A Study on the Success of Industrial Tourism Based on the Integration of Township Planning and Local Industry in the Rural Areas: A Case of Aya Town, Miyazaki County, Japan

Abstract

In 1970s, rapid economic development in Japan caused mass rural residents to migrate to urban areas but meanwhile preserved the natural landscape and historical culture in the rural areas. This phenomenon has consequently provided rich natural and cultural resources that help to attract tourists to the rural areas. It would be interesting to find out how the local government could successfully integrate township planning and local industries to revive economy in these rural areas. Aya Town in the Miyazaki County was a small town with little nationwide fame in Japan. Today, more than a million visitors a year come to Aya Town to visit her attractions, including natural landscape, organic agriculture without artificial fertilizers and insecticides, traditional arts and festivals, and industrial theme parks. This study was intended to investigate the problems encountered and their solutions during the development process of industrial tour ism and township planning in Aya Tow n by means of survey data and in-depth interviews so as to identify its success factors that can be referred by the other towns while implementing industrial tourism. The issues of this case to be discussed include: (1) The turning point or initial idea to sparkle the industrial tourism in Aya Town as well as her development process; (2) The relationship between community organization and industrial tourism development; (3) The integration of local indigenous resources and major industry (organic agriculture) to create attractions; (4) The role of local government in the development of industrial tourism; (5) The success of the industrial theme park-Syusen no Mori (winery in the forest).