Green tourism; a great way to see Japan

Today, and March 28th annually, is Green Tourism Day グリーンツーリズムの日 in Japan. It honors the beginning of Japan's modern green-tourism movement, which surprisingly has a relatively long history in Japan, starting on this day in 1996. Thus, celebrating 30 years this year.

The day highlights the value of connecting with rural landscapes, local traditions, and the slower rhythms of countryside life. Green tourism invites travelers to experience farming, taste regional ingredients, stay in family-run inns, and meet the people who sustain local communities.

Straightaway when I heard it was Green Tourism Day, I thought of the excellent tours I went on with City-cost to Shizuoka to experience all things Green Tea. The photo in this post is from one of those tours, of green tea fields in Shizuoka. Green Tourism is a great way to truly "see" Japan and get some real insight as well as forging lifelong memories.