• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.301-314
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to inquiry specialized development strategies to revive the declining regional tourism in Japan, through the general characteristics of tourists and the evaluation of various tourism resources. Reaching its period of maturity after the bubble economy collapse, domestic tourism in Japan requires a change in quality of the regional tourism industry. The Kakeyu spa region, which has long history and abundant cultural resources, is specializing through rehabilitation strengthening theme of 'health seeking and recuperation'. The rate of the elderly women visitors is high in the Kakeyu spa, and the visitors use public transport and make a relatively long stay, because they want to recuperate their health or to cure their disease. In the evaluation of tourism resources, the visitors showed an increasing interest in the solemn temple scenery and the tranquil stroll road which are near by their lodgings. To reflect such demand characteristics, the Kakeyu community is actively developing the business such as rehabilitation, health-food development, voluntary service, and barrier free based on spa, culture, and nature.