Struggling to attract foreign visitors, Iwate Prefecture has embarked on a charm offensive using quirky signs and other techniques to endear tourists to the far-flung region.
The campaign, titled features an illustration of a samurai warrior with a traditional topknot hairstyle, who informs tourists of Japanese etiquette and ways to enjoy local culture.
¡°We wanted to start with something simple to use,¡± something unique and fun that would spark interest, Takefumi Shimomukai, director of the Iwate Prefectural Government¡¯s Morioka Regional Development Bureau said.
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