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 spoke with Mizuho Yoshida, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in the JAL Café@Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom Festival at the Kyushu Branch Office.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Hello everyone, this is Yoshida, JAL hometown ambassador.
In this issue, we would like to introduce an event in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, where JAL hometown ambassadors in Kyushu will gather in large numbers.
The Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom Festival will be held for the 21st time this year at Kokura Castle, the symbol of Kitakyushu City. Kokura Castle is known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Kitakyushu City, and is crowded with many cherry blossom-viewing visitors every year.
Kokura Castle, where this event will be held, was reborn as an interactive tourist attraction in 2019.
There is a “Yabusame Experience Corner” where visitors can experience the game of horseback archery by riding a horse “rider” and a “Nari-giri Experience Corner” where visitors can take commemorative photos wearing a lord’s costume or kimono.
During the Cherry Blossom Festival at Kokura Castle, “JAL Café @ Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” will be held from March 29 to 30 at the observation space in the 5th floor keep of Kokura Castle! (10:00-17:00, LO 16:30)
Authentic coffee and consommé soup made from the same beans as “JAL CAFÉ LINES” served in first class on JAL domestic flights, and JAL’s original drink “Sky Time” will be available.
JAL Sunlight baristas, who normally hand-drip coffee in the first-class lounges at Haneda and Narita airports, will be at Kokura Castle for these two days only. Please come and enjoy a cup of authentic coffee carefully dripped by the barista at Kokura Castle, where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and where you will be able to experience something different from JAL’s in-flight and lounge coffee.
–How are you involved in this effort?
A total of seven JAL hometown ambassadors from Fukuoka (Saga and Nagasaki), Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and Amami in the Kyushu region will gather at Kokura Castle Keep for this event and extend their heartfelt hospitality to everyone.
On the fourth floor, one level below the keep, JAL goods, original JAL Sunlight products, and local souvenirs recommended by the ambassadors, including products developed by the ambassadors, will be on sale.
Please take a look at the POP displayed with them, which includes the recommendations of each ambassador! We hope you will take a look at the products from all over Kyushu, carefully selected by our ambassadors.
–What is your message to travelers?
JAL Café @ Kokura Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” will be held for the first time this year. The venue is the 5th floor keep of Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and on the 4th floor there will be a JAL booth selling carefully selected ambassador products, as well as Agano-yaki pottery from Fukuchi-cho, which has close ties to Kokura Castle.
Kokura Castle is only a 30-minute drive from Kitakyushu Airport! It is also only 15 minutes by Shinkansen bullet train between Hakata and Kokura!
JAL hometown ambassadors from Kyushu will entertain you as best they can at Kokura Castle in the spring sunshine. We look forward to welcoming you all.
JAL hometown ambassadors at Kokura Castle
Mato yo~! (Fukuoka)
Machon yo~! (Oita)
I’ll be waiting for you! (Kumamoto)
I’ll be waiting for you! (Miyazaki)
Matchotto~ (Kagoshima, Japan) (Kagoshima)
Matchutto~ (Amami) (Amami)
© Source travel watch
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.