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. Yoshiko Fuji, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in the planning of smoked nuts at the Oita Branch.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
The social welfare corporation “Forest of Hope Taiyo Noen” operates “Smoke Shop Smoke Kunkun,” which produces and sells various smoked products such as nuts, cheese, and eggs, using thinned wood from the Senbonzakura(*) in Iwaya, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Saiki City. Under strict hygienic conditions, the staff with disabilities carefully make each product using a secret smoking method.
We met Mr. Shibata, the representative of JAL Furusato Ambassador, and empathized with his efforts to “create an environment where people can enjoy life with or without disabilities” while contributing to the SDGs, which led us to start developing products in collaboration with JAL Furusato Ambassadors. We hope you will pick up one of these products as a reward for yourself, a small souvenir, or as a travel companion.
*In the Iwaya district of Honjo, Saiki City, the satoyama is covered with cherry blossoms in spring. Houses built huddled together, rape blossoms, and cherry blossoms. In February 2019, a “Cherry Blossom Protection Project” will be implemented to protect the cherry blossoms and the landscape by clearing underbrush, removing ivy and casuaras, etc. At the end of March, you can enjoy the rape blossoms blooming all over the rice paddies at the foot of the mountain along with the cherry blossoms.
–How are you involved in this effort?
Snuts” are smoked nuts that you can’t stop eating once you’ve had one. They are so aromatic and popular that they have fans all over Japan. There are already 30 different products on the market. New products are created after many prototypes based on the opinions of all staff members.
JAL Furusato Ambassador Fuji participated in the meeting to develop the “kabosu & smoked cheese” flavor and package design for the new “Tobitate Snuts”. The result is a refreshing, yet creamy and smoky product with a good amount of smoked cheese flavor. In the product development process, we were required to meet even stricter requirements than before in terms of taste, package design, and detailed hygiene standards, but we overcame them one by one with our staff members to create this new product.
We would be happy if we could bring smiles to the faces of people all over Japan through “Tobitate Snuts”, which we proudly deliver from Oita.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
We are pleased to announce “kabosu & smoked cheese” as our first product, and we will continue to work with our staff to develop new products in the future. We will continue to work together with our staff members to develop new products and bring the charm of Saiki City, rich in nature, to you with the aroma of Snuts!
Products can be purchased at the official online store of “Smokehouse Smoking kunkun”.
It is also exhibited as a limited return gift for JAL hometown tax payment in Saiki City, Oita Prefecture, so we would be happy if you could take this opportunity to purchase it.
–What is your message to travelers?
Saiki City in Oita Prefecture, which boasts the largest area in Kyushu, aims to become an “organic city” where beautiful nature and people coexist. Saiki City has many beautiful landscapes nurtured by nature, such as the Fujikawachi Valley and Bungo Futamigaura. In addition to the abundant nature, the city still retains a castle town where visitors can enjoy strolling around wearing hakama.
It is also known as the best fisheries city in Oita Prefecture and a treasure trove of seafood, accounting for 65% of the prefecture’s fisheries production. The city is also known as a treasure trove of seafood, accounting for 65% of the prefecture’s total fishery production.
We hope you will visit Saiki City to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, rivers, and ocean, as well as delicious gourmet food.
© Source travel watch
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