Crete Unveils its History, Culture, Gastronomy to Japanese Media

In an effort to promote Crete’s culture, archaeological sites and products and attract Japanese tourists, the island’s local authorities and Enterprise Greece recently organized a familiarization trip (fam trip) for Japanese journalists, specializing in gastronomy and wine tourism.

Seven journalists represented leading Japanese media organizations, wine and gastronomy magazines, such as “Vinoteque”, “Shuhan News-Japanese Journal of Sake and Wine” and “AGORA”, the magazine of Japanese Airlines.

They toured the area’s wineries, olive oil presses, apiaries and sites of archaeological interest, such as the Knossos Palace, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the historic centers of Heraklio and Rethymno. They were also informed on the so called “Cretan diet”, which consists mainly of legumes, cheese, olive oil, fish and honey and tried the traditional local delicacies.

According to Crete’s Vice Governor for Development Dimitris Michelogiannis, the journalists were intrigued by Crete’s natural beauty and culture.  They also referred to renowned Cretan writer Nikos Kazatzakis and his book, “Travels II in China and Japan”, which includes a poetic description of Japan’s cherry blossom season.

The fam trip was co-organized by the network of winemakers of Heraklio – “Wines of Crete”, with the support of the Region of Crete.