Greetings from the Tokai region and Japanfs Heartland. In this monthfs issue we will highlight events occurring in May 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 gHeart of Japanh.

Spring rains have come and brought with them a wide variety of iris, lilies and hydrangea. Like in most seasons throughout Japan, many beautiful flowers and plants are in bloom. Many festivals celebrate the flowers of the season and with such a wide variety to enjoy, I am sure you wonft be disappointed!


Before long, the rainy season, tsuyu, will start. Tsuyu literally means plum rain as it is thanks to the strong rains that the beloved Japanese plums start to become plump. Unlike spring rain, tsuyu is much harder and often thunder and lightening accompanies rainstorms. Be careful if you are caught out in a rainstorm as you will become soaked! If you are in the area, an umbrella and extra change of shoes are very useful.


The humidity that comes with the rainy season is literally so thick one can almost cut through it with a knife! Natural, light fabrics like linen and cotton are much more comfortable than synthetic fabrics in this climate.

Muryojyuji, Chiryu City, Aichi Pref.
Kamo Iris Park, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Pref.

Weather: Temperatures hover around 20 C and days are a bit humid with rain fronts lingering for a few days at a time. Once a front has passed by, warmer sunny days bless the region.


Seasonal fresh foods: Melons, loquats, grapes, strawberries, avocado, shitake mushrooms, tomatoes and bamboo shoots.

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The rain that comes in May brings with it lovely iris, lilies and hydrangeas. As always, a wide variety of festivals celebrate the beautiful flowers of the season and can be found throughout the Tokai region. Here just a few well-known spots are highlighted, so if you have a chance be sure to come and check them out for yourself!

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Gamagori City Events: The Erika Cup, May 25 & 26 (Sat. & Sun.) Opening of Laguna Gamagori restort May 16 (Thurs.) (Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture)


The Erika Cup Yacht Race is Japan's biggest yacht race, which celebrates the successful 1986 circumnavigation of the world by the yacht, Erika. Participation in the race has increased year by year and now about 200 yachts take part in the race held annually in May.


Laguna Gamagori resort opened on May 16th at the eastern end of Gamagori. Stretching along the seaside visitors can enjoy restaurants, an outlet mall, marina, museum, a 65m high Ferris wheel offering a wonderful view of the bay, villas and resorts and wide variety of events and performances all for your enjoyment.

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Ochai-shuku Stage Town, Nakasen-do Road (Nakatsukawa City, Gifu Prefecture)


This year marks the 400 anniversary of the Nakasen-do Road and stage town system created by Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1602. To celebrate this event, Gifu Prefecture is hosting the gHime-kaido (Princess Road) 400 Year Anniversaryh.


One of five former travel roads, also known as the Hime-kaido, Nakasen-do was used by Imperial princesses and their ladies in waiting on their way from the ancient and former capital of Kyoto to Tokyo. In cases in which Imperial princesses were to be married to a shogun, this road was also often utilized. Additionally, many daimyo (lords) would often use this road during their travels back and forth between Tokyo and their fiefs, also known as the galternate attendanceh system. The stage towns retain some of their old day splendor along old streets with brick roads and latticed windows and doors. Come slip back in time!




Nemu-no-sato (Hamashima Town, Mie Prefecture)


This large nature resort, Nemu-no-sato, boasts an area of 3 million square meters! From late May to June the grounds of the gAquatic Plantsh section (Suisei Shokubutsu no sawa) are awash with the beauty of over 120 varieties of reportedly 10,000 iris in bloom! Truly a sight not to be missed, take the Kintetsu line to Ugata-Station and transfer to Mie Kotsu Buses bound for Nemu-no-sato.

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Hamamatsu Festival Pavillion (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture)

In this museum, visitors can experience "Hamamatsu Festival". Held annually from May 3 to 5th, this traditional festival has a history stretching back 400 years! A big kite (3.6m square) and fancy festival stands used in the festival are on display. Demonstrations on kite-flying and kite-making activities are also fun attractions.

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Arimatsu Shibori Festival (Arimatsu, Nagoya City) June 1 & 2 iSat. & Sun.)

The Arimatsu dyeing technique was introduced to this region around 400 years ago and developed under the strong protection of the Owari Tokugawa Clan. The traditional dyeing and knot-tying techniques are continued to this day, as such many beautiful items are still being produced.
Twice a year, in June and October, the town of Arimatsu celebrates by holding festivals in which large floats decorated with karakuri dolls are displayed or pushed around the city. In June, visitors can enjoy taking in exhibits of the large floats and in October floats (each weighing a few tons) are pushed around the small town and karakuri doll performances are held. Come enjoy the fun!



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!

Aichi http://mpn.cjn.or.jp/a-kanko/english/culture/index.html
Gifu http://www.kankou-gifu.or.jp/en/index.htm
Mie http://www.kankomie.or.jp/kanko/discover/index.html
Shizuoka http://kankou.pref.shizuoka.jp/english/FESTIVAL/FESTIVAL.html
Nagoya http://www.ncvb.or.jp/e_html/index_e.htm

This month's special feature: A Taste of Nagoya


An afternoon out in Nagoya City is guaranteed to be enjoyable. When in town why not enjoy a traditional Nagoya meal? Nagoya City is well known for its rich miso flavoring - red miso (fermented bean paste) is utilized in many dishes with noodles, pork and as a topping. Long, flat noodles called "kishimen", shrimp and chicken are also well-known and popular Nagoya dishes. Come, enjoy the flavors of Nagoya!

Traditional Nagoya dishes
Many Nagoya dishes include red miso, a rather strong, salty fermented soy bean paste used in miso soup and to flavor various dishes. Chicken, shrimp and eel are also popular favorites. The local treat is Uiro, a lightly flavored dessert.

Miso Nikomi Udon
A favorite in Nagoya (particularly in winter), this dish consists of thick, handmade noodles cooked in a rich miso (bean paste) soup with vegetables, kamaboko (pounded fish) and sometimes a raw egg on top.

Hitsumabushi
Broiled eel basted in a special sauce is cut up and put on top of rice to create this healthy meal that rejuvenates the body particularly in summer. Served with vegetables, rice, miso soup and pickles.
Misokatsu
Another popular dish in Nagoya, especially with young men, pork cutlets are basted in miso (bean paste) and then fried. Served with vegetables, rice, miso soup and pickles.


Kishimen
These flat noodles are a well known Nagoya delicacy. Cooked so that they stay a bit chewy, kishimen noodles are served in a soup flavored with bonito stock. Definitely a fulfilling meal!

Uiro
Well known throughout the country, this traditional confectionery, uiro, is made from rice flour and sugar and then steamed and cut into long cake blocks. Chewy yet light in flavor, uiro comes in a variety of flavors, green tea and yuzu (citrus) are quite popular.
Tenmusu
These small, bite-sized rice balls containing shrimp tempura are a surprisingly filling snack or healthy part of a meal.

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For more information on Nagoya City, please check out their site at:
http://www.ncvb.or.jp/index_e.html
Or our section on Nagoya City at: http://www.j-heartland.com

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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