Akita: Festivals of the Seasons

The Akita prefecture typically has a lot of festivals throughout all four seasons. Akita is famous for its rice fields and delicious sake. Because Akita is a largely environmental region, many of the festivals celebrate and pray for growth of crops, its people, a good harvest, and to celebrate the elements of nature.

Kakunodate Sakura Festival: The best spot to watch the cherry blossoms bloom in Japanese Tohuko region is Kakunodate, where blossoms bloom near the Hinokinai river and children enjoy games and everyone enjoys delicious food. This festival is a tradition dating 500 years ago and takes place in mid April to the beginning of May. Families often enjoy picnics outside and long walks along the riverside. This is a relaxing way to begin the new year.



Port Festival: A summer festival in the Akita Prefecture is the Tsuchuzaki Port Festival. This is an old tradition dating back to 300 years where all neighborhoods in near the port city of Tsuchuzaki decorate floats with large dolls of warriors. The festival is to celebrate the protection of the people of the region. There is a parade for the floats where the performers dance to traditional Japanese drums and flutes for two days. The festival is held from July 20th to July 21st.

Kanto Festival: One of Akita's most famous festivals of the early fall is the Kanto Festival. It is held from August 4th through August 7th in which citizens pray for a good harvest. During the festival, a competition is held to balance large bamboo poled holding lanterns. Performers balance their poles on four main body parts: the forehead, shoulders, palm, and back. Performers usually change position and gradually add more bamboo poles until they reach the limit of 50 kg., usually 46 lanterns.

 

 

 

Kamakura Festival: A famous Akita Winter festival is the Kamakura Festival held in Yokote, where the snow falls in thick layers. The people here embrace the freezing cold weather and spend time in  hand made snow huts like igloos called kamakuras that stand about 2 km high and 1.5 km wide. This winter festival has a 400 year tradition. The peope enjoy eating grilled rice cakes and rice wine called amazake on a small fire as they celebrate ice and fire. Sometimes there are ice sculpture competitions.

mini kamakuras

snow sculpture competition



 

larger kamakura and families grilling  

The Cat-Loving Governor of Akita, Satake Norihisa (佐竹 敬久)

     When most people think of a government official they usually imagine someone who is only concerned with profits and those in power. However Satake Norihisa, who is the current governor of Akita prefecture, is not like this at all. Satake not only deals with domestic government affairs, but he is also passionate about international relations and animal rights.

 

     He was born in Semboku, Akita on November 15^th 1947. After he graduated from Tohoku University with a degree in Precision engineering he worked at the Akita Prefectural Government for several years. Then in 2001 he was elected the mayor of Akita city until April 2009 when he was elected the governor of Akita prefecture. So far during his life he has helped push renewable energy, make Akita International University a more global friendly place, improved international relations, and even help build animal shelters.

Satake Norihisa is a huge fan of cats. He actually owns 8 of them!

     One such example of Satake improving international relations is when he gave a thank you gift in the form of a dog to Russian President Vladimir Putin. After the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami Russia gave a helping hand to Japan. Satake gave an Akita Inu puppy to the Russian President Vladimir Putin as a thank you gift. The Akita Inu is native to the Akita prefecture and the puppy is named “Yume” after the Japanese word for dream. In response to this the Russian President sent Satake a cat native to Russia. Satake named this cat “Mir” after the Russian word for peace. These pets symbolize the world peace that Satake strives for.

Satake with his new cat Mir

      Satake Norihisa is also working on plans to build an animal shelter in Akita. It is being built in a park in Akita city and will be opening in 2019. The shelter’s purpose will be to help make it easier to adopt in Akita and lower the number of euthanized animals in the city. Satake wants Akita to be a place that is not only kind to people, but also animals.

     So Satake Norihisa is not a governor who only cares about money or those in power. He supports renewable energy, sends gifts to foreign leaders, and builds animal shelters. He does all of this because he wants better lives for everybody in Akita and around the world. 

Sources:

http://satake-norihisa.jp/profile (Japanese)

http://fpcj.jp/en/useful-en/wjn-en/p=4634/

http://www.tokyotimes.com/putins-gift-cat-meets-owner-governor-satake/

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/02/10/national/cat-loving-akita-governor-plans-new-animal-shelter/#.WOVRRm_yvIV

Where to Shop in Akita!

Shopping in Akita

Malls:
1. Akita Kensanshin Plaza
2. Fonte Akita ( http://www.fonteakita.com/ )
3. Aeon Mall Akita ( http://akita-aeonmall.com/ )


Department Stores:
1. Akita Station Building Tropico

2. Kiuchi Department Store
3. Seibu (More expensive, Gucci, Chanel, etc.)

Food Stores:
1. Cheese & Wine Abe ( http://www.cw-abe.jp/ )
2. Hirasawa's Rice Shop ( http://www.umaiokome.com/ )
3. Yamaya (Liquor Store http://www.yamaya.jp/ )

Local Sites:
1. Akita Ningyi Kaikan- Famous store for Hina Dolls ( http://akitaningyokaikan.p-kit.com/ )
2. Atorion Building - Home of Akita Senshu Museum of Art

Edo, Sore Feet, and Teddy Bears - What I'll Be Doing in Hakodate

Hakodate Bugyosho

While I won't be able to fully relive the epic tale of the Chushingura, I can be pretty close by visiting this museum - a reconstruction of the Hakodate Magistrate Building from the Edo Period. Granted, I won't be greeted by a loyal band of retainers of a reception for the Shogun, but I'll be able to gain an understanding of the Edo Period from an architectural and historical standpoint - especially regarding the end of the power of the Shogun, an idea that wasn't even considered possible by many daimyo in the era of feudalism.

Goryokaku Park

Once I'm finished paying my respects to the Edo Period, I'll wander around Goryokaku Park until my feet are sore (the Bugyosho is located within the park). Regardless of when you visit, you'll be certain to get a good view of the park from the nearby tower. It's a good opportunity to appreciate the hard work city planners and architects do to make a landscape look beautiful - China could certainly learn from this. With no entry free and a quiet, serene atmosphere, Goryokaku Park is a good place to lose yourself and relax. I'll probably need to do that a lot...

Seafood Rice Bowl

I'm a pretty picky eater, but goodness me, I just really want to devour one of these seafood rice bowls right now. One of the most popular dishes in Hakodate, consisting of rice topped with freshly-caught seafood, you can find a cluster of restaurants serving these at the morning market (more on that below). I'll definitely be frequenting that area.

Mmm...yummy.

Asaichi (Morning Market)

The perfect place for a gaijin like me, the morning market is a very tourist-friendly place. Not only can you enjoy the immense amount of seafood for sale, you can even try to catch your own live squid! I think I'll pass. Even so, gaijin will be comfortable here because many of the shopkeepers speak English. I just hope I don't stand out too much. Granted, like any morning market, the earlier you go, the less crowded it will be. Additionally, you can't take any of the seafood you buy here back overseas - most of the time, at least.

Kani! Wait, kani? Or is it ebi? ...help

Hakodate Meiji-kan

The Meiji-kan is less of a shop and more of a cultural heritage site. While you can purchase a variety of music boxes and glass products, the site is also home to...wait for it...a teddy bear museum. No, I'm serious. A teddy bear museum. While I am definitely interested in the traditional crafts they produce at this site, I am even more interested in the teddy bear museum. Because come on. We all love teddy bears.



Come here and give me a big, fluffy hug

Natural Setting/Environment of Akita

The University Itself:



Above is an aerial view of Akita International University, located in Akita city, the capital of Akita prefecture. Already you can see the kinds of natural surroundings close to the university itself. According to the AIU website, "Akita prefecture is known for its natural beauty and resources. The university is located close to ski areas, scenic hiking opportunities, and the Sea of Japan coastline. Akita is particularly famous in Japan for producing the country's most delicious rice and sake, as well as for the beauty of its people."

Akita City:



This is a view from one of the golf courses in the city, and it does look amazing. Many different scenic areas exist in Akita, which draws many tourists every year.



This is a picture of a tour being given in Akita to explore the natural beauties and go on a picnic.



Senshu Park, the former site of Kubota Castle, is another sight-seeing area in Akita city. On the grounds are a museum dedicated to the castle, Iyataka shrine, Hachiman Akita shrine, Senan Tea Ceremony House, and Satake Historical Material museum.



This is the Akita Museum of Art, designed by Tadao Ando. It usually houses works from the famous Tsuguhara Fujita (or Leonard Foujita).



Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefecture. A beautiful sight to see and something you may want to visit. In this picture is the Ukiki shrine. Near the lake, many hotspring areas can be found.



Akita is on the northern side of the island, and so lots of snow is to be expected. Instead of being deterred, this just makes people build tiny igloos during the Kamakura snow festival.

There are many more places in the area filled with natural beauty and wonder. A helpful link I got much of this information from: http://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-city-guides/akita-guide

Research on cities: Leisure Activities in Nagoya

1. Visiting museum Meiji-mura
Meiji was a period in which Japan opened its doors to the outside world and started to absorb and assimilate Western culture and technology. As Japanese maintain their traditional wooden architecture from the Yedo period (1615-1867), builders adopted Western styles, techniques and materials of stone and brick architecture. These adoptions led to modern architecture of steel, concrete and glass. However, many of the Meiji-period buildings with high artistic and historic value, were lost and destroyed by the earthquake, war disasters, and through the rapid post-war growth of industry.  With a vision of saving these cultural properties from destruction, Dr. Yoshiro Taniguchi, the first Director of the Museum Meiji-mura, worked together with Mr. Tsuchikawa and eventually established the Meiji-mura Museum complex. They selected valuable buildings that were going to be destroyed, brought them to Meiji-mura, and reconstructed them to their original appearance. Thanks to their effort for saving these cultural properties from Meiji period, people today can experience and discover the architecture and spirit of the Meiji period.

2. Walking through the Tokugawa Garden 
Tokugawaen is a Japanese garden, consist of major daimyo garden style during the Edo period. You can see the waterfall through the ravine, the ponds, rock garden, and various kinds of flowers.

3. Field trip to Nagoya castle
It is one of the most beautiful castles in Japan. It was built by the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1612, and it symbolized Nagoya's pride and power.

https://dsimg.wowjpn.goo.ne.jp/rs/?src=https://wow-j.com/images/ext/allguides/00480/00480_002.jpg

4. Exploring around Nagoya City Science Museum
The museum has an exhibition of photovoltaic power generation equipment used to power the building and the green wall and a demonstration of earthquake-proof contraction as well as its elevator structure.

http://japan-highlightstravel.com/img/spot/120008/main.jpg

5. Take a look around Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Nagoya is the birthplace of Toyota. In Toyota commemorative museum, there are “industry and technology exhibit”, “the textile machinery pavilion”, “the technoland”, “the automobile pavilion”, and “exhibition of steam engine”.
  
  
http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/see/facilities/toyota_commemorative_museum_of_industry_and_technology.html

6. Sightseeing at Nagoya TV tower and Oasis 21

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/71/56/b4/oasis.jpg

7. Going to Gion Matsuri or Festival 
Gion Matsuri is one of the biggest, annual festivals in Japan. It was originally performed as a ritual of purification, based on Shintoism philosophy.There are two types of float called Yama and Hoko. During the parade, children wearing make-up are on the leading float, and musicians playing the flute, drums and bells are on the second level of the floats. The floats with dozens of light are displayed in the town, and the festive music known as Gion-bayashi is played in the town streets. The festival period is from July 17th till 24th.

http://yokosojapan.co.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/gion7-940x587.jpg

http://eng.trip.kyoto.jp/var/tripkyoto/storage/images/plan/news/gion20140701/165724-1-eng-US/Gion-Matsuri-A-Historical-Moment-Going-back-to-the-Past.jpg

8. Traveling Tokoname- the pottery town
Tokoname, which is in south of Nagoya, is well-known as a pottery town since the Heian Period, and it remains as Japan's foremost producer of maneki neko figures. Tokoname is one of Japan's six most important ancient kiln towns and produced largest number of ceramics in the Edo Period. It is known for its signature "redware" and fine Japanese teapots. There are two courses that you can enjoy the pottery path filled with old traditional houses, workshops, and interesting buildings. Course A has ceramic hall, which has galleries exhibiting Tokoname's pottery and a shop. At Dokanzaka, the walls and the pathway are consist of old ceramic pipes, shochu bottles and the clay rings, which are used as stands when the pipes are fired. Along the pathway, you can see numerous brick chimneys that have been maintained from the Meiji Period. The longer B course passes the Tokoname Ceramic Art Institute, which is a training center for young potters and a museum displaying Edo Period redwares. Moreover, Tokoname City Folklore Museum have more exhibitions of typical household potteries from the sites of the town's kiln.  Additionally, the place called Clayworks has clay-themed exhibits and allows you to make your own clay ball. Lastly, at the Tiling workshop, you can try painting the tile patterns.

http://momojapanesecraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tokoname-2.jpg

http://momojapanesecraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tokoname-3.jpg

Research on cities: Nagoya & food/shopping

Food:

     Nagoya is one of the top rated areas for café service, in part due to how their cafés will often serve customers a free breakfast with the purchase of a coffee or other drink (referred to as モーニングサービス, or sometimes just モーニング).

     Some popular food items to get as omiyage include uirou (see below) and other sweets like Nagoya-jo (white chocolate with nuts), or things like Nagoyan’s sweet rolls or Hattendo’s cream-filled bread.

As for some other well-known local food items…

Ogura Toast

           Warm, light bread with ogura (a type of red bean paste) on top, or in between the bread slices like a sandwich. Whipped cream, butter, or other toppings are sometimes added along with the ogura. This was popularized in cafes in Nagoya, but has spread to other parts of Japan over time. It can be bought in some convenience stores more recently, as well.

Uirou

A traditional Japanese treat (wagashi); made with steamed rice flour and sugar, and cut into colorful square shapes. It has a very light, sweet taste, and is chewy in a way similar to mochi. It comes in many of the same flavors as mochi as well, like red bean, matcha, and so on, though certain seasonal flavors like sakura also exist.
                The uirou in Nagoya is largely made using brown sugar as part of the base mix instead of white sugar.

Tenmusu

           A type of small onigiri that consists of fluffy rice and tempura shrimp (and sometimes a sweet sauce) wrapped in seaweed. Since it’s not as large as normal onigiri, and is closer to the size of sushi, it’s easy to eat in one bite. Similar to ogura toast, it’s a popular food of Nagoya that has managed to spread across the country.

Its name is a shortened version of “tenpura omusubi”.

Hitsumabushi

          Thin cut slices of grilled eel served on top of rice. Aichi prefecture is one of the largest producers of eel in Japan, so the area, and Nagoya in particular, is well known for these types of dishes.
There is also a special way to eat hitsumabushi:

1. Eat the eel as-is, or only with the rice.
2. Eat the eel with condiments or sides, such as wasabi, onions, and seaweed.
3. Same as 2, but also add chazuke broth.

Once you’ve tried all three ways, you can eat the rest of the dish using whichever method you like.

Shopping:

           Sakae is Nagoya’s downtown shopping district. It’s an approximately 20-30 minute walk from either Nagoya station or Kanayama station, both of which have large attached shopping areas full of stores and food outlets themselves. While not as extensive of a selection as a place like Tokyo, many of the malls found in Sakae sell a large variety of high-end foreign clothing and accessory brands, and also certain shops that you wouldn’t find in America – such as the Ghibli Studios shop in Oasis 21, or the Pokemon Center in Matsuzakaya.

           A bit south of Sakae is Osu Street, a covered area lined with hundreds of shops and restaurants/food stands with a bit cheaper prices than downtown . See this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z54hMIWRu1Q) for a walk through part of Osu Street.

Some other helpful/interesting resources:

• http://nagoya.xtone.jp/ (Japanese)
• http://jpninfo.com/2022
• http://jpninfo.com/5393
• http://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-city-guides/sakae-guide-nagoya
• https://en.kikou.io/entries/278 (blog post with some nice photos of Osu Street)