As Japan and Sweden mark more than 150 years of diplomatic relations, ANA's nonstop Haneda–Stockholm service has commenced, and an increase in Japanese tourists has been reported. The Stockholm Visitors Board also held a tourism seminar in Tokyo, whose content was covered in the report.
The journey begins in Stockholm, the city of water, where 14 islands are connected by bridges. The seminar introduced the harmony of a city in which urban areas, waterfronts and green spaces each account for roughly one-third of the landscape. It also explained that the Arlanda Express takes approximately 20 minutes to reach central Stockholm from Arlanda Airport. Episodes related to director Hayao Miyazaki were discussed at the seminar, including striking depictions connecting Japanese animation with the Nordic landscape and culture.
Other highlights included waterfront walking paths, the world's longest art subway, glamping and island-hopping, as well as cultural facilities in other cities. The exterior of Stockholm City Hall, the venue for the Nobel Prize banquet, was noted for its resemblance to the city hall in Koriko City. The seminar also introduced the opportunity to enjoy the Kiki tour, which visits 22 locations associated with the film, in Japanese.
An itinerary for traveling north by domestic flight to Swedish Lapland was presented, depicting the quiet natural environment of a vast region with relatively few residents. Other highlights included journeys linking towns in the south with destinations in the north, historic church towns designated as World Heritage Sites, and the regeneration of former mining cities.
Experiences involving ice and light included the year-round Icehotel 365, a floating sauna hotel on a river and the Treehotel. The seminar emphasized that the Northern Lights can be viewed from late September through April. It also introduced the seasonal appeal of seeing a double aurora reflected in the night sky and on the water, as well as relaxing over fika, Sweden's traditional coffee break.