Warm Heart Aomori Exciting Winter Project 2015-16

Warm Heart Aomori Exciting Winter Project 2015-16
こころ、あったか。あおもり冬感動プロジェクト
(Kokoro Attaka Aomori Fuyu Kandou Project)

Date: December 4, 2015-February 7, 2016
Time: Various
Location: Aomori City, Various
Admission: Free (select paid events)
Events/Attractions:

Aomori Light & Paper Pageant
あおもり灯りと紙のページェント (Aomori Akari to Kami no Pageant)
Dec 4, 2015-Feb 7, 2016, 16:00-21:00
Aomori Bay Area Walking Paths 青森ベイエリア遊歩道
Nebuta-style illuminated Japanese paper "snowmen"

One-Two Coin Taste of Aomori 
味見あおもり　ワン・ツーコイン (Ajimi Aomori One Two Coin)
Dec 21, 2015-Feb 7, 2016　
Aomori Bay Area and Central Shopping Arcade ベイエリア・中心商店街
Enjoy 500yen or 1000yen special menu items at various establishments downtown Aomori.

Hakkoda Maru Illumination
八甲田丸イルミネーション
Dec 31, 2015-Feb 7, 2016 16:00-21:00
Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship Hakkoda Maru 青函連絡船メモリアルシップ八甲田丸 (map)

Aomori Snow Light Festival
あおもり雪灯りまつり (Aomori Yuki Akari Matsuri)
January 29-31, 2016, 17:00-21:00
Nebuta no Ie Warasse West Plaza ねぶたの家ワ・ラッセ西の広場 (map)
Snow lamps illuminated with candles.

The Motsuke Festival & Winter Fireworks
ザ・もつけ祭り＆冬花火 (Za Motsuke Matsuri & Fuyu Hanabi)
Feb 6, 2016, 17:30-19:00
Nebuta no Ie Warasse West Plaza ねぶたの家ワ・ラッセ西の広場 (map)
Motsuke* guys in fundoshi (loin clothes) carrying a Nebuta-style Mikoshi (portable shrine), competing in a tug-of-war, etc. Fireworks display as the grand finale.
(Motsuke means "a very enthusiastic person, or a person going nuts over something" in Tsugaru dialect)

Aomori Winter Festival
青森冬まつり (Aomori Fuyu Matsuri)
Feb 6-7, 2016, 9:00-15:00
Aoi Umi Park 青い海公園 (map)
Giant snow slide, fire-baked bread on sticks, stage shows, etc.

More Information: 
Aomori Unearthed Facebook Page (English): https://www.facebook.com/aomoricity.tourism/posts/1695362850680814
Warm Heart Aomori Exciting Winter Project PDF Flyer (Japanese): http://www.atca.info/img/top/kokoroattaka.pdf

Hiranai Town Swan Festival 2016

Hiranai Town Swan Festival 2016
平内町白鳥まつり (Hiranai-machi Hakuchou Matsuri)

Hiranai Town's (Whooper) Swans on Kominato and their Wintering Place (小湊のハクチョウおよびその渡来地 kominato no hakuchou oyobi sono toraichi) is a nationally designated Special Natural Monument (特別天然記念物 tokubetsu tennen kinnenbutsu). However, due concerns related to the outbreak of avian influenza, from 2008 people were asked to refrain from feeding and observing the swans, and overall local interest in and activities promoting the swans was greatly reduced. Now, 8 years since the last time the event was held, the Swan Festival has been revived as part of an effort to restore Hiranai's identity as "The Town of Swans" and to promote the Asadokoro Coast in particular and the Natsudomari Peninsula as a whole as a place of scenic beauty.

Date: January 23-24, 2016
Time: 9:00-16:00
Admission: Free
Locations: 

• Main Venue: Former Asadokoro Elementary School, Hiranai Town  旧浅所小学校 (map)
• Secondary Venue: Asadokoro Coast 浅所海岸 (map)

Main Venue Schedule:

• "Town of Swans" Photograph Contest Exhibit

Saturday January 23

• 9:00-9:25 Opening Ceremony
• 9:30-12:30 RAB Karaoke Competition
• 9:30-10:25 Preliminaries (30 contestants)
• 10:30-10:45 Kasugai Ballet Dance Gallery Guest Performance
• 10:50-12:15 Main Competition (10 contestants)
  "Namari Uta" Guest Singer Yuka Oohashi
  (Namari Uta = singing in the local dialect)
• 12:20-12:30 Award Ceremony
• 13:00-16:00 9th Hiranai Town Local Performing Arts Festival
• 13:00-13:15 Opening Ceremony
• 13:20-13:30 Yosakoi Team Kassai (よさこいチーム華彩)
• 13:30-13:45 Matsunoki Kenmai Odori Sword Dance (松野木剣舞踊り)
• 13:45-14:00 Atago Shrine Gongenmai Dance (愛宕神社権現舞)
• 14:00-14:15 Special Guest Aomori Prefecture-Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property Tohoku Town Nenbutsu Keibai Bird Dance (東北町「念仏鶏舞」)
• 14:15-14:30 Karibasawa Gongenmai Dance (狩場沢権現舞)　
• 14:30-14:45 Sotodoji Koma Odori Horse Dance (外童子駒踊り)
• 14:45-15:00 Higashitaki Gongenmai Dance (東滝権現舞)
• 15:00-15:10 Break
• 15:10-15:25 Azukisawa Gongenmai Dance (小豆沢権現舞)
• 15:25-15:40 Uchidoji Shishimai Lion Dance (内童子獅子舞)
• 15:40-15:55 Higashitaki Mochitsukimai Rice Cake Making Dance (東滝餅搗き舞)
• 15:55-16:00 Closing Ceremony

Sunday January 24

• 9:00-12:10 "Town of Swans" Symposium
• 9:00-9:30 Opening Events
• Swan Knowledge Exam Certificate Awarding Ceremony
• Photo Contest Award Ceremony
• Volunteer Guide Introductions
• 9:30-10:30 Keynote Lecture: "Revitalizing Nature & the Region The Lake Kasumigaura Asaza Project"
• 10:30-10:40 Break
• 10:40-12:10 Workshop: My "Town of Swans" Community Development Planing Envisioning Hiranai  10 Years from Now Mapping Out the Future
• 12:00-12:50 FREE Shuriken Sentai Ninninger Live Show 
• 13:00-13:30 Swan Call Contest
• 13:30-14:10 Bravo Nakatani Ikasama Magic Show
• 14:20-14:50 Tsugaru Shamisen, Hotate Taiko Drum Group 
• 15:00-15:50 FREE Shuriken Sentai Ninninger Live Show

Secondary Venue Schedule (both days)

• 10:00～ Free Scallop Dishes (first 500 people only)
  (Jan. 23 Baby Scallops Grilled in Butter; Jan. 24 Young Scallop Miso Soup)
• Volunteer Guided Tours 
• 10:00-10:30
• 10:30-11:00
• 11:00-11:30
• 13:00-13:30
• 13:30-14:00
• 14:00-14:30 

Free Shuttle Bus (～10-15 min one way)
8:30-15:00 Kominato Station → Numadate → Asadokoro Coast
11:00-16:30   Asadokoro Coast → Numadate → Kominato Station

Former Asadokoro Elementary School, Hiranai Town  旧浅所小学校
Raidenbayashi-1-50 Fukudate (東津軽郡福伊達雷電林１－５０)
Hiranai Town, Higashitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture 039-3311


Asadokoro Coast 浅所海岸


More Information:
Hiranai Town Website (Japanese): http://www.town.hiranai.aomori.jp/events/index.cfm/detail.1.10121.html

Kazamaura Monkfish Festival 2016

Kazamaura Monkfish Festival 2016
風間浦鮟鱇まつり (Kazamaura Ankou Matsuri)

Date: Sunday February 7, 2016
Time: 11:00-14:00
Location: Shimofuro Fishery Cooperative Special Event Site (Kazamaura Village, Shimokita)
下風呂漁協内特設会場（青森県下北郡風間浦村）(map)
Admission: Free
Schedule:

• 11:00～ Opening Ceremony, Local Product Sales
• 11:30～ Monkfish Nabe (stew) & Sushi Sets ticket sales
  (Monkfish Nabe 300yen/bowl, 400 sets only; Monkfish Sushi 500yen/3pcs, 350 sets only)
• 12:00～ Monkfish Butchering on Snow Demonstration
• 12:30～ Masakari Girls 5 Mini Live Performance
• 13:00～ Monkfish Pulling Prize Drawing (1000yen)
  (Max. 10 participants, decided by lottery if more than 10 applicants)
• 13:30～ Hanging Monkfish Butchering Demonstration
• 13:50～ Monkfish Pulling Prize Drawing (1000yen)
  (Max. 10 participants, decided by lottery if more than 10 applicants)

Shimofuro Fishery Cooperative Special Event Site 下風呂漁協内特設会場


More Information:
Gururin Shimokita (Japanese): http://www.shimokita-kanko.com/?p=18906
Shimofuro Onsen Village Website (Japanese): http://www.shimohuro.com/下風呂の楽しみ方/風間浦鮟鱇まつり特別イベント/

Towada Cherry Blossom Yabusame Exhibit in Hachinohe 2016

Towada Cherry Blossom Yabusame Exhibit in Hachinohe
十和田桜流鏑馬展 (Towada Sakura Yabusame Ten)

A special exhibit about a major spring event of Towada City, "Cherry Blossom Yabusame" (horseback archery).

Date: March 19-20, 2016
Time: 11:00-18:00
Location: Hachinohe Shopping Center Lapia, 1st Floor Festa Plaza
八戸ショッピングセンターラピア １Ｆフェスタプラザ (map)
Admission: Free
Events/Attractions:

• Yabusame Photograph Display
• Past Poster Display
• Yabusame Competition Attire Display
• Yabusame Event Video Showings
• Japanese Small Item and Clothing & Accessories Display
• Rental Attire for Photo-Taking
• Special Event: Yabusame Competitors' Wooden Horse Rapid Fire Exhibition Contest (Planned for Sunday March 20, 14:00～）

**Wooden Horse Rapid Fire Exhibition Contest Competitors Wanted!** 
Entry Fee: 2000yen/person
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 14, 2016
Contest Information/Registration Form (Japanese/English): PDF Download

Hachinohe Shopping Center Lapia 八戸ショッピングセンターラピア
2 Chome Kōyō14-1 (八戸市江陽２丁目１４−１)
Hachinohe City, Aomori 031-0801


More Information:
Towada Cherry Blossom Yabusame Exhibit Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/810280275761488/
Towada Horseback Riding Club Website (Japanese): http://towada-joba.com/info/【参加者募集】木馬速射大会（320十和田・桜流鏑/

Japanese Sword Tour in Aomori

Japanese Sword Tour in Aomori
刀剣ツアーin青森　(Touken Tour in Aomori)

Date: February 27-28, 2016
Time: February 27: 12:30-16:40, February 28: 8:30-13:45
Location: Hirosaki City & Inakadate Village, Aomori Prefecture
Cost: 9800yen (accommodations included)
(7800yen without accommodations)
Minimum/Maximum Participants: Min. 10 participants, Max. 20 participants
(In the case of more applicants than available spaces, participants will be decided by random lottery)
Schedule:

Saturday February 27

• 12:30 Meet at Hirosaki Station Joto Exit (Board Bus)
• 13:00-16:00 Katana no Iori (Swordsmith Nakahata)
• Japanese Sword Appreciation 日本刀鑑賞
• Sword Maintenance 手入れ体験
• Sword Making Process 作業工程見学
• Sword Forging 鍛造見学
• 16:30 Return to Hirosaki Station Joto Exit
• 16:40 Hirosaki Kokusai Hotel
• (Various option tours available for after hotel check-in time, e.g. evening city tour, shopping tour, etc.)

Sunday February 28

• 8:30 Hirosaki Station Joto Exit (Board Bus)
• 8:40 Hirosaki Kokusai Hotel
• 9:00-12:00 Hirosaki Clan Bokudenryuu School of Swordsmanship Experience
• Post-Relocation Hirosaki Castle Tour
• Bokudenryuu School of Swordsmanship Experience (Samurai Etiquette, Swordplay)
• 12:30-13:30 Lunch in Central Hirosaki
• 13:45 Farewells at Hirosaki Station Joto Exit

Registration Period:

Out-of-Prefecture-Visitor Early Registration: 
Monday January 18-Friday January 22, 2016
(Successful applicants will be notified in the evening on January 22)

Open Registration (if spaces available):Monday January 25-February 12, 2016
(Successful applicants will be notified in the evening on February 12)

Registration Method:
Phone: 0172-55-0268
Fax: 0172-55-0252 (Fax Form PDF - see sample with English below)

Japanese Email Form: http://www.tabisuke-hirosaki.jp/entry.html (see sample with English below)



English Email Form: http://www.tabisuke-hirosaki.jp/english/mail/
Include the tour name "Touken Tour in Aomori" (刀剣ツアーin青森), number of people, their ages/genders, your address and phone number, and any other information (request for non-smoking room, no need for accommodations, etc.) in the message.

Payment Information:
Payment will be collected at the start of the tour (February 27).
Cancellation fees are as follows:

• 21 Days or More Before Departure Date: No Charge
• 8-20 Days Before Departure Date: 20% of Tour Cost
• 2-7 Days Before Departure Date: 30% of Tour Cost
• Day Before Departure Date: 40% of Tour Cost
• Day Of  (Before Tour Starts): 50% of Tour Cost
• After Tour Has Started/No Notification: 100% of Tour Cost

Notes/Cautions:

• A tour guide will be present for all activities.
• Some February 28th activities will take place outdoors. Please dress warmly.
• As this is a "Monitor Tour", participants will be asked to fill out a survey regarding the tour.
• As part of the goal of this tour is to promote tourism to Aomori, preference will be given to out-of-prefecture applicants.

JET Participant Disaster Experience ~ 5 Years After the Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami ~

JET Participant Disaster Experience ～5 Years After the Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami ～
ＪＥＴ参加者の震災経験～東日本大震災から5年～ 
(JET Sankasha no Shinsai Keiken ～ Higashi Nihon Daishinsai Kara Go Nen)

A panel discussion JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) participants who experienced the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami about their experiences during the disaster and helping with the recovery efforts afterward.

A free screening of "Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story," a documentary about a JET participant who died in the disaster, will follow the panel discussion. Jeffrey Anderson, Taylor's younger brother and current Nara Prefecture ALT will also be present at the event and share about his memories from that time.

Date: Sunday March 13, 2016
Time: 13:00-17:00
Location: Sendai Mediatheque, 1st Floor Open Square
せんだいメディアテーク　１Ｆオープンスクエア(map)
Admission: Free (Max. 250 People, Reservation Required)
Registration: Provide your name and contact number to the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) Department of JET Programme Management Coordination Division by phone, fax, or email:

• Phone: 03-5213-1727
• Fax: 03-5213-1743
• Email: 311shinsai.jet[at]gmail[dot]com

Schedule:

• 13:00 Opening Ceremony
• 13:10 Panel Discussion (Self Introductions, During the Disaster, Recovery Efforts, etc.)
• 14:20 Question & Answer Period
• 15:00 Film Screening "Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story"
• 17:00 Closing Ceremony

Panelists:
Amanda Wayama (USA)
2009-2014 JET Programme Participant, CIR/PA (Iwate Prefecture)

Marshall Ikeda (Canada)
2010-2014 JET Programme Participant, ALT (Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Kevin Hsien (Canada)
2010-2013 JET Programme Participant, CIR/PA (Fukushima Prefecture)

Reiko Kumagai (Sendai)
2007-2011 JET Supervisor

Sendai Mediatheque せんだいメディアテーク
2-1 Kasugamachi, Aoba Ward (仙台市青葉区春日町２−１)
Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture 980-0821


More Information:
The Taylor Anderson Story Official Website: http://www.thetaylorandersonstory.com/
Sendai Mediatheque (Japanese/English): http://www.smt.jp/

Mid-Winter Festival in Cherius 2016

Mid-Winter Festival in Cherius 2016
極寒祭 in チェリウス (Gokkan-sai in Cherius)

Date: February 6-7, 2016
Time: February 6: 13:30-20:00, February 7: 10:00-14:00
Location: Nanbu Town Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Industries Training Institute Cherius
南部町農林漁業体験実習館チェリウス (map)
Admission: Free (select paid events)
Schedule:

Saturday February 6

Time Event Location Cost 13:30- 15:00 Kita no Fruit Parlor in Cherious Strawberry Picking Kenshuu Jisshuu Shitsu 研修実習室 1000 yen/person 17:00-19:00 Original Nanbu Town Nabe Stew Buffet Kenshuu Jisshuu Shitsu 研修実習室 - Adult 1000yen - Elementary School  Students & Younger: 500yen - Children Aged 3 or Younger: Free　 19:00-20:00 Nanbu Enburi (Tatami Room Performance) Communication Room コミュニケーション室 Free Sunday, February 7 Time Event Location Cost 10:00- 14:00 Winter Play Area Cheririn Mura Ground Golf Course チェリリン村 グラウンドゴルフ場 Free Pizza-Making Experience Kenshuu Jisshuu Shitsu 研修実習室 500yen/2 slices Dried & Pressed Flower Making Kenshuu Jisshuu Shitsu 研修実習室 Cost Varies Depending on What is Made Nanbu Town/Tassha Village Karuta Competition 1)　11:00～ 2)　13:00～ Communication Room コミュニケーション室 Free Quiz Rally Around Cherius Grounds チェリウス敷地周辺 200yen

Mid-Winter Festival in Cherius Special Deals:
Special Overnight Plan

• Saturday February 6-Sunday February 7 (1 night, 2 days)
• 2700yen/person (with breakfast 3780yen)
• ※Dinner not included; please enjoy the "All-You-Can-Eat Nanbu Town Original Nabe event" or dinner at the restaurant

Special Hot Spa Day Trip Discount

• Saturday February 6 & Sunday February 7 Prices:
• Adult 340yen
• Child 120yen

Nanbu Town Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Industries Training Institute Cherius
南部町農林漁業体験実習館チェリウス
Oshibutamiyama-23-141 Kaminakui 南部町大字上名久井字大渋民山23-141
Nanbu, Sannohe District, Aomori Prefecture 039-0501


More Information:
Nanbu Town Official Website (Japanese): http://www.town.aomori-nanbu.lg.jp/sight/00000005/00000252.html