(24th September - 1st October 2020)
By Haridas Anjali (Ari)
Back in October, I was at Fukami in Ajimumachi with Claire Melikyan, Evita Dwipayana, and Proma Kibria. Fukami, like many rural areas in Japan, is facing the issue of depopulation and emigration of young people to bigger cities.
During my 8-day stint at Fukami, I've realized it's a hidden gem in Oita and has a lot of distinctive experiences to offer to its visitors with its scenic beauty, unique produce, and traditional cultural sites.
Fukami is the perfect location for a bicycle tour and I loved riding my bicycle around the village as well as Ajimu town, where the nearest conbini is located about 8kms away. The trip to a conbini was hardly an arduous journey when you're blessed with a beautiful landscape on the way. I even rode up the mountain to Fukami Gojuno-to (Five Story Pagoda) and while I admit my legs felt like jelly by the time I got there, the famed Pagoda and its grandeur was worth the trip.
Fortunately, my trip to Fukami also coincided with the Undoukai (sports meet) event at a local elementary school. Even rain showers could not dissuade and dispirit kids from performing their best at each event. As guests of Fukami village, Claire, Evita, Proma and I even participated in a "mini-olympics" of sorts with the Vice Mayor of Usa City for fun.
Personally, the trip to Fukinono Taki (Fukinono Waterfalls) was my favourite!
A short and scenic trek ahead, the waterfall was a stunner and no pictures I could take (and I took plenty!) could do justice to its unreal beauty. Unfortunately I cannot swim or I'd have definitely jumped in!
Fukami, like many places in Oita is blessed with a wonderful bounty of agricultural farms. We were fortunate enough to be gifted plenty of fruits and local produce including Ajimu wine, figs, kabosu, and Shine Muscat Grapes that cost around 10,000 yen. Proma and I were lucky to be invited to a Shine Muscat vineyard. It was our first time trying these grapes and it was incredibly big and juicy with just the right amount of firmness, sweetness and sourness.
Perhaps the best thing that captures Fukami's spirit are the people of Fukami themselves. You don't know genuine hospitality until you've experienced hospitality at Fukami.
We hosted an International Food Festival event, during which local people of Fukami brought us gifts from their farms as well as food, wine and homemade food like Sweet Potato Mochi. We were treated with the utmost kindness and invited to various farms as well as a Barbeque party at Wakiya-san's place with his close friends and family.
On our final day, Proma and I gave a nerve-racking presentation in Japanese describing our experiences at Fukami as well as our recommendations for the PR and revitalization of the village so Fukami can overcome its limitations and reach its potential.
This was an open event attended by locals of Usa city including teachers and various working professionals.
Fukami is one of the most underrated places to visit in Oita and I hope that one day it becomes a place that is associated to and appreciated for its natural beauty. Thank you Tasuke-san for the mentorship and support as well as the arrangement of this beautiful experience!
תגובות