VFR促進企画としてディスカバー東広島が実施する「Myおもてなしコンテスト」の現場風景を留学生スタッフがレポートとして掲載しています。
〜目次〜
Jessie : 2024
The English text is at the end ＞＞＞
作為留學生，來到東廣島居住一轉眼已經過了七年，對於廣島這塊土地有著許多美好的回憶。常常跟身邊的朋友說來日本，走過錯過一定不要錯過廣島！朋友真的來訪廣島時，時間上允許，也都一定會帶他們去自己最喜歡的地方！內心也一直覺得廣島的美好，不只有旅遊書上所介紹的範圍而已。
自從去年第一次聽到「Myおもてなしコンテスト」這個比賽，就一直有在關注。今年作為小幫手，可以近距離的參與活動的運作覺得很榮幸！「OMOTENASHI（おもてなし）」，在東京申辦2020年奧運會時被廣泛宣傳，是日本文化中特有的一個概念，意指周到且誠心誠意地款待客人。這個詞沒有直接的英文對應詞，但可以理解為「日式的款待」或「貼心的待客之道」。由外國人所設計的「OMOTENASHI」，是不是很令人好奇會是什麼樣的內容呢？
簡單的介紹一下這個比賽！「Myおもてなしコンテスト」是只有居住或就讀於東廣島市的外國居民才能參加的活動！參賽者需要為家人或朋友量身打造一個旅遊行程，內容包含他們最想讓家人或朋友體驗的廣島特色景點或活動。最厲害的參賽者還能獲得旅遊經費補助，是不是超吸引人？連我自己都想要參加了！
這次入圍的有來自越南、印尼、美國、台灣、愛沙尼亞等，不同出身地的朋友們。每個人居住在東廣島的時間長度雖然不同，但對於廣島的魅力卻都有自己獨到的見解。這些入圍的參賽者可都是先通過書面審查，獲選後才進入最終決賽，每一位在現場用生動的方式分享自己精心設計的行程提案。
看著大家充滿熱情的分享為了自己的家人或朋友量身打造的行程，不僅能感受到他們對廣島的熱愛，也讓聽眾更加了解廣島其實還潛藏著多樣的魅力。無論是一處隱藏的美景、一場特別的當地活動，還是一道令人難忘的美食，每個提案都體現了不同文化背景下對廣島的獨特視角。一百個人就有一百種玩廣島的方法，相信運用大家的創意，從多元文化視角宣傳廣島的美好，一定能吸引更多人來探索廣島的魅力！
這個活動不僅鼓勵參賽者挖掘廣島的亮點，也是一個用創意連結在地文化、促進廣島國際觀光的好機會！「Myおもてなしコンテスト」在未來也會持續的舉辦下去，明年也千萬不要錯過這個可以有機會獲得旅遊經費補助的活動喔; -)!!
Jessie 2024, DecemberIt has been seven years since I came to live in Higashi-Hiroshima as an international student, and I have many warm memories of Hiroshima. I often tell my friends that when they come to Japan, they must not miss Hiroshima! When my friends come here, I always take them to my favorite places when time permits! I have always felt that the beauty of Hiroshima is not only described in the travel books.
I’ve been following “My Omotenashi Contest” since I first heard about it last year. This year, I was honored to be able to participate in the operation of the event from a close distance as a helper! “Omotenashi”, which was widely publicized during Tokyo’s bid to host the 2020 Olympics, is a concept unique to Japanese culture that refers to the thoughtfulness and sincerity with which guests are treated. There is no direct English equivalent for the term, but it can be understood as “Japanese hospitality” or “thoughtful hospitality”. Isn’t it intriguing to see what an “Omotenashi” designed by a foreigner would look like?
Let me briefly introduce this contest! “My Omotenashi Contest” is an event that only foreign residents who live or study in Higashi-Hiroshima City can participate in! Contestants are asked to create a customized itinerary for their family or friends that includes the Hiroshima attractions or activities they would like their family or friends to experience. The top participant will get the trip supported—how awesome is that? Honestly, it sounds so good that even I want to join!
This year’s finalists include people from Vietnam, Indonesia, America, Taiwan, and Estonia. Although each of them has lived in Higashi-Hiroshima for different lengths of time, they all have their own unique views on the charm of Hiroshima. The finalists were selected after a written review, and each of them transformed the beautiful places they explored in Hiroshima into travel proposals and enthusiastically conveyed them to the audiences.
Watching them passionately share their customized itineraries for their family or friends showed their love for Hiroshima and made the audiences understand that Hiroshima has many hidden charms. Whether it’s a hidden beautiful scenery, a special local event, or an unforgettable meal, each proposal reflects a unique perspective of Hiroshima from a different cultural background. A hundred people have a hundred ways to enjoy Hiroshima. I believe that by utilizing our creativity and promoting the beauty of Hiroshima from a multicultural perspective, we will attract more people to explore the charm of Hiroshima!
This event encourages participants to explore the highlights of Hiroshima and provides a great opportunity to connect Japanese local culture with creativity and promote international tourism in Hiroshima! “My Omotenashi Contest” will continue to be held in the future, so don’t miss out on the chance to receive travel grants next year; -)!!
Kenryo : 2023
What I felt about being involved in event management
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a very interesting event that blends the sentiments of affection and hospitality with regional development: the first ever “My Omotenashi Contest”.
Since arriving from Brazil to pursue my university degree in Higashi Hiroshima, I have been studying various aspects of Japanese culture, tourism, and regional development. So, it was so cool to see all these things I had previously studied in class being applied in real life in this project, and what’s more, I was part of that!
The” My Omotenashi Contest” was a big and unprecedent project that I had heard about for quite some time. As an international student living in Higashi Hiroshima, that idea looked particularly captivating to me.
But it was only after joining last week’s event, as a staff member, that I really got to grasp how big of a thing it was in fact. When I arrived there, I was firstly a little bit surprised with all these “shakaijin” (working persons), from different companies wearing suits and looking so professional. I gotta admit, that was little bit intimidating for an international student arriving in normal clothes.
Thankfully, I got a staff jacket, and everyone turned out to be nice. :¬)
Another aspect that impressed me a lot about the event was its media coverage. The Chugoku region journal and even NHK were there!
NHK
Chugoku Shinbun
Even though I only appeared at the very background of the footage and for like 3 seconds (if much), it was so exciting to see myself on TV. Additionally, reviewing the news article and the television report about the event made me proud of having contributed to that.
Overall, I thought the project is very noble in the sense that it aids foreigners in Higashi Hiroshima in reuniting with their loved ones. During the presentations, the contestants’ stories and their projects were filled with tenderness and affection, so I’m glad that this can assist their plans to happen.
Finally, the “My Omotenashi Contest” was a fantastic experience that inspired me to combine warmth and hospitality and share that same vibe with my loved ones when they come to visit me.
Kenryo 2023, December