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 interviewed Ms. Yoshiko Hanashima, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in Kusu-machi town revitalization in Oita.
–What is Kusu-cho like?
Kusu-cho, Oita Prefecture, is the birthplace of Takehiko Kurushima, a children’s author known as “Japan’s Andersen,” and is known as the “Home of Fairy Tales.
Kusu Town is famous for its agricultural products such as Kusu rice, which is known as the rice of dedication, and shiitake mushrooms, and is also a place where visitors can enjoy not only nature but also historical buildings.
Bungomori Locomotive Depot Park is the only remaining fan-shaped locomotive depot in Kyushu and is a nationally designated tangible cultural property. The park also houses a steam locomotive and an engine depot museum, and is a place where children and adults alike can enjoy learning about the history of railroads.
On June 20, I spent a whole day in Kusu Town, participating in the “Fairy Tale Town KUSU” event (see below), and I would like to introduce its charms.
Arashiyama Taki Shrine is known as the shrine associated with the “Mikazuki Waterfall Legend,” and recently, people have been putting flowers in the water bowl to perform hanatemizu.
I actually strolled around the shrine and found heart-shaped monuments everywhere, in addition to the water bowls, making it a great photo spot.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Kurushima’s birth, and Paradiso Eight, a community-based organization, has launched a project called “Fairy Tale Town KUSU: Kusu, the Home of Fairy Tales.
This project combines real life and the latest IT technology to develop smartphone games, smartphone AR, and photo spots to be played on site.
The centerpiece of the project is the free distribution of “Eventua -KURUSHIMA BOOK-,” a new manga created by “Shaman King” author Hiroyuki Takei and set in Kusu-cho. The characters appearing in the smartphone game are also drawn by Mr. Takei, which has attracted a great deal of attention.
I was able to experience the latest IT technology firsthand and would like to help promote this initiative!
–What are your future plans and prospects?
In the future, Kusu Town will launch not only the “Fairy Tale Town KUSU ~Fairy Tale Village KUSU~” but also the “Crescent Moon Waterfall” project.
The tour is based on an episode from the Heian period (794-1192) related to Kusu-machi’s “Mikazuki Waterfall,” and Japan Airlines will collaborate with this new initiative to make it more exciting.
–What is your message to travelers?
There are many places to eat and see in Kusu-machi and Oita Prefecture. We will continue to work on information dissemination and planning that will make you “want to go there!
Please come to Kusu-cho. Machon yo~!
© Source travel watch
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