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Spreading awareness on diversity with Cheerio Rainbow Water

The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB) strives to make Osaka a safe and welcoming destination for all travelers, and works to not only spread awareness on diversity, but to also work alongside operators in the industry to ensure that LGBTQ+ travelers have an enjoyable and memorable travel experience. In recognition of Osaka-wide initiatives in diversity and LGBTQ+ tourism, Osaka was selected to be an International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) Featured Destination of 2021. The OCTB joined the IGLTA in 2018, and was also Japan’s first DMO to launch an LGBTQ+ information portal: https://visitgayosaka.com/

For Pride Month in 2022, the OCTB has collaborated with soft drink manufacturer Cheerio Corporation to spread awareness of diversity among domestic travelers to Osaka. Cheerio has long engaged in diversity initiatives and supports in Pride Events across Japan, including becoming a Rainbow Sponsor for 2022 Tokyo Rainbow Pride. Cheerio Corporation produces Rainbow Water, a fruit-infusion drink that the company uses to highlight and promote their initiatives.

The OCTB has spearheaded a campaign to distribute Rainbow Water to hotels and restaurants across Osaka, with a total of 16 operators of 19 hotels and restaurants joining the initiative. Along with the Water, the OCTB distributed a vibrant card that explains to travelers what Pride Month is and why it is so important to celebrate diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Guests and customers to the hotels and restaurants receive a complimentary Rainbow Water along with the card during the month of June while supplies last.

Card Text (translated from Japanese):
“June every year is dedicated to honoring diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, a month known as Pride Month. The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau aims to make Osaka a diverse destination, and for Pride Month this year we are gifting the six-colored Rainbow Water (provided by Cheerio Corporation) to travelers to Osaka. Together let’s celebrate Pride Month.

Happy Pride!”

Participating hotels and restaurants:

• Aloft Osaka Dojima
• Moxy Osaka Hommachi
• Cityroute Hotel
• Osaka Tokyu REI Hotel
• Conrad Osaka
• Plaza Osaka Hotel
• Ryokan Kuramoto
• Hotel Kansai
• Sarasa Hotel Namba
• Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
• Swissotel Nankai Osaka
• W Osaka
• Yamatoya Honten
• Zentis Osaka
• Hajime-ya Udon Noodle Workshop
• Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M: Hozenji Hanare
• Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M: Hozenji Yokocho
• Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M: Namba
• Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M: Umeda Fukushima