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 Hanashima, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting the appeal of Uchinari terraced rice fields in Beppu City.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Terraced rice fields are one of Japan’s most beautiful landscapes.
Oita Prefecture has some of the best terraced rice paddies in Japan, with Uchinari in Beppu City, Yufugawa Okuzume in Yufu City, Jikumarukita in Bungo-Ono City, Yamaura Hayamizu in Kusu Town, Ryouai in Usa City, and Hadaka in Nakatsu Nakatsu City, and Hadaka in Nakatsu City.
As a JAL Furusato Ambassador, I will be working with local residents to commercialize Uchinari Tanada rice and conduct PR activities. As part of these activities, I participated in a rice planting experience in June, and I would like to share with you the charm of Uchinari terraced rice paddies in Beppu City.
Uchinari Tanada are terraced rice paddies that are said to have been opened between the Warring States Period and the Edo Period. The area is vast, covering more than 40 hectares, with about 1,000 rice paddies, and is known as “Senmaidaida” (see “Uchinari Tanada,” Heritage of Oita, Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The scenery of terraced rice paddies, which have accompanied people’s lives and nurtured nature’s bounty since ancient times, changes its expression with the seasons and time of day, offering healing to visitors.
The paddy fields are fed by water that flows from the base of a tree near Seokjoji Temple. There is a large mysterious stone called “mizuwakeishi,” which is said to have been a stone falling from the sky and splitting the water into two to resolve a water dispute here once upon a time, and is worshipped as a water god by the locals.
When the terraced rice fields are filled with water, they reflect the sky all over, making them radiant on a clear day. The rice grown in these favorable conditions tastes excellent. 2017 saw the rice selected for JAL’s domestic first class Japanese cuisine.
In the future, we will work with local residents to commercialize Uchinari rice produced in terraced rice paddies and conduct PR activities. I also participated in the rice planting experience in June, and would like to share with you the charm of Uchinari terraced rice paddies in Beppu City.
–How are you involved in this effort?
The number of Uchinari terraced rice paddies has been decreasing in recent years due to a decline in the population, the aging of the population, and the difficulty of working in widely sloping plots with slopes, as well as a shortage of rice paddies due to a lack of bearers.
In this situation, the members of the “Uchinari Rice Terraces Association” are trying to protect the beautiful rice paddies by holding events such as rice planting workshops, where participants can experience the nature of Uchinari and learn about the importance and difficulties of maintaining and preserving the terraced rice fields. I also had the opportunity to participate in the rice planting experience. Planting rice one by one by hand was hard work, but the soft texture of the soil made it a pleasant experience, and I felt a sense of accomplishment after the work was done.
There was also a paddy field about 2 tatami mats in size, said to be the smallest in Uchinari, so we planted it in the form of “JALOITA”.
Immediately after planting, the rice was still small and hard to see, but when I went back to check on the rice two weeks later, I could see it clearly! I feel very attached to the rice paddies I planted. The other rice plants are also growing well, and I am looking forward to harvesting the rice in the fall.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
The participants of “Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel” also took part in the rice planting experience. ORIX Real Estate, which manages the “Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel” as part of the ORIX Group, is currently involved in efforts to revitalize the local community. We would like to promote products that utilize Uchinari rice terraces and other attractive features of the area to help resolve issues such as the shortage of rice bearers.
After the rice planting, we also enjoyed a boxed lunch from MUGYUU (@mugyuu.cafe), a cafe in the Uchinari terraced rice field area. The dishes are made with ingredients from the Uchinari area, and are colorful and delicious, with a strong flavor of the ingredients themselves. You can also enjoy your meal while viewing the vast and beautiful terraced rice paddies from the restaurant. Please come and visit us.
*Cafe MUGYUU is currently closed due to Typhoon No. 10 on August 29, 2024. Please check the above Instagram account for business.
–What is your message to travelers?
The Uchinari area is about 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station. In summer, the lush terraced rice field landscape makes for a refreshingly hot experience compared to the urban area. After a leisurely stroll through the cafes and Uchinari terraced rice fields, we recommend taking a dip in one of the nearby hot springs.
Due to Typhoon No. 10 on August 29, some roads in some areas have been affected. Residents are now working together to restore the area and sightseeing tours have resumed, but we ask that you please contact us in advance if you plan to visit the area (as of September 2024).
The higanbana season has arrived and rice harvesting will soon begin (in most years, higanbana is in full bloom, but due to weather and typhoons, the blooming does not seem to be progressing this year).
As a JAL hometown ambassador, I will continue to promote the culture and history that has been carefully nurtured in the area.
© Source travel watch
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