The Kuroda brothers are the fourth-generation proprietors of the Kuroda Festive Banner Shop, in business since 1907. Discussion becomes lively when Greb, who also serves as an advisor on tourism, suggests, “Let’s hold the Big Fishing Catch Flag Art Exhibition again!”Bartholomeus GrebBorn in Poland in 1980, Greb was raised in Freiburg, Germany. He first came to Ehime as an exchange student, and later during a working holiday, and since 2012 has been employed as the sales and marketing manager of the historic Kiya Ryokan. He also serves as an advisor on international tourism to Uwajima City.35pretentiousness, while treating the things at hand with respect. I want to tell people about the structure of the inn, already a hundred years old, as well as the special places in Uwajima.” A castle town with a history, blessed with the natural bounty of the sea and the hills, Uwajima is a place where traditional culture, such as the production of washi (Japanese paper) and festive banners, is still alive and well. Greb, who also serves as an advisor on international tourism to the city, says that even a slight change in outlook will generate a greater appeal. “For example, even though Uwajima Castle, a symbol of the city, is relatively small, it is a treasure trove of 400 different types of plants.” These kinds of unique facets of local attractions, having impressed Greb, are communicated to the rest of the world on his web magazine, called “Uwajima Deep.” And indeed, intrigued by what they find on the website, more than a few have come to Uwajima in search of deep experiences. To help visitors enjoy the charms of Uwajima, fee-based guided experiential tours are being planned. Greb adds, “I think it would be interesting to invite artists from Germany and from my homeland, Poland, to design packaging for Uwajima’s unique products.” His local friends, who affectionately call him “Baru-kun,” appreciate the original proposals he generates, saying that “It’s gotten hard to think about Uwajima without Baku-kun.” It is certain that “Baru-kun” will continue to communicate the charms of Uwajima with a heart full of traditional hospitality. “Uwajima suffered damage during the torrential rains of July, but thankfully, the city has recovered,” he says, hastening to add that, “The ryokan is operating with its usual hospitality—and you could be the next visitor!”
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