SINGAPORE: Orchard Road has been transformed into a
mini Sakura Land, as part of the Discover Japan
exhibition.
This exhibition aims to attract some 200,000
Singaporeans to visit Japan this year, to reverse the decline in
the number of visitors due mainly to last March's earthquake and
tsunami. In 2011, Japan received 111,300 Singaporeans, a 38.5 per
cent drop from 2010, which registered 180,000
arrivals.
Officially opened on Saturday, the exhibition is
organised by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO). The
exhibition runs till February 26.
There are also plans to offer one-for-one package tours to Japan at
next month's NATAS Fair.
The exhibition features 54 playing cards blown up to poster size,
depicting Japan's 47 prefectures, and their culture and food.
The artist behind the cards, Yasuko Sensyu, was also on hand at the
exhibition to display her skills.
The larger-than-life size cards have a pending application for the
Guinness World Record for "the largest pack of playing
cards".
Other attractions include photo-taking panels, a glass container to
showcase Japanese hand-made artefacts, and live performances.
Motonari Adachi, executive director at the Singapore office of the
Japan National Tourism Organisation, said: "Singaporeans
fundamentally love Japan, and we have confidence that we will be
able to overcome any radiation fears. We will organise a seminar
for food safety, for Singaporeans who have any issues regarding
food safety."
-CNA/ac