JET Study Tour Oct,2015 Members Report12

The study tour was an interesting experience and I learned a lot about the things being done for the Fukushima Prefecture. I was really happy and appreciative to know that so much care is taken in assuring rice and other crops are safe for consumption. It was also good to get handouts showing the actual changes over time.

This tour helped to give more solid proof that everything is being done to assure Fukushima Prefecture is proud and serious about the quality of its produce.

The home stay on the farm was a welcome activity and  helped me feel more appreciative of the amount of hard work that is being done from the very start of the farming process. I enjoyed that and had a lot of fun.
I also enjoyed visiting the Sake breweries and learning all about the process of making different types of sake. It made me realize, just how exquisite and healthy sake is. The taste tests were enjoyable as well.

Many of the places visited were very beautiful and I could honestly see the amount of pride and love put into keeping theses areas beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.  Such as Tsurugajyo in Aizu Wakamatsu.
Even something as simple as soba making in Ohuchijuku was done with great pride and enthusiasm by the locals whom I'm sure had done this thousands of times before.

Overall the experience was wonderful and I wouldn't change it for the world. Although I have always had great confidence in Fukushima Prefecture, this event helped to solidify that confidence. I always recommend Fukushima as a place to visit anytime people come to Japan, and its good to have more wonderful things to tell them.