital Congrès Center, also known as Grand Cube Convention Center Osaka, opened in 2000. The 12-storey, Osaka’s most accessible large-scale steel-framed structure is suited to a venue, Congrès Convention Center range of events, including conferences opened in 2013 in the Umekita area and exhibitions, and has hosted a and is linked directly to the city’s number of prestigious international central transport hub, Osaka Station. conferences, including the G8 Summit The venue can host up to 3,000 for in 2008 and a range of medical events while a series of smaller rooms 12 OSAKA 2017 CEI.ASIA KEY VENUES cater for conferences of up to 600 with entertainment are just some of the or seminars and smaller meetings options available for groups at from 60 to 150. Universal Studios Japan, which celebrated its 15th anniversary last INTEX year. The theme park is also planning As one of Japan’s biggest to open Super Nintendo World, which exhibition spaces—spanning it says will feature attractions based on 73,000 sqm—International Nintendo titles. Timings have yet to be Exhibition Center Osaka (INTEX) finalised, but this latest attraction is is located in Osaka Nanko scheduled to open in time for the 2020 Cosmosquare.