 | Name: Yin Bowen Nationality:China Location Visited: Fukusihima City |
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In the summer of 2012 I visited beautiful Fukushima for the first time as part of an exchange program to help encourage Fukushima and Japan. At temporary housing located in Koriyama, we had the chance to talk with some of the elderly residents there. We all sang the song ‘Kitaguni no Haru’ and as they all waved goodbye to us any worries about visiting Fukushima that still lingered in our minds vanished.
Next we visited the Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre. I saw with my own eyes the efforts being made to secure the safety of Fukushima’s food products. At Fukushima University, we were able to enjoy a serious discussion on topics including ‘Promoting exchange between China and Fukushima’ and ‘How to increase Chinese tourists to Fukushima?’
When visiting Tsurugajo Castle, locals dressed up as samurai welcomed us warmly, and took a commemorative photograph with us. Through these activities we received much inspiration and were much moved.
In the summer of 2013 I took part in the same program detailed above, and was able to return to Fukushima. By the time we reached the hotel in Fukushima it was past 1AM. Even so, there was staff from the Prefectural Office waiting to welcome us. I couldn’t help being moved by their hospitality. I’ve come to feel that the people in Fukushima are far kinder than their Tokyo counterparts.
Later we got the chance to enjoy foot baths at Iizaka Onsen, and enjoyed peach picking, a popular activity in Fukushima. In this visit we once again received a warm welcome from both the citizens of Fukushima and the prefectural officials. The treatment we received while enjoying our trip of Fukushima kept the famous Japanese ‘omotenashi’ (hospitality) fresh in our minds.
At the fruit farm, one of the workers told us about the situation there including the persistent ‘harmful rumours’ and the efforts for revitalization. We were shown the certificate from the JAC that certifies the fruit’s quality. I was able to see firsthand the people of Fukushima’s hard work. I was also very pleased to hear that the fruit garden’s sales routes were well on the way to recovery.
Visiting Tsurugajo Castle and Ouchijuku, we were able to experience the beauty of Fukushima and learn about its rich history.
Please come and visit Fukushima! It is full of beautiful nature, and the people here are some of the nicest you will ever meet. If you try to overcome any fears or misunderstandings you might have about Fukushima, I believe you will come to love Fukushima as I do.
Go Fukushima, Go Japan!
It is my sincere hope that the friendship between Japan and China lasts long into the future .
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