The Games of the 32nd Olympiad are here. One of the world s greatest sporting events in one of the world s greatest cities. It doesn t get much better than that.
This will be a time for athletes and for sports, of course. But it will also be an opportunity not just for Tokyo but for Japan as a whole to showcase its attractions, to demonstrate to the world what it can do, what it can offer, and why the country s tourism industry was booming until COVID-19 slammed on the brakes.
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Japan has so many drawcards for visitors, from cities to nature, tradition to modernity, food to sport, culture to physical beauty. It has famous attractions and it has those that are flying under the radar. It s the perfect destination for pleasure-seekers, for thrill-seekers, for history buffs, for creatives, for gourmands.
Earlier this year, the Japanese city of Mitaka announced a crowdfunding campaign to offset the financial difficulties that the Studio Ghibli Museum is facing as a result of long-term pandemic closures. Now, that campaign has soared past its goal, hitting the minimum target for donations in “less than 24 hours”.
The iconic animation studio’s dedicated museum first shut down in February last year, as coronavirus spread across the world, and has continued to face reduced income due to COVID restrictions and reduced capacity.
When Mitaka first said it was looking to raise 10 million yen ($91,652) to help carry out reconstruction and repairs back in May, it promised bespoke Ghibli merch in exchange for funds to secure the museum’s legacy.
Ghibli Museum Launches Fundraiser Amid Pandemic Struggles
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While vaccination efforts continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 across the world, industries are still suffering under the pandemic s weight. This is very true with tourism, and Japan knows that sting well. Places like the Studio Ghibli Museum are suffering, and that is why the business has just launched a big fundraiser for itself.
According to a new report out of Japan, the Ghibli Museum is struggling to keep its doors open. This new hurdle comes on the heels of several extended closures and a slew of social restrictions put on guests. The museum is still open despite Japan s recent uptick in cases, but its dismal business has prompted Mitaka City to launched a donation campaign for the tourist spot.
My dream destination: Artistic director Antony Hamilton
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MY ONE DREAM DESTINATION IS STILL
Santorini. The medieval architecture of the old cities on the island is jaw-droppingly beautiful in its austere simplicity. I love getting lost in the labyrinthine footpaths, filled with wiry bougainvillea and even wirier stray cats. The one and only time I ve been was a family holiday with my partner and three kids in 2017. Paula studied Greek language while the kids and I ate icy poles on the black sand beaches every day.
WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER I M DREAMING OF VISITING
Antarctica – a place that makes you feel truly insignificant in its natural scale and wonder. I m fascinated by the sensory experience it offers: the absence of any urban hum or the presence of other humans would be a curious thing, and in my daily life these things are inescapable.
Celebrating over 20 years, the Studio Ghibli Museum is presenting "Sketch, Flash, Spark!" The exhibition explores the museum's founding and Miyazaki's work.