35 Heisei travel plans contest

As part of its 135th anniversary celebrations, The Yomiuri Shimbun invites readers to submit travel plans that incorporate at least one of the 100 Landscapes of Heisei.

A total of 35 travel plans will be selected from the proposals submitted as part of the Yomiuri's "35 Routes on the Island of Four Seasons" competition.

The contest aims to come up with information on 35 different travel itineraries highlighting attractive regional scenery and culture that will appeal to people from other countries.

Readers are encouraged to devise novel travel plans that not only cover popular sightseeing spots but also locations known only among local residents, or those focusing on a specific theme.

The Grand Prize winner will be awarded the latest model of the Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon. Leading works may also be sold as package tours.

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100 Landscapes of Heisei

300 Candidates for 100 Landscapes of Heisei

*Application requirements

Only applications from individuals will be accepted.

Applicants are allowed to submit multiple plans on separate application forms.

Itineraries should be for three days and two nights.

*Please prepare the following two documents.

1. Application form

Application forms are available on the Yomiuri Online Web site (www.yomiuri.co.jp/feature/heisei100/35road.htm). The form is written in Japanese, but applications can be made in English. Alternatively, the form printed in this edition of The Daily Yomiuri can be used.

Please note the following points when you fill out the form.

　(A) Title of travel plan

　Please come up with an attractive and original title.

　(B) Targeted tourists

　Who does your travel plan target? (Example: Women, married couples, foreigners, and so on.)

　(C) Season to visit

　Which season do you recommend for your travel plan? Your travel plan can include seasonal festivals.

　(D) Summary of itinerary

　Please design a travel itinerary that meets the following requirements.

　(1) a. Trips should last three days and two nights in principle.

　b. Travelers must arrive at the first destination around noon on the first day and finish sightseeing by about 4 p.m. on the third day.

　(2) Plans must include accommodation for each night in principle. Campsites can be included as accommodation.

　(3) Your itinerary must take in at least two places among the 300 candidates for the 100 Landscapes of Heisei. At least one of the sites must be from the 100 selected landscapes of Heisei.

　(4) Travelers can use transportation during their trip, such as trains, airplanes, ferries, buses, cars (including rented cars), motorcycles, bicycles (including rented bicycles).

　(E) Budget

　Estimate the necessary budget per person (excluding transportation expenses to the starting departure point and from the finishing destination point) in 10,000 yen increments.

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2. Explanation of plan

　Please provide a detailed explanation of what you wrote on the application sheet.

　(A) The entire length should be limited to 10 sheets of A4-size paper, including attached materials. Be sure to attach a map indicating the proposed travel route.

　(B) Please include the following information in as much detail as possible.

　1. Transportation times and length of stays at visited sites

　2. Concrete accounts of destinations and must-see sites

　3. Specific names of recommended inns, hotels, meals and local specialties

*Address:

Shiki no Shima 35 no Michi Kakari
Yomiuri Shimbun
Nihonbashi Branch Tome
Japan Post Network 103-8601

*Deadline:

Applications must be received by Aug. 31.

*Screening:

The 10-member selection committee of the 100 Landscapes of Heisei will screen the applications.

*Prizes:

　Grand Prize (1 person): Latest model of Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon

　Merit Awards (10 people): One Yomiuri Travel Service travel coupon worth 50,000 yen

　Selected Works (24 people): One Yomiuri Travel Service coupon worth 10,000 yen

*Announcement

Prize-winning plans will be announced in November in The Yomiuri Shimbun and The Daily Yomiuri.

For more information, contact the secretariat at (03) 6739-5795 (Japanese only).

NOTES:

1. The plan must be previously unpublished and drawn up by the applicant. Those connected with the project cannot enter the competition.

2. Submitted works will not be returned. Copyright and other rights to use the works will belong to The Yomiuri Shimbun.

3. The works may be presented and used in publications of The Yomiuri Shimbun, including The Daily Yomiuri and related Web sites. They may be edited when necessary. They also may be put on sale as tour programs.

Personal information will be used exclusively for contacting prizewinners.