Platform WOW U Adopts Rainbow-Colored Logo to Celebrate and Raise Awareness of the Diversity of Inbo

(Tokyo, Japan) (April 3, 2019) - The WOW U brand which provides customized and genuine guided experiences in Japan to international travelers will adopt a rainbow-colored logo for a limited time to celebrate the diversity of its clients. Starting on April 3, 2019, the new logo will appear on the matching platform WOW U and the media platform WOW U-media. Both of these platforms exist to bring together travelers from around the world who are interested in experiencing Japan on a deeper level and local guides who act as mediators. EXest Inc., the company that runs WOW U, hopes that the diverse perspectives of its clients will enrich Japan’s local regions and contribute to local revitalization and internationalization in Japan.

WOW U’s campaign is inspired by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir that is visiting Japan this month to participate in concerts throughout Japan to raise public awareness of LGBT in Japan and beyond. WOW U is arranging guided tours for the choir that were designed specifically for the group in close collaboration with EXest’s local partner I.W.A. TOURS Co., Ltd. in order to make their first ever Japan visit a success. In Japan, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir will participate in the Hand in Hand Festival in Tokyo on Sunday, April 14, 2019, in addition to smaller events and concerts in Fukuoka and other cities. The Hand in Hand Festival is Asia’s LGBT choral festival and participants include choirs from Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia and the U.S.

Photo: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir

Diversity has become a keyword in Japan’s tourism policy in recent years as the national government is aiming to attract increasing numbers of international visitors from around the world. However, despite the best intentions, Japan’s tourism industry is lagging behind that of Western nation in catering to the diverse needs of visitors, including universal design and dietary requirements. EXest and its platform WOW U want to contribute to making foreign

Diversity has become a keyword in Japan’s tourism policy in recent years as the national government is aiming to attract increasing numbers of international visitors from around the world. However, despite the best intentions, Japan’s tourism industry is lagging behind that of Western nations in catering to the diverse needs of visitors, including universal design and dietary requirements. EXest and its platform WOW U want to contribute to making foreign visitors feel welcome anywhere in Japan, no matter where they go.

As a young high-growth company, EXest is open-minded and curious, hoping to learn from the guides in its network, its clients and its local and international partners. The arrangement of the tour for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir provided a prime opportunity for the team to learn more about the needs and interests of LGBT travelers and talk to one of the organizers of the Tokyo Rainbow Pride: the interview can be found here: [https://wow-u.jp/media/locals/tokyo-rainbow-pride_locals_en]. EXest will continue to study all kinds of diversity to make WOW U the most welcoming and exclusive platform for anyone traveling to Japan.

Mr. Shinya Yamagata, co-chair of Tokyo Rainbow Pride

The reason EXest is able to do this is because of its large network of well-trained guides who are experts at understanding and catering to the diverse needs of their clients. These professionals who speak Japanese and at least one other language facilitate communication between different travelers, and between travelers and locals. EXest will provide training and advice about traveler’s diverse identities and needs to all guides registered on the WOW U platform. Together with these guides EXest hopes to create an international community of people who share a passion for Japan, regardless of what their personal preferences or origins are.

From Exest, to the world

From Japan, to your heart

About EXest Inc.

CEO: Yukihiro Nakabayashi

EXest Inc. is a Tokyo-based travel company that aims to connect people who would not otherwise be able to meet by introducing inbound visitors to lesser-known places, food and culture in Japan and connecting them with local guides. Its mission is to contribute to local revitalization and internationalization in Japan. Its activities include running the WOW U platform to connect travelers and guides, and WOW U-media which produces videos and articles together with local broadcasters and writers throughout Japan and beyond.

EXest’s corporate website (Japanese): https://www.exest.jp

WOW U (English): https://wow-u.jp/

WOW U-media (English): https://www.facebook.com/WOWUmedia/

WOW U-media on Facebook (English): https://www.facebook.com/WOWUmedia/

Office Location: 204, Grand Maison Ebisu Higashi, 3-25-4, Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0011, JAPAN