TOYAKO, Hokkaido — Lined with traditional merchant homes, wholesalers and other historical buildings dating to the 17th century, Inishie (Antiquity) Street stretches 1.1 km from north to south in the Japan Sea coastal town of Esashi in Hiyama, southwestern Hokkaido.

When Toshinori Kameya, director general of the Hiyama Municipal Office, learned Hokkaido will host the Group of Eight summit from July 7 to 9, he thought his town, about a three-hour drive from the summit venue, shouldn't miss out on the chance to promote itself.

"We want to use this opportunity to attract (both foreign and domestic) tourists in the region," Kameya said.