🧵5/ Happo-en's new potential is clear 👍🏻 I gained key insights for Tokyo/Kyoto/Fukuoka events 👍🏻 Male-only speakers… Next: Follow up with leaders, inform colleagues, and pitch our consulting for large projects. Grateful for the invite (was I the only foreigner?) following years of light interactions 🙂

🧵4/ The renewed #Tokyo Happo-en impressed me 👍🏻 Its #MICE facilities have great soundproofing, high-end tech, full accessibility, standard & halal kitchens, and a stunning lobby with 3-wall kumiko nailless woodwork #art! Great for international events 👍🏻 It just needs a signature scent at the door 💡

🧵3/ Happo-en Group's core: developing areas via cultural assets. After the CEO's speech, we dove into #machizukuri neighbourhood making, traditional crafts, and engaging youth to take the lead. Great insights from #Fukuoka Bank and a #Kyoto tourism professor on blending community with urban design.

🧵2/ An insightful talk in Japanese compared #Tokyo Happo-en #MICE venue before/after its 2025 renewal, justified changes due to a 2030 vision, detailed exciting business results since the autumn reopening, and mentioned services (HR, DX, local cuisine, experience design) based on their experience.

🧵14/ Nagoya proved its massive potential ✔ Key insights gained for 2026 #AsianGames & beyond ✔ Next: follow up with local managers, share info/contacts with colleagues… Later, scout the Crowne & Hilton hotels (managers met during this #MICETrip). Big thanks to #Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau ✨

🧵13/ During this #MICETrip, I stayed at Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, visiting its Manhattan suite, enjoying mountains on the horizon during a delicious healthy breakfast on 15F… Comfortable & restful 🛌 I'd definitely recommend this hotel located at #Nagoya shinkansen station (no train noise) 👍

🧵12/ We also saw robots in action at Toyota Commemorative Museum Of Industry & Technology. For example, part of the assembly of a fourth-generation Prius 🚗 #MICETrip #Nagoya #car

🧵11/ Toyota Commemorative Museum Of Industry & Technology guided 2 hours by a Japanese engineer who worked in Iran/Syria/UAE/… was a treat! Weaving → 1940 EV → hydrogen car with active machines + Q&A surpassed audio guides. Prayer room, halal, early-notice vegan, direct bookings… 👍 #MICETrip #Nagoya

🧵10/ Top during this #MICETrip: Nagoya Noh Theatre's rare backstage tour of training, storage, and artists’ preparation rooms… and Japan's only #Noh stage with a young (not old) pine tree painted. Ask to visit a mask maker workshop 🎭 Book via #Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau or Japan Travel KK.

🧵9/ Espacio #Nagoya Castle is a world-class art hotel and event centre with golden designs and stunning artworks. Book a castle-view room for sunrise/sunset (no lightups), admire dragon/phoenix projection mappings on smoke in the garden, drink from Tokoname-yaki… I was charmed 🏯 #MICETrip

🧵8/ Exciting patents at #Nagoya #Vermicular Village: trivets sticking to pots held horizontally, sturdy handles… In Japan’s №1 industrial region, the company pivoted repeatedly since WW2, from #MadeInJapan machinery to world-class cookware. Book tours & cooking lessons via Japan Travel KK. #MICETrip

🧵7/ For a unique #MICETrip, rent Endoji shopping district! Decorate it, savour inside/outside (halal/vegan OK), enjoy live music, meet historical actors (Japan's 3 unifiers were born in this region)… It feels different! Plan 6 months early via #Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau or Japan Travel KK!

🧵6/ We visited #LegoLand Japan theme park during rare 3-day maintenance: outdoors, movie theatre, restaurant… It launched 18:00-21:00 private access for groups of 1,200+ with great test prices 👍🏻 Access is via a specific manager; contact me or Japan Travel KK colleagues to book. #MICETrip #Nagoya

🧵5/ The event space Lives #Nagoya has been used for idol concerts, wrestling fights, corporate events… 500,000 yen for a full day including the giant screen and excellent sound system (weekend: +200,000). See the visuals on the official website: lives.nagoya #MICETrip

🧵4/ Fine for group photos and 18:00-20:00 parties for 300 atttendees, #Nagoya SCMAGLEV & Railway Park has a shinkansen driving simulator, earthquake tech model, maglev train mockup… Wheelchairs OK 👍🏻 Book 3 months early via JR Tokai Tours or Japan Travel KK; 10,000 yen/person with meal 🥂 #MICETrip

🧵3/ On the Aonami "Blue Wave" train line with a private booking Nagoya ➡️ Kinjo-futo (SCMAGLEV & Railway Park) 🚃 Big underground waiting area. 210,000 yen for 581 people (204 seats) + options e.g. decorations. Book 3 months early by fax (or email Japan Travel KK…). Plan for wheelchairs. #MICETrip

🧵2/ Great start: #shinkansen from #Tokyo to #Nagoya in a chartered car 🚄 We enjoy a private booking program (600,000 yen + seats): head covers, banners, screen, mic (good sound), Aichi tea… Perfect for corporate events with custom logos! To book, ask JR Tokai Tours, JTB or Japan Travel KK. #MICETrip

15 journalists & influencers and I tried Innophys' latest exoskeletons & supporters at their factory in #Japan. We were globally convinced 👍 bsky.app/profile/seba...

Wow, all these small #Daruma in front of the pond (?) look unique & fun! Spot bookmarked for my next trip to west Japan 🙂