JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” 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 spoke with Ms. Eriko Kobayashi, JAL Furusato Ambassador for Hokkaido, who is involved in the “Traveling Makers Dinner in Ore no French Grand Maison Otemachi” event at the Hokkaido Branch Office (Sapporo City).
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
As part of the “JAL Furusato Project,” we, Japan Airlines, have teamed up with Ore no Kabushiki Kaisha, Ltd. to introduce food ingredients and products that lie dormant in the region in order to arouse interest in the area and attract customers to the region, starting here in Hokkaido in November 2022.
My French Grand Maison Otemachi, a restaurant located in Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, regularly hosts dinner events utilizing regional ingredients. The fourth event in the Japan Airlines collaboration was the “Traveling Makers’ Dinner” on July 23, where guests once again enjoyed a menu and wine pairing using ingredients from Sorachi (Sorachi) from Hokkaido!
–How are you involved in this effort?
I served as MC connecting the guests at the event, the local Sorachi community, and the chef-sommelier so that they could enjoy the dishes created by “Ore no French” sommelier and manager, Mr. Hasegawa, and Chef Kamiki paired with Sorachi wines.
In order to convey the charm and scenery of Sorachi, I also introduced my impressions of the area when I visited there.
There are few people, even among Hokkaido-area residents, who can correctly answer the question about the region of Sorachi. It is located in the northern part of the Ishikari Plain, which stretches along the Ishikari River basin, and has an area about the same as Mie Prefecture (5761.59 km2). It is located at about the same latitude as southern France.
The winters are cool and snowy, and the summers are blue-skied and sun-drenched. The vineyards blend into the scenic landscape, and many wineries are in beautiful harmony with nature.
I still remember the excitement I felt when I visited Sorachi for the first time. The hills of vineyards spreading out before my eyes and the many wineries dotting the landscape made me feel as if I was in the suburbs of Europe. The Hokkaido Sorachi General Promotion Bureau even has a department named the “Sorachi Wine Office. You can feel the enthusiasm and love for Sorachi and its wines from the local people.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
Along with pairing the ever-evolving wines of Hokkaido with dishes that make the most of the fresh and abundant ingredients harvested in the region, we hope to share the new charms and discoveries of Hokkaido with people around the world under the theme of “Wine x Food x Travel Marriage”.
In recent years, Hokkaido has seen an increase in the number of wineries and the cultivation of many grapes, leading to the production of authentic wines.
As of February 2023, the number of wineries in Hokkaido has tripled to 55, about three times the number of wineries 10 years ago, and the region is attracting attention both domestically and internationally, with overseas wineries entering the Hokkaido area and winning awards at world-class wine competitions. However, because most of the wines are carefully crafted by hand, production is low and not available on the market, so many of the wines can only be tasted by visiting the area.
Incidentally, many Hokkaido wines go well not only with Western food but also with Japanese food.
–What is your message to travelers?
It has only been a few months since I became a JAL Furusato Ambassador, but as I travel around Hokkaido from my new base in Sapporo, I am constantly surprised by the differences in climate and customs between the different regions. Hokkaido has a reputation for having delicious food, but each region has its own unique flavors and characteristics, and I believe that learning about these differences will make your trip many times more enjoyable.
Hokkaido is a vast land beyond imagination, so in addition to visiting major sightseeing spots, you should also try to find your own “unique Hokkaido” by experiencing the charms of regions that are still unknown and the warmth of the people who live there.
© Source travel watch
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