29th Annual Lake Towada Four Seasons Photo Contest

29th Annual Lake Towada Four Seasons Photo Contest
第29回十和田湖の四季写真コンテスト (Towadako no Shiki Shashin Contest)

Too beautiful... There's no such thing.  美し過ぎりることは、…けしてない。
(Utsukushisugiru koto wa, ... keshite nai.)

Contest Details

• Theme: Events/Festivals, the Four Seasons of Lake Towada, Oirase Gorge, Hakkoda, Jukairain (樹海ライン), etc.
• Contest Judge: Mitsuhiro Wada, photographer
• Contest Awards & Prizes
  
  • Minister of the Environment Award (1): 20,000yen + Certificate
  • Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award (1): 20,000yen + Certificate
  • Governor of Aomori Award (1): 10,000yen + Certificate
  • Governor of Iwate Award (1): 10,000yen + Certificate
  • Mitsuhiro Wada Award (1): 20,000yen + Certificate
  • Mayor of Towada Award(1): 10,000yen + Certificate
  • Mayor of Kosaka Town Award: 10,000yen + Certificate
  • Special Mention (5): 5000yen + Certificate
  • Honourable Mention (5): Certificate
• Award Ceremony: Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Towadako Kankou Kouryuu Center (Yasumiya) (map)
• Contest Exhibit: Saturday, February 27 - Monday, March 28, 2016 at Towadako Kankou Kouryuu Center (Yasumiya) (map)
• Copyright: Winning photographs will become property of the contest sponsors; winners will be asked to submit the digital data for photograph(s) on CD-R 

Entry Requirements/Restrictions:

• Photo Size/Specifications: A4 colour print (composite photographs, image processing, etc. are not permitted) (A4 = 27.0 x 29.7cm; 8.27 x 11.69 inches)
• Max. Submissions: 10 photos per person (professional or amateur)
• Only unpublished works should be submitted

Entry Submission/Deadline:

• Please attach an entry form including your postal code, address, name, age, photo title, photograph location, and date of photograph to each photograph submitted
• Submit entries to:
  〒018-5501
  青森県十和田市十和田湖畔休屋４８６番地
  (一社)十和田湖国立公園協会
      　　十和田湖の四季写真コンテスト係
• Deadline: Entries must by received by Tuesday, January 5, 2016
• Return of Photographs: Winning entries will not be returned. For return of non-winning entries, include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope with your entry submission.

Inquiries:
Lake Towada Four Seasons Photo Contest Office: 0176-75-2425

More Information:
Lake Towada National Park Association Official Website: http://towadako.or.jp/event/post961/

Halloween 2015 in Towada Street Festa

Halloween 2015 in Towada Street Festa
ハロウィン２０１５inとわだストリートフェスタ

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2015
Time: 16:00-20:00 (road closed from 15:30-21:00)
Location: Old National Rte. 4  (From Hotel Route Inn to the Super Hotel) 中心商店街五〜八丁目路上
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions: 

• 15:30～ Face Painting


• 15:30-18:00 Trick or Treating
  
  • Halloween Passport (blue or red) required
  • Passports can be used for trick or treating at shops indicated on the map in the same colour (Blue Passport - Blue Shops; Red Passport - Red Shops)
  • Passports have numbers on them for a prize drawing in front of the Event Headquarters (本部) at 16:30
  • Halloween Passport Sales:
    Pre-Sale: 400yen (On Sale Oct. 17-26 at Shops with a Yellow Star on map)
    At-Door: 500yen (Limited Quantities (200 Passports); 15:30 until Sold Out)
  
  
• 15:30-18:00 Street Performances
  
  • Kitasato University Music Club 北里大学音楽部
  • Kitasato University Guitar Club 北里大学ギター部
  • Balloon Performance バルーンパフォーマンス
  
  
• 18:00-19:00 Halloween Costume Contest
  
  • Register at the Event Headquarters (本部) from 15:30～
  • Family Grand Prize and 3 Other Prize Categories
  • All Participants Receive a Participation Prize
  • Guest Entries by Towada Families Mascot Characters 
• etc.

*October 31st Birthdays: Show ID proving your date of birth at the Event Headquarters (本部) to get a special present!*

Reports & Pictures From Halloween 2014 in Towada Street Festa:
Towada City Blog, "Koma no Sato Kara"(Japanese): http://citytowada.exblog.jp/23197903/

Video from 2014:

La Vie en Rose Ai Marche

La Vie en Rose Ai Marché (Rose-Coloured Life Love Market)
ラビアンローズ愛マルシェ


Join an Umajin workshop, get fresh Towada vegetables, delicious foods, handmade crafts and more at this one-day market in the Towada Art Park.

Date: Sunday, September 27
Time: 11:00-16:00
Admission: Free
Place: Towada Art Park 十和田市現代美術館アート広場

2015 Harvest Thanksgiving & Kuraishi Beef Festival

2015 Harvest Thanksgiving & Kuraishi Beef Festival 
2015夢の森収穫感謝祭＆倉石牛肉まつり 
(Yume no Mori Shuukaku Kanshasai & Kuraishi Gyuu Niku Matsuri)

Date: October 10-11, 2015
Time: 9:00-16:00
Location: Kowataritai Park, Gonohe Town  小渡平公園 (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• 9:00-16:00 Local Produce/Product and Food & Drink Sales
• 10:00-12:00 (Saturday, October 11 only) Apple Picking (Pre-Registration Required)
• 10:00-14:00 Kuraishi Beef Barbeque Corner (pre-sale tickets required)
• 10:00-16:00 Prize Drawings (pre-sale tickets required)
• 14:00 ～　Gonohe Town Mascot Appearances

Pre-Sale Barbeque Tickets: (*Pre-Sale Only--NOT Available at Festival*)

Cost: 2200yen

Includes: 200g Kuraishi beef, vegetables, tare sauce, salt & pepper, and apple juice

Ticket Purchase Locations:

五戸町 Gonohe Town	株式会社　倉石地域振興公社 Kuraishi Regional Promotion Public Co. （夢の森ハイランド Dream Forest Highland）	電話0178-77-3131 (map)
	五戸町商工会 Gonohe Commercial & Industrial Association	電話0178-62-3151 (map)
	五戸総合病院　２階売店 Gonohe General Hospital 2nd Floor	電話0178-61-1212 (map)
	八戸農協　営農・経済本部 JA Hachinohe  （五戸・新郷・川内の各支店） (Gonohe, Shingo, Kawauchi Branches)	電話0178-61-6335 (Gonohe Branch map) (Shingo Branch map) (Kawauchi Branch map)
	ふれあい市ごのへ Fureai Ichi Gonohe	電話0178-62-6962 (map)
	ローソン五戸町店 Lawson Gonohe Machi Shop	電話0178-62-3530 (map)
	ローソン五戸上市川店 Lawson Gonohe Kamiichikawa Shop	電話0178-68-3630 (map)
	ローソン五戸みらいパーク前店 Lawson Gonohe Mirai Park Mae Shop	電話0178-61-1537 (map)
	ローソン五戸ひばり野店 Lawson Gonohe Hibarino Shop	電話0178-61-0125 (map)
八戸市 Hachinohe City	イトーヨーカドー八戸沼館店 Itoyokado Hachinohe Numadate Shop １階サービスカウンター 1st Floor Service Counter	電話0178-22-5511 (map)
	南部食品株式会社 Nanbu Shokuhin Co. Ltd.	電話0178-70-4747 (map)
青森市 Aomori City	さくら野百貨店青森店 Sakurano Department Store １階チケット売場  1st Floor Ticket Sales	電話017-723-4311（代表） (map)
インターネット Internet	南部食品株式会社ホームページ Nanbu Shokuhin Co. Ltd. http://nanbusyokuhin.sakura.ne.jp/index.html

Kowataritai Park 小渡平公園
88-1 Kowatari Kuraishinakaichi, Gonohe Town, Sannohe District, Aomori
 

More Information:
Gonohe Town Website (Japanese): http://www.town.gonohe.aomori.jp/kankou/2015-0915-1451-67.html

Towada Art Center Special Exhibit Messages Takahashi Collection

Towada Art Center Special Exhibit: September 19, 2015 (Sat.) – January 11, 2016 (Mon.)

MESSAGES - TAKAHASHI COLLECTION ～ From Yayoi Kusama to Team Labs ～
(メッセージズ　‐　高橋コレクション　～草間弥生からチームラボまで～)

Description:*

This is the first display of the Takahashi Collection within Aomori Prefecture. In order to serve as a fitting introduction to the collection, this exhibit features precious early works of Yayoi Kusama, representative works from the late 1990s to early 2000s of other famous Japanese artists such as Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, Makoto Aida, Akira Yamaguchi,Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Kenji Yanobe,Tomoko Konoike, and Izumi Kato, as well as works of young artists such as Nobuaki Takekawa, Chim↑Pom, Mikiko Kumazawa, Kasetsu, and the current topic of conversation, teamLab. While the exhibit focuses on great works of paintings, you can also enjoy viewing unique film and 3-dimensional works. Please enjoy 14 groupings of living artists from the same period.

Living in Japan now, we are dealing with various issues. Is it possible to live comfortably and prosperously while co-existing peacefully with nature? How will internet relationships where you can't see each other change society? Does peace always require sacrificing some to be victims? Is it not possible to age happily? What will be be left as an inheritance for the children? . . . Artists are also struggling with these questions. Since the 1950s Kusama Yayoi has constantly brought questions and messages of "Love and Peace" to the world.　We can gain a new perspective on daily thoughts when we combine our own stories with the feelings we get from the varied messages of the artists as reflected in their works.

*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; Closed December 24-January 1 for winter holidays

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_messages_files/MESSAGES_A4.pdf

Artist Information:

• Yayoi Kusama: http://www.yayoi-kusama.jp/
• Yoshitomo Nara: https://www.facebook.com/michinara3
• Takashi Murakami: http://english.kaikaikiki.co.jp/artists/list/C4/
• Makoto Aida: http://mizuma-art.co.jp/artist/0010/index_e.php
• Akira Yamaguchi: http://mizuma-art.co.jp/artist/0250/index_e.php
• Tsuyoshi Ozawa: http://www.ozawatsuyoshi.net/
• Kenji Yanobe: http://www.yanobe.com/
• Tomoko Konoike: http://mizuma-art.co.jp/artist/0100/index_e.php
• Izumi Kato: http://izumikato.com/
• Nobuaki Takekawa: http://takekawanobuaki.com/
• Chim↑Pom: http://chimpom.jp/
• Mikiko Kumazawa: http://www.mizuma-art.co.jp/artist/0670/index_e.php
• Kasetsu: http://www.kasetsu.info/
• teamLab: http://www.team-lab.com/

Food on Sticks! Kushitomo

Izakaya Spotlight: Kushitomo 炭焼　串Ｔｏｍｏ (くしとも)

Kushitomo is a little kushiyaki (food on skewers cooked over a charcoal grill) place that recently opened in Towada. The menu isn't very large, but everything is delicious.

Note: By default the skewer items are seasoned with natural sea salt, but you can request tare sauce if you prefer. Plates come with extra salt, but the skewers are already seasoned so it's best to try it before dipping into the salt. The minimum order for kushiyaki menu items is 2 skewers per item. Menu prices do not include tax.

Recommended Menu Items

Eggplant 120yen per skewer / Pork-Wrapped Asparagus 150yen per skewer
なす (Nasu) / アスパラ肉まき (Aspara Nikumaki)

Pork-Wrapped Mini Tomatoes 150yen per skewer
ブートマ (Buutoma)

Chicken with Yuzu (Citrus) & Chili Paste 140yen per skewer
ささみ柚子胡椒 (Sasami Yuzu Kosho)

Fried Avocado & Prosciutto 450yen
アボガドの生ハム揚げ (Abogado no Nama Ham Age)

Other Menu Items

Bacon-Wrapped Quail Egg 180yen per skewer / Chicken with Cheese 140yen per skewer
うずらベーコン (Uzura Bacon) / ささみチーズ (Sasami Cheese)

Chicken Gizzard  120 per skewer / Chicken Tail 110yen per skewer
砂肝 (Sunagimo) / ぼんじり (Bonjiri)

Chicken Skin 皮 (Kawa) 100yen per skewer

Handmade Chicken Meatball 130yen per skewer / Chicken Cartilege 120yen per skewer
手づくり　つくね (Tezukuri Tsukune) / 軟骨 (Nankotsu)

Shiitake Mushroom 120yen per skewer / Eggplant with Cheese 140yen per skewer
しいたけ (Shiitake) /　なすチーズ (Nasu Cheese)

Fried Camembert カマンベールフライ (Camembert Fry) 450yen

Hours: 18:00-22:00 (21:00 kushiyaki last order)

Price Range: 2000yen～

Seating Charge: 180yen/person 

Nomihodai (all-you-can-drink): n/a

English/Picture Menu: n/a

Seating: Table (1 table x 3 seats*, 1 table x 4 seats, 1 table x 5 seats*) and Counter  (5 seats)

(*number of chairs/settings at the table, but enough space for 1 more person if chair/place setting is added)
Good For: Solo Dining; Couples; Small Groups

Reservations: generally not necessary, but recommended for groups of more than 4 people

Phone: 0176-25-1231

Parking: None (pay parking available nearby)

Address/Map:
16-18 Inaoicho (十和田市稲生町１６‐１８)
Towada City, Aomori 034-0011

Towada Art Center Temporary Closure Notice

The Towada Art Center will be closed from Monday, September 14th through to Thursday, September 17th, 2015 for maintenance of the art works. It is scheduled to re-open on Friday, September 18th, 2015.

2015 Oirase Shimoda Festival

2015 Oirase Shimoda Festival (10th Anniversary of "Oirase Town")
おいらせ町誕生10周年記念　おいらせ下田まつり

An unusual feature of this festival is that instead of the typical dolls, people dressed in costumes--"living dolls"--are on the floats.
 

 

Date: September 25-27, 2015
Location: In front of Shimoda Station 下田駅前広場 (map)
Admission: Free
Schedule:
Friday, September 25

• 19:00～ Matsuri Bayashi (festival music) Performance & Float Display

Saturday, September 26

• 13:30～　Float Judging
• 14:00～　Parade (Shimoda JHS Brass Brand, Floats, Mikoshi (portable shrine), Lion Dance, etc.)
• 16:00～ Dance Performances
• 17:00～ Gospel Choir One Family Performance
• 18:30～ Karaoke Competition

Sunday, September 27

• 14:00～ Parade (Kinoshita JHS Brass Band, Floats, Mikoshi (portable shrine), Lion Dance, etc.)
• 16:00～ Dance Performances
• 16:30～ Earth Girls (? アースガールズ） Live Performance
• 17:00～ One Move Hip Hop Dance
• 17:30～ Takase Mami Show (singer 高瀬まみ)
• 18:30～ Oirase Kayou Aiko-kai Song Performance (おいらせ歌謡愛子会) 
• 19:30～ Bon Dance, Prize Drawing

Shimoda Station 下田駅前広場


More Information:
Oirase Town Website (Japanese): http://www.town.oirase.aomori.jp/soshiki/16/shimadamatsuri.html

2015 Minakadasai

2015 Minakadasai ミナカダ祭
Official Website (Japanese): http://ohatakanko.com/minakadasai/ 

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015
Time: 12:00-21:00
Location: Yagen Onsen Area (Ohata, Mutsu City) (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• Ohata Hachimangu Shrine Grand Festival displays and performances
• Various Traditional Performing Arts
• Various Performances (Boye Brothers Group: Ghanaian Traditional Music & Dance, Shibusa Shirazu 渋さ知らず, etc.) 

Yagen Onsen Area 薬研温泉郷園地


More Information: 
Minakadasai Official Website (Japanese): http://ohatakanko.com/minakadasai/ 

2015 Takko Garlic & Beef Festival

30th Anniversary Takko Garlic & Beef Festival 2015
第30回田子町にんいくとべごまつり (Takko-Machi Ninniku to Bego Matsuri)

Date: October 3-4, 2015
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Soyumura 229 Ski Land 創遊村２２９スキーランド (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• beef, garlic, and other local produce sales
• free use of barbeque grills for cooking beef, etc.
• whole cow being roasted on a spit (1 plate (80g) for 500yen)
• garlic spitting competition にんにく飛ばし大会
• prize draws (*pre-sale barbeque ticket required)
• American "Pyro Chef" (Gilroy City, CA)
• Korean traditional culture performances
• etc.

Pre-Sale Barbeque Tickets: (*Pre-Sale Only--NOT Available at Festival*)
Cost: 2000yen
Includes: 250g of Takko beef, vegetable set, sauce, plate & chopsticks, prize drawing ticket
Ticket Purchase Locations:

Misawa

• Misawa Air Base, Misawa ITT Bldg 626 空軍三沢基地内　建物番号６２６三沢ITT（三沢市）

Hachinohe

• "You Tree" Hachinohe Regional Industry Promotion Center (財)八戸地域地場産業振興センター（八戸市）
• Hachinohe Shopping Center Lapia, Information Desk ラピアインフォメーション（八戸市）
• Miharuya (株)中合　三春屋店（八戸市）
• Co-op Aomori Ruike Branch  コープ青森　類家店（八戸市）

Oirase Town

• Aeon Mall Shimoda, Information Desk イオンモール下田（おいらせ町）

Aomori City

• Narita Honten Shinmachi Branch 成田本店　新町店（青森市）

Ninohe, Iwate Prefecture

• Casioppeamesse Nanyato カシオペアメッセ　なにゃーと（二戸市）

Takko

• Takko Commerce & Industry Association 田子町商工会（田子町）
• Garlic Center ガーリックセンター（田子町）
• Kitamura 北村（田子町）
• JA Hachinohe Takko Branch 八戸農業協同組合田子支店（田子町）
• Takko Town Office 田子町役場（田子町） 

Soyumura 229 Ski Land 創遊村２２９スキーランド
Kawadainokami-66-39 Takko
Sannohe District, Aomori Prefecture 039-0201


More Information:
Tapucopia guide project (Japanese): http://tsutsu229.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-125.html

2015 Towada Yosakoi Dream Festival

2015 Towada Yosakoi Dream Festival
２０１５とわだＹｏｓａｋｏｉ夢まつり (Towada Yosakoi Yume Matsuri)
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.towada.or.jp/yosakoi/

See various Aomori groups performing yosakoi, a type of dance where large teams perform amazingly choreographed routines featuring an energizing combination of modern music, traditional Japanese dance moves, props such as fans, umbrellas and naruko (small wooden clappers), and on-the-spot costume changes.

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2015 (Rain or Shine!)
Time: 10:00-17:00
(road closed to traffic on Kanchogai Street between the Library and City Hall from 8:30-18:00)
Location: Central Towada (various)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:
Saturday, September 26 

• 15:00-17:00 Zenyasai  前夜祭 (pre-event event) (Komakko Hiroba 駒っこ広場) 

Sunday, September 27 

• 10:24～　Nursery School Collaboration "100 Nursery School Children" Performance 保育園によるスペシャルコラブ「100人園児」   (In Front of City Hall　十和田市役所前)
• 13:30～ Large Flag Waving Performance (In Front of Sakura Hiroba 桜広場前）
• 11:00-13:00 Parade Performances (In Front of City Hall　十和田市役所前)
• Stage Performances (11:00-13:00, 14:00-16:15 Chuo Park　中央公園緑地, 14:00-16:40 In Front of Sakura Hiroba 桜広場前)

 

 

Residents All Perform Together! "Circle Dance" Yosakoi 
市民みんなで演舞！輪踊りよさこい (Shimin Minna de Enbu! Waodori Yosakoi)

Practice: Saturday, September 26 15:00～　(Komakko Hiroba 駒っこ広場)
Performances: Sunday, September 27

• 10:34～　Integrated Dance with Residents "Yocchore" 市民と一緒に総踊り「よっちょれ」 (Shimin to Issho ni Souodori "Yocchore")　 (In Front of City Hall　十和田市役所前)
• 14:00～　Special Integrated Dance Project "Residents All Dance Together" 総踊り特別企画「市民みんなで総踊り」 (Souodori Tokubetsu Kikaku "Shimin Minna de Souodori") (In Front of Sakura Hiroba 桜広場前）

Detailed Schedule (Japanese)

Venue Maps

Saturday, September 26 - Zenyasai

Sunday, September 27 - Parade Route (Above); Stage Venues (Below)

Towada City Hall 十和田市役所
6-1 Nishi Junibancho 十和田市西十二番町６－１


More Information:
2015 Towada Yosakoi Yume Matsuri Website (Japanese): http://www.towada.or.jp/yosakoi/

2015 Towada Horse Festa

2015 Towada Horse Festa
平成27年十和田駒フェスタ (Towada Koma Festa) 
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.jtng.com/thrc/event10.html

The main draw of the Towada Horse Festa is the Yabusame (horseback archery) Competition featuring competitors from across Japan and around the world at various levels from beginner to professionals! 

Date: October 19-20, 2013
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Towada Central Park (Chuo Koen) 十和田市中央公園緑地 (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• World Yabusame (horseback archery) Championship
• show jumping competition
• children's horseback performances
• horse-drawn wagon rides
• etc.

 

 

Tohoku Yabusame Stamp Rally: 
This is the last eligible event for the Tohoku Yabusame Stamp Rally. (More details about the promotion here)

Towada Central Park 十和田中央公園


More Information:
Towada Horseback Riding Club (Japanese): http://www.jtng.com/thrc/event10.html

2015 Towada Fall Festival

2015 Towada Fall Festival
平成27年度十和田秋まつり (Towada aki matsuri)

The Fall Festival is the biggest annual festival in central Towada. Enjoy various performances,  parades of large floats and portable shrines, a festival music competition (drum, flute, and hand cymbal), a variety of different food stalls and more!

Date: September 11-13, 2015 *Rain or Shine*
Location: Central Towada (various - see map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• food stalls
• float parade
• portable shrine carrying
• various performances (Yosakoi, hip hop, etc.)
• Towada Bayashi (festival music) competition
• etc.

2014 Towada Fall Festival Float Parade

2014 Towada Fall Festival Mikoshi (portable shrine carrying)

2014 Towada Fall Festival Yosakoi Dance

Schedule:
Friday, September 11

• 14:00～ Float Parade (Former National Rte. 4)
• 17:30～ Nagashi Odori (dancing parade), Mikoshi (portable shrine carrying), Yosakoi dance, hip hop dance, etc. (Kanchogai Street)

Saturday, September 12

• 13:00～ Opening Ceremony (Kanchogai Street, City Hall)
• 13:50～ Towada Bayashi Competition (Sumo Dohyo)
• 15:30-16:30 Kids' Performances (Kanchogai Street, City Hall)
• 14:00～　Floats on Display (Kanchogai Street)
• 17:30～ Twilight Float Parade (Kanchogai Street)
• 18:45～ Umajin Parade (Kanchogai Street)
• 18:50～ Evening Float Parade (Kanchogai Street)

Sunday, September 13

• 14:00～ Float Parade (Former National Rte. 4)
• 17:00～ Kayou (Popular Song) Show

Events Venue Map

Road Closure & Parking Maps

9/11 & 13 - Former National Rte. 4

9/11 & 12 - Kanchogai Street

More Information:
Towada City Tourist Information Portal Site Yururira Towada (Japanese): http://www.towada-kankou.jp/2015/09/26.html