Wednesday 27 May 2015

26th Nango Summer Jazz Festival

26th Nango Summer Jazz Festival 2015 
第26回 合併10周年記念 南郷サマージャズフェスティバル2015 
Official Facebook Page: https://ja-jp.facebook.com/NangoJazz

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2015
Time: 13:00-20:45 (gates open at 12:00)
Location: Kakko no Mori Ecoland Outdoor Stage カッコーの森エコーランド野外ステージ (Map)
Admission: Adult: 6000yen (5000yen advance); Junior High-Senior High School Students: 3000yen (2000yen advance); Elementary School-Aged & Below: Free
Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be purchased through Lawson & Ticketpia.
  • Lawson Ticket L-Code (ローソンチケット Lコード): 22689
  • Ticketpia P-Code (チケットぴあ Pコード): 260-806
Free Shuttle Bus:
A free shuttle bus from Hachinohe Portal Museum "Hacchi" and Hachinohe Station East Exit to the venue will be in operation. Bus tickets will be distributed from 30min. before departure time. The tickets will be checked at boarding.

Schedule:
Hacchi 中心街三日町「はっち」前
10:30 Dep→11:15 Arr
12:30 Dep→13:15 Arr

Hachinohe Station East Exit 八戸駅東口
11:15 Dep→11:45 Arr
12:30 Dep→13:00 Arr

The return bus will depart from the Nango Community Center (南郷公民館前 Nango kouminkan mae) shortly after the final performance. Make sure to listen for the announcement of the departure time. The return bus will stop at Hacchi before going to Hachinohe Station.

Festival Eve Event 前夜祭 (zenyasai)
Date: Friday, July 24, 2015
Time: 18:45-20:30
Location: Kakko no Mori Ecoland Outdoor Stage カッコーの森エコーランド野外ステージ (Map)
Admission: Adult: 500yen; Senior High School Students & Younger: Free

Kakko no Mori Ecoland カッコーの森エコーランド
Tateno-5-5 Nangoku Oaza Nakano
Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture 031-0114
0178-82-2902

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Inakadate Rice Field Art

Inakadate Rice Field Art History
(Jump to 2015 Inakadate Rice Field Art information)

Inakadate has a long history relating to rice. The site of an ancient rice field dating back to the mid-Yayoi Period (300 B.C.~300 A.D.), the Tareyanagi Iseki (Tareyanagi Site) was discovered in Inakadate in 1981. This was a significant find as until its discovery, it had been believed that rice fields were not cultivated in Tohoku during the Yayoi Period. The Tareyanagi Iseki was designated a National Historic Site on April 11, 2000.
Inakadate Tareyanagi Iseki circa 1982 田舎館村 垂柳遺跡 昭和57年
 Tareyanagi Iseki: Yayoi Rice Field Site

To celebrate and promote its history of rice production, Inakadate began offering rice planting experience tours. In order to make the experience more interesting, they decided to use different coloured rices to draw a picture of Mt. Iwaki with the words 弥生の里いなかだて (Yayoi no sato Inakadate) meaning "Yayoi Village Inakadate." This was the humble beginning of rice field art--although at the time it was not referred to as "art" but simply as "rice characters" (稲文字 ine moji).
1993 Yayoi Village Inakadate Rice Field Tanbo Art 平成5年 「弥生の里いなかだて」 田舎館田んぼアート 稲文字
1993 "Yayoi Village Inakadate" 
(Source: Mutsu Sinpou)

From 1993-2002, the design for the "rice characters" remained mostly unchanged apart from the addition of a moon to the design in 2002. The ambitious "Mona Lisa" design in 2003 marked the change from "rice characters" to "rice field art."

In response to criticisms about the Mona Lisa "looking fat" when viewed from the 6th floor viewing platform of the Inakadate Village Office rather than from overhead, from 2004 the designs for the rice field art were made on the computer to correct for the distortion caused by the viewing angle.
2003 Mona Lisa Inakadate Rice Field Art Overhead and Viewing Platform Views 平成15年 「モナリサ」 田舎館田んぼアート 
2003 "Mona Lisa" views from overhead & from viewing platform
(Picture Source: NTV)

Since 2004 the drastic improvement in technological and artistic levels have made Inakadate's rice art an increasingly popular site for both domestic and international tourists.
 2010 Benkei & Yoshitsune Inakadate Rice Field Art 平成22年 「弁慶と義経」 田舎館田んぼアート
2010 "Benkei & Yoshitsune"
 2013 Oiran & Hollywood Star Inakadate Rice Field Tanbo Art 平成25年 「花魁とハリウッドスター」 田舎館田んぼアート
2013 "Oiran & Hollywood Star"
 2014 Mt. Fuji & Hagoromo Legend Inakadate Rice Field Tanbo Art 平成26年 「富士山と羽衣伝説」 田舎館田んぼアート
2014 "Mt. Fuji & Hagoromo Legend"

Inakadate's rice field art has proved so popular that in 2012, a second rice field art site was started at the Michi no Eki (Roadside Station) Inakadate "Yayoi no Sato."

Sources:
Inakadate Buried Cultural Property Center & Museum, "Tareyanagi Iseki tte naani" (Japanese): http://www.vill.inakadate.lg.jp/_common/themes/inakadate/maibun_hp/index.html

Mutsu Shinpou, "Inakadate-mura tanbo art 20-nen no ayumi" (Japanese): http://www.mutusinpou.co.jp/index.php?cat=54

Inakadate Tanbo Art (Japanese): http://homepage3.nifty.com/malus~pumila/minisight/inakadate/


2015 Inakadate Rice Field Art
第23回田舎館村田んぼアート dai nijuusan kai Inakadate-mura tanbo art)
(Back to Inakadate Rice Field Art History)

The theme for this year's rice field art is "Gone with the Wind" for the main site and "Star Wars" for the second site (Michi no Eki Inakadate "Yayoi no Sato"). (The actual Star Wars design has yet to be announced.)

Date: June 1, 2015 (Mon.) - October 12, 2015 (Mon.)
        (Recommended viewing period: Mid-July to Mid-August)
Time: Jun. 1-30, Sep. 1-Oct. 12: 9:00-17:00 (16:30 last entry)
        Jul. 1-Aug. 31: 8:30-18:00 (17:30 last entry)
        *Oct. 4, 2015 (Sun.) Site 1 will be closed for a rice harvesting tour*
Location(s):
  • Rice Field Art Site 1: Inakadate Viewing Platform (Village Office) (第1田んぼアート田舎館村展望台(田舎館村役場)) (Map)
  • Rice Field Art Site 2: Michi no Eki "Yayoi no Sato" (Yayoi no Sato Viewing Area) (第2田んぼアート道の駅いなかだて「弥生の里」(弥生の里展望所)) (Map)
Admission: Adult: 200yen; Elementary Student: 100yen; Child: Free
Admission Procedures for Rice Field Art Site 1 (Japanese explanation here):
  1. Get an admission time ticket (整理券 seiriken)
  2. Line up in front of the entrance at the time printed on the ticket
  3. Purchase ticket(s) at the first floor ticket machines upon entering the building
  4. Line up for the elevator to the 4th floor (you will have to take stairs up to the viewing platform on the 6th floor)
Notes:
  • Waiting times of over 1 hour are expected for the Rice Field Art Site 1 Viewing Platform
  • A free shuttle bus (max. occ. 9 people) between Sites 1 & 2 will be in operation from June 20
  • Eating and drinking is only allowed on the 4th floor of the Inakadate Viewing Platform. Eating and drinking anywhere else within the buildings is prohibited.
  • Smoking within the buildings is prohibited.
  • Use of tripods in the viewing platforms is prohibited.

Train Access:
Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station (Tohoku Shinkansen)

Shin-Aomori Station to Hirosaki Station (JR Ou Line or Tsugaru Limited Express)

Hirosaki Station to Tanbo Art Station (Konan Tetsudo)

Rice Field Art Site 1: Inakadate Viewing Platform (Village Office) 
第1田んぼアート田舎館村展望台(田舎館村役場)
Nakatsuji-123-1 Inakadate
Minamitsugaru District, Aomori 038-1113
0172-58-2111



Rice Field Art Site 2: Michi no Eki "Yayoi no Sato" (Yayoi no Sato Viewing Area) 
第2田んぼアート道の駅いなかだて「弥生の里」(弥生の里展望所)
Yahata-10 Takahi Inakadate Minamitsugaru District, Aomori 038-1111
0172-58-4411


More Information: 
Inakadate Village Official Homepage (Japanese): http://www.vill.inakadate.lg.jp/docs/2013050200014/ 

Friday 22 May 2015

2015 Aomori TKG Matsuri

2015 Aomori Tamago Kake Gohan Matsuri
2015 あおもりたまごかけごはんまつり (Aomori Raw Egg on Rice Festival)
Tamago Kake Gohan Raw Egg on Rice 卵かけご飯

Date: June 26, 2015 (Fri.) - June 28, 2015 (Sun.)
Location: Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center "Aspam" 1st Floor Event Hall
青森県観光物産館アスパム1階イベントホール (Map)
Admission: Free
Description:Tamagao kake gohan (a.k.a. "TKG" = raw egg on rice) is a simple and popular Japanese dish: just crack a raw egg onto a bowl of warm rice and add soy sauce/other condiments to taste. At the Aomori Tamago Kake Gohan Matsuri, enjoy a TKG set including Aomori Tsugaru Roman rice, miso soup, tsukemono (pickled cabbage, carrot, and cucumber), a variety of locally made soy sauces, and your choice from of egg from a selection of 15 different types.
Promotions: 
  • Free TKG voucher with purchase of admission to the 2nd floor Panoramic Video & Viewing Platform (adults: 800yen; junior high-senior high school students: 600yen; elementary school students 400yen).
  • Free entry into draw for locally produced Aomori eggs with purchases of 2000yen or more within Aspam.

Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center "Aspam" 青森県観光物産館アスパム
1-1-40 Yasukata (青森県青森市安方1丁目1-40)
Aomori, Aomori 030-0803
017-735-5311

Thursday 21 May 2015

Risoukyo Flower Festivals

Risoukyo's lovely botanical gardens are a hidden gem of Towada. In the spring it has three major flower festivals: Chinese peony, lupin, and Japanese iris festivals.

Chinese Peony Festival
芍薬まつり (shakuyaku matsuri)
Date: May 30, 2015 (Sat.) - June 14, 2015 (Sun.)
Description: Enjoy about 2000 blooms of 140 varieties
Risoukyo Chinese Peony Festival Shakuyaku Matsuri 鯉艸郷 芍薬まつりRisoukyo Chinese Peony Festival Shakuyaku Matsuri 鯉艸郷 芍薬まつり

Risoukyo Chinese Peony Festival Shakuyaku Matsuri 鯉艸郷 芍薬まつり

Lupin Festival
ルピナスまつり (lupinus matsuri)
Date: May 30, 2015 (Sat.) - June 30, 2015 (Tue.)

Description: Enjoy 10,000 flowers spread over 4000 square metres
Risoukyo Lupin Festival Lupinus Matsuri 鯉艸郷 ルピナスまつりRisoukyo Lupin Festival Lupinus Matsuri 鯉艸郷 ルピナスまつり

Risoukyo Lupin Festival Lupinus Matsuri 鯉艸郷 ルピナスまつり

Japanese Iris Festival 
花菖蒲まつり (hanashoubu matsuri)
Date: June 20, 2015 (Sat.) - July 20, 2015 (Mon.)
Description: Enjoy 20,000 flowers of 500 varieties
Risoukyo Japanese Iris Festival Hanashoubu Matsuri 鯉艸郷 花菖蒲まつりRisoukyo Japanese Iris Festival Hanashoubu Matsuri 鯉艸郷 花菖蒲まつり

Risoukyo Japanese Iris Festival Hanashoubu Matsuri 鯉艸郷 花菖蒲まつり


If you want to take a break while viewing the extensive gardens, try the traditional thatched-roof house turned restaurant, Risoutei (鯉艸亭). Among other things, it offers "handmade waterwheel soba" (手打ち水車そば teuchi suisha soba) made from buckwheat milled in the waterwheel near the entrance of the park, stewed apples (りんご煮 ringo-ni) for dessert, and perilla juice (しそジュース shiso juice)--all very refreshing on a hot summer day. (Risoutei is closed weekdays except for reservations in May. Open daily June-July.)
Risoukyo Restaurant Risoutei 鯉艸郷 レストラン鯉艸亭
Risoutei
Risoukyo Restaurant Risoutei Handmade Waterwheel Soba 鯉艸郷 レストラン鯉艸亭 手打ち水車そば
Handmade Waterwheel Soba

Risoukyo Restaurant Risoutei stewed apples 鯉艸郷 レストラン鯉艸亭 りんご煮
Stewed Apples
Risoukyo Restaurant Risoutei Perilla Shiso Juice 鯉艸郷 レストラン鯉艸亭 しそジュース
Perilla Juice

Location: Risoukyo 手作り村鯉艸郷 
Torigamori-2-10 Fukamochi
Towada, Aomori 034-0106
0176-27-2516

Hours: 9:00-17:00
Admission: 
  • Adults (High School-Aged & Up): 550yen (May: 300yen)
  • Elementary-Junior High School Students: 200yen (May: 100yen)
  • Groups (15+ people): 450yen (May: 270yen)
  • Physically Disabled: 400yen (May: 200yen)

More Information:
Risoukyo Official Website (Japanese/English) http://www.risoukyo.com

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 2015

Hachinohe Sansha Taisai 2015
2015 八戸三社大祭 (Hachinohe Three Shrine Grand Festival)
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.city.hachinohe.aomori.jp/kanko/festival/sansya/

Although perhaps not as famous as the big 3 Nebuta/Neputa festivals, Hachinohe's Sansha Taisai is another famous summer festival in Aomori. It has a history of over 290 years and was recognized in 2004 as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

It is a festival for 3 major Shinto shrines in Hachinohe, Ogami Shrine (おがみ神社), Shinra Shrine (新羅神社), and Shinmei Shrine (神明宮). The festival features parades of 27 large dashi floats and mikoshi (portable shrines) from the 3 shrines, and Kagami-style Kiba Dakyu (a polo-like horseback sport) among other events.
 Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Dashi Float 八戸三社大祭 山車
 Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Dashi Float 八戸三社大祭 山車
 Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Dashi Float 八戸三社大祭 山車
 Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Tiger Dance 八戸三社大祭 虎舞Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Shinmei Shrine 八戸三社大祭神明宮
 Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Shinmei Shrine Kagura Dance 八戸三社大祭 神明宮 神楽

Date: July 31, 2015 (Sat.) - August 4, 2015 (Tue.)
Location(s): 
  • 八戸中心街 Hachinohe Chuushingai (Central Hachinohe)
  • 八戸市役所前(市民広場) Hachinohe City Hall (Map)
  • 長者三新羅神社 Choujasan Shinra Shrine) (Map)
  • 鍛冶町 Kajicho (Map)
Admission: Free (paid seats available)
Schedule:
     Friday, July 31
  • 18:00-21:00 山車の展示とお囃子実演 Dashi Float Display & Musical Accompaniment (八戸市中心街 Central Hachinohe)
     Saturday, August 1
  • 15:00~ 神輿と山車の合同運行 Mikoshi & Dashi Float Parade (市庁前出発 Starting from Hachinohe City Hall)
     Sunday, August 2 
  • おまつり広場 Festival Area (市庁前市民広場 Hachinohe City Hall)
  • 14:00~ 加賀美流騎馬打毬 Kagami Kiba Dakyu (長者山新羅神社 Choujasan Shinra Shrine)
  • 18:00~ 山車合同運行 Dashi Float Parade (市庁前出発 Starting from Hachinohe City Hall)
     Monday, August 3
  • おまつり広場 Festival Area (市庁前市民広場 Hachinohe City Hall)
  • 15:00~ 神輿と山車の合同運行 Mikoshi & Dashi Float Parade (鍛冶町出発 Starting from Kajicho)
     Tuesday, August 4
  • 18:00~ 山車の展示とお囃子実演 Dashi Float Display & Musical Accompaniment (八戸市中心街 Central Hachinohe)
More Information:
Aomori Sightseeing Guide, "Hachinohe Sansha Taisai": http://www.en-aomori.com/culture-041.html 

Old Hirosaki City Fireworks Gathering 2015

10th Annual Old Hirosaki City Fireworks Gathering 2015
第10回古都ひろさき花火の集い2015
(dai jukkai koto Hirosaki hanabi no tsudoi)
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.hiro-hanabi.com/

Date: Saturday, June 20, 2015 (May be postponed to June 21 in the event of strong rain/winds)

Time: 15:00-21:00

Location: Hirosaki Iwaki River Floodplain Sports Park (Akudo District)
弘前市岩木川河川敷運動公園(悪戸地区)(Map)
Admission: Free (Paid Reserved Seating Available)
     Reserved Seating Fees:
  • 11,000yen at door (10,000yen advance purchase) 特別席 Special Seat: "Beach Bed" (Max. Occ. 1)
  • 6000yen (5000yen) A マス "A" Seat: 1.8m x 2.5m (Max. Occ. 6)
  • 3000yen (2500yen) A ペアマス "A" Pair Seat: 1.8m x 1.25m (Max. Occ. 2)
  • 4000yen (3000yen) B マス "B" Seat: 1.8m x 2.5m (Max. Occ. 6)
  • 2000yen (1500yen) B ペアマス "B" Pair Seat: 1.8m x 1.25m (Max. Occ. 2)
  • 300yen (200yen) 観覧C ゾーン入場券  Viewing "C" Zone Admission: Tickets Required for Elementary-School Aged Children and Older
     Reserved Seat Ticket Purchase Locations:
  • 弘前商工会議所 Hirosaki Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Hirosaki Shoukoukaigisho) (4/25~)
  • 岩木山商工会 Mt. Iwaki Commerce & Industry Association (Iwaki-san shoukoukai) (4/25-6/14)
  • 成岩商店 Nariiwa Food & Grocery (shouten) (4/25-6/14)
  • さくら野弘前店 Hirosaki Sakurano Department Store (4/25-6/14)
  • ヒロロ Hiroro (4/23-6/14)
  • 中三弘前店 (4/25-6/14)
  • イトーヨーガードー弘前店 Hirosaki Itoyagado (4/25-6/14)
Schedule:
  • 15:00 開場 Venue Opens
  • 16:00-19:00 ステージアトラクション Stage Events
  • 19:30 打ち上げ開始 Fireworks Begin
Fireworks & Goukon (Group Blind Date)
Time: 18:00-21:00 (Registration: 17:00-16:00)

Location: Goukon Reserved Area (Between "B" Seat Area and "C" Zone
Bマス席とCゾーンの間(合コン専用会場)
Admission: Men: 4000yen; Women: 3000yen (includes admission, 3 drink tickets & 1 food ticket)
Restrictions: Single Men/Women Aged 20+, Max. 200 participants (100 men/100 women)

Ticket Purchase: 中三弘前店1Fインフォメーション Hirosaki Nakasan Department Store, 1F Information Desk
Description: A chance to meet many people while enjoying Hirosaki's night sky and fireworks display.

Hachinohe Wine Festival 2015

Hachinohe Wine Festival 2015
八戸ワインフェス2015

Official Website (Japanese): http://www.winefes8.info/
Hachinohe Wine Festival 2015 Flyer 八戸ワインフェス2015 チラシHachinohe Wine Festival 2015 Flyer 八戸ワインフェス2015 チラシ

Date: Sunday, May 24, 2015
Time: 13:00-19:00 (Registration starts at 12:30)
Location: Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:
  • 13:00~ フードブース Food (& Wine) Booths
  • 13:00~ 無料開放セミナー 8 Free Seminars: free wine tasting for up to 50 participants per seminar, joining the seminar partway through is OK
  • 18:00~ S-1グランプリ (サービス技能大会) S-1Grand Prix (Sommelier Service Technique Contest): Watch contestants aiming to become sommeliers take orders, open and serve the wine within 10 minutes. 
(Select) Seminars:
  • Seminar Room 1, 14:00~「イタリアワインの楽しみ(仮称)」
    Enjoying Italian Wine
    * (Italia wine no tanoshimi)
  • Seminar Room 1, 15:30~「ワインでまちを興す」
    City Revival Through Wine
    (wine de machi wo okosu)
  • Seminar Room 1, 17:00~「チーズとワインの世界(仮称)」
    The World of Cheese & Wine
    * (cheese to wine no sekai)
  • Seminar Room 2, 17:00~「エーゲ海より、、、ギリシャワインの魅力」
    From the Aegean Sea...The Appeal of Greek Wine
*Denotes tentative seminar title

Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi 八戸ポータルミュージアムはっち
11-1 Mikkamachi
Hachinohe, Aomori 031-0032
0178-22-5822

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Chinese & Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei

Restaurant Spotlight: Kobayashitei こばやし亭

A Chinese food and steak/hamburg steak restaurant with filling meals for reasonable prices. The recommended specials (おすすめメニュー osusume menu) are especially good deals but be warned that they also change periodically. A limited take out menu is also available.
Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市
 Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市
 Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市

Recommended Menu Items:
Beef Steak (220g) ビーフステーキ1400yen
(comes with soup and rice)
Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Beef Steak Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市 ビーフステーキ

Ginger-Fried Pork 710yen
豚肉生姜焼き(butaniku shouga yaki)
(comes with soup and rice)
Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Ginger-Fried Pork Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市 豚肉生姜焼き

Fried Chicken and Fried Rice* 780yen 
からあげとチャーハン (karaage to chaahan)
(comes with soup)
*Recommended special (おすすめメニュー osusume menu), NOT on the regular menu, so not always available
Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Fried Chicken and Fried Rice Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市 からあげとチャーハン

Hamburg Steak and Fried Chicken (2pcs)* 800yen
ハンバーグとからあげ2個 (hamburg to karaage ni ko)
(comes with soup and rice)
*Recommended special (おすすめメニュー osusume menu), NOT on the regular menu, so not always available  
Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Hamburg Steak and Fried Chicken Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市 ハンバーグとからあげ2個

Beef and Vegetables in Thick Sauce on Rice* 850yen
牛肉うま煮かけごはん (gyuuniku umani kakegohan)
(comes with soup)
*Recommended specials (おすすめメニュー osusume menu), NOT on the regular menu, so not always available
Chinese Food and Steak Restaurant Kobayashitei Beef and Vegetables in Thick Sauce on Rice Towada ステーキ中華料理 こばやし亭 十和田市 牛肉うま煮かけごはん

Hours: 11:30-15:00 (14:30 last order); 17:30-21:00 (20:40 last order), Closed Wednesdays
Price Range:2000yen
English/Picture Menu: n/a
Seating: Table (~7 tables x 4 seats) and Counter (~4 seats)
Good For: Solo Dining, Couples, Families, Small-Large Groups, Parties
Reservations: Usually not necessary, except for larger groups/parties
Phone: 0176-22-1897
Parking: Available (~6 cars)         
Address/Map:
Towada City, Aomori 034-0014

Aomori Kyodokan Special Exhibit "Go with cats. Iwago Mitsuaki"

Aomori Kyodokan Special Exhibit: July 11th, 2015 (Sat.) – August 23rd, 2015 (Sun.)

“Go with cats. Iwago Mitsuaki Photography Exhibit”
Go with cats Iwago Mitsuaki Photography Exhibit Aomori Kyodokan Flyer ねこ歩き 岩合光昭写真展 青森県立郷土館 チラシ
Description:
Renowned world wildlife photographer Iwago Mitsuaki has photographed cats for over 40 years. "If you watch the movements of cats, they will seem like humans." On the roads that people walk, cats are there alongside them. Cats also appear in people's lifestyles and way of living. 
This exhibit features photographs taken by Iwago-san in recent years in various countries and including photographs of Aomori cats.


Hours:
9:00-18:00 Daily (last admission 17:30)

Aomori Kyodokan 青森県立郷土館
2-8-14 Honcho
Aomori, Aomori Prefecture 030-0802
Tel: 017-777-1585


Admission:
Adult: 800yen at door (600yen advance ticket)
Elementary to Senior High School Students: 300yen at door (200yen advance ticket)
Pair Tickets (advance ticket only): 1000yen

Advance sale tickets can be purchased through the following services/at the following locations:
- Lawson Tickets ローソンチケット (L-Code: 22688)
- Ticket Pia チケットぴあ (P-Code: 766-812)
- Aomori Kenmin Seikatsu Kyoudou Kumiai 青森県民生活協同組合
- Aomori Kyodokan 青森県立郷土館
- Aomori Sakurano Department Store さくら野百貨店青森店 
- Sun Road Aomori サンロード青森
- Too-Nippo Ryokou Center 東奥日報旅行センター
- Narita Shoten Shinmachi Branch 成田書店しんまち店
- Link Station Hall Aomori リンクステーションホール青森
- Kinokuniya Hirosaki Branch 紀伊国屋書店弘前店
- Hirosaki Sakurano Department Store さくら野百貨店弘前店
- ELM Information Center ELM インフォメーションセンター
 
More Information:
Aomori Kyodokan (Japanese): http://www.pref.aomori.lg.jp/bunka/culture/kyodokan.html

Friday 15 May 2015

Misawa American Day 2015

Misawa American Day 2015
三沢アメリカンデー
Misawa American Day 2015 Flyer 平成27年 三沢アメリカンデー チラシ

Date: Sunday, June 21, 2015
Time: 9:45-16:00
Admission: Free
Location(s):
  • Misawa Kokaido (Civic Hall 三沢公会堂)
  • Misawa Central Park (三沢中央公園)
  • Misawa Sogo Taiikukan (Gym 三沢総合体育館)
  • Misawa Air Base Main Gate Area (三沢基地正面ゲート付近)

Events/Attractions:
  • Parade
  • Bus Tour "to America"
  • American Food Area
  • American Festival Area
  • American Culture Area
"Zenyasai" Events (Saturday, June 20, 2015)
  • American Air Force Band Concert 13:00-17:00 Misawa Kokaido (Civic Hall 三沢公会堂前)
  • Rock Festival 17:00-21:00 Sky Plaza (スカイプラザ前)

More Information:
Misawa Tourist Association (Japanese): http://kite-misawa.com/event/

Thursday 14 May 2015

The Big 3 Aomori Summer Festivals

It is a hot and muggy August night, but the air is filled with energy and a sense of anticipation. Then the sounds of flutes, drums, and chanting shouts erupt as people dressed in happi coats, yukata and all manner of costume fill the street, and enormous glowing figures emerge from between the darkened buildings. 

There are many festivals across Aomori Prefecture and all of Japan during the summer, but Aomori's three biggest and most famous summer festivals are Hirosaki Neputa, Aomori Nebuta, and Goshogawara Tachineputa.

All three feature impressive night parades of neputa/nebuta--large lantern floats with images and themes drawn from Chinese or Japanese literature, history, or religion--pulled by large groups of people often dressed in special costumes and accompanied by music from flutes, drums, and hand cymbals. The groups pulling the floats also use special shouts (different for each festival) to keep both the participants and spectators energized.

Although the exact origins and meanings of the festivals are unclear, it is thought that they developed from the Tanabata* Festival's Nemuri Nagashi where people placed paper dolls, lanterns, or bamboo, etc. on boats and set them afloat down rivers or into the sea to symbolize washing away farmers' summertime sleepiness in preparation for the fall harvest season.    

(*Tanabata, also known as the "Star Festival" is celebrated on the 7th night of the 7th month--the only time when Orihime and Hikoboshi (Vega and Altair), star-crossed lovers who are separated by the Milky Way, are able to meet.)

Although there are many similarities among them, each festival has its own unique style and atmosphere.

HIROSAKI NEPUTA
Hirosaki Neputa features fan-shaped with illustrations representing images and themes from Chinese literature such as The Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin. There is often nudity and/or grotesque images such as severed heads and bloodied people depicted on Hirosaki Neputa. The often darker tone and relatively smaller size of the floats, as well as the strong involvement of community groups in the making of the floats as well as the parade itself (compared to the increasing commercialization of Aomori and Goshogawara's floats) give Hirosaki Neputa the most intimate feeling of the three festivals.

Dates: August 1-7
Schedule: 
     August 1-4: Dotemachi Course (19:00 start)
     August 5-6: Ekimae Course (19:00 start)
     August 7: Nanuka-bi (Final Day) Dotemachi Nanuka-bi Course (10:00 start)
Festival "Shout": Yayado, yayado!
Website: Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau: Hirosaki Neputa Festival Information 
More Information: Aomori Sightseeing Guide: Hirosaki Neputa Festival

Hirosaki Neputa 弘前ねぷた
Hirosaki Neputa 弘前ねぷた
Hirosaki Neputa Odaiko 弘前ねぷた 大太鼓
 Hirosaki Neputa 弘前ねぷたHirosaki Neputa Self-Defense Force 弘前ねぷた 自衛隊

AOMORI NEBUTA
Aomori Nebuta is the more well-known of the festivals both within Japan and internationally. In 1980 it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Aomori Nebuta are larger than Hirosaki's and mostly feature human figures. When they come to an intersection, the floats are spun around at an impressive speed considering their size. Anyone dressed in the appropriate garb (many shops offer costume rental and dressing services) is welcome to join in the jumping and shouting, making Aomori Nebuta the most lively of the three festivals.

Dates: August 2-7
Schedule: 
     (August 1: Festival Eve: Performances (18:00 start)
                   Fireworks (19:00 start))
     August 2-3: Children's Neputa & Large Floats (19:10 start)
     August 4-6 Large Floats (19:10 start)
     August 7: Daytime Large Floats Parade (13:00 start)
                  Fireworks & Boat Parade (19:15 start)
Festival "Shout": Rassera, rassera!
Website: Aomori Neputa Festival
More Information: Aomori Sightseeing Guide: Aomori Nebuta Festival

Aomori Nebuta 青森ねぶた
 Aomori Nebuta 青森ねぶた
 Aomori Nebuta 青森ねぶた
   Aomori Nebuta 青森ねぶた
 Aomori Nebuta 青森ねぶた

GOSHOGAWARA TACHINEPUTA
Goshogawara Tachineputa features extremely tall, towering Neputa floats. The average float is 20 metres tall, making Tachineputa floats the most impressive of the three festivals. The oldest records of Tachineputa date back to 1907, but with the increase in electrical power lines during the Taisho Period (1912-1926), the size of the floats had to be scaled back. Then two devastating post-war fires destroyed records and schematics for the large floats and consequently Tachineputa was lost to obscurity until schematics and pictures were found in 1993, enabling the revival of the tradition. But even then it took several years to re-wire the city's power lines to create a safe path for the floats, so the revival of Goshogawara's Tachineputa Festival didn't come about until 1998--nearly 80 years since the last time the event was held!  

Dates: August 4-8
Schedule: 
     (August 3: Festival Eve: Fireworks (19:30 start))
     August 4-8: Night Time Parade (19:00 start)
Festival "Shout": Yattemare, yattemare!
Website:Tachineputa no Yakata (Japanese)
More Information: Aomori Sightseeing Guide: Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival

Goshogawara Tachineputa 五所川原立佞武多
Goshogawara Tachineputa 五所川原立佞武多
Goshogawara Tachineputa 五所川原立佞武多
 Goshogawara Tachineputa 五所川原立佞武多