Fukuoka and Oita Prefectures welcomed wholesalers, tour operators and travel advisors for an evening of Japanese taste sensations and to discover more about the prefectures at an event in Brisbane last week. The function was held in anticipation of a full reopening of Japan in the near future.
Fukuoka and Oita are located next to one another in the northern part of Kyushu Island – the southernmost and third largest of the four main islands of Japan.
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Guests at the events were treated to an evening of cocktails, wine and a four-course meal at Howard Smith Wharves hotspot, Yoko Dining. Menu highlights included mouth-watering Wagyu steak, a speciality of Oita and spicy chive Udon noodles, which originate from Fukuoka. During the evening guests learnt about the stunning natural beauty, rich culture, wellness escapes, and ease of travel in both prefectures, and why Fukuoka and Oita are must-visit destinations for travellers looking to experience Japan off the beaten path, distinct from other well-known Japanese favourites.
Visting Australia for the first time since the pandemic, Fukuoka and Oita Prefecture delegates – Satomi Nishida san, Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Association; Nozomi Iwane san, Fukuoka Prefectural Government; Saori Kato san, Tourism Oita; and Masahiro Ide san, FREEPLUS Inc./Oita Prefecture – were in attendance to welcome the valued trade attendees to the event. Participants included Inside Japan Tours, Travel Japan, MW Tours, Flight Centre, Travel Associates, Helloworld Travel, TravelManagers and other independent agents.
Some guests won bottles of Fukuoka and Oita sake and bespoke Japanese floral arrangements throughout the night. Lolo Trendell of Trendell & Turner Travel Associates took home the grand prize, a workshop for two with local Japanese florist Mikiko Inoue of Kent Florist in Brisbane. Mikiko has close ties to both regions – she was born in Fukuoka, and her mother is from Oita Prefecture.
Pictured are images captured at the event.
Lead image: Oita Prefecture and Lachy Miller, Inside Japan Tours and Kita Sokolov, Flight Centre with their Oita Sake wins.
