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Winter 2019 VOL.09

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A WORLD OF SNOW & ICE

Worshipping Gods Descended from the Heavens

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text & coordination/ Rieko Ido, photo/ Hajime Watanabe 文とスタイリング:井戸理恵子、写真:渡辺肇

One of the Gosekku, or five seasonal festivals featured in the Chinese lunar calendar of the Tang Dynast y, is the Tango no Sekku, now known as “Children’s Day ”. On this day, samurai helmets or warrior figurines, as well as carp streamers are displayed in celebration and hope for the robust grow th of children, in particular boys. Originally a day for “herb har vesting”, this has become a part of Japan’s seasonal landscapes. Vitalizing herbs are picked on this day to mark the change in the seasons.

According to the lunar calendar, May is known as the Month of the Horse. This is also the start of the rainy season,

when cold rainfall cools the body and is the cause of long illnesses. During this time, ancestors chose Tango no Sekku, the day charged with the most energ y to head to the mountains to pick herbs.

The women would pick the herbs while the men would hunt for deer and take their horns which are prized for their medicinal value. The origin for this custom is ancient, with records harking back to the year 611 when the Empress went to har vest herbs at Nara and used these to warm her body. This was done by boiling the herbs to drink or inhaling the fragrance of the herbs. Clothes were infused with the fragrance of herbs and herb sachets were also carried around.

Tango no Sekku evolved into a day to pray for the healthy development of boys from the Tokugawa era. The custom of displaying warrior figurines stemmed from the name of the Iris flower – believed to improve blood circulation and help to ward away evil spirits – that sounds like the respectful term for warrior, to reflect this auspicious propert y.

Rieko Ido A graduate of Kokugakuin University, researcher of ancient Japanese customs and knowledge, conducting technical analysis on findings to apply them to modern lifestyles.

Currently teaches at Tama Art University.

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VOL.09

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In Harmony with the Seasons

Feature 1

A World of Snow & Ice: Worshipping Gods Descended from the Heavens – Namahage Culture: Living with the Times – Kamakura Matsuri (Snow Hut Festival): More than Just Igloos!

– Myriad Winter Festivals in Tohoku!

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Feature 2

A plethora of winter activities for all!

Enter the snow kingdom of Tohoku 15

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WAttention is so named with the hope that people in the world would pay more “Attention” to “WA（ 和 ）”; an important term in Japanese culture meaning harmony with nature, peace and even Japanese culture itself! 世界中の人々に「和」 （WA）に注目（Attention） してほしいという願いを込めてWA+Attention= WAttentionと名づけました。

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A World of Snow & Ice: Worshipping Gods Descended from the Heavens It is said that there are as many as eight million gods worshipped in Japan. Since ancient times, many people have believed that these gods inhabit everything, from earthly nature to the spirit world, with each one having a speciďŹ c role. Even in the 21st century, some say these gods continue to live on in the Tohoku region.

Namahage Culture: Living with the Times In an agriculture society where people's daily lives depend on the weather, people have worshipped the gods at festivals to pray for crop prosperity, to ward off evil and to bring good fortune. What was once a ceremony solely to worship gods, however, has transformed into a traditional folklore event in modern times. The culture of Namahage, frightening the people of Oga city in Akita Prefecture, is a perfect example.

Namahage culture is a tradition unique to Oga, Akita Prefecture

What is Namahage?

Namahage (なまはげ) is a folk event unique to the Oga Peninsula in Oga city, Akita Ken. The word derives from combining the Japanese word for erythema (namomi) caused by idling next to a fire for a long period in order to avoid the winter cold, and the word for tearing off (hagu) the reddish lumps that can build on the skin as a result. The demons looking gods who warn those slacking off from work and their studies became known as Namahage.

There are various theories as to the origin of these fearsome demons. one legend goes that a village was afflicted by the evil doings of five demons. To combat the problem, a deal was made: If the demons could build a thousand stone steps leading up to the Akagami Shrine Goshado in a single night, they would offer a girl in return but, if the demons failed, they had to leave the village forever. The five demons made it as far as the 999th step but, when they were about to set the last stone, the villagers interfered by imitated the morning crow of a rooster. Thinking it was a voice from heaven, the dissapointed demons ran away from the village, never to return.

Namahage Folk Ritual Every year on December 31, New Year's Eve, locals wrapped in knitted straw known as kede put on fearsome Namahage masks exclusive to their districts and walk around neighborhoods to visit homes. Warning children to work hard, to study and to listen to their parents, the Namahage shout things like, "Are there any crying children?" and "Are there any misbehaving children?".

This frightening act comes from the wish that the children will earn good grades in school, succeed in society and thus be happy in the years to come.

Each homeowner entertains the Namahage with sake and sailfin sandfish (caught off the coast of Akita Prefecture) while praising his spouse and

To entertain a Namahage is to "Namahage Gozen" (meal)

The Namahage Sedo Festival is held annually on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of February

children in order to protect them from the frightful visitor.

Also, on January 3, Saitou-sai(Festival) is held at Manshin Shrine, which boasts a history of about 900 years. In the vicinity of the shrine, a fire is lit and mochi (pounded rice cakes, also known as goma mochi) are roasted; they are offered to the Namahage, descended from the mountaintop as the gods’ messenger, and a prayer is said for the village’s peace and crop prosperity.

Combining the New Year’s Eve Namahage event and Saitou-sai, locals have created Oga's Winter Festival, also known as the Namahage Sedo Matsuri.

Every year, the event is held on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of February, satisfying any tourist's curiosity about Namahage culture. The highlight is when the Namahage ascends the mountain with torch in hand.

The sight of the torch's flame illuminating the dark road against the bright white snow creates a truly mystical scene!

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At the Namahage Sedo Festival, masks featuring each district are on full display Goshado: 30min bus ride from Oga Station ( JR Oga Line) by bus Shinzan Shrine: 50min from Hadachi Station ( JR Oga Line) by bus

The Event’s True Meaning Originally, participants in the Namahage folk ritual would visit most households. However, with the changing times, now there are some families who do not welcome a visit from the Namahage.

Some parents cannot stand to see their children being scolded, and some say that it is a cruel ritual of disciplinary punishment against children. In this way, the tradition of this culture has been challenged repeatedly through the ages.

Noboru Sugawara, a local elder, used to visit households as a Namahage. In his opinion, shouting of the Namahage wards off evil and brings good fortune. People who are unaware of

Taking a photo with a Namahage

Namahage culture sometimes misunderstand the ritual as simply an act of chastising children, Sugawara says, and hence something threatening.

This conveys the importance of understanding the true meaning behind Namahage culture instead of inheriting the tradition blindly, and its value should be handed down to future generations.

Cultural Revitalization through Mask Reproduction Traditional Namahage culture is also under threat

American teacher Scott Camino dressed up as a Namahage on New Year's Eve

Ashizawa’s reproduced mask at the event

due to the disappearance of masks that are unique to each district, as well as the fact that the ritual is no longer held in certain regions. In 2014, Ashizawa District's Youth Association gained attention for its efforts to reproduce its mask for the first time in 30 years. Yasuaki Takeda, a member of the Youth Association to produce masks, reveald that they used old photos in literature material, to confirmed the features of the mask, gather the necessary materials and collaborate in the production, a process that took over two years. They wanted to create an exact replica of the original mask, but soon realized the challenges that came with the color formulation and preparation of the material.

This led the Association to have a change of heart

Ritual to start the festival

regarding an exact replica, and they realized that by using current materials, the mask would truly reflect the current times.

Scott Camio, an American teacher at Funagawa Daiichi Elementary School in Oga, has participated in the New Year's Eve ritual. As a non-Japanese, he said he was strongly moved by how local residents were struggling to preserve Namahage culture and their approach not only to pass it on to next generations, but also to improve it. In this way, the Namahage folk culture does not burn out in an instant like fireworks, but rather is deeply rooted in the lives of the local residents; they continue to explore how to find a balance between traditional culture and modernday life in order for the true meaning of Namahage culture to be handed down to future generations.

At the Namahage Museum, there is a variety of regional masks on display Hours: 8:30am - 5pm (open year-round) Access: 15min from Hadachi Station ( JR Oga Line) by car

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Kamakura Matsuri (Snow Hut Festival): More than Just Igloos!

Kamakura festivals, often held on the day of the first full moon of a new year (around mid-February) to pray for household safety and a bumper grain harvest, are traditional events in the Tohoku region. And there is far more to the Akita Kamakura festivals than their ever-popular igloo-building activities!

Rokugo Kamakura: with a Bamboo Pole Fight!

The Rokugo district in Akita Ken’s Misato town holds a Kamakura Matsuri every February 11 to 15, featuring an array of activities such as writing down one’s wish on coloured paper, making igloos, participating in or watching a “fortune-telling” bamboo pole fight and making a bonfire to burn the wish papers. The Rokugo Kamakura Festival is a combination of a rice harvest ritual that dates back to the Yayoi period (300 BC–300 AD) and an ancient court custom of burning tenpitsu (wish paper) in a bonfire.

The festival’s highlight is on the last day, when locals participate in a bamboo pole fight and burn the tenpitsu. The pole fight can be traced back to the Edo period (1603–1867) and the result of the competition is said to reveal the fortune of the coming year’s harvest. Participants

Wishes written on paper of five different colours are called tenpitsu

divide themselves into team North and team South and, legend has it, if team North wins, the town will be blessed with a good harvest; if team South wins, rice prices will go up due to shortage. As the fight involves an intense bonfire and the aggressive swinging of five-meter-long bamboo poles, it is considered one of the most dangerous and exciting festivals in Japan.

Akita’s Suwa Shrine is located opposite the venue of the bamboo pole fight

After two rounds (the entire fight lasts for three), the audience start to burn tenpitsu on the triangular-shaped, straw bonfire. Tradition has it that bathing in the fire’s smoke brings health and wellbeing. Also, it is said that the higher one’s tenpitsu flies in the flame, the better one’s handwriting gets by the year, resulting in better grades at school.

Misato’s Rokugo District

10 min from Ômagari Station ( JR Akita Shinkansen) by car

Both children and adults write down their wishes

Miniature shrines made of snow can be seen everywhere Burning tenpitsu so that it reaches heaven

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Hiburi Kamakura: Swirling Balls of Fire Akita ken’s Kakunodate is known as Tohoku’s “Little Kyoto” because many samurai residences are well preserved there, giving the town a refined, elegant atmosphere. Every February 13 to 14, the town holds a Lunar New Year celebration called Hiburi Kamakura (The Fire and Snow Festival). The event starts with participants lighting bales of straw on fire in furnances made of snow, and is followed by the burning of both tenpitsu and New Year’s decorations in a bonfire to pray for peace in the new year. The highlight of the festival is when participants grab the ends of the ropes tied to the flaming straw bales and whirl them in circular motions around themselves. This swirling ritual of blazing fireballs, traditionally thought to ward off diseases in the new year, adds a mystical aura to the snow-covered landscape.

Kakunodate

Kakunodate Station ( JR Akita Shinkansen)

Igloos become places of worship during the festival

Kakunodate’s Hiburi Kamakura is famous for participants swirling fireballs in wide circles

Yokote Snow Festivals: Kamakura Matsuri & Bonden Matsuri In the city of Yokote in Akita Ken, two traditional snow festival events are held annually on the first full moon of the year.

Calm Snow Festival – ‘Kamakura’ The Yokote Kamakura Matsuri, held every February, has a history of 450 years, and features many igloos at various locations across the city and a burning ritual.

Traditionally, in the area between the Yokote River and Yokote Castle (once a samurai residence), locals would worship the God of Kamakura by offering sake and homemade pounded rice cakes. They also burned New Year’s decorations and ropes in igloos to pray for children’s wellbeing. On the other side of the Yokote River, where commoners used to live, igloos were traditionally set up to honour the water gods next to the communal well, which supported the lives of the locals. Today, this tradition carries on as residents set up altars to worship the gods, while children often stay in the igloos enjoying grilled rice cakes and amazake, a traditional, sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from fermented rice.

Yokote 20 min from Ômagari Station ( JR Akita Shinkansen Station) to Yokote Station by local train JR Ôu Line

Active Snow Festival – ‘Bonden’ Bonden, a tool representing the descent of a divine spirit, are used in Shinto Men carrying a bonden to Asahiokayama Shrine

rituals. In the past, bonden were wooden sticks with many zigzag-shaped paper streamers tied to them. Today, bonden have evolved into 4.3-metre-high wooden

Kento-Sai (Votive Lantern Festival) K an to -S ai , als o k n o w n as t h e C an dl e Festival, in Nigata’s Sanjo city (famous for its cutlery production) has been held since the Edo period to pray for prosperous business and the safe travels for business owners. Visit the Sanjo Hachiman Shrine on January 14 and 15 to see gigantic candles

poles with round bamboo baskets measuring 90 centimetres in diameter. They are accessorized with colourful strains of cloth, zigzag paper streamers and various other decorations. Modern bonden sometimes weigh more than 30 kilos, depending on the amount of creativity that goes into the making. During the festival season, bonden are displayed around residential areas as a prayer for safety before being carried by a group of men to Asahiokayama Shrine on February 17.

Asahiokayama Shrine 15 min from Yokote Station ( JR Ôu Line) to Ôsawa stop by bus

weighing 30 to 50 kilos, with a diameter of

Yuzawa Inukko Matsuri (Dog Festival)

50 centimetres and a height of one metre!

On the second Saturday and Sunday of February, people make snow

Sanjo Tsubamesanjô Station (JR Jôetsu Shinkansen)

sculptures of dogs in Akita’s Yuzawa area to thank the canines for their loyalty. The festival, with a history of 400 years, also features altars made of snow, where participants offer rice cakes in the shape of dogs.

Yuzawa 40 min from Ômagari Station (JR Akita Shinkansen) to Yuzawa Station by local train (JR Ôu Line )

Enormous candles are set up to pray for business prosperity

Cute dog sculptures at the festival venue Staff wearing traditional outfits featuring an Akitaken (dog breed)

Myriad Winter Festivals in Tohoku!

Tohoku is covered in a thick blanket of white during winter, silently waiting for spring to rouse it from slumber.

Despite the frosty landscape, though, many traditional festivals take place at this time of year in northern Japan. Learn more about local living and Japanese culture by reading all about these fascinating celebrations!

Hachinohe Enburi : Dance Parade for Good Harvest Aomori’s Hachinohe shi holds an enburi festival every year from February 17 to 20 to celebrate the arrival of spring. The Hachinohe Enburi, with a history of 800 years, is said to have been invented by a farmer named Fujikuro. As the story goes, he promoted the substitution of singing and dancing for excessive drinking and quarrels during the New Year’s holiday.

An enburi parade, led by a dancer representing Fujikuro, features people playing cymbals, drums and flutes and performing dances representing scenes of farm work such as planting, sowing and praying for a good harvest. There is another type of enburi dance, too, which is more bold and lively: Dancers knock the ground with wooden sticks in an effort to wake the Rice God from hibernation.

Hachinohe

Hachinohe Station ( JR Tôhoku Shinkansen)

Hachinohe Enburi takes place February 17 to 20 in different corners of the city

Day: The highlight of the event is the procession of dancers who just paid respects at Chojasanshinra Shrine

Night: Oniwa Enburi takes place in a garden at night. Originally, it was performed only for powerful landlords and wealthy businesses owners.

Somin-sai : the Spirited Battle of Half-Naked Men The Kokuseki Temple in Iwate’s Oshu city holds the Somin-sai every February. With a history of more than 1,200 years, the festival features enthusiastic men wearing only fundoshi (thin loincloths).

With torches in hand, the group starts from the temple at midnight and treks to the Ruritsubo River for cleansing, shouting “Jasso! Joyasa!” along the way. A bonfire shaped like a pound key is set up in front of the main hall of the temple. Participants can climb the 150-centimetre tall bonfire tower and bathe in the fire’s smoke, which some believe removes bad luck. Enduring harsh winds and ice-cold temperature, the men perform several other rituals to pray for health and a bountiful harvest. The long event ends with a competition for a “somin bag” (hemp sack), which is full of amulets and thought to be sacred. The person who seizes the bag is believed to receive good luck and happiness, and the competition lasts until early in the morning!

Kokuseki-ji Temple 10

20 min from Mizusawaesashi Station ( JR Tôhoku Shinkansen) by car

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Participants climb the bonfire tower to bathe themselves in smoke to remove bad luck

Kishu Kasedori : Not Your Ordinary Bird On February 11, the annual Kishu Kasedori is celebrated in Kaminoyama (Yamagata ken). This unique and mysterious New Year’s ritual features people strolling through the streets dressed in kendai (plaited clothes made from rice straw, worn over the head and body like a giant conical hat). The costumes are shaped like cones so they grab the curious attention of crowds immediately. Wrapped in the enthusiastic atmosphere of this water-splashing event, the Kishu Kasedori Festival captivates everyone in this freezing area. It is said that Kasedori is the incarnation of the deity of abundant harvest and household safety.

This festival has its roots in the beginning of the Edo period when local residents invited the deity down from the mountains to offer prayers for the new year.

Participants acting as Kasedori dance in circles and raise their voices singing "ga-ga!" as they visit local shops and pray for prosperous business and fire protection. While doing so, they are splashed with water from the audience. In addition, locals tie towels around the conical hats and pray for one year of family peace and thriving business.

People think of Kasedori as a bringer of good fortune. In fact, some say that women’s hair will become beautifully black after tying it with a rice straw fallen from the costume of the deity!

Kaminoyama

Kaminoyama Onsen Station ( JR Tohoku Shinkansen)

Kasedori dance around a bonfire while singing

Sendai Pageant of Starlight

Kishu Kasedori is a traditional festival in Kaminoyama, Yamagata Prefecture

Don’t miss the chance to take a photo of yourself with the Kasedori!

Splash the Kasedori with water and wish for family peace and prosperous business!

Ever y December, the beech trees on

Hirosaki Castle Yuki-Doro Festival (Snow Lantern Festival)

Aizu Erousoku (Painted Candle Festival)

both sides of Aoba Street in Sendai

The Snow Lantern Festival, held in early

Painting candles, a traditional craft in

are decorated with more than 100,000

February at Hirosaki Castle, is one of the

Fukushima’s Aizu area, boasts a history of

LED lights, giving the city a soft, warm

f ive big gest snow festivals in Tohoku,

over 500 years. This festival is held in early

glow at night. Sendai’s most popular

featuring 300 snow lanterns handcrafted

February each year in Aizuwakamatsu

winter festival, it is an absolute treat

by locals, large snow structures based on

shi’s Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden.

for the eyes!

historical architecture and gigantic slides.

A total of 10,000 painted candles decorate

Sendai Sendai Station ( JR Tôhoku Shinkansen)

Dim candlelight glowing in miniature igloos

the venue and different corners of the city.

adds a tinge of winter romance to the

Seeing them burning in the wind is like

peaceful atmosphere.

watching fireflies dance flittingly through

Hirosaki 30 min from Shin-Aomori Station ( JR Ôu Line) to JR Hirosaki Station by TsugaraLimitedExpress

Sendai’s winter illumination always attrac ts throngs of tourists

the winter evening.

Aizuwakamatsu 65 min from Kôriyama Station ( JR Touhoku Shinkansen)to Aizawakamatsu Station by Train ( JR Ban-etsuWest Line)

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A plethora of winter activities for all!

Enter the snow kingdom of Tohoku Covered in the thick snowfall of Tohoku, the vast expanse of white stretching as far as the eye can see is a familiar sight to anyone who has experienced the harsh winters of northern Honshu. Many travellers looking to experience the gorgeous sights in store for them make their way to this region every year to enjoy the fluffy white snow and winter activities. Step into the snow kingdom of Tohoku and discover its charms for yourself!

Enjoy the sights of nature in powder snow paradise Appi Kogen Located in Iwate Prefecture, Appi Kogen is definitely high in the running – if not the best – when it comes to skiing. Wide slopes make it perfect for beginners, and with 21 courses available, intermediate and advanced skiiers will certainly find something suitable for their level. Famous for its extremely fine and light snow, Appi Kogen has earned its nickname “The 40 degree latitude powder paradise”.

But there’s more to the area than just skiing. Visitors can also strap on a pair of snowshoes and trek through guided courses through forests right next to Appi Grand Hotel. Wandering through the wilderness here is an exhilarating experience. At times, snowfall is so deep that it can even reach up to your knees. As you pass through the snow-covered paths while admiring the gorgeous white birch trees, try figuring out which animal the tracks belong to. Your trekking guide will also lead you to roll through the thick snow, get covered in

Driving Snow buggy

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falling snow from tree branches, and even slide down snow slides. Much like an outdoor classroom, you will get to learn all sorts of things about Mother Nature and even discover things you have never noticed before.

Aside from trekking through the forest in your snowshoes, you can even sign up for a session of star gazing. Get on a snowbike and you will be led to a specific location where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the stars at night―a thoroughly romantic experience not to be missed! If it gets too cold out, you can even warm yourselves up with a delectable cheese hot pot inside the snow huts stationed in the vicinity. Enough of observing the skies? Feel free to hop on a snowbike and go on a ride to see more of the area. While the skiing is still the number one draw, the place also provides all sorts of wintertime entertainment.

Winter activities in Appi: http://www.appi-japan.com/winter/ Hotel Appi Grand: http://www.appi-japan.com/resort-info/ hotel-appi-grand.html

Try Snow rafting

Fun snowshoe hike!

Cheese fondue in Kamakura

A session of star gazing

Urabandai , Fuku shima: Another great destination for winter fun!

Similar to the Appi Kogen region in winter, the Urabandai area is a wonderland of powder snow, where one can enjoy a myriad of winter activities besides skiing and snowboarding. After a major volcanic eruption of Mt.

Snowmobiling

“Yellow Fall”

Fried Wakasagi

Wakasagi Fishing

Bandai in the past, a beautiful crater lake formed ― Lake Hibara. Experience snowmobiling on the frozen lake, or wakasagi smelt ice fishing! Put on your snow shoes and trek through other surrounding attractions including the Goshikinuma trail, or maple-beech forests where you can admire giant beech trees that are over 300 years old. The frozen waterfall “Yellow Fall”, is also a "Blue Fall"

popular spot nearby.

Urabandai Tourism Official Website: http://www.urabandai-inf.com/?page_id=25649

Three Famous Snow Monsters

Don’t fret! Japan doesn’t have any abominable snowmen; just beautiful, amazing frost covered trees known colloquially as “snow monsters” scattered throughout the Tohoku region.

Aomari “Mt. Hakkoda” Aomori-shi

Yamagata “Zao” Yamagata-Shi

A s k ii e r ’s p a ra di s e , M t .

Hakko da in Aomori is a great getaway for those looking to experience some of the best slopes that Japan has. Riding down the hills with gorgeous snow monsters lining the way is something any winter sports enthusiast will surely treasure. Mt. Hakkoda is easily accessible by ropeway.

The snow monsters in Zao, Yamagata feature beautiful illumination, amplif ying t h e ir lu min e s ce n ce a n d s p l e n d o r, s hinin g s il ve r during the day and full of other colors gleaming in the darkness at night. You can take the ropeway and the gondola to reach the top of the mountain from Zao Onsen.

60-min ride from JR Aomori Station or JR

45-min bus ride from JR Yamagata Station to

Shin-Aomori Station Bus Stop to Hakkoda

Zao Onsen

Akita “Mt. Moriyoshi” Kitaakita-shi Just a quick walk from the top of the Ani gondola, Mt. Moriyoshi in Akita boasts a plethora of breathtaking Maries’ firs, glistening with frost as beautiful snow monsters. Come lose yourself in this amazing winter wonderland.

Mt. Hakkoda

100-min ride from Kakunodate Station until Mt. Moriyoshi Ani Ski Resort

Ropeway Base Station

Zao

Mt. Moriyoshi

The Kamakura culture of Akita-ken An important traditional aspect of the region, Kamakura in the Tohoku refer to snow huts, differing in sizes and construction. Akita Prefecture alone is home to three different types of festivals that celebrate the culture of these little snow domiciles. In Northern Tohoku, the Rokugo Kamakura Festival where bamboo pole fights are held, is known as one of Japan’s more dangerous “bizarre festivals.” Located inland in the Northern Tohoku lies Kakunodate town.

Considered to be one of Japan’s “little Kyoto”, you can observe the Hiburi Kamakura Festival with participants all riled up, swinging fireballs made from straw in gigantic rings around themselves.

This act is a symbol of prayer for good health.

Kakunodate’s Hiburi kamakura

The kinds of Kamakura that most people are familiar with can be seen in Yokote City, which is also home to a Kamakura festival that has been practiced for over 450 years. During ancient times, the people of the region would build their snow huts close to wells, making offerings to water deities. Children in the past also used to play near these areas. Presently, these Kamakuras are home to shrines. Visitors are allowed to make supplications there, and children can go into the snow huts to drink delicious amazake ( 甘酒 , a sweet non-alcoholic rice drink) and

eat yakimochi ( 焼

, roasted sticky rice cakes). After seeing how much the lives of the locals are

built around the Kamakura, one can’t help but acknowledge its divine presence and respect the Japanese people’s appreciation for the surrounding nature.

Akita Tourism Official Website: http://www.akitafan.com/en

Yokote Kamakura Matsuri

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MCI(P) 007/08/2018

une éternelle histoire d'amour

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Sydney

秋田 犬の 故郷を訪れ 隠 れた 魅 力 を 発 見 し よう

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La Mer du Japon et les poupées Hina À LA DÉCOUVERTE DE Shikoku, L’ÎLE BENJAMINE

2017.05 launched HOMELAND OF THE

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Destacado

Entrevista con Mio Otashiro de la Embajada del Japón en México El gobierno de Japón entrega reconocimiento al Luchador Mexicano Mil Máscaras All Nippon Airways (ANA) comienza su vuelo diario México-Tokio

SNIFFING OUT THE HIDDEN SPOTS

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ENJOY YOUR SPRING FEELING

Ingredientes y Platillos de Temporada Pioneros de la Cocina Japonesa en México: Chef Takeji Murakami

Cultura y Viajes

Reseña de libros de Autores Japoneses Primavera en Japón: árboles SAKURA en flor Calendario de Eventos Futuros

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2018 Summer Issue พฤษภาคม - กรกฎาคม Vol.6 Issue 20

PP18029/03/2013 (033318)

Summer 2018 VOL.16

ISSUE

ISSN 2539-620X

27

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May 2019

THE JAPAN BEYOND

Hiroshima:

Explore Shimane, Okayama and Hyogo

給你前所未有的美味夜生活

TOHOKU

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日本的澡堂文化

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เกียวโตสเปเชียล x Kyoto Special “ยูกาตะ” ความงามที่ไม เคยตกยุค

和牛‧極究美味

อัพเดทงานเทศกาลสุดวิเศษในฤดูร อนที่จะมาถึง!

Incredible Hidden Gem Places

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信州安曇野市

東北

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What is WAttention?

WAttention is a name created by combining “ 和 ” (WA) - meaning all things Japanese - with “attention”, referring to our mission to bring attention to the best of Japan.

“Wa” also bears the connotation of “linking”, which is what WAttention aims to do as a bridge linking Japan and the world.

We are the largest-circulating free magazine to introduce Japan’s unique culture as it is and tourism sights as they are to readers all over the world, in either English or the local language.

2012.10 launched

Check out our website at

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Toyota City

Home to more than just a car company

When you hear the word “Toyota”, you probably don’t think of the w o r d “ c i t y.” A c t u a l l y, t h o u g h , Toyota City about 30 kilometres outside Nagoya, is home to the Toyota Motor Corporation and a thriving hub of technolog y and innovation, one example being the sleek Toyota Stadium, which will host four matches of the upcoming Rugby World Cup (September 2 0 ~ N ove mb e r 2) . D e s i g n e d by world-renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa, it of fers perfect unobstructed views making it one of the best venues for the event.

For tournament spectators, Toyota is the best place to experience both Japan’s modern and traditional sides. Toyota Stadium is near the city centre and the ever-popular Toyota Kaikan Museum, but also near Asuke, one of Japan’s most historic towns, famous for autumn scener y at Korankei Gorge, and Sanshu A suke Yashiki, a village well-known for traditional crafts.

Also nearby is Obara, celebrated for papermaking, and the only place in Japan where cherry blossoms and autumn foliage appear side by side, a phenomenon known as “shikizakura” (four-season cherry blossoms).

Toyota is the perfect place for your Rugby World Cup experience – technology and tradition!

Korankei Gorge

Asuke

Considered one of Japan’s best places to view autumn foliage, the Korankei Gorge winds around Mt. Iimoriyama alongside the Tomoe River.

A treasure trove of traditional houses and stunning scenery, Asuke will hold its annual Asuke Festival during the Rugby World Cup. Festival date: October 13 (Sun), 2019

Osaka

Tokyo

Nagoya

Nagoya Station

Toyota City

CHUBU Centrair International Airport

Obara Fureai Park

Toyota Kaikan Museum

A must-see for any visitor to Toyota, Obara Fureai Park is the ideal spot to view cherry blossoms mixed in amongst autumn foliage.

Futuristic and family-friendly, the Toyota Kaikan Museum features interactive exhibitions on Toyot a ’s ef for t s to create eco -friendl y and s a f e ve h i c l e s , w i t h i n s i g h t i n t o t h e a c t u a l manufacturing process.

Toyota City Official Travel Site www.tourismtoyota.jp/en/ WAttention Los Angeles |

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