Who is Kaori Kozai and why does she matter here?

Kaori Kozai is a well-known Japanese singer who endorsed regional dishes at a showcase supporting Osaka tourism and Tamba-Sasayama food. Celebrity support can raise awareness and trust, which often boosts web searches, trial visits, and bookings when routes, prices, and events are easy to understand.

What is Japan’s gastronomic road initiative?

It is a program that links producers, chefs, and destinations to create themed food travel routes. The goal is to turn local specialties into easy-to-plan trips, increasing visits and spend. It supports farms, small restaurants, and regional brands through coordinated promotion and clear travel information.

How could this affect investors in Japan?

If interest turns into travel, hotels, rail, buses, restaurants, and agrifood suppliers in Kansai may see higher volumes. Key metrics include occupancy, room rates, transport passengers, tasting event sell-outs, and collaboration menus. Rising web traffic and reservation conversions suggest demand is moving from awareness to action.

What risks could limit the impact?

Bad weather, transport congestion, or limited seasonal supply can cap visitor numbers or menu availability. Price-sensitive domestic demand may also slow if costs rise. Clear routes, good capacity planning, and steady PR can offset these risks by improving convenience and keeping interest through peak travel periods.

Global Market Insights

February 15: Kaori Kozai Boosts Osaka-Tamba-Sasayama Food Tourism Push

ByDanny Kontos February 15, 2026February 15, 2026

Kaori Kozai is lending her voice to a fresh push for Osaka tourism and Tamba-Sasayama food under Japan’s gastronomic road program. The Osaka Tourism Bureau and Sasayama partners staged a showcase to promote regional dishes and travel plans, with new PR activity set to follow. For investors in Japan, this campaign highlights potential demand for hotels, rail, restaurants, and agrifood suppliers across Kansai. We explain what to watch, why local specialties matter, and how publicity from Kaori Kozai could translate into bookings, higher spend per visitor, and stronger quarterly updates in 2026.