Greetings from the Tokai region and Japan’s Heartland. In this month’s issue we will highlight events occurring in early August 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”.

Hot, summer days have descended upon the Tokai region. The rainy season is undeniably over and temperatures easily hit 34 - 36 C (92 - 98 F) and above during the day. To cope with the heat, people tend to stay indoors in air-conditioned homes, offices and stores. For those who dare to venture out, handkerchiefs and fans alike are indispensable. Even a brief walk outside leaves one a hot sweaty mess, not to mention parched. Visitors may also notice that people tend to move slower because it simply takes too much out of one to hurry.

Yet this is also the season in which the country comes alive at night. Almost every weekend local festivals are held in small towns and large cities throughout the region. Festivals and fireworks displays are held on former castle grounds, parks, city arcades and along rivers. People dress up in cotton kimono (yukata), wooden clogs (geta) and carry fans (uchiwa) while wandering around small shops offering hot dogs on sticks, corn, cotton candy and a wide variety of games. Come, enjoy the excitement of Japan’s festivals!

Weather: Boiling hot! Daytime temperatures hover between 34 C and above with high humidity. Typhoons and thunder storms are common, further causing unstable weather. Be sure to bring lightweight, breathable natural fabrics, sun lotion, sunglasses, a hat, bottle of water and wear comfortable shoes preferably sandals.

Seasonal fresh foods: Watermelon, various varieties of melon, figs, mango, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, corn, soybeans (in the pod), eel, squid, a wide variety of fish and seafood.

Oiden Matsuri (Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture) The last weekend in July

Known throughout the country for its unusual summer dance festival, Toyota’s annual Oiden Festival boasts around 10,000 people dancing in the streets to rock music rather than the traditional summer music. The dance party is on the first and second day of the festival with an incredible fireworks display wrapping up the festivals on the third and final day. The streets of Toyota are closed off to traffic and festival goers wind their way through fun shops and take in some of the many events held during the three day event. Held in the central shopping district of Toyota City, just off of Meitetsu Toyota Line, Toyota Station.

Gero Hot Springs & Gero Festival (Gero, Gifu Prefecture) August 1-3

The history of Gero's hot springs go back 1,000 years and the quality of its waters make it one of three top Japanese hot spring towns. There are a wide variety of hotels and inns with their own respective, individual hot springs throughout the town. On August 1- 3 the town will hold a festival celebrating the summer season. Events are held on all three days, so there is something for everyone!

Fire Festival (Matsuo-cho & Kawachi-cho, Toba City, Mie Prefecture) August 15

This annual celebration, the Fire festival, designated as an intangible cultural asset, is held in Matsuo-cho and Kawachi-cho towns during the Obon festival. Young men liven up the town with dancing, chanting of Buddhist sutra, beating drums and gongs during the festival. The “Drum Beating” and “Torch Throwing” are two events that bring the festival to a climax. Guaranteed to be a sizzling hot event for all ages!

Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks (Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture)

According to old records, a mission from the United Kingdom visiting in 1613 set off the first fireworks in Japan for Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa at Sumpu Castle in Shizuoka Prefecture. Since then, fireworks have become a summer tradition throughout the country. Fukuroi City holds spectacular firework displays every year in July, so come forget the heat for awhile and be dazzled by this exciting event!

Attractions around the Port of Nagoya (Nagoya Port, Nagoya City)

The Nagoya Port Garden Pier is a popular sightseeing spot, offering an aquarium, a maritime museum, a wide variety of shops and restaurants among other attractions. Visitors can also enjoy a short cruise inside the port which is located in the upper northern section of Ise Bay.

This month’s special feature: Summer sightseeing spots in Gifu Prefecture

Gifu Prefecture is located in the middle of Japan and thus has no coastline. Thanks to an abundance of nature, including the Kiso, Nagara and Ibi Rivers and rolling mountains, Gifu is blessed with beautiful scenery ranging from 0 to 3000 meters above sea level. There are also many historical sites, hot-spring resorts and ski slopes that attract visitors all year round. Here we highlight a few historical spots where you can wander around and enjoy yourself.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Cultural Asset, Shirakawa-go Gassho Village

Designated as a World Heritage Cultural Asset by UNESCO in 1995. This unique village, nestled away in a quiet mountain valley, maintains traditional thatched roof country homes.
Developed to survive the harsh winters, these steeple-shaped houses withstand the weight of snow throughout the winter months and serve to keep the homes warm in winter and cool in the hot summer time. To re-roof these homes it takes the cooperation of over 400 people working together and is carried out all in one day!
Before winter sets in, Shirakawa Village hosts the Doburoku Festival every year in October. Shrines in the village offer visitors a chance to taste the local Doburoku sake.
Whether in summer or winter, spring or fall, the beauty of Gifu and the Gassho homes is an experience not to be missed! Come, slip back in time and enjoy the comfortable summer days in memorable Shirakawa village!

For more information on Gifu Prefecture, please check out their site at: http://www.kankou-gifu.or.jp/en/pages/nonbiri/top.htm

Or our section on Gifu Prefecture at: http://www.j-heartland.com

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Newsletters are translated, composed and designed 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 & Mashi-ushi-do. Copyright held by respective parties.)
Copyright (C) 2002 Tokai Association for Tourism Promotion (TATOP). All rights reserved.