Market on “Olympic Roadˮ luring visitors

August 1, 2017

TOKYO- An open-air market created on "Olympic Road" connecting the new National Stadium under construction for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and the athletes' village has been attracting visitors. Tabisuru Shintora Market, located near the Toranomon Hills high-rise building in Minato Ward, was opened in late February by an association of more than 400 municipal mayors to provide local specialties in a bid to lure more tourists to their municipalities. Some 70,000 people have visited the market to date. While the market is cosponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, private companies offer goods and services along with municipal governments. Since July 5, the Murakami, Tsubame, Sanjo, Nagaoka and Tokamachi city governments in Niigata Prefecture have been serving local meals and other specialties under a"Summer Festival" theme. Workshops are also available, including on the sharpening of kitchen knives. Department store operator Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. has opened a shop at the market to sell local specialties selected from across the country, attracting workers from nearby office buildings and foreign tourists. A titanium tumbler made in Tsubame is among the best-selling products at the select shop, featuring high levels of cold retention thanks to the manufacturer's original processing technology. Although the tumbler is priced relatively high at 16,200 yen, more than 30 units have been sold. Jiji Press