The implementation of national travel assistance has brought renewed attention to domestic travel.
JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”). In August 2020, flight attendants selected through an internal application process moved to the area and launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors” to promote regional initiatives, and in In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL hometown supporters,” 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 Masami Kimura, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in the Donan Gastronomic Tour in Hakodate, Hokkaido.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
One of the most popular ways to enjoy your stay in Hakodate is to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at a hotel that makes lavish use of ingredients from the southern part of Hokkaido. In the past few years, Hakodate, a city of gourmet food, has added wine and sake to its culinary offerings. The owner of a long-established winery in France traveled around the world and selected Hakodate as “the best place to grow grapes. Twelve other companies have also begun growing grapes in Southern Hokkaido. In this way, we are beginning to support new local products.
–How are you involved in this effort?
Currently, we are regularly assisting in the cultivation of vineyards with the JAL Furusato Ouen-tai (hometown support group). Last year, we held a campaign at Hakodate Airport to support Okushiri wine, one of the main industries on Okushiri Island, which had suffered a decline in sales due to the Corona disaster. Okushiri wine is the only wine produced on the island in Japan. Okushiri’s representative variety, Pinot Gris, is highly acclaimed even among wine experts. We will continue to work together with producers to promote winemaking as a new industry in Donan.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
As the cherry blossoms begin to turn the colors of southern Hokkaido, we have collaborated with JTB to plan a tour featuring seasonal foods and special scenery, departing only on April 22. The tour is a luxurious journey that includes a sumptuous breakfast at a popular hotel, lunch at a popular café in a retro-modern building, and a flight between Okadama and Hakodate, where you will be able to see the earth budding from the sky. As a flight attendant, I have visited many places in the world, and I will introduce the “hometown season” of Donan, to which I am most attached in the world, in all its glory. I look forward to your participation.
–What is your message to travelers?
Although we have not had the opportunity to hold this event for a long time due to the Corona Disaster, Hakodate has a biannual event called “Bar Street” that tours participating restaurants in spring and fall. We hope you will come to Hakodate to enjoy the beautiful scenery and food at your favorite eateries and restaurants, just like a tour of Spanish bars in the exotic streets of the city. Hakodate is only about 20 minutes from the city to the airport, allowing you to maximize your travel time. We look forward to welcoming you to this picturesque gastronomic city.
© Source travel watch
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