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 as flight attendants. 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 Eriko Kobayashi, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting Adventure Travel in Hokkaido.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Hokkaido offers “beautiful and magnificent nature” and “rich food” including the World Natural Heritage Site Shiretoko, as well as “Hokkaido’s unique culture” such as Ainu culture and Jomon ruins registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. In addition, Hokkaido is an ideal location for adventure travel, with an environment conducive to enjoying “diverse activities” such as cycling, and a wealth of adventure travel content that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons.
JAL Furusato Ambassadors who have moved to Hokkaido and JAL’s local staff took on the challenge of shooting a YouTube video in the hope that by introducing the Adventure Travel experience, it would encourage people to discover new attractions in Hokkaido and visit the area.
–How are you involved in this effort?
This time, we visited Akan-Mashu National Park, located in the east of Hokkaido, about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport. I participated in the “Trekking in the Mysterious Forest Tour” with a qualified guide to visit the forest, which is usually restricted to visitors for conservation purposes.
As soon as I stepped into the forest, I felt light coming through the trees such as Abies sachalinensis and Ezo spruce, and I felt my body awakening. Forests have the power to cleanse the air by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen, so just being in a forest is enough to feel your body being purified.
There is a hot spring source called bokke (mud volcano) in this area. When you dig up the swamp with a wooden stick, which smells of sulfur and white smoke, the hot spring gushes out bokke.
You can feel the powerful energy of the earth.
The day ended with a visit to Tsurui Village, a red-crowned crane habitat, where we watched the beautiful red-crowned cranes fluttering in the sky.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
In addition to participating in the tours experienced in the video, there are many other attractive tours available throughout the year, including the excitement that can be felt only at that particular time of the year, and the flora and fauna that can be encountered. In addition to the Akan area, the vast island of Hokkaido is also a treasure trove of attractive regions. We hope you will experience your own unique and special Hokkaido!
–What is your message to travelers?
Through my work as a flight attendant, I have had the opportunity to visit many places in Japan and abroad, and although I sometimes tried my hand at activity experiences when I was younger, I found myself becoming more conservative about taking on new challenges as my age and physical strength changed. By participating in the tour this time, I realized that it is never too late to challenge and be moved again, and I was refreshed both physically and mentally. I experienced the wonders of nature and had a unique experience that I had never had before, which changed my inner self a little.
Each region of Hokkaido offers a variety of attractions. We invite everyone to come and experience Hokkaido Adventure Travel.
HOKKAIDO LOVE!” present campaign is also underway, and you can apply if you come to Hokkaido with JAL by the end of January 2024. Please check the website for details.
© Source travel watch