Greetings from the Tokai region and Japan's Heartland. In this month's issue we will highlight events occurring in October 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.

As of September 23rd (Autumn Equinox), we have officially entered into the fall season. In the last few weeks the weather has started to cool off (thankfully!) with daytime temperatures fluctuating around 28 to 31 C (82 - 88 F) and the evenings dropping to 20 - 23 C (68 - 73 F) making life easier on everyone. Other hints of fall can be found in shorter daylight hours, the gentle cry of the bell cricket in the evening and cooler, fragrant breezes. For those who toil the earth, it is almost time to harvest the rice fields, wheat, vegetable and fruit crops. Seasonal dishes containing mushrooms, chestnuts and persimmons are just a sample of the autumn delights that can be found in stores and on kitchen tables.

As in many countries, the harvest season in Japan is celebrated by a variety of rituals and festivals. Traditional parades slowly wind their their way through narrow streets and then culminate at the local shrine to give thanks. Shizuoka has taken the traditional festival to a new level by hosting the 9th Regional Traditional Performing Arts All Japan Festival in Shizuoka city in which a wide variety of events take place during a three day spree - October 12, 13, & 14th (Fri., Sat. & Sun.). This event also celebrates the 400 year anniversary of the Tokaido Road, made famous in wood-block prints, which linked old Edo (Tokyo) and the ancient capital of Kyoto.
One particular festival that wraps up the three day event is the Shimada Grand Obi Festival held in Shimada city on October 14th (Sun.). The origins for this festival go back to a time when young brides moving into Shimada city would display their obi(s) for all to see. The obi (a decorative wide sash worn over a kimomo) played an important role as it was one of the most valuable items of a young woman’s dowry. Over time this tradition became what is now the Grand Obi Festival. Come enjoy the beauty and colorful history of Shizuoka!

For more information on the festival and the 400 year anniversary of the Tokaido Road check out Shizuoka Prefecture's homepage:

http://www.pref.shizuoka.jp/kikaku/ki-20/english/index.htm

Miya Festival (Gamagori, Aichi)
October 27 & 28 (Sat. & Sun.)
Taking pride in its long history (over 300 years!), this festival is held in autumn to celebrate and pray for an abundant harvest and the safety of the town fishermen. Local men carry four gorgeously decorated floats around the city until they reach the port when the festival reaches its climax. Wading into the bay the men pull the floats along the seashore for 300 meters. Considering the incredible weight of the floats, a few tons each and which do not float, one can appreciate the man-power needed to "pull" this event off.

Takayama Festival (Takayama, Gifu)
October 9 & 10 (Tues. & Wed.) Locals pull heavy floats, about 7 meters high, around the narrow streets of Takayama during the day and night. Truly a sight to behold whatever the time of day one goes - in the day time the beautiful carvings that decorate the floats shine in their full glory and in the evening paper lanterns swing and glow softly from their perches on the floats. Whatever you do, make sure you have your camera!
Additional event: Autumn Float Festival (Takayama, Gifu) October 20 & 21 (Sat. & Sun.)
A special event will be held on these two days allowing visitors a rare chance to view the Takayama Festival twice! The highlight of this event is the inclusion of two other floats generally not brought out for public viewing.

Sohei Festival (Komono town, Mie)
October 6 & 7 (Sat. & Sun.) In the fiery Sohei (literally meaning “Warrior Monks”) festival, over 100 burning pine torches form a shrine named Ka-en mikoshi (literally meaning burning shrine and weighing over 600 kg), which is carried through the streets of this hot spring town by local men dressed in costumes of warrior monks. Finding its origins in the early days of the Meiji Era (1868-1912) this festival is held in memory of warrior monks who fought to protect the area long ago. For two days the town comes “afire” with the burning shrines and taiko drums - come join in!

Nagoya Festival (Central area, Nagoya city)
October 12, 13 & 14 (Fri., Sat. & Sun.)
Every year in October Nagoya city hosts a parade honoring the three great heroes who originated from Aichi Prefecture and who unified the country. The parade features: the three shoguns Oda Nobunaga (Owari, 1534-82), Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Nagoya city, 1536-98), and Tokugawa Ieyasu (Okazaki, 1542-1616), their followers in battle-wear, elaborate floats, "kagura" (floats dedicated to Shinto deities) and stirring traditional music. Starting from Nagoya Station on the 13th and City Hall (Shiyakusyo Station) on the 14th, the parade winds through the city. Visitors are sure to enjoy the parade and a variety of other events offered during the three day long event.

This month’s special feature: A day in Mie’s Mt. Gozaisho & Yunoyama Onsen
Mie is best known for the Grand Ise Shrine, one of three major shrines of the Shinto religion, the famous high-quality Mikimoto pearls and the beauty of its countryside and rugged coastline.
Mixing ancient history with modern day activities, Mie has something to offer everyone - from historical shrines and national parks to pearls and theme parks - why not come and spend a day or two in Mie?
For more information, check out Mie Prefecture’s homepage at http://www.kankomie.or.jp/kanko/discover/index.html
http://www.pref.mie.jp/ENGLISH/index.htm

Yunoyama Onsen

Well known throughout the country as a hot spring area, Yu-no-yama (literally meaning “hot spring mountain”) is said to have been discovered by a monk after a vision in about 718 A.D.

Also, according to local legend an injured deer nursed its wounds in the healing waters of Yunoyama hot spring. Thus the hot spring is also called Shika-no-yu (literally deer hot springs).

The waters continue to draw those who believe in the healing powers of hot springs. Alkaline based, the water is said to help treat stomach and neurological disorders, scars/wounds and improve the quality of skin. Thus it is popular with all ages!

We are sure that you will find the hot springs a refreshing and welcome getaway. Come relax in Mie’s fine waters and traditional inns!

Mt. Gozaisho & Ropeway

Mt. Gozaisho

The most famous mountain in Mie’s Suzuka Quasi-national park, Gozaisho-dake rises 1,212 meters above sea level and provides a panoramic view of the area. On a clear day Ise Bay can even be seen in the far off distance!

A long ropeway (2161 m) takes visitors on a breathtaking ride through a narrow ravine to the top of the mountain. The fiery red, orange and yellow colors of autumn leaves is truly a sight to behold at this time of year.

Throughout the seasons Gozaisho-dake and its ropeway host many visitors - from mountain climbers to tourists and all those who love to take in the beauty of nature.

At the summit of the mountain a variety of public facilities await you. Aptly named, “Summit Park” offers a restaurant, a chair lift and the Japan Serow (Antelope) Center. The center is unique in that it is the only center in the world to focus on the study and care of antelope from around the globe.

Back issues:

August 2001 http://www.j-heartland.com/newsletter/20010727.html

September 2001 http://www.j-heartland.com/newsletter/20010828.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.)

Copyright (C) 2001 Tokai Association for Tourism Promotion (TATOP). All rights reserved.