Oirase Gorge Commemorative Stamp Sheet

Get a commemorative sheet of ten 52yen stamps depicting various places within Oirase Gorge in different seasons at local Japan Post branches now for only 930yen (tax included)!

Tohoku Yabusame Stamp Rally

Towada has two major yabusame (流鏑馬 horseback archery) events--one in the spring and one in the summer--but did you know that yabusame is actually quite famous in other areas of Tohoku (northeastern Japan)?

Now with the Tohoku Yabusame Stamp Rally (東北やぶさめ的中スタンプラリー), you have a chance to win prizes while checking out various yabusame events around Tohoku!

Stamp Rally Prize Draw Entry Procedure
Step 1:
Pick up a stamp rally pamphlet at a yabusame event or download and print one from http://kihoku.rocketserver.jp/yabusamestamp/panhu.pdf.

Step 2:
Attend eligible events and collect stamps. (See pamphlet for information about eligible events. It is not necessary to attend all of the events to be eligible for prizes.)

Step 3:
Cut out the prize draw entry form from the pamphlet, fill in the necessary information, and mail in the form. (Caution: Eligibility for different prizes is determined by the number of stamps collected.)

Submission Deadline:
Must be received by October 31, 2015
Postage costs are the responsibility of the entrant.
Winners will be sent prizes around the end of January, 2016.

Send Entries to:
Tohoku Yabusame Tekichuu Stamp Rally
115-2 Saihaba, Sanbongi
Towada, Aomori Prefecture
034-0001

宛先:
〒034-0001
青森県十和田市大字三本木字佐井幅115-2
「東北やぶさめ的中スタンプラリー」係

Eligible Events:
①Sakura Yabusame (Towada, Aomori Prefecture)
桜流鏑馬（青森県十和田市）
Date: April 25-26, 2015, 10:00-14:00
Location: Towada Central Park
(十和田市中央公園 Towada-shi Chuo Kouen)
Website (Japanese): http://www.jtng.com/sakurayabusame/

② Tono National Yabusame Competition (Tono, Iwate Prefecture)
全国やぶさめ競技第9回遠野大会 (岩城県遠野市)
Date: July 7, 2015, 10:00-140:00
Location: Kashiwagidaira Lake Resort Multi-Purpose Grounds
(柏木平レイクリゾート多目的グラウンド Kashiwagidaira Lake Resort Tamokuteki Ground)

③Sagae Hachimangu Shrine Festival Yabusame Dedication Offering (Sagae, Yamagata Prefecture)
寒河江八幡宮前日祭・例大祭　流鏑馬奉納 (山形県寒河江市)
Date: September 19-20, 2015, 10:00-14:00
Location: Sagae Hachimangu (寒河江八幡宮)

④Kunohe Castle Yabusame Competition (Ninohe, Iwate Prefecture)
九戸城流鏑馬競技大会 (岩手県二戸市)
Date: Late September, 2015
Location: National Historic Site, Remains of Kunohe Castle
(国指定史跡　九戸城跡 Koku Shitei Shiseki Kunohe Shiro-ato)
Website (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/kunohezyoyabusame

⑤ Towada Koma Festa Yabusame Championship (Towada, Aomori Prefecture)
十和田駒フェスタ 流鏑馬選手権大会 (青森県十和田市)
Date: October 17-18, 2015, 10:00-14:00
Location: Towada Central Park
(十和田市中央公園 Towada-shi Chuo Kouen)
Website (Japanese): http://www.jtng.com/thrc/event10.html

Prizes:
 (Towada) Free 5th Level Horse Licensing Course 
(十和田) 5級ライセンス取得コース無料ご招待

Eligibility: 5 Stamps
Prizes Available: 1   
- A 3-day course that starts from the foundations of horseback riding. Recommended for people used to horseback riding but also suitable for complete beginners.
- Includes class, exam, and other fees (*4630yen license card registration fee not included)
- 40,000yen value

(Morioka) Dedication Offering Yabusame Target
(盛岡) 流鏑馬奉納当り的
Eligibility: 4 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 1

(Ninohe) Ninohe, Iwate Prefecture Local Sake, Nanbu Bijin Junmai Ginjoushu
(二戸) 岩手県二戸市の地酒　南部美人　純米吟醸酒
Eligibility: 4 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 1

(Tono) Tono City Special Local Products Set
(遠野) 遠野市特産品セット
Eligibility: 3 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 5

(Enishi) Free Instructor-Led Horseback Experience
(えにし) 引き馬体験無料招待
Eligibility: 3 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 3

(Komorogawa) Hatomugi Tea Assortment
(衣川) ハトムギ茶詰め合わせ
Eligibility: 3 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 1
- Set of twenty-four 500ml bottles

(Towada) Aomori Famous Produce "Big 3 Stamina" Set 
(十和田) 青森名産スタミナ3大セット
Eligibility: 3 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 1

(Sagae) Picture Book
(寒河江) 絵本 
Eligibility: 2 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 10
- A picture book that tells the story of Kyousanori, an integral part of the Sagae Festival

(Towada) Towada Art Center Admission Ticket
(十和田) 現代美術館招待券
Eligibility: 2 or more Stamps
Prizes Available: 10

More Information:
Tohoku Yabusame Stamp Rally Website (Japanese): http://yabusame.jimdo.com/

Towada Kyodokan Exhibit Hakkoda Mountains Snow Marches

Towada Kyodokan (Culture Museum) Special Exhibit: April 25, 2015 (Sat.) - June 28, 2015 (Sun.)

Hakkoda Mountains Snow Marches Exhibit
(八甲田山雪中行軍展 Hakkoda-san secchuu kougun-ten)

Description:*
In 1902, Japanese Imperial Army 8th Divison 5th Infantry Regiment (stationed in Aomori) and 31st Infantry Regiment (stationed in Hirosaki) both undertook training marches in the snowy Hakkoda Mountains.

Whereas the march of the 5th Infantry Regiment became a disaster of an unprecedented scale,* the 31st Infantry Regiment managed to complete the training without a single victim. Their success was in part due to the support of the Towada guides.

This exhibit focuses on the 31st Infantry Regiment and their Towada guides. The exhibit also displays materials about the snow marches collected during that time by an author living in Yakeyama, Koshu Ogasawara, and also introduces local Towada snow marches.

(*It became known as the “Hakkoda Mountains Incident,” or “Hakkoda Mountains Death March”: 199 out of 210 men died when their unit got lost in a blizzard.)

*Rough translation from the description on the event flyer

Hours: 9:00-17:00 Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mondays)
Admission: FREE
Address:
Towada Kyodokan (Culture Museum) 十和田市郷土館
Nakatai-61-8 Okuse
Towada, Aomori Prefecture 034-0301
0176-72-2340


More Information:
Event Flyer (Japanese):
http://www.city.towada.lg.jp/docs/2015040700030/files/settyuukougunn_tirashi.pdf

Shotokukan Special Exhibit Nostalgic Heroes & Heroines

Shotokukan (Horse Culture Museum) Special Exhibit: April 18, 2015 (Sat.) - July 5, 2015 (Sunday)

Nostalgic Heroes & Heroines ～Exhibit of Katsutoshi Yasuda's Toy Collection～
(なつかしのヒーロー・ヒロイン～安田勝寿コレクション展～
natsukashii hero heroine ～Yasuda Katsutoshi collection-ten)

Description:*
A gathering of Showa-era heros and heroines from Ultraman and Kamen Rider to Gekkou Kamen, Fushigina Merumo, Peko-Chan, and more! There is also a commemorative photo corner, hands-on-experience and movie corner, etc.

*Rough translation from the Japanese description on the Komakkoland website.

Hours:
9:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00) Tuesday-Sunday
(closed Mondays except where Monday is a National Holiday, in which case it will be closed the following day)

Admission:
Adults: 300yen
High School-University Students: 100yen
Junior High School Students & Younger: FREE

Towada Baji Kouen Shotokukan 十和田市馬事公苑 称徳館
Umeyama-1-1 Fukamochi
Towada, Aomori Prefecture 034-0106
0176-26-2100
 

More information: 
Komakkoland (Japanese): http://komakkoland.jp/#omotya

2015 Canola Festival in Yokohama Town

2015 Canola Festival in Yokohama 
2015 菜の花フェスティバルinよこはま (Nanohana Festival in Yokohama)

Date: May 16-17, 2015 (Sat.-Sun.)
Location: Mameda Special Event Site (大豆田特設会場) (Map)
Admission: Free (fees may apply for some events)
Events/Attractions:

• 菜の花大迷路 Canola Maze 9:00-16:00 (100yen)
• ステージショー Stage Shows
• 特産品販売 Food and Local Product Stalls  

Canola Maze (2013 Canola Festival in Yokohama)

Canola Maze (2013 Canola Festival in Yokohama)

Canola Doughnut (2013 Canola Festival in Yokohama)

 
More Information:
Yokohama Town Event Website (Japanese): http://www.town.yokohama.lg.jp/index.cfm/7,2255,19,html 

Towada Art Center Special Exhibit JUMP

Towada Art Center Special Exhibit: April 18, 2015 (Sat.) – August 30, 2015 (Sun.)

“JUMP – The World of Play as Art”

(ジャンプ　－アートにみる遊びの世界－jump －art ni miru asobi no sekai)

Description:*

Something that surely cannot be forgotten but exhibits an unexpected power depending on how it is used. Gravity.

Watching children jumping, it seems as if they are completely unaffected by gravity. Is it that gravity doesn't affect children, or that adults have simply lost the ability to jump/fly? There may be imaginative/open-minded adults that are still able to jump. This is an exhibit by various artists about adults who haven't discarded their ability to jump and continue to live among the stars.

Interacting with the power of the stars, the Art Museum has been enveloped in works that may seem to be tricks or practical jokes. Believing in the infinite creativity possible on earth, with all of our hearts and bodies, everyone, let's JUMP!

*Rough translation from the Japanese description on the Towada Art Center website.

Hours:
9:00-17:00 Tuesday-Sunday (last admission 16:30)
Closed Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a National Holiday, but OPEN April 27 (Mon.), May 7 (Thu.), August 3 (Mon.), & August 10 (Mon.)
9:00-18:00 May 2-5, 2015

Admission: 
Permanent Exhibit + Special Exhibit “Set” Ticket (企画展+常設展セット券) 1000yen
Special Exhibit Only (企画展の個別料金): 600yen
(Permanent Exhibit Only: 500yen)

*Free admission for youth/children in high school or younger*

Towada Art Center 十和田市現代美術館 

10−9 Nishinibancho
Towada, Aomori Prefecture 034-0082, Japan
+81 176-20-1127


More Information:
Towada Art Center (Japanese/English): http://towadaartcenter.com
PDF Exhibit Flyer (Japanese): http://towadaartcenter.com/web/exhibition_jump_files/jump.pdf

May 2015 WARAKU Traditional Handicrafts Trial Class

Gallery & Cafe WARAKU Traditional Handicrafts Trial Class (May)

Try your hand at making traditional Japanese handicrafts! Aimed at beginners, trial classes will allow you to start and complete a piece within just one class.

Dates: May 9, 16, 23, 30 (Saturday)
Theme: Peony Wall Hanging Ornament (牡丹 botan)
Cost: 4300 yen (Kit: 3300 yen Lesson: 1000 yen)
Registration: Necessary; Register In-Store, or Call 090-5239-5832 Ikuko Hayashi (林いく子)

Curry & Ramen Tanchatei

Restaurant Spotlight: Tanchatei たんちゃ亭

A popular curry and ramen restaurant that offers a good variety of ramen and curries, including miso curry gyuunuu (milk) ramen, curry noodles, and lamb curry among others.

The original restaurant, Tanbo no Chaya (たんぼのちゃや), was located in Towadako Machi (on the way to Lake Towada) and had been in business for over 20 years. After a fire destroyed the original building, Tanbo no Chaya re-opened in central Towada as Tanchatei in April 2012.

 

Ordering
There is a numbered picture menu on a wall near the entrance. Use the numbers to buy food tickets from the machine to the left of the entrance and give the tickets to the staff at the counter to place your order. Drinks and some other items need to be ordered and paid for at the counter.

 

You can choose the spiciness level for curry* and spicy miso ramen (辛みそラーメン kara miso ramen) :

• Mild (普通 futsuu =  "regular")
• Medium (中辛 chuukara)
• Hot (大辛 ookara),
• Very Hot (激辛 gekikara)
• Hell (地獄 jigoku) 30x hotter, extra 100yen
• Heaven (天国 tengoku) 50x hotter, extra 150yen 

*Note: You cannot select the spiciness level for: lamb curry (ラムカレー); mini curry (ミニカレー); children's curry (お子様カレー okosama curry); and curry that comes as part of a set (セットのカレー setto no curry)

Recommended Menu Items:

Miso Curry Milk Ramen 760yen
みそカレー牛乳ラーメン (miso curry gyuunyuu ramen)

Chicken Ramen チキンラーメン 890yen

Curry Noodles カレーヌードル 850yen

(For an extra 100yen (pay at the counter), you can get a bowl of rice and cheese to mix into the leftover soup to turn it into a sort of risotto.)

Cheese Cutlet Curry 860yen
チーズカツカレー (cheese katsu curry)

*Winter Only* Baked Curry 850yen??
焼きカレー (yaki curry)

Hours: 11:00-15:00 (14:30 last order), 17:00-21:00*, Closed Wednesdays
*Closing time may change depending on the season

Website: http://www.tancha-tei.com/
Price Range:～1500yen

English/Picture Menu: Partial Picture Menu

Seating: Table (3 tables x 4 people, 3 tables x 2 people), Tatami (1 table x 6 people), and Counter (3 people); Non-Smoking Environment During Lunchtime  

Good For: Solo Dining, Couples, Small Groups, Parties (with Reservations) 

Reservations: Only needed for parties

Phone: 0176-58-6969

Parking: Available (6 cars in front of the restaurant and an overflow lot to the north of the restaurant)

Address/Map:
1-9 Nishinijunibancho (十和田市西二十二番町1‐9)
Towada City, Aomori 034-0094

2015 Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

2015 Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
弘前さくらまつり2015 (Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri)
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.hirosakipark.jp/sakura/

Hirosaki Park is of Japan's most beautiful spots for sakura (cherry blossom) viewing. This year's peak viewing period is predicted to be around April 22 ～ 24 (the trees around the outside of the park peak first, followed by the trees inside the park, and the Sakura Tunnel trees are the latest). You can also visit the Hirosaki City Museum to see a sakura-themed art exhibit.

**This will be the last time for at least the next five years where an unobstructed view of the castle from the red bridge, Gejoubashi (下乗橋) is possible as the castle will be moved into the center of Honmaru and will be surrounded by trees. For more information about the reconstruction of the stone walls of Hirosaki, see the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau page.**

Date: April 23, 2015 (Thu) - May 6, 2015 (Wed.)
Location: Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) (Map)
Events/Attractions:

• ライトアップ Night Illuminations 18:30-22:00
• 露店・出店 Food Stalls 9:00-21:00
• 西堀ボート West Moat (Nishibori) Boat Rentals 9:00-17:00 (600yen for 30min)
• 与力番所の抹茶 Yoriki Bansho Matcha 9:00-17:00 (500yen for 1 drink)

Admission: Free and Paid Zones

Paid Zone:

Castle & North Section 1-Day Pass 弘前城本丸・北の郭の1日入園券
(Hirosakijou Honmaru Kita no Kuruwa no Ichinichi Nyuuenken)
Adult (senior high school students and up): 310yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 100yen

Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden 1-Day Pass 弘前城植物園の1日入園券
(Hirosakijou-Ato Shokubutsuen)
Adult (senior high school students and up): 310yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 100yen

Hirosaki Castle & North Section Annual Pass 弘前城本丸・北の郭の年間入園券

(Hirosakijou Honmaru Kita no Kuruwa no Nenkan Nyuuenken)

Adult (senior high school students and up): 1020yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 300yen

Hirosaki Castle & North Section, Botanical Garden, and Fujita Memorial Garden* 1-Day Pass
弘前城本丸・北の郭、弘前城植物園と藤田記念庭園の1日入園券

(Hirosakijou Honmaru Kita no Kuruwa, Hirosakijou-Ato Shokubutsuen to Fujita Kinen Teien no Ichinichi Nyuuenken)

Adult (senior high school students and up): 510yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 160yen

Hirosaki Castle & North Section, Botanical Garden, and Fujita Memorial Garden* Annual Pass
弘前城本丸・北の郭、弘前城植物園と藤田記念庭園の共通通年券
(Hirosakijou Honmaru Kita no Kuruwa, Hirosakijou-Ato Shokubutsuen to Fujita Kinen Teien no Kyoutsuu Tsuunenken)
Adult (senior high school students and up): 2050yen
Children (elementary and junior high school students): 610yen

*Fujita Memorial Garden is located outside the Hirosaki Park grounds (Website (Japanese): http://www.hirosakipark.or.jp/hujita/)

More Information:

Aptinet, "Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival" http://www.en-aomori.com/culture-034.html

Hirosaki City Museum Art Exhibit Sakura Sakura

Hirosaki City Museum Art Exhibit: April 4, 2015 (Sat.) - May 10, 2015 (Sun)

"Sakura Sakura"
(Sakura = cherry blossom)

A sakura-themed art exhibit timed to coincide with the nationally famous Hirosaki Park Sakura Festival.

Hours: 
9:30-16:30 Daily (closed 3rd Monday of the month (April 20))

Hirosaki City Museum 弘前市立博物館
1-6 Shimoshiroganecho
Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture 036-8356
0172-35-0700

Admission:
Regular: 280yen

Senior High School & University Students: 140yen

Elementary & Junior High School Students: 80yen*

*Free for local Hirosaki ES & JHS students
Hirosaki Exchange Students: Free
Disabled Local Residents: Free
"Hirosaki Sawako Kazoku Ouen Passport (弘前多子家族応援パスポート)" Holders: Free 

More Information:
Hirosaki City Museum (Japanese): http://www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/hakubutsukan/

Pasta & Curry Cafe Gaucho

Cafe Spotlight: Gaucho ガウチョ

A nice cafe that has tasty and reasonably priced pasta and curry dishes, among other things. The high ceilings, wood furnishings, and abundance of plants give the space a bright and cozy feel.

(If you're planning on hanging out there for a while, though, just be warned that it only has a Japanese-style toilet.)

Recommended Menu Items:

Curry Seafood Mix カレーシーフードミックス 700yen
(Comes with salad and choice of drink (hot/iced coffee, orange juice, or apple juice))

Curry Spaghetti カレースパゲッティ 700yen
(Comes with salad and choice of drink (hot/iced coffee, orange juice, or apple juice))

Hamburg Curryハンバーグカレー 700yen
(Comes with salad and choice of drink (hot/iced coffee, orange juice, or apple juice))

Napolitan (Spaghetti) Lunch ナポリタンランチ 700yen
(Comes with choice of drink (hot/iced coffee, orange juice, or apple juice))

Cheese Spa(ghetti) チーズスパ 750yen
(Comes with salad and choice of drink (hot/iced coffee, orange juice, or apple juice))

Chilled Tomato Sauce Spaghetti Set 750yen
冷静スパ（トマトソース）　(reisei supa (tomato sauce))
(Comes with salad, bread, and choice of drink (hot/iced coffee, orange juice, or apple juice))

(Option to add a drink (hot/iced coffee, orange juice, or apple juice) for 100yen available for most food that doesn't already come with a drink.)

Apple and Sweet Potato Pie  500yen
りんごとさつまいものパイ (ringo to satsuma imo no pie)
(Comes with choice of any drink on the menu, excluding floats--great value considering that drink prices alone range from 200yen-400yen)

Hours: 9:00-10:00, Closed Tuesdays

Price Range:～1000yen

English/Picture Menu: Partial picture menu available

Seating: Table (1 table x 4 seats, 6 tables x 3seats) and Counter (3 seats)  

Good For: Solo Dining, Couples, Families, Small Groups

Reservations: Usually not necessary

Phone: 0176-22-6845

Parking: Available (4 cars)

Address/Map:
6-5 Inaoicho (十和田市稲生町6‐5)

Towada City, Aomori　034-0011

2015 Towada Spring Festival

Towada Spring Festival 2015
十和田市春まつり (Towada-Shi Haru Matsuri)
PDF Flyer (Japanese)

Date: April 20, 2015 (Mon.) - May 5, 2015 (Tue.)
Locations: Kanchogai Street (官庁街通り), Chuo Park (中央公園), Taisozuka/Nitobe Memorial Museum (太素塚・新渡戸記念館)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions: Various (select details below)

Sakura Viewing Area 桜展望台の開放 :
Date: Daily, April 18th (Sat.)-29th (Wed.), 2015
Time: 9:00-20:00
Location: City Hall - 5th Fl (十和田市役所　新館5F)

Night-time Sakura "Light Up" 夜桜ライトアップ
Date: Daily, April １8th (Sat.)-May 5th (Tue.), 2015
Time: 18:00-22:00
Place: Kanchogai Street (官庁街通り), Chuo Park (中央公園)

Horseback Archery 桜流鏑馬 (Sakura Yabusame)
PDF Poster (Japanese only)
Date: Saturday, April 25th- Sunday, April 26, 2015
Time: 10:00-14:00
Place: Chuo Park 中央公園緑地
Events: Women's Yabusame Competition, Horseback Riding Experiences, etc.
Admission: Free
Special Reserved Seat Ticket: 2000yen (includes bento lunch, free leather craft making and horseback riding experience coupons, etc.)

"Street The Party Vol. 4" (hip hop dance?)

Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2015
Time: 13:00-15:00
Place: Sakura Hiroba 桜広場 (the area around the big horseshoe statue) *or Art Station Towada in the event of rain*
Admission: Free

Yosakoi Genki Matsuri よさこい元気まつり
Date: Sunday, April 26th, 2015
Time: 13:00-15:00
Place: Sakura Hiroba 桜広場 (the area around the big horseshoe statue)
*or Art Station Towada in the event of rain*
Admission: Free

Taisozuka Festival 太素祭 (Taisosai)
Date: Sunday, May 3rd-Tuesday, May 5th, 2015
Location: Taisozuka, in front of the Nitobe Memorial Museum (太素塚・新渡戸記念館前)
Events: Taisosai Quiz, Stage Performances, etc.
Admission: Free