Inakadate Rice Field Art 2017

Inakadate Rice Field Art 2017
第25回田舎館村田んぼアート （Inakadate-mura Tanbo Art)

The theme for this year's rice field art is "Yamata no Orochi & Susanoo-no-Mikoto*" for the main site and "Momotaro" (Peach Boy) for the second site (Michi no Eki Inakadate "Yayoi no Sato").

(*Japanese myth from the "Kojiki" about Susanoo-no-Mikoto slaying the 8-headed dragon "Yamata no Orochi.")

Date:
・ Site 1: June 5-October 9, 2017 (closed Sunday October 1, 2017 for rice harvesting)
・ Site 2: June 17-October 9, 2017
  Recommended viewing period: Mid-July to Mid-August
  Check the status of the rice fields beforehand using the live camera feeds

Inakadate Rice Field Art 2016

Inakadate Rice Field Art 2016
第24回田舎館村田んぼアート （Inakadate-mura Tanbo Art)

The theme for this year's rice field art is "Ishida Mitsunari and Sanada Masayuki from Sanada Maru*" for the main site and "New Godzilla" for the second site (Michi no Eki Inakadate "Yayoi no Sato").

(*Sanada Maru is a Japanese television series (NHK Taiga Drama) that started airing in January 2016.)

Date:
・ Site 1: May 30-October 10, 2016 (closed Sunday October 2, 2016 for rice harvesting)
・ Site 2: June 18-October 10, 2016
  Recommended viewing period: Mid-July to Mid-August
  Check the status of the rice fields beforehand using the live camera feeds

Bankoku Horafuki Tall Tales Contest 2016

Bankoku Horafuki Tall Tales Contest 2016
第21回　万国ホラ吹き大会 仙人の道 (Bankoku Horafuki Taikai Sennin no Michi)

In Owani Town, there is a saying, "You can't talk big until you've seen the Ishi no Tou*.

*Note: Ishi no Tou is a gigantic 24m-tall, 74m-circumference natural stone formation at the border of Owani Town (Aomori Prefecture) and Akita Prefecture.*

"Ishi no Tou" (Source: Owani Town Website)

Based on this local proverb, the event starts with climbing the Ishi no Tou to receive a "bragging rights license" (small wooden plaque). Afterward at the competition venue, the contestants have five minutes to tell fantastic stories, wild tales, etc. to make the audience laugh and to compete for the title of best teller of tall tales.

Date: Saturday June 4, 2016
Time: 9:00-16:00 (Bus to Ishi no Tou leaves Owani Station at 8:00)
Location(s):

• Ishi no Tou 石の塔 (map)
• Owani Town Chiiki Kouryuu Center WaniCome 大鰐町地域交流センター鰐Ｃｏｍｅ (map)

Admission: 1500yen

Hirosaki Free Long Boot Rentals

Hirosaki Free Long Boot Rentals
長靴無料貸出 (Nagagutsu Muryou Kashidashi)

Free long boot rentals are available to help you better enjoy your Hirosaki winter sightseeing experience.

Date: December 8, 2015 - Late March, 2016
Locations:

Hirosaki City Kankokan 弘前市立観光館
Address:2-1 Shimoshiroganecho 弘前市下白銀町2-1(map)
Phone:　0172-37-5501
Rental Times:　9：00～17：00（Returns until 18：00）

Hirosaki City Tourism Information Center 弘前市観光案内所
Address: 1-1 Omotemachi (JR Hirosaki Station, 1st Flr.) 弘前市表町1-1（JR弘前駅1F） (map)
Phone:　0172-26-3600
Rental Times:　8：45～17：00（Returns until 18：00）

Machinaka Information Center まちなか情報センター
Address:　94-1 Dotemachi 弘前市土手町94-1 (map)
Phone:　0172-31-5160
Rental Times:　9：00～20：00（Returns until 21：00）

Boots Sizes Available: 20cm-27cm

Notes:/Cautions:

• Sizes and quantities are limited. 
• Advance boot reservations are NOT possible; first come, first served.
• Your shoes will be kept at the location while you are using the boots, so please make sure to return the boots before the location closes.
• Non-slip rubber shoe grips are also available. Please ask staff at the various locations for more information.
• You may still slip despite wearing long boots and/or non-slip shoe grips. Please exercise caution when walking in the snow.

More Information:
Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau (Japanese): http://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/web/edit.html?id=boots

Winter Rice Field Art 2016

Winter Rice Field Art 2016
冬の田んぼアート (Fuyu no Tanbo Art)

Feb 12 UPDATE: The new rice field art was completed as scheduled on Feb 11.

Feb 11 UPDATE: Due to warm weather melting the snow followed by considerable snowfall accumulation, Simon Beck's snow art has been destroyed beyond recovery. Volunteers taught (by Simon Beck) to maintain the artwork will make a different piece in its place. The venue will be lit up as planned on Feb 12-13 and videos of the artwork taken by drone will be played at the venue. (Japanese article about the announcement here)

Snow artist Simon Beck creates geometrical artworks by walking across/around fields of snow in snow shoes. He has traveled all over the world creating snow art works. In 2016 he will create his first piece in Japan right in Aomori Prefecture in Inakadate, the home of rice field art!

Date: February 6-14, 2016
Time: 10:00-16:00
Location: Michi no Eki Inakadate Yayoi no Sato Viewing Platform Area
道の駅いなかだて　弥生の里展望所周辺 (map)
Admission: 200yen
Events/Attractions:

• Snow Angel Making
• Feb 6: Giant Chawan Rice Bowl "MAJIO Chawan Paint"
• Feb 6, 7, 11-13
• Candle Night
• "Light Up" (16:00-19:00)
• Feb 6, 7, 11, 13, 14: Food Stalls & Product Sales
• Feb 11: Igloo Making (Reservations Required: 0172-58-2111)
• Feb 14: Kite Flying Competition 
• Etc.

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)
↓
2-Min. Walk to Venue

Bus Access:
Hirosaki Station/Hirosaki Bus Terminal to 「高樋」 Takahi Bus Stop
(Konan Bus "Hirosaki-Kuroishi-Ogawara Line" 弘南バス・弘前-黒石-大河原線)
↓
12-Min. Walk to Venue

Michi no Eki Inakadate Yayoi no Sato Viewing Platform Area
道の駅いなかだて 弥生の里展望所周辺
Yahata-10 Takahi Inakadate Minamitsugaru District, Aomori 038-1111
0172-58-4411


More Information:
aptinet Aomori Sightseeing Guide (Japanese): http://www.aptinet.jp/Detail_display_00005462.html
Simon Beck Snow Art: http://snowart.gallery/

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.

 Tareyanagi Iseki: Yayoi Rice Field Site

(Photo Source: Inakadate Buried Cultural Property Center & Museum)

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" 

(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" 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"

 

2013 "Oiran & Hollywood Star"

 

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/ 

Former Kasaishi Residence & Towada Museum of History and Folklore 旧笠石家住宅・十和田湖民俗資料館

Located near Yakeyama, the former Kasaishi Residence is a traditional thatched roof house designated as a “National Important Cultural Property.” In combination with the Museum of History and Folklore, a visit here provides a glimpse into the local traditional lifestyle.

Hours: 
April - October: 9:00-16:30 Wednesday-Monday
November - March: 9:00-16:00 Wednesday-Monday
Closed: Tuesdays, New Year's (December 31st-January 3rd)
Admission: 
Adults & University Students: 102yen
Elementary, Junior High, & Senior High School Students: 51yen
Address: Tochikubo-80 Okuse (青森県十和田市奥瀬栃久保８０)
Phone: 0176-74-2547

Former Kasaishi Residence

 

 (Video from B-1 Grand Prix in Towada YouTube Channel)

Towada Museum of History and Folklore

 

 (Video from B-1 Grand Prix in Towada YouTube Channel)

Sources: 
Former Kasaishi Residence http://www.towada.or.jp/kankou/en/sightseeing/kasaisi.htm
(Video from B-1 Grand Prix in Towada YouTube Channel)
Aomori Sightseeing Guide, “Former Kasaishi Residence – Lake Towada Folk Museum” http://en.aptinet.jp/message/111031.html

More Sightseeing in Towada:

• Lake Towada (Towadako) 十和田湖
• Oirase Gorge (Oirase Keiryuu) 奥入瀬渓流

Oirase Gorge (Oirase Keiryuu) 奥入瀬渓流

Along with Lake Towada, Oirase Gorge is part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. The forests, stream, and numerous waterfalls in the gorge make it a gorgeous hike in any season. The 14km section of the Oirase River (a 67km long river connecting Lake Towada and the Pacific Ocean) that runs through the Gorge is referred to as the “Oirase Mountain Stream.” It takes about 4-5hr to walk through the entire Gorge, but there is also a road that runs parallel to the walking path so it is possible to drive and/or take a bus part of the way. Regular and electric bicycle rentals are also available at Yakeyama, Nenokuchi, and Ishigedo.

 

 

 

（Tatsuta-no-taki 立田の滝, Video from B-1 Grand Prix in Towada YouTube Channel)

Sources:
National Parks of Japan, “Introducing places of interest: Towada-Hachimantai National Park” http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/towada.html

Aomori Sightseeing Guide, “Enjoy Exploring Oirase Gorge by E-Bike” http://en.aptinet.jp/message/110719.html Yururira Towada: Towada City Tourist Information Portal Site http://www.towada-kankou.jp/english/index.html

More Sightseeing in Towada:

• Lake Towada (Towadako) 十和田湖
• Former Kasaishi Residence & Towada Museum of History and Folklore 旧笠石家住宅・十和田湖民俗資料館

Lake Towada (Towadako) 十和田湖

Lake Towada is the largest double caldera lake (formed by volcanic eruption) on Honshu and the 3rd deepest lake in Japan. It straddles three prefectures: Aomori, Akita, and Iwate. The Towada Jinja (shrine) and the Statue of Maidens (乙女の像 Otome no Zou, the final work of poet and sculptor Takamura, Kotaro) are two popular sightseeing spots at the lake.

 

 

The Towada City Towadako Tourist Center “Puratto” (十和田市十和田湖観光交流センターぷらっと) opened in October 2014. It provides information about sightseeing around the Lake as well as featuring various exhibits related to Lake Towada. Current exhibits are about the introduction of himemasu fish to the Lake; Takamura, Kotaro, the sculptor of The Statue of Maidens; and Omachi, Keigetsu, a famous late 19th-early 20th century traveling poet who loved the Lake Towada-Oirase Gorge area.

Free Wi-Fi is also available at the center from 8:00-18:00. SSID: towadako-wifi Password: towadako

Hours: 9:00-17:00 Daily
Address: Towadakohanyasumiya 486-Okuse
(青森県十和田市大字奥瀬字十和田湖畔休屋486番地)
Phone：0176-75-1531 FAX：0176-75-153

 

 

 

Sources:

National Parks of Japan, “Introducing places of interest: Towada-Hachimantai National Park” http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/towada.html

Puratto Information Leaflet (PDF) http://www.city.towada.lg.jp/docs/2014072500014/files/leaflet.pdf

The Official Portal of Towada City, “Towadako Kankou Kouryuu Center ‘Puratto’ ni Tsuite” 十和田湖観光交流センター“ぷらっと”について http://www.city.towada.lg.jp/docs/2014072500014/

Yururira Towada: Towada City Tourist Information Portal Site http://www.towada-kankou.jp/english/index.html

More Sightseeing in Towada:

• Oirase Gorge (Oirase Keiryuu) 奥入瀬渓流
• Former Kasaishi Residence & Towada Museum of History and Folklore 旧笠石家住宅・十和田湖民俗資料館

February 2015 Events in Towada City

Towada Snow Viewing Rally
とわだ雪見ラリー (Towada Yukimi Rally)
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Time: Registration: 17:00; Start: 18:00; Finish/Raffle Drawing: 20:00
Fee: Advance Ticket: 2500yen; At-Door: 3000yen
Location: 5 bars around Towada
Ticket Purchase, Reception, Finish/Raffle Drawing: Towada Chamber of Commerce & Industry 商工会議所　(Map) 
Description: Within two hours, have a drink at each of the 5 specified bars around Towada and get a stamp. Bring your stamp card back to the Towada Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the end to be entered into a prize raffle drawing.

Towadako Winter Story
十和田湖冬物語 (Towadako Fuyu Monogatari)
Website (Japanese)
Date: Friday, February 6- Sunday, March 1, 2014
Location: Lake Towada Yasumiya 十和田湖畔休屋 (Map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• 冬花火 Fireworks 20:00~20:10 Daily
• 光のゲート "Gate of Light" 17:00～21:00 Daily
• 光のトンネル "Tunnel of Light" 17:00～21:00 Daily
• かまくらＢａｒ Kamakura (Snow Hut) Bar 18:00～21:00 Daily
• 足湯 Ashi Yu (Foot Bath/Onsen) 18:00～21:00 Daily
• 雪のすべり台 Snow Slide (sled rentals 100yen/hour)
• 乙女の像ライトアップ "Light Up" of Otome no Zou (Bronze Maidens Statue) 17:00～21:00 Daily
• ゆきあかり横丁 Yuki Akari Yokocho (Alleyway Food Stands/Restaurants) 15:00～21:00 Weekdays; 11:00～21:00 Sat., Sun. & Holidays
• バナナボート Banana Boat 11:00～19:00, Fri.-Sun. & Holidays
• ホーストレッキング Horse Trekking 10：00～15:00 Sat., Sun. & Holidays

 

 

Towadako Winter Story & Prayer for Good Fortune Tour  
十和田湖冬物語と開運祈願ツアー (Towadako Fuyu Monogatari to Kaiun Kigan Tour)
PDF Flyer (Japanese)
(Note: This is a “monitor” tour, so you will probably be asked to fill in a survey at the end.)
Dates: Saturdays & Sundays from Feb. 7-Mar. 1 (Feb. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, Mar 1)
Fee: 1500yen (includes activity fees and 1000yen worth of food vouchers)

Registration: Until 1 Week in Advance of Tour Date (Registration will close once the daily maximum for participants is reached); Register at Towada Toutetsu Kankou-Sha (0176-23-6102); Fee must be paid at time of registration (or within 3 days for phone reservations)

Schedule:
11:50 Departure: Kitasato University (Feb. 28/Mar. 1 only)
12:00 Departure: Shiyakusho Mae (City Hall)
12:30 Departure: Michi no Eki Oirase Roman Park
13:30-17:30 (Lake Towada) ① Horse Trekking & Horse Riding Experience; ② Visitor’s Center; ③ Ema (votive wooden tablet painted with a picture of a horse offered in prayer or in thanks for a prayer answered) offering to Towada Jinja and visit to the Otome no Zou (Maidens’ Statue)
17:30-20:30 (Festival Venue Area) ① Dinner ② Wax Ball Making ③ Fireworks
20:30 Departure (from Lake Towada)
21:30 Arrival: Michi no Eki Oirase Roman Park
22:00 Arrival: Shiyakusho Mae (City Hall)
22:10 Arrival: Kitasato University (Feb. 28/Mar. 1 only)

Towada Traditional Performing Arts Festival
十和田伝統芸能まつり (Towada Dentou Geinou Matsuri)
PDF Flyer (Japanese)
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2015
Time: 12:00-16:00 (Doors open at 11:30)
Location: Towada Bunka Center 十和田市民文化センター(Map)
Admission: Free
Description: Watch traditional (performance) art performances from various areas of Towada, e.g. Kagura, Koma Odori, Keimai, etc.