Skift Take
The high visibility of Vanderbilt Hall makes it a popular marketing spot worthy of the high price tag, but drilling down an exact ROI is almost impossible with an event like this that could impact travelers' decisions far into the future.
Japan Tourism is taking over Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall for the next two days to promote its heritage, cuisine, and attractions to New Yorkers and tourists passing through.
The event is set up like a bazaar, with organization and vendors representing the country’s past and future on opposite sides of the venue.
The cultural attractions include an artisan that sculpts animals out of sugar, a bar with 16 varieties of sake, and virtual reality tours of the Ancient Tomb of Emperor Nintoku.
Tech companies representing the country’s future show off their latest innovations including the Astron watch, high-end train models, and voice translation app NTT Docomo.
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Photo credit: The Japan Week opening ceremony took place on Thursday, March 6, in Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall. Samantha Shankman / Skift