Oita Prefecture/ New City Promotion “Oita, SpaceNoonsen Prefecture”, asia’s first horizontal “space port”, announced

Logo (Oita, Cosmic Noon sen)

Oita Prefecture has been conducting various city promotions under the catchphrase of “Onsen Prefecture Oita” because there is one of japan’s leading hot spring resorts in the prefecture, but oita airport in Kunisaki City will become a spaceport as early as 2022, and will launch a new city promotion “SpaceNoncen Prefecture Oita” to convey its charm inside and outside the prefecture.

• Background of < project>

A spaceport is a general term for a spacecraft’s airfield. In April 2020, oita prefecture partnered with Virgin Orbit (California) in the United States, and oita airport was decided to become the first horizontal spaceport in Asia. In September of the same year, Oita Prefecture was selected as a “Local Government for Promoting The Creation of Space Business” promoted by the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In November 2021, there is growing expectations for the expansion of space-related industries in Oita Prefecture, including the governor of Oita Prefecture, and 11 governors of Hokkaido Prefecture submitted a written request to Prime Minister Kishida on the development and promotion of the space industry.
On December 13, a press conference was held at “Zarai Oita”, a restaurant-type antenna shop where you can taste ingredients from Oita Prefecture, to explain this initiative. In addition to explaining the efforts related to spaceports and expected economic effects, a part of the outline of the new city promotion is introduced. On the day of the event, astronaut Naoko Yamazaki took the stage to talk about the charms of space and Oita.
The media who participated in the interview were provided with a lunch menu using specialties around Oita Airport, which is a “spaceport”, and foods from companies that have started space food initiatives. In addition, space food using oita prefecture’s specialties used in this menu is actually being developed.
 

• What is “Oita, Cosmic Noonsen Province”?

When Oita Airport becomes a “spaceport”,
It is a declaration that Oita Prefecture evolves from the conventional “Onsen Prefecture” to “Onsen Prefecture” loved on a space scale.
From now on, Oita Prefecture will be able to enjoy all of its sightseeing, including hot springs, gourmet, and activities.
In addition, we would like to polish the skills and mind of hospitality and welcome more people and aliens.

• Press Conference of “Oita, Space Noon sen Prefecture”

*Date: Monday, December 13, 2021 / Venue: Zarai Oita
In addition to a video message from The Governor of Oita Prefecture Hirose, an overview of this initiative, and an explanation of the expected economic effects, astronaut Naoko Yamazaki took the stage to introduce the charms of space and Oita. In addition, as “Zarai Salon 2021”, we provided the facility introduction of Zarai Oita, which became the venue, sightseeing information introduction in the prefecture, and a lunch menu limited to the day using ingredients from the prefecture to the media who participated.

Video Message from Governor Hirose

Naoko Yamazaki, U Airman

Zarai Oita Limited Lunch

• Oita Airport Becomes Asia’s First Horizontal Spaceport – What is Asia’s First Horizontal Spaceport?

A spaceport is a port for humans and satellites to go into space. In April 2020, Oita Prefecture and Virgin Orbit of the United States entered into a partnership. Oita Airport has become a “horizontal spaceport” that fires rockets equipped with satellites horizontally in the air rather than vertically. The first satellite will be launched from Oita Airport as early as 2022. We plan 20 launches in the decade since 2022. Oita Airport, a spaceport that is expected to co-create various industries, and its surrounding area have the potential to develop as a base for logistics, tourism, science and technology, culture, etc., in addition to a transportation base, and are expected to be the center of the space industry and new business.

Oita Airport

• What is the horizontal launch method?

Today, most rockets are launched vertically into the sky from a dedicated facility (firing range) on the ground. The big difference between Oita Airport’s “horizontal launch method” and the previous launch method is that large facilities such as shooting sites are not required, and the impact on the surrounding environment is low. In the horizontal launch method, an aircraft lifts a rocket carrying a satellite on its wings, takes off from the airport, and launches the rocket in the air.

Horizontal launch method

• Economic effect of spaceport operation expected

Oita Prefecture estimates that oita airport will have an economic ripple effect of approximately 10.2 billion yen over the five years since 2022, including airport operation, the construction of a supply chain for rockets and satellite parts and fuel, the creation of new businesses, and tourist attractions.
< Economic Ripple Effect Forecast: Breakdown of Approximately 10.2 billion yen>
・ Launch site operation effect: 3.1 billion yen / fuel procurement related to launch, etc.
・ Construction investment effect: 1.5 billion yen / what to build when it is launched regularly
・ Tourism consumption effect: 5.6 billion yen / tourists, use of tourism programs, etc.

• Outline of “Oita, Cosmic Noonsen Prefecture” campaign

Period: From Monday, December 13, 2021 to Monday, February 28, 2022
Outline of implementation: PR video, official website release, dissemination of information through SNS, campaigns at hot bathing and accommodation facilities in Oita Prefecture, etc.

< PR video>
Space Noon sen Prefecture Oita PR video “I saw aliens” all 7 types
Period: From Monday, December 13, 2021, it will be released on the special site.         
            Ads will be published on Youtube, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter
Is it because Oita Airport became a spaceport!?
Aliens, UFOs, and mystery circles witnessed in various places in Oita Prefecture.
Is this the real story!?

“Hot spring favorite alien!?”

https://youtu.be/TZkpeOj1s9Q

“Strange UFO, Discovery!”
https://youtu.be/KQR8gmVyGXg

“Mystery Circle in Onsen Prefecture”
https://youtu.be/rMW781hUMj0
 

• < Official website released>

https://uchunooita.pref.oita.jp
Campaign aim, outline, PR video, campaign target,
Introduction of the list of accommodation and hot bath facilities in Oita Prefecture and the contents of the campaign.

Official HP Oita No Honto?

• < Information dissemination on official SNS>

“Alien U’s Instagram” account@alien_u_oita
Period: From Monday, December 13, 2021 to Monday, February 28, 2022 ※Scheduled to be renewed about once or twice a week
Outline of implementation: Alien U travels around Oita Prefecture and delivers favorite sightseeing spots

Official SNS Capture (1)

Official SNS Capture (2)

Official SNS Capture (3)

• < Campaigns at hot baths and accommodation facilities in Oita Prefecture>

Period: From Thursday, December 16, 2021 to Monday, February 28, 2022
Outline of implementation: Benefits, services, etc. for accommodation, facility users, etc.
Facilities: 37 hot spring inns and hotels in Oita Prefecture https://uchunooita.pref.oita.jp

< Aliens>
Held at hot spring inns and hotels in Oita Prefecture.
If you self-report that you are an alien, you will receive gifts, various benefits, and some facilities will offer discounts on accommodation charges. * Benefits vary depending on each facility.

Alien Discount

< Alien Welcome Signboard>

Alien Welcome Sign (1)

Alien Welcome Sign (2)

< Pictogram notation for aliens>

Alien Pictograms(1)

Alien Pictograms(2)

• About Oita

Oita Prefecture, as the name “Onsen Prefecture Oita” is the no. 1 in Japan, ranks first in both the amount of hot springs gushing out and the number of hot springs in Japan. Many tourists visit every year for famous hot springs such as Beppu and Yufuin, but the charm is not limited to hot springs. There are many unknown scenic spots, power spots, and exquisite gourmet. Oita, the best onsen prefecture in Japan, is also full of taste power.
 

• About Zarai Oita

Zarai Oita opened in Ginza, Tokyo in 2006 as the official antenna shop in Oita Prefecture. A restaurant-centric style that serves dishes made with ingredients from Oita Prefecture. Moved to the Sukiyabashi area of Yurakucho, Tokyo in May 2021. It features modern and chic interiors incorporating many Oita materials and traditional crafts. There is a oita goods sales corner at the entrance.

Address: Hulic Square Tokyo 3F, 2-2-3 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel:03-6264-6650
business hours:
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (L.O. 1:30 p.m.)
Dinner 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (L.O. 9:30 p.m.)
Gallery (merchandise) 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Closed: Sundays, national holidays, the first Saturday, year-end and New Year holidays, Obon
Nearest station:
Approximately 1 minute’s walk from Exit C1 from Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hibiya Line and Marunouchi Line
Get off at Hibiya Station station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Chiyoda Line, and Toei Metro Mita Line and walk about 1 minute from Exit A1
Get off at Yurakucho Station on the JR Yamanote line and Keihin Tohoku Line and walk for about 3 minutes from the Ginza exit.