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Sébastien Duval

@sebastienplus.bsky.social

270 followers 470 following 370 posts

20+ years in Japan, now in Tokyo. I develop regenerative tourism, and enjoy unique Japan, rejuvenating hot springs, and delicious vegan cuisines! French & Japanese OK too. https://linkedin.com/in/sduval/

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · Jul 31

Forbes-featured activist, award-winning chef @miyokoschinner.bsky.social will lead new #VeganTravel in #Asia & #Africa in 2026. She inspired me when I guided her lovely 2025 group in Japan. I'm honoured to support her again for human health, animal welfare… Join us 🙂🧵1/ www.miyokoschinner.com/travel

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 9d

A real treat after guiding all day long, just before riding a shinkansen back home: Vegan Paitan Spicy Ramen at Ramen Kiou under Shin-Osaka station. The sumptuous soup with lightest spice level 1 was quite spicy, and the clients were quiet. Appeasing & energising. #VeganRamen #VeganOsaka #VeganJapan

Chopsticks holding ramen noodles above a well-filled bowl topped with alternative meat

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 9d

Just guided 4 Mexican ladies at #Osaka #WorldExpo: closed USA Pavilion (government shutdown), 1-hour queue for the fun China Pavilion, Pokémon photos for kids, cooling on seats at the Nordic Pavillion, vegan Attiéké Salad with concert at the African restaurant, awe at Pasona's Pavilion… Ends Monday!

Astro Boy and the Monkey King at the China Pavilion

Panda at the China Pavilion (hugged & photographed)

Vegan Attiéké Salad at the African restaurant

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 9d

What's holding you back? Initial funds? Not yet the right timing?

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 9d

How much do you garden?

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 10d

Guiding one last time at the World Expo, I could taste #vegan takoyaki in Osaka! Invented here a century ago, the grilled octopus balls were reinvented cruelty-free with mushrooms by "Vegan & Gluten-free Osaka" restaurant. Served super hot so be careful not to burn yourself! #VeganOsaka #VeganJapan

Set of 10 vegan takoyaki balls topped with vegan mayonnaise, plus miso soup in the background.

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 10d

Guiding and culinary adventures led me to the restaurant Mercy #Vegan Factory in Osaka. I loved the incredible deep-fried cauliflower with sweet & sour sauce 🥦 The matcha pudding was nice too 👍🏻 English-speaking staff & outdoor seating (rare in Japan) ✔️ A must-try; bookmarked! #VeganOsaka #VeganJapan

Deep-fried cauliflower set with konjac, tofu, soup, rice… and a bonus matcha pudding.

Deep-fried cauliflower sprinkled with golden sesame in a sweet & sour sauce.

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 16d

Congratulations! Must your students complete an internship to graduate? If so, they could consider our company Japan Travel KK (HQ: Tokyo), which is both a media & travel agency. We accept both remote and on-site interns. They could apply through japantravel.co.jp/about/jobs/en

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 17d

Nice! I may try these when I visit my parents in France next holidays 🙂

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 21d

Successful #TourismExpoJapan with @writergreginjapan.bsky.social 👍🏻 I met a Centrair airport manager, bilingual guide & cooking teacher, potential consulting/media clients… For my #travel agent colleagues, I found vegan fermentation, tattoo-friendly hot spring inns… Such potential in Central #Japan 🗾

With a traditional hero (left) and superhero (right)

With a delegate of tattoo-friendly Kaiei Ryokans, in kimono

With an official of Kagoshima prefecture

With travel writer Greg Goodmacher, before the poster of Tourism Expo Japan 2025

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 22d

25-28 September near #Nagoya — Annual #TourismExpoJapan introduces #Japan & world destinations to pros (25-26) then the general public, at #Aichi Sky Expo for the first time. I’m excited to meet local managers and #Japan officials on behalf of our company #JapanTravel. www.t-expo.jp/en

Tourism EXPO Japan

The world's largest promotion field JATA Tourism EXPO Japan. As a comprehensive tourism event to lead the worldwide tourism, various industries will gather together based on Tourism. This page shows c...

www.t-expo.jp

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 25d

🧵21/ Chiran Peace Museum teaches WW2 history about #MinamiKyushu and kamikaze pilots. Interesting, it features barracks, pilots' letters/testaments… but its English texts/audio lack the emotions and familial impact well conveyed at Bansei Tokko Peace Museum (start your #Nansatsu #HistoryTour there).

Barracks where pilots wrote their last letters, partly under ground

Entrance (photographing inside is forbidden)

Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 25d

🧵20/ Resuming #FoodTourism, we lunched healthily at #MinamiKyushu Shunshun Terrace, which serves steamed local seasonal vegetables with 8-grain rice, miso soup, and pickles. Options: wagyu beef, black pork… with salt, a ponzu citrus-based sauce, and a sesame sauce. #Nansatsu

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 25d

🧵19/ Our guide at #MinamiKyushu Iwaya Park extended our #Nansatsu #HistoryTour with Kiyomizu Magaibutsu, ±200 #Buddhist carvings on a 20x400m cliff, including a 12m-tall Heian-period (794-1185) carving. These Sanskrit characters are reputedly Japan's best for size & beauty. How did they do???

At Iwaya park, with grass and a river in the foreground, and a cliff topped by trees in the background

Carving of Amithaba Buddha on a cliff, with vegetation below and above

Carving of a 11-headed Kannon, with small colourful offerings at its feet, and grass at the bottom

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 25d

🧵18/ While driving during our #HistoryTour, we stopped at a spot in #MinamiKyushu matching Japanese #WW2 pilots' view when flying towards Okinawa for their last (suicide) mission, saying goodbye at Mount Kaimon. You may find it poignant after visiting #Nansatsu peace museums…

Beach on the left, sea on the right, Mount Kaimon on the horizon slightly on the left, under clouds

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 25d

🧵17/ #MinamiKyushu Bandpark naturally fits in #GreenTourism around #Nansatsu: conservation of seahorses (local victims of the climate crisis), camping up in trees, kayaking in a volcanic pond reputedly leading to an underwater Dragon Palace… You may also enjoy coffee (no time for me to taste it).

Volcanic pond with a dark walkable path in the foreground, sea then Mount Kaimon in the background, under a cloudy sky

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 25d

🧵16/ Athletes (WW2: soldiers) pray god Susanoo (slayer of a 8-headed serpent) for strength at #MinamiKyushu Kamafuta Shrine. You may also pray a laughing rock or walk with a lid on your head from the gate to the building (we tried…) to make a wish come true. #Nansatsu #CulturalTourism #HistoryTour

At the red gate of Kamafuta Shrine, my colleague (left) and I (right) walk with a big lid on our heads

Red and white Kamafuta Shrine, with a grey path in the foreground and green trees in the background

Rock with a crack looking like a smile, surrounded by offerings, under a rope and paper zigzags (Shinto symbols)

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 26d

🧵15/ Stormy night at #Makurazaki Ocean Hotel Iwato, with lightning piercing curtains, but beautiful ocean view at 06:00 🙂 I appreciated the ambiance in the whole building and the small open-air hot spring (perfect when alone at night). However, I was disappointed by the lack of coffee for breakfast…

My room with tatami mats near the entrance and a western-style section near the window

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 26d

🧵14/ First whisky distillery I ever visited, #Makurazaki Hinokami stands out during #FoodTourism in #Nansatsu with its all-glass modern building and huge semi-automated storage. See/touch/taste ingredients, learn in English, and question the interpreter. You'll soon be able to also taste #whisky 🥃

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 26d

🧵13/ You know sake Japanese alcohol but not #shochu? Visit #Makurazaki Meijigura distillery during #Nansatsu #FoodTourism: English labels, interpreter, sweet potato checks, tastings… Like me, mix with a stick then enjoy the bubbling! Unexpectedly, this surpassed most of my visits at sake breweries 🍶

Room with many vats in which sweet potatoes ferment, with the main part invisible under the floor

Traditional wooden barrels connected to each other, and a Shinto charm representing the sky and lightning

6 bottles used for comparative tasting, with sweet potatoes in the bottom left

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 26d

🧵12/ #Makurazaki developed #FoodTourism around its Makurazaki Katsuobushi dried bonito, protected by #Japan Ministry Of Agriculture. Local Nakahara Suisan innovates (dashi black vinegar gelée…) and teaches dashi making (1,200+ foreigners for miso-soup home cooking, ramen shop creation…). #Nansatsu

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 26d

🧵11/ #Nansatsu region produces most Japanese #tea 🍵 #MinamiKyushu Marukawa Farm welcomed us in its 20-species fields, some organic 🌿 Comparative chewing, drinking naturally-sweet cold/hot #Chiran tea, discussing typhoons… was fun! Great for #FoodTourism and #GreenTourism, with #VeganJapan lunch 👍

Young tea field with protections against typhoons

Tea I just picked to chew for comparative tasting

Bowl containing tea leaves after brewing, to be eaten with chopsticks

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 26d

🧵10/ Satsuma Densho-kan museum gathers only-one #SatsumaWare exported to Europe and copied in Kyoto after Paris' 1867 World Expo. Our fascinating #Nansatsu guide covered the making from local #Ibusuki soil, collection, and context in English… and you can dine among artworks here! #CulturalTourism

Guide answering questions about three artworks at the entrance

Guide comparing artworks in a room with many pieces displayed along a cross shape

Display of soil/rocks used as materials to make Satsuma ware

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · 26d

🧵9/ On a #honeymoon or doing #CulturalTourism in #Nansatsu? Stay at #Ibusuki Hakusuikan inn: diverse luxury, unique steam sand bath, open-air hot spring (tattoos OK if hidden/patched), ocean sunrise (New Year: full), English/Chinese OK, suitable for MICE… We were sad to sleep there only 1 night!

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · Sep 17

🧵8/ I experienced a natural steam sand bath, buried in hot sand up to my neck on a beach of #Ibusuki at Saraku Sand Bath Hall for the recommended 10 minutes. This volcanic blessing is rare in Japan & worldwide. Technically, you'd wear a yukata robe during this #Nansatsu #GreenTourism. Avoid summer!

Dark sand, with my head and an umbrella visible

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Sébastien Duval @sebastienplus.bsky.social · Sep 17

🧵7/ Astonished! #Ibusuki Seiryu-ji temple is new (1990) and widespread, with unusual designs, a golden building, marble statues, meditation, yoga… and a rental house for comfortable temple stays. Great for #SpiritualTourism in #Nansatsu and for #CulturalTourism about #Buddhism in modern society.

Entrance of the temple, unusually designed with a thatched roof

Golden building surrounded by vegetation, with a separate artistic pillar in the foreground

Priest beside a wall illustrated with cherry blossoms

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