Japan Quest
Check out Japan Quest, a fun site that follows the adventures of two Brits and their camera as they improvise their way along a trip that starts from the northernmost point in Hokkaido and eventually will take them down the entire length of Japan.
Or, as they tell it. . .
Two Englishmen seek out the best of Japan, its cultural wonders, visual delights, and hidden treasures. Japan Quest is a new Japanese website featuring online video targeted at a non-Japanese audience.
Setting out from Hokkaido’s northernmost point, two British teachers living in Japan will journey south, choosing their route as they go. Along the way, Kevin and Patrick will meet local people, search out memorable places and events, and report on their adventures for the website. They may work alongside farmers and fishermen, stay in Japanese homes, or visit secluded temples. The site will document their rambling, 15-day trip through some of Japan’s less-traveled areas.
This has been done & documented at least four other times. This carbon copy of an old idea seems to be nothing more than a big advert for JTB
August 16th, 2007 at 10:56 amBut it’s so much fun to hear Japanese spoken with a British accent!
August 16th, 2007 at 11:24 amI agree, Heather.
Besides, if there is one thing I have learned here on JAPUNDIT it is this: never assume just because you are familiar with something that everyone else is.
August 16th, 2007 at 12:05 pmI dunno JP…not that it was all so tough with an old-fashioned library card, but the Internet has made research and fact-checking rather much simpler. It seems to me that JTB has started a push to try and get foreign visitors to fall into the same trap Japanese tourists to other countries have been falling into for 40-odd years. Package tours that take every last bit of spontaneity and adventure out of a trip. They think that by copying the excellent ideas of real travelers such as Alan Booth, Craig McLaughlin, and Will Feguson they can fool people into buying a package that will “create excitement”. Bah humbug!
August 16th, 2007 at 8:00 pmThe website is 100% Japanese operated (perhaps the way “Kevin” spelled internatioanl was a clue, as are the numerous grammatical and spelling errors scattered throughout. Japanican.com is a JTB company, and this website/stunt is part of their grand opening campaign. Yipee!
August 16th, 2007 at 8:13 pmhttp://www.japanican.com/campaign/go2007/index.aspxdd
So is it bad to give your average Joe a chance to do the things that “real travelers” do? I’m coming back to Japundit after some time away so maybe I’ve missed some of your previous comments. I’m not sure what your complaint is. Are you unhappy with tourists in general?
August 16th, 2007 at 8:51 pmWell Heather, I don’t like that a commercial campaign takes someone else’s idea, doesn’t credit them, and then makes like it’s original . Let’s sign up for a prepackaged unscripted tour! Colour me skeptical.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:41 am“a commercial campaign takes someone else’s idea, doesn’t credit them, and then makes like it’s original”
You have just described the advertising industry!
August 17th, 2007 at 8:02 amDid you notice that you could see the journey video and the diary by clicking the day on the calendar ? Though this is a commercial campaign for JTB, it’s fun.
♪(^_-)-☆♪
August 19th, 2007 at 12:45 pmghoti: And the business world in general
Mike, I think I see your point. It is annoying when something that is apparently completely unique gets popular and then is emulated to death.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:49 am