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 Yoshiko Osada, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in organizing sake and gastronomy tours in Kumamoto.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
On March 10 this year, “Ore no French Grand Maison Otemachi” held a dinner event featuring a menu with products from Kumamoto Prefecture. Many people attended and the event was a great success.
We wanted to use this event as an opportunity to invite people to actually visit Kumamoto, so we planned a 3-day/2-night tour to enjoy Kumamoto Prefecture’s sake and gastronomy.
Mariko Yoneno, a wine sommelier from Kumamoto Prefecture, will accompany the tour and introduce Kumamoto’s food, drink, and sightseeing, nurtured by the rich land.
–How are you involved in this effort?
In April of this year, I returned to Kumamoto, my hometown, as a JAL Furusato Ambassador to be involved in initiatives that will help the people of Kumamoto to be more energetic. Being away from my hometown, I have a renewed appreciation for the richness of Kumamoto’s food and nature.
I will be accompanying this tour and sharing the charms of Kumamoto with you. I have planned this tour to please not only those who will participate in the tour, but also the people of Kumamoto. We hope that many people will visit Kumamoto and spend a wonderful time enjoying “food,” “sake,” “nature,” and “sightseeing.
On the evening of the first day, guests will enjoy a course meal including “Red Beef Cheese Fondue” paired with wine selected by Mr. Yoneno at “ASO MILK FACTORY” run by Abe Ranch, which has won a national cheese competition.
On the second day, we will visit wineries, sake breweries and distilleries that Kumamoto Prefecture is proud of.
In the evening, guests will enjoy Kumamoto’s local cuisine such as horse sashimi and mustard lotus root at Aoyagi, a Japanese restaurant in Kumamoto City, while sampling sake, wine, and shochu from all 47 breweries in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Although we will not be able to visit all of Kumamoto Prefecture in this tour, we would be happy if you could enjoy Kumamoto Prefecture to the fullest by comparing different sake from different regions.
This tour is not only about food and drinks! We will also take you to some of Kumamoto’s famous landmarks.
Yachiyo-za Theater was built in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Performances by famous Kabuki actors are held here every year.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
I would like to visit Kumamoto in the future! We will continue to plan tours that will make you want to visit Kumamoto! Please keep an eye out for Kumamoto in the future!
–What is your message to travelers?
Kumamoto Prefecture may have a strong image of shochu, but it also produces sake, which takes advantage of its abundant water and rice, and wine made from 100% Japanese grapes, which is attracting attention from around the world.
We hope you will enjoy Kumamoto’s gastronomic delights with the sake selected by Mr. Yoneno. We look forward to seeing you all in Kumamoto!
© Source travel watch
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