Chiba Update
Quarterly Journal from Chiba, JapanAutumn at Katori Shrine

Welcome to the Autumn Edition of Chiba Update!
The cold breeze is in the air!
This time of year, Japanese maple leaves and other vivid fall foliage colors from green to red. Autumn inJapan starts from October and last until December depending on the location and weather condition.
Japan has finally opened its borders to international travelers with least restrictions required. Since theopening in October 11, the old familiar scenes 3 years before the pandemic has back where number offoreign tourist became visible on streets, hotels, and restaurants.
Narita Airport in Chiba serves as Japan’s gateway to the world. As preparation to receiving air passengers
to the country, designated a homepage Airport Notifications where timely information on Japan entry
and other preventive measures are available. Also, when visiting Japan, it is very important to know inadvance the entry procedures and make sure to prepare all the necessary documents beforehand suchas MySOS app, etc. Knowing New Travel Etiquette for Visitors, and COVID-19 Mask Use in Community
Settings is very important to ensure that you’re next Japan visit will be safe and enjoyable.
Once again, it is our pleasure to bring you the latest happenings in Chiba. Through this edition, we hope
you will learn more about us and will look forward to more upcoming issues.

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● New Trend Glamping Experience in Chiba● Global MICE in Perspective● Global connection through online tradeshow● CCB participated in the JNTO’s 25th Inbound Travel Promotion Forum● The Makuhari Bay Town has hosted the goal ceremony for La Festa Mille Miglia 2022
● Speak about MICE at Chiba University faculty meeting● Application and Student Innovation Competition (iWEM2022)
was held at Chiba Institute of Technology● Makuhari Illumination lit the convention area for the season● Chiba MICE Day 2022 will be held in Narita● New Facility in Chiba, The ‘Sora Tobu Manabiya Labo’ will open in Narita City
● Introduction of new member, Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama● Other Announcements● Events Calendar2

Convenient Conventions 101

New Trend Glamping Experience in Chiba
Glamping refers to the new style of camping that allows you to a casual yet luxurious camping without
setting up a tent and sleeping on sleeping bags. Enjoy the food which are of the quality of a hotel madefrom locally produced ingredients. Various activities and hands-on experiences such as Japanese hotspring bath, vegetable and fruit picking, and other nature-related programs are also available.
Enjoy the scenic beauty of Japan away from the hassle and buzzle of a city with Chiba Glamping
Experience.
relax time with nature

Japanese tradition

Farm to table

Hands-onexperience3

Global MICE in Perspective
In Japan, there are 12 highly distinctive cities that encapsulate the charm of Japan which refer to as the‘Global MICE Cities’. Chiba is among these cities that are capable of accommodating any kind of businessevents.
In order to keep these cities on track with the latest happenings in the global arena, the Japan National
Tourism Organization (JNTO) held a meeting with the purpose of strengthening the competitiveness ofJapan’s MICE Industry in the international market. The theme has evolved in international conferences, MICE
legacy effects, sustainability, and promotion of the utilization of unique venues. The presentation showcased
case studies citing actual happenings which were discussed throughout the meeting.
This occasion has provided an opportunity to reevaluate strategies and approaches, focus on MICE legacy
and sustainability, and work towards achieving better services that will cater actual needs of international
clients.
For more details, please visit the Japan National Tourism Organization’s
Japan Global MICE Cities, CHIBA page.

Makuhari Messe4

Global connection through online tradeshow
Three years after the pandemic. Although Japan's border restrictions have been eased for the last 6 months, travel toJapan is still a challenge for most countries. Thanks to the many online tradeshows held by the Japan National Tourism
Organization (JNTO), we are able to reach out to international counterparts for information and business exchanges.
Similar to past years in the pandemic, this year, we also have participated in various online tradeshows with various
Asian countries. And for the first time in about three years, we held a business meeting with travel agencies in Vietnam
through an online meeting. Vietnam initially had a policy of "zero corona", but since the beginning of this year, it has
shifted its focus to the economy and is opening up to the market with "with corona", and accepts travelers from Japan
with no restrictions. However, in regards to going to Japan, although vaccination is advanced in Vietnam, therequirement for entering Japan from Vietnam is a challenge having the vaccinations do not meet Japan’s requirements,
and the need of submitting a negative PCR test certificate and isolation are required for them when entering thecountry.
In recent years, Vietnamese population in Japan is tremendously growing, reaching its highest in 2020. In order torespond to the new market’s demand, the Chiba Convention Bureau is in perspective of reaching out to these kinds ofmarkets to develop services that will cater them, as well as build good business relationships with new inboundmarkets.

5CCB participated in the JNTO’s 25thInbound Travel Promotion ForumThe Inbound Travel Promotion Forum organized by the Japan National
Tourism Organization (JNTO) took place in Tokyo on September 7 and 8,
2022. The 25th event that discussed latest trends in the inbound market
in Japan was participated by about 150 members including the Chiba
Convention Bureau.
The lectures were facilitated by overseas office managers, and head staff
who were also in-charge of the individual consultation sessions for eachmarket, and networking events. According to a survey, a great numberof international markets have a strong desire to travel to Japan. And
although it is a popular travel destination, many traveling individuals
chose other destinations due to the strict implementation of bordermeasures in the country.
Under such circumstances, a review of the border measures regarding
the new coronavirus infection was announced on September 26th, andnew eased restrictions were implemented starting the 11th of October,allowing a lesser restriction on the entry of foreign travelers.

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The Makuhari Bay Town has hosted the goalceremony for La Festa Mille Miglia 2022
Chiba City’s Makuhari Bay Town was the goal ceremony venue for La Festa MilleMiglia 2022 held on September 19, 2022. This was the first ever goal ceremony
held at Chiba’s main convention area, Makuhari. Chiba Convention Bureau andForza BS Fuji have co-sponsored the event.
La Festa Mille Miglia was started in 1997, marking its 25th anniversary in Japan
this year. The opening ceremony was held in Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine on
September 16, rans Tokyo and other 8 prefectures for about 1,350 km, reaching
the goal point on the 4th day. The race has been participated by vintage cars dated
between 1919 and 1967 showcasing more than 80 masterpieces.
The final day of the rally concentrated in Chiba that started in Narita City,
Shibayama, Ichinomiya, Kisarazu, and the final goal, Makuhari Baytown. During
the goal ceremony, the Makuhari Sogo High School Symphonic Orchestra graced
the occasion through live band performances. Chiba City Mayor Shunichi Kamiya
and officials of Makuhari Baytown where present to welcome the entrants led by
Italian Ambassador to Japan Gianluigi Benedetti, who also participated in the rally
headed to the finish line.

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“We have experienced heavy rain on the way here. But despite the unsettled weather, it really feels good
to be here and seeing everyone, and welcoming us so warmly”, said one of the participants during aninterview. In addition, the local Makuhari Bay Town also held a European Carnival in conjunction with thisevent.
Makuhari Baytown is in anticipation of welcoming back participants of the La Festa Mille Miglia as theorganizers committed to bringing again the goal ceremony to Makuhari next year.

The Chiba Convention Bureau’s participation in the event
It has been a pride for the Chiba Convention Bureau (CCB) to co-sponsor the La Festa Mille Miglia
through various support and assistance. Through the rally, the CCB was able to showcased Chiba
MICE and other tourist destinations of Chiba and at the same time attracting local cooperation
starting with Kazusa Academia Park in Kisarazu, Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Naritasan Shinshoji
Temple in Narita City, Tokyo DisneySea and Hotel Mira Costa in Urayasu, and more. In 2021, wewere able to attract the Umihotaru Parking Area as the goal point, and Makuhari Baytown as thevenue for the goal ceremony this year.
Chiba Convention Bureau will continue to actively work to attract and support as many businessevents in the prefecture like La Festa Mille Miglia, and connect them to the local community thenand in the days ahead.
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CCB Initiatives on connecting with local hostSpeak about MICE at Chiba University faculty meeting
On September 29, Chiba University held a meeting of Faculties on Horticulture which took place in Matsudo
City. During this occasion, the Chiba Convention Bureau (CCB) has given a chance to introduce meeting
industry in the prefecture, along with government initiatives and available services.
For many years, Chiba University has been working closely with CCB in attracting academic meetings andconventions in the prefecture. The opportunity to speak to as many faculty members who have attended
the meeting served as a great networking advantage. At present, the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty ofPharmacy, Faculty of Nursing, and some other faculties have a track record of holding internationalconferences. According to the Dean of the Faculty of Horticulture, Vice President Nobuhiro Matsuoka, thenumber of conferences held in the Faculty of Horticulture is tremendously increasing. He expressed apositive outlook to seek assistance in the near future.
Chiba Convention Bureau will continue to deepen and expand support for academic institutions such as
Chiba University by providing them with up-to-date information which will be helpful in hosting academic
gatherings in Chiba.

9The 2022 IEEE International on Electromagnetics

Application and Student Innovation
Competition (iWEM2022) was held at
Chiba Institute of Technology
The 2022 IEEE International on Electromagnetics: Application andStudent Innovation Competition (iWEM2022) was held at Chiba
Institute of Technology on August 29-31, 2022.
Since its inception in 2011, the iWEM has been held every year alternately in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, andJapan, and is characterized by the presentation of results by many young researchers and students atinternational conferences on antenna and propagation technology. This year, due to difficulties in obtaining
visa and other documentation in entering Japan because of the pandemic situation, it was held in a hybrid
format with 135 foreign and local participants. To commemorate this year’s participation, Chiba Convention
Bureau handed out fans printed with the prefectural’s mascot, Chi-ba+Kun.

Chiba MICE Day 2022 will be held in Narita
The Chiba Convention Bureau’s annual event, the Chiba MICE Day 2022 will be held in Narita City onCity

December 9, 2022. Narita City is one of the International Meeting Tourism Cities of Chiba Prefecture. The
event aims to bring together members, local university officials, companies and other related organizations
for networking and knowledge exchanges that will discuss MICE Industry of Chiba. This is to create business
opportunities and networks through business events. By sharing knowledge and awareness, Chiba
Convention Bureau hopes to a deliver better and improved services to cater not just the local but most of all
to the global clients.

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Makuhari Illumination lit the convention area for the season
Each year during winter time, Chiba’s main conventionarea, Makuhari, has been illuminated with beautiful LED
lights. This year is no exception as Makuhari Illumination Committee in collaboration with Chiba City, Chiba
Prefecture, Chiba Chamber of Commerce, Makuhari Baytown Committee, among others, will hold a lighting
ceremony on November 11, 2022. The illumination will be concentrated around Kaihin Makuhari Station, theJR Station that is closest to Makuhari Messe. The illumination display is from 17:00 to 23:00 until January 31,
2023. The light-up aimed to attract more tourists to the convention area.
For the duration of the event, performances of students’ groups from Makuhari Sogo High School can beenjoyed such as the Symphony Orchestra, Dance Group, and Calligraphy Group as scheduled Nov. 26, Jan. 22,and Jan. 28, respectively. These groups are also available to perform at many business events, gatherings, andalike.

New Facility‘Sora Tobu Manabiya Labo’
A new learning facility, the Sora Tobu Manabiya Labo will
open in Narita City on November 1, 2022. The ‘flying
learning lab’ is located in the premises of the Museum ofAeronautical Sciences, around 20 minutes away from Narita
International Airport. Formerly the restaurant facility for themuseum, it has been transformed into a new learning space
where visitors can learn about flying and the aviationsystem. This facility is also available as a venue for meetingsand events. For details, visit the Air Charter JMRS
homepage.

11Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama
The Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama is an official hotel of Tokyo Disney Resort®.
The impressive pink exterior of the hotel gives a touch of a southern European
atmosphere. Its main lobby is 37 meters high and has an atrium of 4,300 square
meters, which is one of the largest in Japan.
While offering a resort life full of liberty, 13 banquet halls, including the large
banquet hall, the Grand Ballroom with a maximum area of 1,800 m2 is used forinternational conferences, various academic conferences, and corporate events.
The well-equipped facilities and experienced service staffs are all-out to assist
your banquets and receptions with ultimate satisfaction.
For more details, please visit Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama homepage.

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Other Announcements

Border measures to prevent thespreadofnovel

coronavirus(COVID-19)
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Information about entering intoJapanEVENTS CALENDAR
Please click image for more MICE event schedules in Chiba

Quarantine measures: Review on
the on-arrival COVID-19 test andthe home quarantine period afterentry into Japan (New)
Suspension of visa validity underthe border measures has been also
lifted from 0:00 am (JST) onChiba Convention Bureau and International Center

October 11, 2022. …… read more

14F Marive East, World Business Garden
2-6 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City Chiba Prefecture, 261-7114 Japan
Tel: +81-43-297-2752 Fax: +81-43-297-2753
Homepage: http://www.ccb.or.jp/mice/e/ Email: chibainfo@ccb.or.jp

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