Monday, 31 August 2015

2015 Osorezan Aki Mairi

2015 Osorezan Aki Mairi
恐山秋詣り

Osorezan is considered one of the three most sacred places in Japan.

Osorezan 恐山
Date: October 10-12, 2015
Time: 5:30-18:00
Location: Osorezan 恐山 (map)
Admission: Adults 500yen (400yen groups of 20+); Elementary & Junior High School Students: 200yen
Events/Attractions:
イタコの口寄せ(itako no kuchiyose) - blind mediums ("itako") summon spirits of the departed to speak with the living

Osorezan 恐山
3-2 Usoriyama, Tanabu, Mutsu-shi, Aomori 035-0021


More Information:
Gururin Shimokita (Japanese): http://www.shimokita-kanko.com/?p=408

WKD - Saijiki for Festivals and Ceremonies: http://wkdfestivalsaijiki.blogspot.jp/2011/10/osozezan-festival.html

2015 Misawa Air Show

Air Festival 2015 in Misawa Air Base (a.k.a. Misawa Air Show)
三沢基地航空祭 (Misawa kichi koukuu matsuri)

Air Festival 2015 in Misawa Air Base (Misawa Air Show) Poster 三沢基地航空祭 ポスター
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2015Time: 9:00-15:00
Location: Misawa Air Base 三沢基地内 (map)
Events/Attractions:
  • aircraft flybys
  • aerial fire fighting
  • maneuvers demonstration
  • air defense weapon and aircraft displays
(See full schedule in English and Japanese here: http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/images/koukuusai/jitei.pdf)

Notes/Cautions:
  • a bag, etc. search will be conducted at entry; dangerous items (gasoline, knives, model guns, etc.), skateboards/roller blades, animals (except service animals), etc. cannot be brought on base
  • bags/items whose 3-dimensions total more than 100cm are not allowed on base (items on left in diagram below are prohibited; items on right are acceptable)
2015 Misawa Air Show Prohibited Articles 三沢基地航空祭 持込み禁止物
Access:
  • Cars cannot be brought on base
  • Pedestrians may enter base through the Main Gate, R Gate, and Falcon Gate
  • Shuttle buses will be running between the Base and the three parking lots (小河原湖畔駐車場、五川目駐車場、浜三沢駐車場) indicated on the map below. 
    2015 Misawa Air Show Access Map 三沢基地航空祭 アクセス 地図
  • Shuttle bus fares:
    Adults (High School Students & older): 1000yen round trip
    Elementary-Junior High School Students: 500yen round trip

Misawa Base 三沢基地


More Information:
MisawaJapan.com: http://www.misawajapan.com/festivals/airshow/airshow.asp
Misawa Tourist Association (Japanese): http://kite-misawa.com/2015air-festival/
Misawa Air Base Japan Air Self Defense Force Official Website (Japanese): http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/misawa/tokusetsu.html

2015 Oma Tuna Day & Super Tuna Festival

2015 Oma's "Sunday is Tuna Day"
日曜日はマグロだDay (nichiyoubi wa maguro da day)

Oma is renowned throughout Japan for its high quality and bluefin tuna.  The world's most expensive tuna (sold in January 2013 at the Tsukuji Fish Market auction for 155.4 million yen, or about 1.8 million US dollars) came from Oma.

On Sundays throughout September and October in Oma, you can watch tuna carving demonstrations and also purchase a meal made with the freshly carved tuna.
 Oma Sunday is Tuna Day Super Tuna Festival Flyer 大間日曜日はマグロだDay 大間超マグロ祭り チラシ
Date: September 9, 13, 20, 21, 27; October 4, 11, 18
Time: Morning Session: 9:30~; Afternoon Session: 12:15~
Location: Omakou Kyuu Reizouko Tokusetsu Kaijou (Kyuurei) 大間港旧冷蔵庫特設会場 (キュウレイ)
Admission: FREE
Events/Attractions:
  • Tuna Carving Demonstration マグロ解体ショー
  • Freshly Carved Tuna & Local Product Sales 解体マグロ即売・特産品販売 
  • Freshly Carved Tuna Set Meal  解体新鮮なマグロ定食 (2300yen, limited quantities)
Special Promotion:
Guests who stay at the Oma Onsen the night before a "Sunday is Tuna Day" can receive a free tuna tasting voucher (無料試食券). See the Oma Onsen homepage (http://cld1.worldcom.ne.jp/~omaonsen/, Japanese only) for more details.

More Information:
Oma Wide Up (Japanese): http://oma-wide.net/2015/0827-4880.html
2015 Oma Super Tuna Festival
大間超マグロ祭り (Oma chou maguro matsuri)

Date: October 24-25, 2015
Time: 9:00-15:00
ocation: Omakou Kyuu Reizouko Tokusetsu Kaijou (Kyuurei) 大間港旧冷蔵庫特設会場 (キュウレイ)
Admission: FREE
Events/Attractions:
  • 9:00-14:00: Tuna Carving Demonstration マグロ解体ショー
  • 9:00-15:00: Freshly Carved Tuna & Local Product Sales 解体マグロ・特産品販売
  • October 24: Oma Kitadori Soran Kai Yosakoi Dance
  • October 25: Various Performances (Rakugo by Sanyuutei Dairaku  (三遊亭大楽); Enka Song Show (桂ゆり), etc.)
More Information:
Oma Wide Up (Japanese): http://oma-wide.net/2015/0904-4931.html

Friday, 28 August 2015

2015 Towada Komakaido Marathon

20th Towada Komakaido Marathon
第20回とわだ駒街道マラソン大会
Towada Komakaido Marathon Flyer 第20回とわだ駒街道マラソン大会 パンフレット

Date: Sunday, October 11, 2015
Location: Track & Field Track (start/finish) 陸上競技場, Kanchogai Street 官庁街通り
Divisions: Half Marathon (high school students & older); 10km; 5km; 3km; 2km
Schedule:
  • 7:00-8:20 Registration
  • 8:30~ Opening Ceremony
  • 9:00~ Half Marathon Start (max. 180min.)
  • 9:05~ 3km Start
  • 9:10~ 2km Start (max. 30min)
  • 9:45~ 5km Start
  • 9:55~ 10km Start 
Entry Fees:
  • 3500yen Half Marathon
  • 2500yen 10km
  • 2000yen 2km, 3km, 5km (19 or older)
  • 1000yen 2km, 3km, 5km (18 or younger) 
Registration Methods:

Method
Internet
Phone
Japan Post Money Transfer
Run Net
Sports Entry
0570-550-846
(Weekdays 10:00-17:30)
Use Form included in Pamphlet*
Service & Handling Fees
205yen for entry fees totaling up to 4000yen
5.15% for entry fees totaling 4001yen or more
200yen
300yen
Service Counter:  130yen
ATM: 80yen
Accepted Payment Methods
Convenience Store Payment, Credit Card
Convenience Store Payment, Credit Card, Net Bank, PayEasy
Convenience Store Payment, Credit Card
Cash, Japan Post Account Direct Withdrawal
Number of Entries Possible
Group and Individual
Group and Individual
Individual Only
Individual Only
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 4, 2015

*Pamphlets available at Towada City Hall, Towadako Machi Shisho, Towada Taiiku Center (Gym)

Sample Japan Post Money Transfer Form
金額: Amount in yen (千= Thousands 百=Hundreds 十=Tens 円=Yen)
参加者氏名(振込人): Entrant Name (either Japanese (kanji or katakana) or English(?))
フリガナ: Phonetic Reading (in katakana)
性別: Gender (男= Male 女= Female)
生年月日: Birthday (T・S・H = Taisho, Showa, Heisei 年=Year (according to the Japanese calendar, e.g. S60 = 1985, H2 = 1990) 月=Month 日=Day)
現住所: Current Address (都= To (Capital Prefecture, i.e. Tokyo) 道= Do (Governorship, i.e. Hokkaido 府= Fu (Urban Prefectures, i.e. Osaka, Kyoto) 県= Ken ("Regular" Prefecture, i.e. everything else))
※アパート等の部屋番語までご記入ください: Please include the apartment, etc. room number
大会当日年齢: Age as of the day of the event
満歳: Age by the end of the year
種目記号: Division Code
Tシャツサイズ(メンズサイズ): T-Shirt Size (Men's Sizes)
自宅電話番号: Home Phone Number
勤務先電話番号: Work Phone Number
(If applicable: 所属名: Organization, e.g. school name: max of 7 characters)
(For entrants under 18 years of age: 保護者氏名: Guardian Name (印 Stamp Hanko/Seal)
参加者との続柄: Relationship to Entrant)
ご依頼人住所氏名: Applicant Address and Name

Division Codes:
Half Marathon
V1: Male, High School Student up to 39 years old
V2: Female. High School Student up to 39 years old
W1: Male, in 40s
W2: Female, in 40s
X1: Male, 50 or older
X2: Female, 50 or older

2km
A: Male Elementary School 4th-6th Grader
B: Male Elementary School 1st-3rd Grader
C: Female Elementary School 4th-6th Grader
D: Female Elementary School 1st-3rd Grader
E: Jogging (any age/gender)

3km
F: Male, Junior High School Student
G: Female, Junior High School Student
H: Male, High School Student or older
I: Female, High School Student or older

5km
J: Male, Junior High School Student or older (up to 39 years old)
K: Female, Junior High School Student or older (up to 39 years old)
L: Male, 40s
M: Female, 40s
R: Male, 50 or older
S: Female, 50 or older

10km
N: Male, Junior High School Student or older (up to 39 years old)
O: Female, Junior High School Student or older (up to 39 years old)
P: Male, 40s
Q: Female, 40s
T: Male, 50 or older
U: Female, 50 or older

Towada Track & Field Track 十和田市陸競技場


Course Map:

More Information:
The Official Portal of the City of Towada (Japanese): http://www.city.towada.lg.jp/docs/2015062900043/

Thursday, 27 August 2015

2015 Aomori 10 City Festival in Mutsu

2015 Aomori 10 City Festival in Mutsu
あおもり10市大祭典inむつ (Aomori toshi taisaiten in Mutsu)
Official Website (Japanese): http://aomori10shi.jp/ 

A festival showcasing major festivals and local foods/products, etc. from 10 cities around Aomori Prefecture: Aomori City, Hirosaki City, Hachinohe City, Kuroishi City, Goshogawara City, Towada City, Misawa City, Mutsu City, Tsugaru City, and Hirakawa City.

Date/Time: September 26, 2015 10:00-20:00, September 27, 2015 10:00-15:30
Location: Mutsu Shimokita Kokusetsu Dome Area むつ市しもきた克雪ドーム周辺 (map)
Admission: FREE
Events/Attractions:
  • Festival Food Street (お祭り食街道)
  • 10 Cities' Tourism PR Corner (10市観光PRコーナー)
  • Nebuta/Tanabu Matsuri Float Exhibits (山車展示)
  • Shimokita Peninsula Tourism Local Produce Exhibit (下北半島観光物産展)
    Festival Performances (お祭りステージ)
  • Festival Parade (お祭りパレード)
Performance/Parade Schedule: 
(Note: Hayashi/Bayashi = festival music)
   Saturday, September 26, 2015
  • 10:00-10:25 オープニングセレモニー Opening Ceremony
  • 10:30-10:50 青森ねぶた祭囃子 Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Bayashi
  • 11:00-11:20 弘前ねぷたまつり囃子 Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri Bayashi
  • 11:30-11:50 八戸三社大祭囃子 Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Hayashi
  • 12:00-12:30 ずれやまズレ子オンステージ Zureyama Zureko On Stage (Aomori-born enka singer/songwriter)
  • 13:00-13:20 海上自衛隊大湊音楽隊 Oominato Maritime Self Defense Forces Band
  • 13:30-14:00 流し踊り競演ステージ(黒石よされ、三本木小唄流しおどり、おしまこ流し踊り) Nagashi Odori Performances (Kuroishi Yosare, Sanbongi Kouta Nagashi Odori (Towada), Oshimako Nagashi Odori (Mutsu))
  • 14:00-14:20 田名部まつり囃子 Tanabu Matsuri Bayashi (Mutsu)
  • 14:30-14:50 五所川原立佞武多囃子 Goshogawara Tachineputa Bayashi 
  • 15:00-15:20 つがる市馬ねぶた囃子 Tsugaru-shi Uma Nebuta Bayashi (Horse Nebuta)
  • 15:30-15:50 平川ねぷたまつり囃子 Hirakawa Neputa Matsuri Bayashi
  • 17:30-19:30 お祭りパレード Festival Parade
   Sunday, September 27, 2015
  • 10:00-10:20 黒石よされ 演舞 Kuroishi Yosare Performance
  • 10:30-10:50 三本木小唄流し踊り 演舞 Sanbongi Kouta Nagashi Odori Performance (Towada)
  • 11:00-11:20 三沢ミニアメリカンデー Misawa Mini American Day
  • 12:30-14:30 お祭りパレード Festival Parade
  • 15:00-15:30 フィナーレ Finale 
Access: 
  • Free Parking Available at Six Parking Lots (see map)
  • Free Shuttle Bus to/from parking lots 1-3 on map
  • Shuttle Bus Times: Sep. 26: 9:00-20:00 (last bus to site at 16:00); Sep. 27: 9:00-16:00

8-8 Masagochou, Mutsu City, Aomori 035-0075

More Information: 
Aomori 10 City Festival Official Website (Japanese): http://aomori10shi.jp/
Mutsu City Homepage (Japanese): http://www.city.mutsu.lg.jp/events/index.cfm/detail.1.43327.html

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

2015 Rokunohe Autumn Festival

2015 Rokunohe Autumn Festival
六戸秋まつり (Rokunohe Aki Matsuri)
Date: September 3-6, 2015
Location: Inuotose Shotengai Shopping District 六戸町犬落瀬商店街 (map)
Events/Attractions:
  September 3, 18:00-20:30:
  • Matsuri Hayashi (Festival Music) Competition 祭囃子競演会
  • Floats on Display 山車の展示
  • Rokunohe Hayashi Performance 六戸囃子一斉演奏
  September 4, 17:00-20:30: 
  • Evening Parade (mikoshi (portable shrine), floats, etc.) 夜間運行
  September 5, 13:30-20:30:
  • Nagashi Odori 流し踊り ロープ相撲大会
  • Rope Sumo Competition*
  • Bon Odori Competition 盆踊り大会
  September 6, 12:45-17:30:
  • Daytime Parade (mikoshi (portable shrine), floats, traditional performing arts, etc.) 夜間運行

*Rope Sumo Competitors WANTED*
Registration: September 5, 2015 17:00~(registration will close when the maximum number of participants is reached)
Entry Fee: FREE
Divisions: Elementary School Students 小学生の部(小学生以下)
Junior High School Students 中学生の部(中学生以下)
Adult (high school students and older) 一般の部(高校生以上)
Rules: Contestants tie a rope around their waist and try to pull their opponent outside of the designated area; prizes will be awarded to the winners!
Competition Start Time: 18:00


Map for September 4th Evening Parade

Map for September 6th Daytime Parade

More Information:
Rokunohe Town Official Website (Japanese): http://www.town.rokunohe.aomori.jp/event_akimatsuri.html

Monday, 24 August 2015

B-1 Grand Prix in Towada

B-1 Grand Prix in Towada
10th B-1 グランプリ in 十和田
Website: http://b-1towada.com

B-1 Grand Prix in Towada Flyer B-1グランプリin十和田 チラシ

Date: October 3-4 (Saturday-Sunday), 2015 
Time: 9:30-15:30
Location: 
Various Locations Around Central Towada (see Venue Map for details)
B-1 Grand Prix in Towada Venue Map B-1グランプリin十和田 会場地図



Access:
(B-1 Grand Prix in Towada Official Website Access Information (Japanese))

There is no dedicated event parking at the venue, so please make use of the free shuttle buses available to/from Hachinohe (Hachinohe Portal Museum Hacchi), Misawa (Sky Plaza), Shichinohe, Rokunohe, Gonohe, and the Towadako, Towadako Machi and south areas of Towada. Buses will run to and from the various sites every 30 minutes from 8:00-16:30. (*Cautions: The first shuttle bus from Hachinohe will be from 7:30 instead of 8:00. The Yakeyama location will only have one bus each way, departing Yakeyama at 8:00am and leaving from the Kitazono Parking Lot at 16:30.*).

B-1 Staff will hand out bus boarding tickets at the various parking lots which will have the alphabet letter corresponding to the bus route printed on it. There are two bus drop-off and boarding areas, each serving different routes, so make to double-check your ticket at the boarding area for the return trip.
You can check the status of the various parking lots in real time during the event here (Japanese): http://b-1towada.aki-navi.info/index.php
Event Parking & Shuttle Bus Stop Map
B-1 Grand Prix Event Parking & Shuttle Bus Map 臨時駐車場&シャトルバス停留所地図

Event Parking & Shuttle Bus Stop Legend
B-1 Grand Prix Event Parking & Shuttle Bus Stop Legend 臨時駐車場・シャトルバス停留所案内

Free Shuttle Bus Schedule
B-1 Grand Prix in Towada Free Shuttle Bus Schedule 1 B-1グランプリin十和田 無料シャトルバス時刻表
B-1 Grand Prix in Towada Free Shuttle Bus Schedule 2 B-1グランプリin十和田 無料シャトルバス時刻表

There are also regular buses (fare paid: JR Bus, Towada Kankou Dentetsu, and Nanbu Bus) running between to/from Towada from Hachinohe, Shichinohe-Towada, and Misawa Stations.

Hachinohe Station⇔Towada Bus Schedule
Hachinohe to Towada Bus Schedule 八戸駅から十和田市へのバス時刻表
Towada to Hachinohe Station Bus Schedule 十和田市から八戸へバス時刻表

Shichinohe-Towada Station⇔Towada Bus Schedule
Shichinohe-Towada Station to Towada Bus Schedule 七戸十和田駅から十和田市へのバス時刻表
Towada to Shichinohe-Towada Station Bus Schedule 十和田市から七戸十和田駅までのバス時刻表

Misawa Station⇔Towada Bus Schedule
Misawa Station to Towada Bus Schedule 三沢駅から十和田市へのバス時刻表
Towada to Misawa Bus Schedule 十和田市から三沢駅へのバス時刻表

Regular (Paid) Bus Information:



Schedule: 
October 2 (Friday):
  • 16:00~ Newspaper Banner Presentation by Towada ES Students
    (Towada Civic Center Plaza Entrance Hall 市民交流プラザエントランスホール)
  • 16:15-16:30 Opening Ceremony
    (Towada Civic Center Plaza Parking Lot 市民交流プラザ駐車所)
  • 16:30-17:30 Pre-Event Parade CANCELLED
    (Towada Civic Center Plaza - Shotengai Shopping District
    & Kanchogai Street-Sumo Dohyo)
    (市民交流プラザ駐車場~商店街及び官庁街通り~相撲場)
October 3 (Saturday)
  • 8:30 Food Ticket Sales Start チケット販売開始
  • 9:00 Day 1 Opening Ceremony 開会式(1日目)
  • 9:30 Food Sales/Voting Start 料理提供開始・投票開始
  • 15:30 Voting/Food Sales End 投票終了・料理提供終了
October 4 (Sunday)
  • 8:30 Food Ticket Sales Start チケット販売開始
  • 9:30 Food Sales/Voting Start 料理提供開始・投票開始
  • 14:30 Voting Ends 投票終了 
  • 15:30 Food Sales End 料理提供終了
  • 17:00 Closing Ceremony 閉会式



Admission: FREE*
(*Food tickets required for food purchases--cash will NOT be accepted at the food stalls)

Food Tickets: 
B-1 Grand Prix in Towada food ticket booklet (sample) B-1グランプリin十和田チケット見本
  • 100yen tickets sold only in 10-ticket (1000yen) books; individual tickets NOT available for sale 
  • Some food stalls may sell out or close earlier than the official ending time
  • Purchase of pre-sale tickets is recommended as day-of tickets may sell out and long line-ups for ticket purchases are expected
  • Day of tickets are available for purchase at the various venues (yellow tents).
  • Pre-sale tickets are available for purchase from August 14 (Friday) - October 2 (Friday), 2015 at various various establishments in Towada, Hachinohe, Misawa, etc. (see complete list (Japanese) here) *Note: Select locations will also be selling tickets from October 3-4, during the event
  • Unused tickets canNOT be refunded
  • Unused tickets may be used at various establishments in Towada from October 3- 31, 2015 (see complete list (Japanese) here)



Voting
  • Put your chopstick(s) into the ballot box of the group you liked best--consider the personality/performance of the group as well as the actual taste of the food.
  • Ballot boxes are located under the blue & white tents at the various venues.
  • You cannot vote for guest groups (past winners).
  • Only brown chopsticks can be used to vote. White chopsticks (from guest groups) cannot be used.
  • Even if you buy from more than one stand, please only use one set of chopsticks per day to vote.
  • Each individual chopstick can be used to vote separately, i.e. you can vote for two different groups with one chopstick each or give the pair of chopsticks to a single group.



General Notes/Cautions:
  • Please make use of the designated areas (green tents) at each venue to dispose of garbage.
  • A "breastfeeding car" (授乳カー) is available for breastfeeding and diaper changing at the Track & Field Track venue and the north side of the Chuo Park venue.
  • Please refrain from smoking in areas other than the designated smoking areas (喫煙場所).
  • If you have any questions/concerns during the event, please go to the white general information tents (総合案内).
Tips:
  • Plan ahead: make a list of the foods you want to try and work out the costs in advance
  • Come with friends so you can share and try many different foods
  • Bring trays and divide and conquer! Send people out to line up for different foods and meet up later in one place to share
  • Check wait times on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/b1grandprix.towada) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/b1grandprix)
    B-1 Grand Prix in Towada Wait Times on Facebook & Twitter B-1グランプリinとわだ 当日会場内行列待ち時間おしらせ
  • Bring your own drinks: there will be a drink sale (red & white) tent where you can buy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks using tickets and/or cash, and there also are vending machines and convenience stores around the venue, but there will probably be long line ups and things may sell out so it's easier if you bring your own
  • Bring sweets/desserts: since most of the foods are salty, you will probably be craving something sweet afterward
  • Check out Towada!: while you're in the area, take the opportunity to check out the Towada Art Center/Art Park or to check out local restaurants/bars afterward (there are over 100 different places listed in the Playing & Eating in Towada Google Map!)



List of Participating Groups Categorized by...

Food Types 
Soba (15), Udon (6), Ramen & Other Noodle Dishes (6), Rice (7), Curry Rice (2), Inarizushi (3), Grilled/Stewed Meat (9), Soups (3), Okonomiyaki & Other "Yaki" Dishes (3), Fried Foods (6), Other (2)

Groups/Region:

Venue:
  1. Shotengai Shopping District
  2. Art Station Towada
  3. Track & Field Track
  4. Chuo Parking Lot & Chuo Park
  5. Baseball Diamond