While Natt Navachai, a Thai restaurant owner in the United States, has visited many regions in Japan, he is hoping to become one of a select few to win a one-month tourism experience in the disaster-hit Tohoku region.
Dubbed the "Tohoku 365 Project," up to six people each year will be chosen to embark on ¥1 million in travel, with the aim to write blogs on their experiences.
"I understand that different regions in Japan have different traditional foods. I'd be happy to widen my food horizon by exploring the varieties of Tohoku's local cuisine," Navachai, 34, said.