「ようこそジャパン」 (Yokoso Japan!) means “Welcome to Japan!“, and is the Japan National Tourism Organization‘s official slogan of their campaign to attract foreign visitors to Japan.
「Yokoso Japan!」 logo
Here are some of their Yokoso Japan! campaign ads.
Most of the scenes in this first one are of Tokyo (there are a few shots of Osaka, etc…but most of it is Tokyo):
These show many parts of Japan:
Do they make you want to visit this beautiful country?
Tokyo Five 
Hi all! I beg your pardon, I love Japanese culture, the history of this wonderful country, as well as the music. I found this song, and I have a strong need to have more information about it: the composer, the name of the song or even a sheet. I know you can give me a great help on it. Thank you!
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Sorry, I don’t know what song that is … but the YouTube page says it’s by Joe Hasaishi.
You could google that name.
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me gusta….
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>me gusta….
I assume that that is in Spanish. Sorry, I don’t understand that language.
According to the internet, though, “me gusta” means “I like (this)”.
In that case, thanks.
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did you read this?
On the late morning of March 8, an incredible event occurred on the opposite side of the world. It all began with three 14-year-old kids, two boys and a girl, playing around on the side of the crowded streets of Osaka, Japan. The carefree adolescents were giggling and lightheartedly pushing and shoving each other on their way to downtown.
When they reached the train station they paid no mind to the disapproving looks they received from awaiting train riders and tourists in the loading area. The three didn’t stop their almost mischievous behavior as the rapidly approaching train was now in sight. Not knowing his own strength, the tallest boy thrust himself into the other boy who nudged the petite girl just enough that she couldn’t regain her balance. Instinctually, she grabbed her friend’s shirt as they both unwillingly jumped onto the magnetic rails of the bullet train nearly two meters below the station’s platform.
As if captured from a scene in a movie, one of the world’s fastest trains was only seconds away. In horror, the fallen boy scrambled to get out and the crowd cried as the train was only a few short meters from disaster. People were panicking as the boy’s left arm was being pulled up by two men as if he was a stuffed animal. The young girl still lay still. For her, it was too late.
In an instant, the train had arrived to the station as it had thousands of times before. But this time it was different. The first train car was unhinged from the rail and had veered off to the right at a 45-degree angle. The crowd became silent as they held their breath. Only about 15 centimeters (6 inches) separated the young teen from her deplorable death. The girl was carried away with only a twisted ankle, some bruises, and a broken smile.
Strangely enough, investigators found that there were no other similar accidents ever reported within that railway system and the train conductor could not have possibly braked in time. It was believed that an object disrupted the train’s path.
In all of the hysteria just before the train was stopped, many people had thrown objects such as garbage cans, purses, belts, and even newspapers onto the rail. However, only one of the items was the source that challenged the powerful train. An innocent left-sided flip-flop sandal adhered to the track at the point where the train derailed. Nearly unidentifiable, the only thing that was recognizable on the object was a “Rider” logo that matched a right-sided sandal found below the platform.
As the train passengers were being escorted off the vehicle, local reporters interviewed a barefooted US tourist on site who made light of the situation and with a warm grin said, “They were indeed my Rider sandals that were found under the train but it’s okay, I was going to buy another pair anyway.”
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>did you read this?
Where did you read that?
I don’t think that ever happened.
I think it’s not a true story.
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What is the first music of the first ad “cool japan” ?
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I’m not sure which song…but it sounds like 「吉田兄弟」 (the Yoshida Brothers) to me.
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Wow! I loved all the Yokosa videos! they make me want to visit Japan again. my next visit will have to be much longer. there is just so many beautiful things and places to visit, not to mention my family.
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Yes, there is alot to see in Japan.
And just like in other countries, each part of the country is different.
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What is the beautiful music which accompanies the 3 & half minute Yokoso ad? Not the shamisen one (which is also beautiful) but the piano one.
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No, sorry. I’m not sure what that song is.
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Nice! I like how they show alot of beautiful traditional architecture and culture and also Japanese pop culture.
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Yes. Both modern and traditional Japan are beautiful!
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Hu..Hu… nihon ga ikitai desu… how long did you lived in japan?
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>nihon
gani ikitai desu…You should come!
>how long did you lived in japan?
As I wrote on my “About Me” page ( https://tokyo5.wordpress.com/about/ )…I’ve been in Tokyo since 1990.
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If you like all things Japanese – the furnishings, the art, the scent, the culture – you can consider traditional Japanese decor theme for your home:
Tatami mats, futons, a Hokusai art print, and perhaps an ikebana floral arrangement. Use chrysanthemum- or green tea- essential oils for fragrance.
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>consider traditional Japanese decor theme for your home
My house already is Japanese style with tatami and futon.
No Hokusai ukiyoe or ikebana though. 😉
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Those are great videoes, really cool music and a lot of great scenery. I watched the ones with all the Japanese in them too but of course I had no clue what they were saying.
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>Those are great videoes, really cool music and a lot of great scenery.
I think so too.
The music is from the traditional Japanese musical instrument called “shamisen“.
It seems that the last video has been disabled. 😦
>I watched the ones with all the Japanese in them too but of course I had no clue what they were saying.
They say “Welcome to Japan!” in the videos.
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