This paper is based on the presidential address at the 14th conference of Japan Association on　Geographical Space in June 2021. The theme of the address was the valuable aspects of geography　in related disciplines based on personal experiences in the field of economics. Specifically, it is　argued that the experiences of field work and GIS in geography are valuable assets for　geographers. There are increasing opportunities in related disciplines to work with rural　communities for revitalization to which the experience of field work can contribute. Similarly, GIS is　getting popular in related disciplines as well and geographers have the cutting edge of GIS.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the history of policy on tourism and recreation, and the spatial arrangement based on the policy in Japan. In the early stages, simple and inexpensive accommodation was built. In the next stages, various recreational facilities have been added. Moreover the planning of facility has been enlarged and upgraded（so called “Resort”）. But its implementation of planning failed. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen people’s exchanges and environmental conservation for development of tourism and recreation.

View full abstract

This study analyzes the characteristics of ski tourism in France on a national scale from three elements: skiers, ski areas, and resort towns. Moreover, this study compares the recent situation of ski tourism between France and Japan to discuss the points that can contribute to the sustainable development of Japanese ski tourism. In France, there has been a stagnant trend in the number of skier visits and the exploitation of ski-lifts in recent years. The ski areas have distinct characteristics due to the natural conditions of each mountain area. The large ski areas located in the Northern Alps attract more skiers, forming the greatest concentration of winter tourism. In resort towns, second houses are predominant among the various accommodations, leading to increasingly apparent issues such as low utilization rates and the deterioration of aging facilities. In addition, the hotels are becoming more luxurious. The ski tourism in France and Japan was bolstered by the high proportion of domestic skiers, however, the difference is that in France, skiers stay for a week based on “vacances”, while in Japan, they stay mainly on weekends. In addition, the recent increase in the number of foreign skiers in Japan, is different from that in France in terms of their tourist behavior and the timing of their visit in the resorts developing process, namely, Japanese ski resorts need to find their own ways of adapting the foreign skiers.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract