Get moving for a virtual trip to Kumamoto! Supporting Kumamoto earthquake recovery at Haneda

Japan Airport Building Corporation, which operates Haneda Airport's domestic terminal, held the "HANEDA VIRTUAL TRIP: Support Event for Kyushu and Kumamoto" at Flight Deck Tokyo in Terminal 2 from August 26th to 28th. This event was part of recovery support following the Kumamoto earthquake in April, aiming to stimulate travel demand to Kumamoto and other parts of Kyushu.

During the event, a novel flight game utilizing Microsoft's Kinect gesture and voice recognition controller was provided. Participants enjoyed a virtual flight to Kumamoto by moving their bodies to control an airplane displayed on a large monitor.

Upon "arriving" in Kumamoto in the game, the monitor connected live to locations like Kumamoto Castle and Kurokawa Onsen. Participants then challenged themselves with Kumamoto-themed quizzes. Smiles spread across their faces during real-time communication with local residents.

A fourth-grade boy from Tokyo proudly shared his thoughts: "It was fun how the plane moved when I flapped my hands. I did better than I thought I would."

The venue, Flight Deck Tokyo, is an indoor observation deck where visitors can watch aircraft take off and land regardless of weather, making it a popular spot that usually draws large crowds. Coinciding with summer vacation, the event attracted many families and couples, creating a lively atmosphere.

Additionally, the venue introduced the "Kyushu Recovery Discount" (Phase 2), a campaign utilizing national subsidies, which begins accepting applications on September 9th. Valid for stays between October 1 and December 28, it offers up to 50% off travel to Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures, and up to 40% off travel to Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima Prefectures. The first phase saw overwhelming demand, with reservations selling out rapidly both online and at service counters.

Kyushu Recovery Discount: http://kyushu-fukkou.jp/