A travel route covering historic, cultural and scenic spots in central Japan is proving a popular destination for foreign tourists.
But Toshio Mita, chairman of the Chubu Economic Federation, hopes that after Japan hosts the Group of Seven summit in May in the Ise-Shima area of Mie Prefecture, the number of travelers embarking on the Shoryudo tour route might really boom.
Shoryudo, which means "rising dragon route," runs south to north through central Honshu and includes well-known spots often missed by foreign travelers making quick visits to Japan, such as the Ise Grand Shrine and the historic villages of Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, whose gassho-style houses are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.