My 2nd video project features AI funded by Ishikawa Prefecture for foreign campervan drivers. Driving a campervan for 4 days in Noto Peninsula was fun, supporting locals fearing their traditions may die was gratifying, and I gladly built on a 2022 project during which Japan Travel KK created a need-based Q&A to train the AI. Listen to the artificial voice, admire the surprising night festival, and maybe notice me here and there 🚐
Beyond the video:
☑️ Fascinating discussions: Nafune Grand Festival drummers who can only be local kids (the birth announced that day was thus a particularly big deal – Japan’s fertility rate is only 1.3 versus 1.8 in France), Noto-hahaso’s charcoal maker growing his forest to produce sustainably + preserve traditional cooking + foster biodiversity with scientists, Roadside Station Suzu Salt Farm Village’s producers working traditionally…
☑️ A German so charmed by local seascapes I casually shared on Instagram that he drove his campervan to our location the following day… That’s swift success in attracting visitors 🙂 Kevin notably shared a video of his arrival on Instagram.
☑️ My fear of driving a campervan for the first time (quickly alleviated), well-maintained comfortable roads, struggles to light our first BBQ…
☑️ Slightly-salty breeze, appetising BBQ aromas, diverse flavours (awesome mushrooms) with/without sauces…
☑️ Extensive pre-trip checks: width of roads, closures due to recent heavy rain (landslides), outdoor hot springs (must not film) near spots on our drone list, sunrise parking spots, sunlight…
⚠️ Scorching summer so I’m very grateful to the colleagues who accompanied me. See my September post for context, recommendations and photos.
❌ Despite many attempts to rearrange, we sadly couldn’t include a plant-based meal at L’Atelier De Noto (one of my favourite restaurants in Japan) or at Sojiji-Soin Buddhist temple (never tried) due to travel scheduling constraints. Surprisingly, we discovered Just Wholefoods vegan meat (“burger mix”) at Café Cove.
The risks/needs/processes barely overlapped those of my 1st video project (MICE promotion for Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau) so I learnt much. Besides, I shall reuse the campervan-related experience gained preparing/driving/handling to advise local governments and to promote road trips favouring out-of-the-beaten-path sightseeing spots, activities and hotels. Regarding Noto, I also help develop cycling businesses so you may soon see cyclists by drone too…
To learn more about Noto AI Assistant, check its official website.