Photo: Sekisui House / PR

Receive 10 Million Yen to Travel Around Japan

Sekisui House looks for a new 'trip base style ambassador'

Photo: Sekisui House / PR
Paul McInnes   - 3 min read

It's not often that writers are given the opportunity to be compensated with 10 million yen for traveling around Japan and showcasing the best that the country has to offer. Sekisui House, one of Japan's leading housing firms alongside partner Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki Hotels, has announced a campaign to revitalize rural Japan by encouraging tourism in order to promote experiential travel in some of Japan's most off-the-beaten-track destinations and attractions.

One travel ambassador will be appointed from an application process that closes on September 30, 2021, at 11:59 pm (JST). The selected (and very fortunate) ambassador will be funded with 10 million yen, provided by Sekisui House, to journey across Japan for one year and share their adventures with the world through a series of social media posts.

Photo: Sekisui House / PR

Applicants must be 20 years old or older; enthusiastic about travel and Japan; environmentally aware; and able to follow infection prevention measures due to the current pandemic. Those living abroad with a valid visa in Japan or foreign nationals residing in Japan are permitted to apply. Other stipulations include that the applicant is required to have a Twitter and/or Instagram account and post what they would aim to do as an ambassador using the hashtag #MyTripBaseStyle. The content of the application with the dedicated hashtag in addition to the applicant's regular social media posts will be taken into consideration during the selection process. The chosen ambassador will be able to continue their regular work if it is manageable to work remotely during the program.

The lucky person chosen to be ambassador will design their own adventure with the aim of encountering and experiencing local people, culture, cuisine, and attractions that are distinctive to the surrounding areas of Michi-no-Eki stations. With Fairfield by Marriott Hotels being a basecamp for rural travel, the ambassador will have the chance to leisurely stroll from one Michi-no-Eki to another while discovering the genuine character of an array of stunning destinations.

Photo: Sekisui House / PR

Centered around the concept of "The Quest for the Unknown in Japan," Trip Base Style is a local development project that aims to help revitalize local economies through tourism. In cooperation with local communities, local governments, and partner companies, the project hopes to bring new customers and travelers to areas that previously had few or no accommodation options. The key hotel operations are operated under Marriott International's Fairfield by Marriott hotel brand, with hotels adjacent to Michi-no-Eki in 15 locations spanning six prefectures initially, with plans to develop to 14 locations in five prefectures in the second stage.

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Paul McInnes

Paul McInnes @paul.mcinnes

I'm currently the editor of Tokyo Weekender magazine. I have also worked for many other English-language publications in Japan and overseas.