Kansai Enko 87 — Ryoko

Title: Proposal for the "Kansai Enko 87 Ryoko": A Comprehensive Revitalization of Regional Heritage and Youth Mobility

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Enko (援交): Short for enjo-kōsai (compensated dating). This refers to a practice where individuals (traditionally younger women or students) provide companionship or sexual services to older men in exchange for money or luxury goods. Title: Proposal for the "Kansai Enko 87 Ryoko":

• The JR Split (1987): In April 1987, the Japanese National Railways (JNR) was privatized and split into the JR Group (JR West, JR East, etc.). This privatization led to aggressive marketing and new types of tickets to compete with the rising popularity of domestic air travel.
• The "Enko" Boom: "Enko" is short for Enkaku (Long-distance). Travel agencies (especially those serving the Kansai/Osaka region like KNT-CT (Kinki Nippon Tourist) and others) began packaging these new JR discount tickets into ultra-cheap tour plans.
• The 1987 Trigger: This year marked the explosion of the "Kakuyasu Ryoko" (Discount Travel) boom. For the first time, staying in high-quality hotels in distant locations (like Hokkaido or Kyushu) became affordable for the average worker, often costing half the standard price.

Day 1: Arrival in Osaka – The Kitchen of Japan

• Morning: Arrive at Shin-Osaka Station via the Hikari Shinkansen. Greeted by tour guides wearing white gloves.
• Lunch: Dotonbori walking tour ending in a "Kushikatsu" banquet. (In 1987, eating "kushi-katsu" with your own hands was considered daringly modern).
• Evening: Stay at the Osaka Grand Hotel (now historic). The "Enko" begins with a massive buffet of takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and draft Asahi Super Dry (launched that year).
• Activity: Night cruise on the Okawa River with open bar.

• Allowed travel from Kansai to Northern Kyushu or the Hokuriku region at massive discounts.
• Sparked a massive tourism shift where people traveled further for less money.