All AROUND 90's + middle&mellow

All AROUND 90's + middle&mellow

Music/LuxuryDrink/Accessories/Furniture

Enjoy some good alcohol and an "evening picnic" with 90's music, handcrafted furniture, and specially selected crafts/goods (including 3/11 Disaster charity goods from "tovo") in Hirosaki.

Towada Street Festa and Bonus Days

Out and About the Town! Towada Street Festa
第17回飛び出せ　街へ！！とわだストリートフェスタ
(Tobidase Machi He!! Towada Street Festa)

Central shopping arcade sales event celebrating lunar new year.

Aspam New Year's Events 2016

Aspam New Year's Events 2016
2016アスパムお正月イベント (Aspam Oshougatsu Event)

Date: January 1-3, 2016
Time: 9:00-18:00
Location: Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center Aspam 1st, 2nd, 13th, and 14th floors
青森県観光物産館アスパム1階、2階、13階、14階 (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• Free Mochi Making (January 1, 11:00～ & 13:00～)
• Free Shamisen Performances (January 1-3, 11:30～, 14:00～, 15:00～)
• Japanese Kite Picture Painting (January 2-3, 10:00-15:00, 500yen)
• "Hatsu Uri 初売り" (first sales of the year)
• Fukubukuro 福袋
  ("Lucky Bags": mystery bags filled with goods with a guaranteed minimum value)
• Aspam Butsusan アスパム物産
  January 1～, 9:00-18:00* (*until sold out)
  1000yen (2500yen value)
  2000yen (3500yen value)
  3000yen (4500yen value)
• JF Aomori Gyoren (Fishing Cooperative) JF青森漁連
  January 1-3, 9:30-18:00* (*or until sold out)
  2000yen (limited quantities: 5/day)
  3000yen (limited quantities: 5/day)
• Aomori Hokusaikan 青森北彩館
  January 1～, 9:00-18:00* (*until sold out)
  2000yen (5000yen value, 20 total, limit 1 per customer)
• Nanbu Kohaku 南部琥珀
  January 1-11, 9:00-18:00
  Make your "lucky bag"! Pick things that you like and get a special discount. Examples:
  16,200yen value → 10,000yen
  49,680yen value → 30,000yen
  183,600yen value → 100,000yen
• Sweets Factory pampam
  January 1～, 9:00-18:00* (*until sold out)
  1000yen Baked Goods Assortment
• Special Promotions
• Aomori Prefecture Jiba Select 青森県地場セレクト
  January 1-3, 9:00-18:00* (*first 50 customers only)
  Free Present with Purchase over 2000yen (1 per customer)
  Present Selections: 1 Kogin Sashi Embroidered Diary (large); 5 packs Cypress Oil; 2 Packs Drip Coffee; 1 Bottle Jinko-Chan Cider; 2 Bottles Ringokko
• Lounge Century ラウンジ・センチュリー
  50yen Soft Drink Discount (Regular 160yen → 110yen)
• Michinoku Ryouri Nishimura みちのく料理　西むら
  January 1-3, 11:00-21:30* (*closes 20:30 on January 1 & 3)
  Free glass or Densyu Sake or Apple Juice with order of course meal
• Dining Cafe Hanaafu ダイニング　カフェ　はなぁふ
  Free oshiruko (sweet red bean soup) with meal purchase
• Prize Drawing
  January 1-3, 9:00-18:00, 1st floor Information
  Chance to win vouchers for use at Aspam
  1 entry for every 2000yen worth of receipts 

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


More Information:
Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center Aspam Website (Japanese): http://www.aomori-kanko.or.jp/web/event_detail.html?id=00005478

Soothing Herb Tea Cafe Tomomika

Cafe Spotlight: School & Cafe Tomomika スクール＆カフェ友実家

A lovely little cafe/shop/school that just opened on October 21, 2015, Tomomika is a great place to enjoy a leisurely chat with friends or to unwind with a cup of hot tea and a book.

Cafe
The cafe specializes in herbs, offering herb-based lunches and herbal teas, as well as other teas and Japanese sweets. In good weather, pet owners can make use of the outdoor terrace seating to enjoy tea time while keeping an eye on their pet(s).

Shop
The shop sells loose-leaf and bagged natural and organic teas, as well as aromatherapy-related items, soap-making kits, handmade crafts and local products,  etc.

School
Tomomika also offers various classes such as crafting and aromatherapy.

Recommended Menu Items
(The only items I have tried so far. Look for more additions to the list in the near future!)

Tomomika Sweets Plate 友実家スイーツプレート 680yen/730yen*
(3 mini dorayaki with different types of bean-paste filling, handmade amazake ice cream, comes with choice of drink)
*730yen for black teas, 680yen for all other drink choices

(dorayaki = two pancake-like patties with sweet red bean paste sandwiched in between)
(amazake = sweet fermented rice drink)

Refresh Nettle Tea リフレッシュネトル　ハーブティー　400yen*
(a refreshing, light & simple tasting tea with nettle, peppermint, lemon verbena, etc. )
*Comes free with anything on the Sweets Menu

Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Lunch from 11:00～, Sweets Menu: 14:30-17:30, Last Order 17:30) Closed Mondays

Price Range:～1000yen

English/Picture Menu: English herbal tea names and picture sweets menu available

Seating: Table (5 table x 4 seats, 1 tables x 2 seats) and Terrace Table (2 tables x 4 seats, 1 table x 2 seats)  

Good For: Solo Dining, Couples, Families (high chairs available), Small Groups

Reservations: Usually not necessary

Phone: 0176-23-6300

Parking: Not Available (parking available nearby at Art Station Towada, etc.)

Address/Map:
1-8 Nishi San-Bancho (十和田市西三番町1‐8)

Towada City, Aomori 034-0083

(Former Restaurant Furansuya Building  旧レストラン仏蘭西屋の建物)

Halloween Festa in Misawa 2015 & Night Garden Party

Halloween Festa in Misawa 2015　ハロウィンフェスタ

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015
Time: 11:00-17:00
Location: Misawa Shopping Arcade～American Park (Sky Plaza)
 アーケード商店街～アメリカ広場 (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• Halloween Costume Parade & Contest (30,000yen Grand Prize!)
  
  • 11:30-12:50 Registration (A: Omachi Orange Park)
  • 12:30-13:00 Costume Parade(A→C: Omachi Orange Park to American Park)
  • 13:10-14:35 Costume Contest Judging (C: American Park)
  • 14:40～ Awards Ceremony (C: American Park)
• Halloween Shopping Prize Draw
  
  • Oct. 14-17: Shop at participating stores
  • Oct. 17, 11:00-16:30: Bring receipts from Oct. 14-17 to the prize drawing location (B: Ginza Ikoi no Ie) 
  • Get 1 ticket for every 3000yen worth of receipts (max. 5 tickets/person) 
  • Every ticket is a winner!
  • 500 prize tickets only--first come, first served!
• Halloween Character Hunt (Elementary Students or Younger)
  
  • 11:00-12:30: Collect stamps at 8 different locations to receive a prize (A-C: Omachi Orange Park to American Park)
  • Get the stamp card at American Park (C)
  • Bring completed stamp cards to Omachi Orange Park (A) to get candy (first 200 children only)
• Trick or Treating
  
  • 15:00～　Children wearing costumes can get candy at participating shops
  • Participating shops will be decorated with an orange pumpkin
• Animation Film Showing 11:00-17:00 Ginza Ikoi no Ie (B)
• Halloween Character Photo Area
  
• Next to Muumin Cafe むうみんcafe (3) 11:00-16:00
• In front of Sanpokudo 三北堂印店 (4) 13:00-16:00
• etc.

Venue Map

More Information:
Misawa City Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Japanese): http://www.misawa.or.jp/event/halloween-festa-in-misawa2015開催


Night Garden Party

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015
Time: 19:00-22:00
Location: Misawa Nakayoshi Park 三沢市なかよし公園 (map)
Admission: 1000yen (1 drink + finger foods)
More Information:
The Misawa Times (Japanese): http://misawa-times.com/post_event/no8614

Traditional Handicrafts Gallery and Cafe WARAKU

Cafe Spotlight: Gallery & Cafe WARAKU　ギャラリー＆布カフェWA楽

An amazing hidden gem of a cafe for those interested in Japanese traditional handicrafts. WARAKU is a gallery, shop, cafe, and classroom all in one!

As soon as you enter the building, you are surrounded by various fabric crafts, particularly tsurushi kazari, elaborate hanging mobiles of hand-sewn dolls/figures made to wish for the health/prosperity, etc. of children. (Please do not touch the art works on display!)

There are over 100 different types of commonly used decorations for tsurushi kazari, and each decoration carries a specific meaning/wish, for example: (the red of) strawberries to ward off evil; carrots for health; taiko drums to scare off evil and welcome good fortune; cranes for long life; etc.

Most of the works on display were made by one lovely lady, 90-year-old!-Tsuya Matsuzaka (松坂つや、90歳). Her interest in handicrafts started about 40 years ago with patchwork, but about 10 years ago she became interested in tsurushi kazari after seeing a program about them on television. Since then, apart from making numerous works, she has also sought to promote interest in traditional handicrafts through exhibiting her artworks, teaching classes, and leading the Towada Tsurushi Kazari Appreciation Group (十和田つるし飾り愛好会 Towada Tsurushi Kazari Aikoukai).

If seeing the splendid works makes you want to try your own hand at it, there are tsurushi kazari classes at WARAKU on Thursdays and Fridays. On Saturdays there are "1 Day Trial Classes" (1日体験教室 Ichi Nichi Taiken Kyoushitsu) where you can complete a small decorative work within the one class. The dates, themes, costs, and other details for the Saturday classes change each month, so please check the website, call or ask at the store for specific details. 

If you prefer to purchase handicrafts instead of making them for yourself, definitely check out the store. Along with handmade decorative items, brooches, etc., there are also used kimono available for purchase.  

 At the cafe, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy Kimagure* Lunch (*chef's whim), handmade chiffon cake, and coffee, tea, or juice.

Kimagure Lunch きまぐれランチ 800yen
(Comes with coffee but you can request to substitute the coffee for another drink)

Chiffon Cake シフォンケーキ 300yen
(Cake Set ケーキセット (chiffon cake + coffee) available for 500yen)

Hours: 10:00-15:00 Thursday-Saturday; Closed Sunday-Wednesday
Website: http://ameblo.jp/waraku-towada (Japanese)
Price Range: ～1000yen
English/Picture Menu: N/A
Seating: Table* (3 tables x 4 seats) and Counter (6 seats); Non-Smoking Environment
(*low tables with cushions to sit on, but there is depression in the floor under the table so you don't have to sit cross-legged)
Good For: Solo Dining, Couples, Small Groups
Reservations: Usually not necessary
Phone: 090-4639-1246 (Miura 三浦)
Parking: Available (a few spots to the south side of the building)
Address:
Higashigobanchō, 10−15 (十和田市東五番町10－15)

Towada, Aomori Prefecture, 034-0033

Towada Bonus Days & Towada Street Festa

Towada Bonus Days
第38回とわだ・まける日 (Towada Makeru-Hi)
PDF Flyer (Japanese)
Date: Friday, February 6 - Sunday, February 8, 2015
Location: Various stores, restaurants, etc. around central Towada; look for red とわだ・まける日 banners outside of participating establishments.
Description: Special promotions and sales at participating establishments during the event. Purchase receipts and/or drawing tickets from some stores may be used to receive free gifts or to enter prize draws during the Towada Street Festa on February 8th (Sunday). 

Out and About the Town! Towada Street Festa
第16回飛び出せ　街へ！！とわだストリートフェスタ
(Tobidase Machi He!! Towada Street Festa)
PDF Flyer (Japanese) 
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2015
Time: 11:00～
Location: 7・8-Chome Shoutengai Shopping Street to Minami Shoutengai Shopping Street (a.k.a. "Awning Street": Former National Rte. 45 where it becomes Rte. 102 (north) down to where it turns into Rte. 145 (south))
Description: Performances, giveaways and prize drawings at various locations along "Awning Street."

7・8-Chome Shoutengai Shopping Street, Machi no Engawa 
(七・八丁目商店街　会場：街の縁側)
11:00～ Free Potted Flowers & Prize Drawing (first 100 people); Free Grilled Scallops (first 100 people)
 Eligibility: Must have 1000yen worth of receipts for purchases made during "Towada Bonus Days" (February 6-8) at participating  7・8-Chome Shoutengai Shopping Street shops  

6-Chome Shoutengai Shopping Street, Art Station Towada (A・S・T)
(六商店街　会場：アートステーショントワダ（Ａ・Ｓ・Ｔ）)
11:00～ Free Potted Flowers (first 100 people)
Eligibility: Receipt for purchase made during "Towada Bonus Days" (February 6-8) at participating  6-Chome Shoutengai Shopping Street shops
11:30～ Mochi Making: Free oshiruko (sweet red bean paste with mochi (Japanese rice cakes))
Eligibility: First come, first served

Chuo Shoutengai, Civic Center Plaza (Shimin Kouryuu Plaza)
(中央商店街　会場：市民交流プラザ)
11:00～ Prize Drawing (gift certificates, prizes, etc.)
12:00～ Free Coupons for Hapita Cafe's "Original Menu" (first 100 people)
Eligibility: Prize Drawing Tickets from Chuo Shoutengai Shopping Street "Towada Bonus Days" participant shops

Minami Shoutengai, Rest Area (Chokotto Kyuukeijo)
(南商店街　会場：ちょこっと休憩所)
11:00～ Free Potted Flowers (first 100 people); Free hittsumi nabe (hand-pulled noodle hot pot) (200 servings only); Kerosene Prize Draw (20 winners)
Eligibility: Receipt for 500yen or more in purchases made during "Towada Bonus Days" (February 6-8) at participating  Minami Shoutengai Shopping Street shops

Special Events at Art Station Towada (A・S・T)
(十和田市商店街連合会イベント　会場：アートステーショントワダ（Ａ・Ｓ・Ｔ）) 
11:00～ Yosakoi Live (Kitasato Sangenshoku group, Towada)
12:30～ Shijimi Tsumamidori  (picking corbicula clams: within 1min., grab as many clams as you can with chopsticks, event will finish once the clams are all gone)
13:30～ Yosakoi Live (Kitasato Sangenshoku group, Towada)