Travel agency to hire `correspondents` to blog about Miyazaki

Tourbaksa, a travel agency specialized in tours to Japan, will recruit "correspondents" who will stay for free in October and November at the Phoenix Seagaia Resort in Miyazaki, Japan`s southernmost prefecture on Kyushu Island.

The successful candidates will stay at the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort and receive free breakfast and dinner as well as free use of an outdoor spa, fitness center and swimming pool. Each correspondent will receive 10,000 yen (1,290 U.S. dollars) in cash.

Their duties include guiding travelers arriving at the airport and taking them back there as well as guiding them in tour buses. After touring travel sites in Miyazaki and going to restaurants, the correspondents have to post their experiences on blogs.

Candidates need basic, if not fluent, Japanese speaking ability, have an outgoing personality, good blog writing skills and good health. Candidates can apply as a team of a man and a woman or as an individual.

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter no later than Sept. 21. The winners will leave Oct. 5.

A tropical prefecture in southeastern Kyushu, Miyazaki is called the Japanese Hawaii and is famous for the Nichinan coast, known as the “Devil`s Washboard,” and the island of Aoshima.

summer@donga.com