Convention Planning Guide Meetings, Incentives, Fukushima MICE Conventions, Exhibitions ©AIST Fukushima. Rich in nature, culture, and a passion to rebuild. In addition to easy access from the Tokyo area, Fukushima Prefecture boasts magnificent natural CONTENTS panoramas, some of the best hot springs in Japan, and delicacies from both the sea and the mountains, making it perfectly suited for conventions. Five reasons to choose Fukushima MICE ………………… 4 But that is not all. Fukushima is also a place where you can witness firsthand the formidable spirit of challenge borne from the efforts to rebuild after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and nuclear disaster. Introduction to Fukushima ………………………………… 6 We are convinced that gathering in Fukushima and experiencing the region’s unique culture and its Convention Facilities recovery efforts can provide extra educational depth to any conference. Fukushima City ……………………………… 8 Koriyama City …………………………………… 12 Aizu-Wakamatsu City …………………………… 16 Iwaki City …………………………………………… 20 Fukushima Fukushima City Prefecture Fukushima Aizu-Wakamatsu City Koriyama Koriyama City Iwaki City About 80 minutes from Tokyo to Koriyama by shinkansen JR Tohoku Shinkansen Tokyo 2 Fukushima MICE Fukushima MICE 3 reasons to choose Fukushima MICE With its easy access from the Tokyo metropolitan area and an extensive network of support, Fukushima Prefecture is a highly Five attractive location for conventions and exhibitions. Here we describe five benefits of holding conventions and exhibitions in Fukushima Prefecture. 01 Good access from the Tokyo metropolitan area 02 Experienced organizers Tohoku-chuo Expressway To Sendai To Kakuda To Sendai Fukushima Prefecture has plenty of experience hosting large international conventions of over 1,000 persons, such as Medical JR Yamagata Shinkansen From around the world Creation Fukushima (2017) and the JANOG40 Meeting (2017). In to Fukushima Iizaka Line Abukuma particular, the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 8) has been Express Line held twice in Iwaki. The Fukushima spirit of hospitality, with which the Fukushima government leaders were welcomed, was a key ingredient in helping To Niigata make these summits successful. From Europe, JR Ban’etsu Joban Expressway the Middle East West Line Fukushima From South America and Africa Ban’etsu JR Tohoku Line Prefecture and North America Expressway JR Ban’etsu East Line Tokyo Aizu-Wakamatsu Koriyama Narita Airport Line Joban JR Haneda JR Tadami Line Tohoku Fukushima Expressway An extensive network of support Airport To Niigata Aizu Airport 03 and Koide Railway Line Abukuma For international conventions involving at least three countries, Kogen Road including the host country, Fukushima Prefecture provides subsidies From Southeast Asia Ban’etsu of up to 5 million yen according to the number of persons requiring Expressway accommodations. The prefectural government also offers support to Aizu-Kinugawa Line Iwaki help cover excursion expenses. Convention bureaus in each city also From Tokyo to Fukushima Prefecture JR Suigun Line (Koriyama) offer consultations on organizing social gatherings and post-convention To Asakusa JR Tohoku activities. About 80 minutes by Shinkansen train Shinkansen Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture’s transport hub, is located about 80 minutes from Tokyo. Railroads and expressways take you smoothly from Koriyama to the To Tokyo Tokyo cities of Fukushima, Aizu-Wakamatsu and Iwaki. Experience rapidly developing, 04 cutting-edge industries Access Information * Travel times are estimates. Access within Fukushima Prefecture As part of the recovery efforts following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Fukushima Prefecture promotes R&D and the creation of new industries Fukushima 1 hour Railway Line Car in such cutting-edge fields as robotics and renewable energies. Tours By Shinkansen By Expressway By Airplane 20 minutes of these developing facilities can be arranged as post-convention 50 minutes (JR Tohoku Line) 2 hours activities. Aizu-Wakamatsu 40 minutes JR Tohoku Shinkansen Tohoku Expressway Fukushima Airport 1 hour Koriyama (New Chitose Airport) 1 hour Fukushima Station Fukushima-nishi I.C. Sapporo (JR Ban’etsu West Line) ⓒ Fukushima FORWARD 1 hour 40 minutes Iwaki 15 minutes 20 minutes (JR Ban’etsu East Line) 75 minutes Koriyama Station Koriyama I.C. Fukushima Airport Information Fukushima Airport A wide range of reasonably priced accommodations New Chitose 05 Airport Sapporo 65 minutes From inexpensive business lodgings to top-class hotels suited for 80 minutes 2 hours 30 minutes Fukushima Osaka Osaka guests of state, Fukushima Prefecture offers a wide range of hotels Airport (Itami Airport) Osaka (Itami Airport) and Japanese-style inns catering to a variety of needs. In addition, Shikoku Connection there are as many as 132 hot springs in Fukushima Prefecture. The at Itami many virtues of their waters will provide some hard-earned R&R after Kyushu your convention. A Limousine Bus service links Fukushima Airport to Koriyama, Tokyo Station Tokyo (Kawaguchi Junction) Shinkansen Car Airplane Aizu-Wakamatsu and Iwaki. Fukushima Airport website: https://www.fks-ab.co.jp/ 4 Fukushima MICE Fukushima MICE 5 Introduction to Fukushima Japanese Sake Summers are hot and humid At the Japan Sake Awards, Japan’s largest Fukushima: Alive with Rich Nature in flat areas, as typical of basin new sake tasting event, sake from Fukushima Traditional regions, but mountainous Prefecture has been awarded the largest number areas remain cool. Farmers of gold medals in Japan for seven consecutive years. Sake with distinguishing flavors typical Industries make the most of Nakadori’s and Traditional Culture climate to cultivate lots of of local environments can be enjoyed in sake ~ 伝統産業 ~ varieties of fruit. breweries located around the prefecture. Fukushima Prefecture is located in the northeast of Japan, Aizu Aizu Lacquerware about 200 km from Tokyo, or approximately 80 minutes This lacquerware is a nationally designated Nakadori traditional craft product with a history by shinkansen. Japan’s third largest prefecture in terms of over 400 years. It features a variety Hamadori of decorations, using such techniques of surface area is divided by the Ou Mountain Range and This region, much of which as maki-e (sprinkling of powdered gold Abukuma Plateau that stretch from north to south. These consists of steep mountains, is a famous destination for or silver) and chinkin (gold-embedding). mountain ranges split Fukushima into three regions: Aizu, those seeking communion Recently, lacquerware with modern designs Nakadori and Hamadori. Though situated within the same with nature. Aizu is known for has also been developed and is gaining its snowy winters and cool increasing popularity. prefecture, these three regions have very different climates summers. With its oceanic climate, this region is and cultures, and each one has unique highlights. comfortable in summer thanks to the breeze from the sea, while winters are warm with little snowfall. Oze This is Japan’s largest high-altitude marshland, featuring in particular the rich natural surroundings of Ozenuma, Ozegahara and Mt. Hiuchigatake. The fields are covered by such flowers as mizu-basho (skunk cabbage) and nikko-kisuge (day lily) and are a wonderful sight. Festivals Spring ~ 祭 り ~ Hanamiyama Aizu-Tajima Gion Festival Literally “flower-viewing mountain”, this site is famous for such spring flowers as plum and cherry blossoms This festival features kabuki and its flowering peach and magnolia trees. A famous performances by children and Japanese photographer once praised this region the nanahokai gyoretsu, in which ummer women dressed as brides parade as the Togenkyo, or the utopian “Peach Blossom S Paradise”. through the town. Autumn Nature ~ 自 然 ~ Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival Winter Soma Nomaoi Festival Festival floats, decorated with Natsui River Valley Lake Inawashiro Popular annual summer festival, where armored some 300 lanterns, weave This is a valley with fantastic rock formations This is the fourth largest freshwater lake in Japan. equestrian warriors race to capture sacred flags. majestically through the city, and waterfalls of various sizes. The beautiful The lake is also known for the high transparency of The festival boasts a history of over a thousand accompanied by lively music scenery is rich in variety, from rushing its water and the “splashed ice sculptures” formed years. during this festival. whitewater to calm pools. by nature in the deep of winter. No. of Renewable No. 1 No. Shipments of No. 2 No. 2 Shipments of No. 2 No. 3 Shipments of No. 4 Gold Medals 1 Energy Certified Number of Medical Peach Harvest Aircraft Engine Lacquerware Fukushima at the Japan Capacity of Power Onsen Resorts Equipment and Parts Parts Products*2 Rankings Sake Awards Generation Facilities*1 A first in Japan! No. 1 in Japan Rankings of Fukushima for 7 consecutive 22 brands 76.6 billion yen 29,300 tons 132.5 billion yen 4,370,000 kW 1.352 billion yen 132 resorts years! Prefecture within Japan. (2018 sake season) (2016) (2016) (2016) (December 2016) (2016) (End of 2015) *1 Certified facility capacity after the start of the fixed price purchase system. *2 Kitchen and table lacquerware products 6 Fukushima MICE Fukushima MICE 7 Wheelchair Stroller Nursing First-Aid Coin Restaurant Cafe Wi-Fi Rental Rental Room Office Lockers Fukushima City A beautiful city where culture, industry and the rich nature of the four seasons live in harmony Fukushima City Fukushima City serves as the prefectural capital of Fukushima