An Okinawa tourism promotion is held in KOTA'S KITCHEN, a Japanese restaurant in Xiamen, Fujian province on Jan 22. [Photo / xmnn.cn]

An Okinawa tourism promotion was held in KOTA'S KITCHEN, a Japanese restaurant in Xiamen, Fujian province on Jan 22.

Okinawa elements gave Xiamen a Japanese night, including awamori, shamisen, and traditional Japanese dancing.

Japan is a hot destination for Chinese tourists, and will hold the 2020 Olympic Games. Japanese tourism and retail industries are ready for international promotion.

Okinawa, dubbed as Japan’s Hawaii, hopes to score in the commercial tide, according to the Okinawa representative office in Fujian.

Transportation has been well-prepared for Fujian tourists to Okinawa. Chartered planes between Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, and Okinawa will come into operation in February. The two cities are expected to add more flights if the tickets sell well.

Cruise liner routes linking Xiamen and Okinawa will also open during the summer.

Okinawa county, located between Taiwan, China and Kyushu, Japan, consists of many islands. It has a subtropical marine climate, and is a famous seaside resort.

Shamisen is a traditional musical instrument in Okinawa. It originated from China 500 years ago, and was brought to Okinawa by Fujian people through trading activities.

Awamori is a traditional spirit made of rice and dates back to the 15th century. Local people like to add ice or water when drinking it.

Fumio Kishida, foreign minister of Japan , announced a new multi-entry visa policy for Chinese people on Jan 6, which prolongs the visa’s validity to five years and abolishes the restriction of a first visit destination, according to the Kyodo News Agency.

The new policy took effect on Jan 19.

Japan’s old multi-entry visa for high-income Chinese people has a validity of three years and requires that they visit Okinawa or one of the three disaster-hit prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima when seeing Japan for the first time.

By Zhai Song and edited by Brian Salter