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 Tamako Sekiguchi, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in the Sapporo Snow Festival bus tour in Hokkaido.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of the three major winter festivals in Hokkaido, will be held from February 4 to 11, 2025, marking its 75th anniversary in 2025. During the festival period, Sapporo Odori Park will be lined with snow sculptures of various sizes, created with meticulous attention to detail.
The JAL Hometown Ambassadors are currently offering a tour that allows you to see the Snow Festival site and various parts of Sapporo City while they introduce you to the wonderful snow sculptures and the history of the Snow Festival from the bus.
In addition to the Sapporo Snow Festival, you can enjoy the Sounkyo Hot Springs Ice Fall Festival and other winter festivals that Hokkaido prides itself on.
–How are you involved in this effort?
JAL hometown ambassadors, who have ties to Hokkaido and have settled in Sapporo, will introduce not only the Snow Festival but also facilities and tourist spots in Sapporo from the bus while touring together.
We will also make announcements about how snow statues are made, where large amounts of snow are brought from, and many other little information about the Snow Festival that even Sapporo citizens may be surprised to know.
We are preparing for both first-time visitors and those who have visited the Snow Festival several times to enjoy the festival.
With the Snow Festival Viewing Bus, you can enjoy the Snow Festival in comfort from the warmth of the bus, even on days with low temperatures!
–What are your future plans and prospects?
Last year, after viewing the Snow Festival site from a Snow Festival viewing bus, one of our customers said, “I wanted to see it up close, so I’ll go back and look again later! I want to see it up close, so I’ll go back and see it again later!
The many snow statues that line Odori Park were created by citizens’ groups and the Self-Defense Forces with their best efforts, and the main snow statue is of an impressive scale.
The snow statues lit up at night are of course wonderful, but in the morning you can see them sparkling in the light, and in fact, you can enjoy them in many different ways.
–What is your message to travelers?
The Snow Festival lasts only about a week in Hokkaido’s long winter, and many visitors come to Sapporo to enjoy the scenery that can only be experienced during this time of the year.
While cool Hokkaido in the green season is great, we hope that many people will enjoy Hokkaido’s unique silvery-white world.
After enjoying the various winter festivals, warm your body with delicious gourmet food and hot springs, and enjoy Hokkaido in winter with all your body.
We look forward to welcoming you in the land of the north!
© Source travel watch
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