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 on board. 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 Nagata, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting the attractiveness of Mashiki Town in Kumamoto.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Hello, this is Nagata, JAL Furusato Ambassador for Kumamoto Prefecture.
As a JAL Furusato Ambassador, I have returned to my hometown Kumamoto and am rediscovering its rich nature and delicious food every day. I am now working to spread the word about its charms and hope to bring as many people as possible to Kumamoto.
Today, we would like to introduce “Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture,” where Aso Kumamoto Airport is located and JAL has a partnership agreement with the town!
–How are you involved in this effort?
The Kumamoto Branch values its connections with the local community and engages in activities to energize the community through conversations with local residents. Among these activities, last month, for the first time in nine years, the “Everyone’s Autumn Festival” was held, complete with fireworks.
The members of Kumamoto Branch participated in the “So Odori” dance, the highlight of the festival, and danced “Mashiki Breeding” and “Mashiki Kouta,” which have been familiar to the local people for a long time, together with local officials and residents of the town. It was very impressive to see how many people came to the festival and truly enjoyed it, especially since it had been 9 years since the last festival!
The finale of the festival was a fireworks display of about 5,000 fireworks dancing in the night sky to the music. Beautiful! and some people were enjoying the fireworks while humming a song.
The event was a great success, with lots of smiles from children and adults alike.
In addition, Mashiki Town has many delicious seasonal products! This time, we would like to introduce “Cinderella Taiju” which is in season.
The name of the fruit conveys how special it is, but Fukuma Orchard grows this Cinderella Taishu with great care and dedication.
Not all Taishu persimmons become “Cinderella Taishu,” but only those with strong sweetness and high quality with a sugar content of around 20 degrees carefully selected by the garden owner are shipped with the Cinderella name.
It has been featured in various media, and some people even come from outside Kumamoto Prefecture to buy it.
With its unique crunchy texture and gentle sweetness, Cinderella Taishu is sure to captivate you once you try it! We hope you will try it.
–What is your message to travelers?
Mashiki Town has many attractive products, not to mention Cinderella Taiju. Winter watermelons” are in season from now on.
Watermelons are generally associated with summer, but in Mashiki Town, they are often shipped from December to March. Also, be sure to try “winter carrots,” which get sweeter the colder it gets, and “sweet potatoes,” which are full of honey!
Please enjoy “Mashiki no Shun” when you visit Kumamoto!
© Source travel watch
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