Hokkaido Launches India Campaign After Aamir Khan’s ‘Ek Din’ Gives Region Fresh Push in Indian Tourism

New Delhi/Tokyo: Sensing a strong potential to promote Hokkaido as a tourist destination, especially after an Indian film “Ek Din”, which was filmed in Hokkaido, Japan, the Hokkaido Prefectural Government has released a promotional video “Nature of Hokkaido” introducing Hokkaido through locations featured in this film, positioning the Japanese prefecture as a destination of natural beauty, romance, peace and cinematic charm. The video starts with the invitational message: “Hokkaido. Expanding Horizons”  (その先の、道へ。 北海道)

The 5-minute promotional video, coinciding with the film’s release in India, highlights the filming locations in Hokkaido. Aamir Khan Productions’ film “Ek Din” was released in theatres across India on May 1st.

The tourism campaign is built around a promotional video released on the Hokkaido Prefectural Government’s YouTube channel and amplified through the Hokkaido Prefectural Government ASEAN Office’s social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

The Hokkaido Prefecture government expects not only that travel will improve here but also that it will attract the attention of more film producers from India looking at Hokkaido as a film shooting destination in the future.

The move comes at a time when destination marketing boards across the world are increasingly looking at Indian cinema as a powerful bridge to Indian outbound travellers. For Hokkaido, “ek din” offers a timely visual introduction to Indian audiences, many of whom are already familiar with Japan through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Mount Fuji, but may still be discovering the northern island’s snow festivals, hot springs, canals, flower fields and wide-open landscapes.

In the promotional video shared by Hokkaido authorities, the prefecture is presented as a paradise for nature lovers. Sweeping greenery, flower valleys, serene water bodies, calm townscapes and a sense of tranquillity form the core visual language of the campaign. The larger message is clear: Hokkaido is not merely a winter destination but a year-round experience for Indian travellers looking for scenic beauty, leisure, romance, culture and soft adventure.

The YouTube video highlights Hokkaido through a rich visual palette of flower fields, lavender-like purple blooms, wide green landscapes, calm water bodies, rivers or streams, mountain backdrops and snow-covered scenery. Rather than functioning as a conventional travel guide, the film presents Hokkaido as an emotion-driven destination — peaceful, romantic, cinematic and deeply connected with nature.

Some of the major attractions in the video include Goryokaku Park, Lavender Fields (Furano), Moss Phlox (Shibazakura), Canola flower, Mt Hakodate Observatory, Otaru Canal, Jogokudani (Hell Valley), Jewellery Ice, Sunflower Village, Shiretoko World Natural Heritage, etc. For example, Goryokaku Park is famous for its star-shaped fort and cherry blossoms, Lavender Fields (Furano) for its iconic purple landscapes in summer, and Moss Phlox (Shibazakura) for its vibrant pink carpets of flowers in spring.

“Ek Din” has given that campaign a strong Bollywood connect. The film, starring Junaid Khan, son of Aamir Khan, and Sai Pallavi, has been set against Hokkaido’s striking winter landscape. It was filmed across several picturesque locations, including Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, and Noboribetsu, with the Sapporo Snow Festival serving as one of the film’s key visual highlights.

Hokkaido’s appeal lies in its diversity. Sapporo, the prefectural capital, offers a rare blend of urban life and access to nature. Otaru is known for its nostalgic canals and old-world atmosphere. Noboribetsu, famous for its hot springs and steaming volcanic landscape, gives visitors a dramatic geothermal experience. Asahikawa, surrounded by mountain scenery, is another important gateway to central Hokkaido’s winter and nature attractions.

The Hokkaido Prefectural Government expects the film and the accompanying campaign to generate wider awareness among Indian travellers. At the same time, officials hope the film will attract more Indian producers and directors seeking fresh international shooting destinations beyond the usual European and Southeast Asian locations.

The campaign has received added momentum from All Nippon Airways’ association with the film. ANA signed a travel partnership agreement with Aamir Khan Productions Pvt. Ltd., the producer of Ek Din, and became the official airline partner for the project. The collaboration marked ANA’s first partnership with the Indian film industry. Since the beginning of filming, ANA has supported the production through international and domestic air travel, as well as on-the-ground filming support in Japan.

The partnership is significant because it connects three important areas of India–Japan engagement: cinema, tourism and air connectivity. ANA’s role went beyond airline branding, as the carrier supported the production team’s movement and logistics while introducing the crew to its signature Japanese hospitality, known as Omotenashi.

For Japan’s travel industry, the timing is important. Indian outbound travel has been growing steadily, and Japan has been working to expand its appeal beyond traditional cultural circuits. Hokkaido, with its snow landscapes, hot springs, flower fields, food culture and seasonal festivals, offers a distinctive experience for Indian tourists, honeymooners, families and high-value leisure travellers.

The cinematic exposure could also help Hokkaido position itself as a serious filming destination for Indian productions. Indian films shot abroad often influence travel aspirations, especially when scenic locations are woven into the emotional core of a story. With Ek Din, Hokkaido receives precisely that kind of visibility — not as a passing backdrop, but as a setting central to the film’s mood and visual identity.

Industry observers say that such collaborations can create a long-term tourism afterlife for destinations. If promoted consistently through tour operators, airlines, travel influencers and film-location campaigns, Hokkaido could attract Indian visitors who wish to experience the places they saw on screen — from the canals of Otaru to the snow-covered scenes of Sapporo and the hot spring atmosphere of Noboribetsu.

ANA, too, is using the film partnership to underline its India–Japan connectivity. The airline has highlighted the resumption of its daily Mumbai–Tokyo Narita flights from March 29, 2026, hoping that improved air access will encourage more Indian travellers to explore Japan’s lesser-known regions, including Hokkaido.

Kazuto Shiba, General Manager, ANA Mumbai, said, “We are honoured and excited to partner with Aamir Khan Productions Pvt. Ltd. on the upcoming release of Ek Din. This collaboration reflects our commitment to strengthening ties between Japan and India through cultural exchange and meaningful partnerships.

“At All Nippon Airways, we take pride in delivering world-class service, backed by our renowned Japanese hospitality and extensive domestic network. Since 2023, it has been a privilege to support the talented team led by Aamir Khan in bringing this exciting project to life in Hokkaido.

“We are delighted with the resumption of our daily flights effective 29 March 2026 from Mumbai to Tokyo Narita and truly hope that it will inspire more travellers from India to explore Japan and experience its rich culture and natural beauty. ANA remains committed to providing safe, comfortable, and seamless travel experiences while continuing to foster future collaborations with the Indian film industry.”

With Ek Din now carrying images of Hokkaido to Indian cinema halls, Japan’s northern island may be entering a new phase of destination visibility in India. For Hokkaido, the film is more than a cinematic moment; it is an opportunity to turn screen beauty into a tourism movement, and tourism movement into deeper cultural and creative engagement between India and Japan.

The video can be accessed at the following links:

■YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTseRiCa2gA

■Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1828863761363590

■Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXn3cZOlNvH/