Research Representative Kosei Yamada (Professor, Faculty Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)

1. Overview of research results
This study examines the current state of rural tourism (tourism in rural areas) in Europe and analyzes the perspectives and needs of inbound tourists (foreign tourists visiting Japan) from Europe and elsewhere toward rural tourism in Japan, thereby exploring key points for the future development of rural tourism in Japan. Activities and Results for This Year: The following activities were carried out in 2024, the first year of the research. The activities are as follows: 1. Rural Tourism Survey in Italy: In September 2024, we visited agritourism (farm guesthouses) in Puglia to clarify the trends and needs of guests. 2. Rural Tourism Survey in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture: We visited Semboku City twice, in July and September 2024, to exchange opinions with government departments and rural tourism promotion organizations, and to clarify the current state of rural tourism through stays at farm guesthouses. Through surveys 1 and 2, we discovered significant differences between the content of rural tourism in Japan and Italy, such as the characteristics of farm guesthouse management and the behavior of guests during their stay.

2. Books, papers, academic presentations, etc.
[Paper (not peer-reviewed)]
Characteristics and Roles of Rural Tourism Promotion Organizations in Japan: The Case of Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, Kosei Yamada, 2024, Chiba University of Commerce Review 62-3, 59-72
[Conference presentations, etc.]
Characteristics of rural tourism promotion organizations in Europe and their applicability to Japan. YamadaKosei, 2024, 35th International Geographical Congress, Dublin, Ireland
Characteristics of rural tourism promotion organizations in Europe and their potential application to Japan, YamadaKosei, 2024, Tourism for Recovery, Resilience and Regeneration in Rural and Peripheral Areas Symposium, Wakayama University