The implementation of national travel assistance has brought renewed attention to domestic travel.
JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”). In August 2020, JAL launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process, who move to local communities to promote regional initiatives. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL hometown supporters,” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We interviewed Ms. Naoko Harada, JAL Furusato Ambassador for Kyoto Prefecture.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
One of the projects that Kyoto Prefecture (Mori no Kyoto DMO) is working on to promote public-sector workcations is the development of a “program to help you face your body and mind and refresh yourself.
Have you heard of the term health tourism?
The purpose of this trip is to focus on health in the journey and to restore one’s own health and raise awareness. We were asked to participate in this 3-day/2-night experience program for flight attendants, and we, JAL hometown ambassadors, participated in it.
–How are you involved in this effort?
We spent three days in Nantan City, located in the central part of Kyoto Prefecture, experiencing a variety of activity programs. Surrounded by rich nature and mountains, we experienced BBQ, nature walk, woodworking (making MY chopsticks), acupuncture, and drone operation.
During the nature walk through the forest, we were able to smell leaves and berries that we would not normally notice, notice the teamwork that naturally emerged as we walked through the forest, and learn many things that we would not normally be able to learn in our daily lives, not to mention refresh ourselves.
At Fumin-no Mori Hiyoshi, visitors can experience self-care through activities such as camping and bonfires.
In addition, the acupuncture and moxibustion experience at the “MIYAMA Mori no Toujijo” allowed participants to experience curing their bodies while listening to their own body’s voice in the midst of nature. Listening to the sounds of nature, warming the body, and drinking tea suited to the body’s condition at the time were just a few examples. Through these experiences, participants learned that self-care is very important in preventing illness.
It was an opportunity to get in touch with nature, find new ways to refresh myself, and cultivate a positive mindset.
Surrounded by nature, Nantan City, which can be visited in about an hour by car from Kyoto City, offers a wide variety of attractive experience contents.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
The various events held in Nantan City, a vibrant city that has been developing, allow visitors to experience the richness of nature and receive wisdom on how to improve their physical and mental health.
There are many places in Nantan City that you can visit in terms of health tourism, which we would like to introduce to you in the future. Why not take a trip to Nantan City and spend a wonderful time to reward yourself for your hard work?
–What is your message to our readers?
The area slightly away from the center of Kyoto is called “another Kyoto.” In Nantan City, the Kyoto area of forests, there are places where you can refresh yourself in the clear air, such as “Prefectural Forest Hiyoshi” where glamping and camping are readily available and “Kayabuki-no-Sato” where the original landscape of Japan is spread out.
In the Umi-no-Kyoto area, we offer “Umi-no-Kyoto Coin,” a travel destination tax payment program that allows you to pay taxes to the local area through lodging, dining, and experiences. Come find your favorite spot in “another Kyoto!
Umi-no-Kyoto Coin: An electronic gift issued in proportion to the amount of donation as a return gift for taxpayers who have paid their hometown taxes. Donations can be made for sightseeing and travel.
© Source travel watch
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