Reelu Inc. Begins Accepting External Observations of Its Guide Training and Certification System
To address the shortage of guides and quality issues as inbound tourism expands, Reelu Inc. has begun accepting external observation visits from tourism operators and local governments for its internal guide training and certification system.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 00:02
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 15:31
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Reelu Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo; CEO: Miyu Konno; hereinafter "Reelu") announces that it will begin accepting observation visits for external business operators and related parties regarding the inbound tourism guide training and certification system that it has operated internally.
Background
In 2025, the number of foreign visitors to Japan recorded a record high of 42,683,600, and inbound tourism has entered a new expansion phase in terms of both quantity and quality. In response to this expanding demand, securing foreign language-speaking personnel and guide personnel at tourism sites is becoming an increasingly important theme. The Japan Tourism Agency has also indicated that resolving the shortage of local guides in regional areas is an issue that should be addressed as a priority, and there is a need to secure and train personnel to support the front lines regardless of the region. (JNTO: Estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in December 2025)
Furthermore, regarding guide personnel, it is important not only to secure numbers but also to develop and assess the explanatory, hospitality, and responsiveness skills required in the field. According to Japan Tourism Agency data, the number of registered National Government Licensed Guide Interpreters was 27,312 as of April 2024; however, not all registrants are actually engaged in guiding operations. Documents from the agency's expert panel also cite the shortage of guide personnel, aging, and the need to strengthen the training system as challenges. (Study Group on the Revitalization of Guide Personnel: June 2024)
Under these circumstances, Reelu has received multiple inquiries asking, "What kind of training do you do?", "How is the certification system designed?", and "How do you guarantee the quality of human resources?". In fact, we have had increasing opportunities to receive requests from other companies saying, "We want to observe as a reference," and we have now decided to begin accepting visits in the form of external disclosure.
Observation Acceptance Overview
[Target Audience]
Tourism business operators, travel agencies, land operators, business operators involved in guide training, local governments/tourism-related organizations, educational institutions, etc.
[Main Observation Content]
- Overall design of guide training
- Operational content of video training, manuals, and tour tests
- Certification criteria and evaluation concepts
- Training flow until on-site debut
- Operational ingenuity for quality assurance
[How to Apply]
If you wish to observe, please contact Reelu Inc.
*The acceptance format may be adjusted depending on the content and schedule.
- Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdynNtvUqhouTSQIe6_Xvme6fpHuhBhkcdJ5IWzE7kH4cpLAQ/viewform
About Reelu's Unique Guide Training and Selection Program
At Reelu, in addition to screening at the time of registration, we combine video training to deepen business understanding, comprehension of on-site manuals, tour tests, and evaluation operations to provide training and certification based on the standards required in actual field settings. Through this observation acceptance, we will make this series of mechanisms and operational concepts visible to business operators and related parties involved in tourism, human resources, and education.
Furthermore, we have a track record of having those in charge of guide interpreters at the Japan Tourism Agency observe our operations. Reelu believes that not keeping our own initiatives closed, but rather creating a format where the industry can learn from each other, is significant for the future creation of the tourism industry field.
▼ Click here for details on our unique selection, evaluation, and education system that supports tour quality
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000031.000107669.html
Miyu Konno, CEO of Reelu Inc.
While labor shortages are often talked about in the tourism field, I feel that the really difficult part is what kind of human resources to train, how to train them, and how to connect them to the field. We have also created training and certification mechanisms through repeated trial and error.
Recently, we have had increasing opportunities to receive requests from people in the same industry and those involved in tourism asking, "Please let us observe once" or "We want to use your operations as a reference". We felt that there would be meaning in opening up parts that can be shared within the industry, rather than closing them off as our own unique initiatives, and decided on this external disclosure.
Precisely because we are in an era where the power of the people working in the field greatly influences the quality of the tourism experience, I would be happy if this external disclosure provides an opportunity to look at training and evaluation mechanisms.
About Reelu Inc.
Background
In 2025, the number of foreign visitors to Japan recorded a record high of 42,683,600, and inbound tourism has entered a new expansion phase in terms of both quantity and quality. In response to this expanding demand, securing foreign language-speaking personnel and guide personnel at tourism sites is becoming an increasingly important theme. The Japan Tourism Agency has also indicated that resolving the shortage of local guides in regional areas is an issue that should be addressed as a priority, and there is a need to secure and train personnel to support the front lines regardless of the region. (JNTO: Estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in December 2025)
Furthermore, regarding guide personnel, it is important not only to secure numbers but also to develop and assess the explanatory, hospitality, and responsiveness skills required in the field. According to Japan Tourism Agency data, the number of registered National Government Licensed Guide Interpreters was 27,312 as of April 2024; however, not all registrants are actually engaged in guiding operations. Documents from the agency's expert panel also cite the shortage of guide personnel, aging, and the need to strengthen the training system as challenges. (Study Group on the Revitalization of Guide Personnel: June 2024)
Under these circumstances, Reelu has received multiple inquiries asking, "What kind of training do you do?", "How is the certification system designed?", and "How do you guarantee the quality of human resources?". In fact, we have had increasing opportunities to receive requests from other companies saying, "We want to observe as a reference," and we have now decided to begin accepting visits in the form of external disclosure.
Observation Acceptance Overview
[Target Audience]
Tourism business operators, travel agencies, land operators, business operators involved in guide training, local governments/tourism-related organizations, educational institutions, etc.
[Main Observation Content]
- Overall design of guide training
- Operational content of video training, manuals, and tour tests
- Certification criteria and evaluation concepts
- Training flow until on-site debut
- Operational ingenuity for quality assurance
[How to Apply]
If you wish to observe, please contact Reelu Inc.
*The acceptance format may be adjusted depending on the content and schedule.
- Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdynNtvUqhouTSQIe6_Xvme6fpHuhBhkcdJ5IWzE7kH4cpLAQ/viewform
About Reelu's Unique Guide Training and Selection Program
At Reelu, in addition to screening at the time of registration, we combine video training to deepen business understanding, comprehension of on-site manuals, tour tests, and evaluation operations to provide training and certification based on the standards required in actual field settings. Through this observation acceptance, we will make this series of mechanisms and operational concepts visible to business operators and related parties involved in tourism, human resources, and education.
Furthermore, we have a track record of having those in charge of guide interpreters at the Japan Tourism Agency observe our operations. Reelu believes that not keeping our own initiatives closed, but rather creating a format where the industry can learn from each other, is significant for the future creation of the tourism industry field.
▼ Click here for details on our unique selection, evaluation, and education system that supports tour quality
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000031.000107669.html
Miyu Konno, CEO of Reelu Inc.
While labor shortages are often talked about in the tourism field, I feel that the really difficult part is what kind of human resources to train, how to train them, and how to connect them to the field. We have also created training and certification mechanisms through repeated trial and error.
Recently, we have had increasing opportunities to receive requests from people in the same industry and those involved in tourism asking, "Please let us observe once" or "We want to use your operations as a reference". We felt that there would be meaning in opening up parts that can be shared within the industry, rather than closing them off as our own unique initiatives, and decided on this external disclosure.
Precisely because we are in an era where the power of the people working in the field greatly influences the quality of the tourism experience, I would be happy if this external disclosure provides an opportunity to look at training and evaluation mechanisms.
About Reelu Inc.