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Greetings from the Tokai region and Japan's Heartland, I hope you enjoyed our first issue last month. Continuing on in this issue we will highlight events occurring in August and September in the Tokai region - Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Shizuoka Prefectures and Nagoya City. We hope that you will enjoy learning about fascinating historical and cultural aspects that are still part of everyday life in the Heart of Japan. |
| Mid to late summer in the Tokai region brings with it sudden evening thunderstorms and strong rain showers called raiu, as well as typhoons. So, even with Autumn Equinox not far off, we are still in the midst of hot, humid weather. With temperatures peaking around 40 C (104 F plus humidity it can feel like 110 F or more!) during the day, you can be sure air conditioners are hard at work even if we humans can't quite keep up with them! As always, people here love to venture out when a seasonal flower is in bloom or to savor shun, food of the season. Fruits and vegetables only available during the summer months are full of important vitamins and minerals - Japanese pears and grapes are just a couple of examples of mouthwatering fruit in season to be enjoyed. |
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Nyuukawamura Hohnokidaira Ski Area, Nyuukawa, Gifu |
| For those desiring to escape the city heat, trips to the country offer welcome relief. Family camping trips to mountainous areas are a common destination. And as the higher regions are cooler, one can find hints of autumn days to come. For flowers lovers, fields of bright Cosmos, which grow to heights of 1.5 meters (around 5 feet), are a sight for sore eyes. Cosmos can be enjoyed in various areas around the region. In particular, Hohnoki-Daira Ski Area in Nyuukawa Village is well known for its lovely Cosmos covered fields, literally a sea of rolling hills in pink and white! For those in the area from early September to early October, come check out the breathtaking beauty of nature! |
| The later part of the summer in Japan and the Tokai region continue to bring hot days and nights. During this time of year there are many sightseeing spots, events and festivals held around the area that help one to forget the heat. Here just a few are highlighted, if you have a chance come and check them out for yourself! |
September & October
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Pottery Festival: Setomono Festival, Seto
City (Aichi) September 8 & 9 (Sat. & Sun.) Started in 1932, the festival commemorates Tamikichi Kato, the founder of pottery in the area. It is held on the second Saturday and Sunday in September each year. The highlight of the festival is the discounted ceramic market made up of about 250 stores, all lined up along the Seto River. |
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Pottery Festival: Tajimi Chawan Matsuri,
Tajimi City (Gifu) October 7 & 8th (Sat. & Sun.) Thousands of people come from all over Japan to check out the fine quality of pottery available. Come enjoy pottery representative of the Gifu region and be prepared to wade your way through thick crowds! |
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Nature: View of Ago Bay (Mie) This area is well-known for its beautiful view and rugged coastline where one can see pearl cultivation rafts floating on the sea. You will be hard put to decide which is the real pearl of the region - the pearls or the surrounding countryside! Come see for yourself and enjoy delicious seafood while you are at it! |
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Historical Shrine: Kunozan Toushogu (Shizuoka)
A shrine dedicated to the powerful Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. The main sanctuary is beautifully decorated with Japanese lacquer and offers a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Various items having once belonged to Ieyasu are displayed in an annexed museum. To get there: Either take a ropeway via Nihon-daira or take a bus from JR Shizuoka Sta. (35 min. ride) bound for Kunozan Toushogu, get off and then climb (steep) stairs leading up to the shrine (about 20 min.) . |
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Nagoya Castle: Celebrate Autumn with the
Chrysanthemum Festival (Nagoya City) Running for about one month from October 6th. Beloved throughout Japanese history, thousands of chrysanthemum are used to decorate man-sized dolls. This year the theme of the Chrysanthemum Festival is "Tokimune and Kubirai Khan". An additional special display exhibits samurai armor and other items they wore in battle and the concepts behind them. Nagoya Castle puts on various events throughout the year celebrating the seasons, come and check them out! |
| These are just a few of the many events and festivals in the Tokai region. To learn about more festivals held throughout the year check out our Events & Festivals page at http://www.j-heartland.com or click on any of the following links! |
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This month's special feature: A day in Shizuoka |
| Ruins of Sumpu Castle, Shizuoka city
Built between 1585-86 by the powerful shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Sumpu Castle served as Ieyasu's final residence for the last years of his life. Originally consisting of a donjon (castle tower) 7 stories high, the tower burnt down in a fire in 1635. Parts of the castle were reconstructed in 1638 however the main donjon was not. Then in 1871 the castle manor and major buildings were dismantled leaving only the stone walls and the moat, which were in turn opened to the public as a park. To celebrate its 100 year anniversary, various structures were rebuilt in 1989 to give visitors a better idea of the structure where Ieyasu enjoyed his retirement.
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Toro Ruins, Shizuoka city, Shizuoka Discovered in 1943, the Toro Ruins date back to the Yayoi era, around
2,000 years ago, when the Yayoi people formed societies based on wet-paddy
agriculture. Making the transformation from a hunting-gathering society,
advances in tools and agricultural methods also were achieved. |
For more information on Shizuoka Prefecture, please view their homepage at: http://kankou.pref.shizuoka.jp/english/ |
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| Before you plan a trip to Japan & the Tokai region, why not check out some pre-planned tours? You can find more information in our Recommended Routes section. |
| For more information on getting around Japan & the Tokai region as you plan your trip, access valuable information on discounted rail passes found in our Railway Passes section. |
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Back issues: August 2001
http://www.j-heartland.com/newsletter/20010727.html Compiled by Christine Sakamoto (Clip art utilized for non-commercial purposes from: Komon-ya.net, Clip Arts of ancient Japan, Queen's free world & Genei Sozai Koubou. Copyright held by respective parties.)
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