Shiga Prefecture launches tourism project featuring Kusatsu Line novel

A major tourism revitalization project is underway in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, centered around the Kusatsu Line and a large-scale Destination Campaign (DC) scheduled for 2027. To promote the region, a new experiential tourism initiative called the ‘Kusatsu Line Monogatari Train’ is being developed. This project features an original novel written by artist and photographer SHOCK EYE, with editorial support from photographer Takahiro Bessho, designed to encourage travelers to visit locations featured in the story.

The initiative is a collaborative effort involving JR West, Tokyo Camera Club, Koka City, Konan City, and the Kusatsu Line Promotion Project. The broader Destination Campaign is expected to involve significant investment and generate substantial economic impact over a three-year period. This long-term campaign provides a major platform for creative professionals, particularly photographers and videographers, to engage with large-scale promotional opportunities as the region prepares for its peak tourism phase in the autumn of 2027.