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 Momoko Nobusue, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in promoting the charms of Kitakyushu.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Hello everyone! This is Nobusue, JAL Furusato Ambassador for Fukuoka Prefecture.
Have you ever heard of the city of Yukuhashi, located about 30 minutes by car from Kitakyushu Airport? Located in the northeastern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, the city is blessed with a rich natural environment of mountains, oceans, and rivers, as well as fresh food, and in recent years has been attracting attention as a popular bedroom community for the younger generation. The JR Gyobashi Station is also characterized by its convenient transportation, with limited express trains stopping there and the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway. In this article, we will introduce the efforts of the child-rearing generation in the attractive city of Gyobashi.
As a local development project, Gyohashi City is working on an “indoor children’s playground development project” that is not affected by the seasons or weather. This project aims to contribute to the healthy growth of children by providing them with a playground where they can move around and play to their heart’s content, even indoors, in the midst of the recent abnormal weather conditions. The goal of the project is to contribute to the healthy growth of children and to make the entire community revitalized and sustainable. As part of these efforts, the indoor children’s playground “Asoboccha” had its grand opening on March 20 at Youme Town Minami Gyohashi.
–What kind of facility is Asobocha?
Asoboccha is a facility where children can not only play safely, but also develop their physical exercise, social skills, imagination, and learning. In addition, there is a “Mokumoku Room” where children can enjoy drawing, crafts, and board games with friends, and a “Wai Wai Salon” where children can eat and drink. Children of all ages can play here, and it is sure to become a popular spot in Gyobashi City in the future.
–What other attractions and facilities does Gyobashi have to offer?
As I briefly mentioned at the beginning of this article, because of the abundance of fresh ingredients, there are many restaurants and “gourmet” food stores in Gyobashi City. In addition, there are cafes where you can go with your children and facilities where you can have fun with your children in restaurants and facilities in Gyobashi, making it a comfortable city to live in any time of the year! Please take a look at “4 Gourmet Foods to Try in Fukuoka and Gyobashi,” which appeared last month on OnTrip JAL!
–What is your message to travelers?
As we have mentioned, Gyobashi is a very attractive and livable city, rich in gourmet foods and friendly to the child-rearing generation. There are many other places to visit in addition to those introduced here, such as “digging for yerba mate” and “rows of cherry trees along the banks of the Imagawa River. We hope you will visit these places and experience the charm of Gyobashi for yourself! Let’s get together in Yukuhashi!
© Source travel watch