ITCJ has been involved in planning and conducting a variety of tourism-related business with the Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) since 1990 when ITCJ was founded. As the nation’s official tourism promotion body, JNTO’s main role is to implement tourism promotional activities outside Japan, whereas ITCJ’s main role is to make preparations within Japan for receiving and accommodating foreign tourists.

The main business of ITCJ is to assist foreign tourists by providing numerous kinds of information at the Tourist Information Centers (TICs) we operate at Narita International Airport, Kansai International Airport, as well as at information counters in Tokyo and Kyoto and through the ITCJ website. Foreign tourists arriving at airports in Japan are likely to need information as soon as possible. The locations of our TICs in Narita and Kansai airports are very convenient for foreign tourists and are staffed by well trained and experienced personnel. In 2003, over 140,000 foreign tourists made use of our TICs. Roving TIC staff also walk about the Narita Airport building offering assistance and information to foreign tourists on almost any topic of concern. Every month some 1,000 foreign tourists seek and receive information from these roving TIC staff.

The most essential information for foreign tourists coming to Japan is about accommodations. ITCJ operates the Welcome Inn Reservation Center (WIRC) to assist foreign tourists in booking affordable and comfortable accommodations during their stay in Japan. WIRC reservation assistance counters are located at the ITCJ main office in Tokyo and also at the TICs. Currently we have some 300 lodging establishments registered as Welcome Inns, and about 20,000 foreign tourists stay at them every year. To qualify for our official listing, these establishments have satisfied several necessary conditions such as reasonable charges, cleanness, and facilities. Foreign tourists can make reservations for reliable accommodations at WIRC reservation counters and through the WIRC website.

In cooperation with JNTO, ITCJ also publishes Japanese-language materials for tourism researchers, and brochures and maps in English for foreign tourists. One of our most popular publications is the “Tourist Map of Tokyo” which has been available for many years and contains detailed maps of major towns and railway lines.

ITCJ is also involved in conducting research on international tourism promotion and on attracting and receiving foreign tourists. We also cooperate in and provide international support for inviting tourism industry representatives from abroad and for holding international tourism events.

The Japanese government has recently initiated the “Visit Japan Campaign” with the goal of having 10 million foreign tourists per year. ITCJ intends to cooperate with the Japanese government as much as possible given our expertise in inbound tourism.

ITCJ’s mission is straight-forward. It is our distinct pleasure to respond to tourists’ inquiries and requests and we are committed to doing everything we can to make their trips be more enjoyable.