Masaki Hirata, an associate professor of humanities and social sciences at Nagoya City University, started a project with his students to explore new and offbeat ways of introducing sightseeing spots in Nagoya to foreigners through the medium of English.

The project aims to promote hidden tourist attractions such as maid cafes in the city's Osu district and "Nagoya-meshi" — dishes popular in or unique to the city — to young foreigners.

Last month, Hirata held an English tour guide contest at the university, during which female students wearing maid costumes and school uniforms gave a presentation in fluent English on "ideas to attract 'otaku' (geeks) to Nagoya."