Starting today, skiers all over the world will be able to download the first comprehensive English-language guide to Japan's ski resorts and snow country.
The Japan Snow Guide mobile app, developed by MapMotion KK and Outdoor Media Japan Inc, is available for download from Apple’s iTunes App Store.
The Japan Snow Guide app will meet the needs of avid skiers who are increasingly flocking to Japan for its ski resorts. The country is blessed with a mountainous terrain that receives some of the heaviest snowfalls in the world and is dotted with natural hot springs.
Inside the app, users will find information on Japan’s top resorts, objective resort spotlights, original editorial on featured destinations and activities, event listings, real- time accommodation booking in resort areas, weather conditions, highlighted local services and regular lift ticket giveaways and other promotions during the season.
MapMotion and Outdoor Japan Media, whose CEOs Craig Will and Gardner Robinson met and connected at last year's WIT Japan in May, worked together to create what they call a “compelling mobile experience” – a single app that lets users plan their trip, get to their destination and enjoy the local scene.
Comprehensive content from Outdoor Japan Media, publishers of Traveler magazine, Outdoor Japan Online and the annual Japan Winter Sports Guide is included, from ski resort and trail information to original feature stories and winter event listings.
MapMotion has integrated this information into the mobile app, adding GPS-enabled map views, directions, bookmarking and trail map downloads. The app also integrates weather content, a comprehensive shop list for travelers who need to pick up last- minute winter gear, the ability to book accommodation directly from the app and the option of receiving push notifications about lift ticket giveaways and hyper-local deals related to the resort a user is visiting.
“The app targets the growing market of inbound travelers from overseas who are interested in experiencing Japan’s winter wonderland, as well as the international community living in Japan. Japan’s countryside can be a challenging destination for inbound travelers,” said Craig Will, CEO of MapMotion.
“Japan Snow Guide helps solve this with comprehensive English- language content and GPS enabled map views and directions. For visitors from overseas, who often have limited data connectivity, most of the app content is also viewable offline, including Japanese language addresses to show to local taxi drivers.”