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. Tamako Sekiguchi, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting local attractions at the Hokkaido Branch Office.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Hello everyone, this is Sekiguchi, JAL Furusato Ambassador for the Hokkaido region.
I am originally from Urakawa-cho, Hokkaido, a horse producing area, and I moved to Sapporo with the desire to convey the charms of my beloved hometown.
Today, I, HOKKAIDO LOVE! I would like to introduce you to the charms of traveling in Hokkaido in winter.
–Please tell us about sightseeing in Hokkaido in winter.
Even though I am from Hokkaido, there were many areas I had never set foot in before I arrived as a hometown ambassador. Many people may be concerned about the hurdles of getting around in the large island of Hokkaido, or about the cold weather during this time of year. For those people, we recommend checking out the official Hokkaido tourism website “HOKKAIDO LOVE!
This site introduces new ways to enjoy Hokkaido in winter and by time of day, morning, noon, and night, etc. Please take a look at it and use it as a reference for your Hokkaido trip.
Hokkaido has Hokkaido Air System (HAC), which operates flights to various parts of Hokkaido and the northern Tohoku region, making it convenient to use HAC’s wings for travel within Hokkaido. For example, it takes about 4 hours from Sapporo to Kushiro by car or train, but it takes only about 45 minutes by HAC’s airplanes!
If you are going to travel, you want to spend more time there than on the road.
Also, many people may imagine Hokkaido winters to be harsh and cold, but when the snow piles up, the towns are warm! (Often, people other than Hokkaido residents don’t believe me. …… lol)
Just as it is warm inside a kamakura, it is surprisingly not cold on days when it snows. If you are wondering why this is the case, please come to Hokkaido to experience it for yourself.
We are currently running the “Travel to HOKKAIDO LOVE! Present Campaign” for “residents outside Hokkaido”. You can apply for the campaign by using public transportation arriving in Hokkaido, and you will be entered into a drawing to win a present such as carefully selected gourmet foods from Hokkaido!
Why not take this opportunity to enjoy Hokkaido in winter and apply for the campaign?
–What are your future plans and prospects?
Although we have reported on the charms of winter, Hokkaido is a region that is full of seasonal attractions.
In addition to the beautiful scenery surrounded by vast nature, the delicious gourmet food that makes full use of the blessed ingredients will enchant visitors with the colors of each spring, summer, fall, and winter.
If you have already entered Hokkaido from New Chitose Airport and sightseen the suburbs from your base in Sapporo, we recommend that you try landing at a different airport in Hokkaido next time, or use HAC’s wings to travel around Hokkaido.
–What is your message to travelers?
Hokkaido has hot springs to relieve daily fatigue, hot ramen noodles and Genghis Khan to warm you up, and I hope many people will experience the unique winter charms of a snow country.
Why don’t you come and visit the silvery white world in search of Hokkaido that you haven’t seen yet?
© Source travel watch
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