JAF Nagano JAF Nagano Branch x Shinshu University x Otari Village: A sightseeing plan created by Shinshu University students has been officially recognized as a model course by Otari Village!

[JAF Nagano] JAF Nagano Branch x Shinshu University x Otari Village: A sightseeing plan created by Shinshu University students becomes an official model course approved by Otari Village! ​ Japan Automobile Federation (General
Incorporated Association) Press Release: August 30, 2025 [JAF Nagano] JAF Nagano Branch x Shinshu University x Otari Village: A sightseeing plan created by Shinshu University students has been officially recognized as a model course by Otari Village! In 2024, the JAF Nagano Branch, Shinshu University, and Otari Village collaborated on a project called “Student-Produced Regional Tourism Plans and Videos” as part of an
industry-academia-government collaboration. The tourism plan was adopted as an official Otari Village model course in August 2025. The Nagano Branch of JAF (Japan Automobile Federation, a general incorporated association) (Branch Director: Shinichi Utsunomiya) has been conducting joint research with the Sato Seminar (Associate Professor: Hirohide Sato), Faculty of Humanities, Shinshu University, since 2016 in order to promote the appeal of Shinshu and revitalize the region. This initiative involves producing videos to promote the attractions of various parts of Nagano Prefecture, as well as creating sightseeing plans and driving courses. In fiscal year 2024, we split into three groups and worked with Otari Village, Kitaazumi District (Mayor Yoshiaki Nakamura). In Otari Village, located at the foot of the Northern Alps, we created a day trip plan for the green season, incorporating experiences unique to Otari Village, targeting students, young people, and inbound tourists.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/10088/6230/10088-6230-7ce6045c55932b9a6465c12d90f8525a-1280×720.jpg The tourism plan created by the students was adopted as an official model course by the Otari Village Tourism Association, and a webpage for it was published on August 1, 2025. This is the first time that a tourism plan jointly created by the Nagano Branch and Shinshu University has been adopted as a model course by a local government. Some of the published model itineraries allow for the use of public transportation, making them easy for the target student audience. The driving itinerary for those traveling by car was created by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), allowing visitors to enjoy the Otari Village model itinerary in their preferred way, whether by car or public transportation. In addition, a two-day, one-night model itinerary combining the plans created by Group 3 has also been released, allowing visitors to enjoy Otari Village at their own pace. In addition to this project, the JAF website also introduces past activities with Shinshu University and experiential events that can be enjoyed in Otari Village. The JAF Nagano Branch will continue to work toward revitalizing local areas throughout Nagano Prefecture, including industry-academia-government collaboration. If you would like to cover this activity or collaborate on regional development, please contact us via the inquiry form.