Akita Shelters 24,000 Earthquake/ Tsunami Evacuees!

Akita Prefecture will shelter evacuees that are under the following conditions:

1. Evacuees from the disaster-stricken areas designated to be supported under the Gekijin-saigai-hou (Act on Disaster of Extreme Severity).

2. The Fukushima residents evacuating from the designated areas within the 20km radius around the nuclear plants.

CONTACT:
     Akita Cities and Other Areas:    Akita Prefecture Government 018-860-4505
     Semboku City:    Semboku City Government 0187-43-1111 or call us for English.

COST:
You will be provided with A SHELTER W/ 3 MEALS a day for FREE. 
All the cost will be covered by Akita Prefecture, Semboku City, and Tazawako Tourism Association.

Semboku City in Akita Prefecture is one of the cities that shelter the evacuees at facilities including hotels, ryokans, minshuku and other public buildings around town. Tazawako Area is where most of them are located. The hotels include Tazawako Hotel Ischia (on Lake Tazawa), Tsurunoyu Onsen in Nyuto Onsen area, and Onsen Yupopo at Tazawako Art Village.

>読売新聞の記事（A Related article on Yomiuri Shinbun ）
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/akita/news/20110322-OYT8T00120.htm


>秋田県の地震関連情報より(Akita Pref. Official Website)
http://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/icity/browser?ActionCode=content&ContentID=1300334418247&SiteID=0000000000000


秋田県が東北地方太平洋沖地震で被災された方々について、県有施設等、約５７０施設に置いて約２万４千人の受入に着手したと発表しました。

県内各地の旅館ホテルで、食事の提供が可能な民間宿泊施設において優先的に受け入れをし、順次、県有施設や市町村有施設での受け入れが追加されます。

また、今後、長期滞在を希望する被災者についても公営住宅等で受け入れを追加して行きます。被災した子供たち教育の提供が可能となるよう、教育庁とも連携した受け入れに着手していきます。

　【受入対象者】
　　・東北地方太平洋沖地震の被害により避難所生活を余儀なくされた方　
　　・福島原子力発電所の事故により避難指示のあった地域から避難してきた方

田沢湖のある仙北市も被災者受入を開始しました。
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/e-japan/akita/news/20110322-OYT8T00120.html

仙北市では田沢湖観光協会会員の宿泊施設（温泉宿・旅館・ホテル・ペンション・民宿等）において無償で被災者の受け入れを開始しました。

仙北市にある田沢湖地区は全国的にも有名な「乳頭温泉郷」や日本一の深さを誇る「田沢湖」があります。秋田県内有数の国際的な観光地です。受け入れ可能施設の中には「鶴の湯温泉」、田沢湖畔のホテル「田沢湖ホテルイスキア」、田沢湖高原の「駒ケ岳観光ホテル」、角館に近い「たざわこ芸術村　ゆぽぽ」などがあり、地域全体で約２，０００名の受け入れが可能です。


仙北市内の日帰り温泉入浴が被災者の方々は「無料」でご利用頂けます。

一泊３食付きで、被災者のご負担費用は「無料」です。
（ご費用はすべて秋田県、仙北市、田沢湖観光協会から補助金として支払われる事により可能になりました！）


＜お問い合わせ＞

仙北市東北関東大震災支援本部　（電話：０１８７－４３－１１１１）へお願いします。被災者が直接宿泊施設へ問い合わせてご予約された場合は、この条件は適用されない場合がありので、まずは必ず仙北市へお問い合わせを！


受入決定の前に、市担当者が被災者のお名前、身元などを確認し、宿泊施設と調整する必要があります。受入希望の被災者の方は必ず事前に市へお電話ください。

なお、秋田県側の問い合わせ先は、
秋田県被災者受入支援チーム（電話：０１８－８６０－４５０４，４５０５）へお願いします。

Taenoyu and Jindai Curry Group at Happinets Game

Last weekend, the Taenoyu family and Jindai Curry promoters gathered at Akita Northern Happinets' home game in Akita City!

Taenoyu Co., Ltd. （妙の湯）is an official team partner of Akita Northern Happinets, a professional basketball team of Akita Prefecture.

Other partners from Tazawako are Yama-no-Hachimitsuya Bee Skep （山のはちみつ屋ビースケップ）, a honey shop near Lake Tazawa, and Tsurunoyu Onsen （鶴の湯温泉）, a 360 year-old hot spring inn in Nyuto Onsen-kyo Area.

Jindai Curry booth at Akita Northern Happinets Game

Jindai Curry　(神代カレー） is one of the booths opened at the home games. Only 100 servings were available on a day! Try this curry plate, which is available at some restaurants in Semboku City (map).

At Happinets games, Jindai Curry is sold in a lunch box (“Jindai Curry Bento”) for 700 yen. It includes two types of curries, some steamed white rice (Jindai-mai), iburigakko (smoked and pickled radish), and an onsen-tamago (half-boiled egg). Jindai Curry retort packages  are available as well. One package with two servings is only 630 yen! It makes a good souvenir.

Taenoyu Group is best known for Taenoyu Onsen, one of the seven Nyuto Onsen inns. Hotel Ischia, also managed by the same company, hosted the team’s New Year’s party in January. Many people who came this day have met the team in person, been impressed by their dedication and friendliness, and agreed to come support the team at a game.

Ms. Kyoko Sato is the famous o-kami san of Taenoyu Onsen.

Akita Northern Happinets played against Takamatsu Five Arrows this day. The Akita team has the largest average number of audiences in Japan! No wonder why, because they had completely entertained us all!

The excitement had made us jump up and down the whole time— especially towards the end of the game, when the team’s victory was becoming certain. At the height of the excitement, the Taenoyu and Jindai Curry group was also giving the team loudest cheers!

With the exuberant feeling of victory, the group reassured the continuous support of the team! Perhaps the Taenoyu and Jindai Group feel connected to the basketball team, because they share the hope to revitalize and cheer up the Akita’s local community.

Tazawako Hotel Ischia's Standard Room

Tazawako Hotel Ischia has been mentioned more than a few times on this blog. Although it has been mentioned as a good event venue, it is surely a good hotel to stay at. :)

Tazawako Hotel Ischia's Standard Room

Ischia’s standard rooms are twin-bed rooms (two single-beds). From most of the rooms, you can see a view of the lake. The price ranges from 11,500 to 12,600 yen.

There are only a few hotels located on Lake Tazawa that offer natural onsen in the facility; however, with the shuttle bus service of Hotel Ischia, you could visit Taenoyu Onsen, one of the most popular Nyuto Onsen inns. It is a great option for those who are concerned with the difficult accessibility or the high demand of reservation in Nyuto Area.

Hotel Ischia is pet-friendly as well. It is one of the few places where you can have free wire-less internet sevice.

A New Year Party with Northern Happinets at Hotel Ischia

Tazawako Hotel Ischia just hosted a New Year Party with Akita Northern Happinets, a professional basketball team of Akita Prefecture. This event came about because the team was in Tazawako Area  for a training camp at Tazawako Sports Center.

A merchandise booth was placed in the lobby. Our favorite was the figures :)

Players Profile 

The party hosted almost 100 fans from nearby cities—some even travelled more than 2 hours just to catch this rare opportunity to meet the players in person.

Did you know Akita is called “the Japanese Kingdom of Basketball”?

Many Akita people are passionate about basketball! The hotel restaurant welcomed overflowing number of guests, wanting to mingle with and get autographs from the team members. Many children, most of who belong to local basketball teams, were there accompanied by the parents who hope them to get the most inspiring experience!

 

A drawing was held with prizes like T-shirts, badges, and an autographed suitcase!

Upstairs in the IRIS Room, some players had autograph session in more relaxed mood.

And towards the end, a microphone was handed to the players and this is what happened LOL:

Fun time :)

The members were being asked to autograph more than a dozen times, but they remained genuinely friendly. We got an impression that they are greatly appreciative of their fans for the support, as much as the fans are of the team for cheering up and becoming an inspiration to the Akita community.

After a few enjoyable hours as we were told of the end of party,  the team was suddenly gone. The rest of us were left in the restaurant, saying to one another what a great team Northern Happinets are and agreed that we have to support them even more... and as we were leaving, we found out there was another nice thing waiting for us:

 

 

They were lining up in the hallway too see us off! So heartwarming until the very end!!  Now we all know more why Northern Happinets are so popular!  Go Go Happinets! :)

Find out more about Akita Northern Happinets（秋田ノーザンハピネッツ）, please visit their official website (Japanese):



Join the Booster Club!



Christmas Bingo Party at Hotel Ischia

Tazawako Hotel Ischia （田沢湖ホテルイスキア）hosted a Christmas party on December 22, 2010.

Every year they host a merry Christmas event. Last year was a dinner party with a Canadian chef, Louis Monty: This year was a bingo party!

The party was attended by family groups. The bingo game was emceed by a hotel staff dressed up as a Santa Clause costume, cheering up everyone in a lively manner. Almost everyone got a prize for the bingo game, which included sake, pairs of hotel tickets, and some more foods. The party was over before we knew it!

 

Next event at Hotel Ischia:

 

Happinets New Year Party

Northern Happinets, a professional basketball team from Akita Prefecture, will be camping at Tazawako Sports Center. The team members will be at the party. This is your chance to meet them in person and get their autographs! There will be giveaways and sweepstakes as well.

 

 Thursday, January 6th, 2011.

 17:30- 19:30 at Hotel Ischia

3,000 yen (adult)/ 1,000 yen (Elem.-Middle School)

Free Under 5

Shuttle bus is available from JR Tazawako Station

For more info: Hotel Ischia 0187-43-2005

Taenoyu’s Okami Nationally Awarded!

Taenoyu Onsen (妙乃湯温泉) CEO and okami, Ms. Kyoko Sato (佐藤京子）received 2010’s Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) Commissioner Award!

Photo Courtesy of Sakigake On The Web

According to the Japan Tourism Agency Website, the award is presented to the individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the development of Japanese tourism industry. The first awarding was held last year 2009, and the second annual awarding ceremony was held yesterday in Tokyo.

Our proud Taenoyu Onsen’s CEO, Ms. Kyoko Sato was among the eight awarded this year. Her contribution to Japan’s inbound tourism is recognized as the most outstanding this year: She hosted the location filming of Korean drama IRIS and triggered the significant number of international travelers to Akita prefecture.

Her company, Taenoyu Group, manages three onsen hotels in Tazawako Area: Taenoyu Onsen (妙乃湯）, Tazawako Hotel Ischia （田沢湖ホテルイスキア）, and Natsuse Onsen （夏瀬温泉都わすれ). For the duration of location shooting in Akita, her company had taken in the crews and actors – 100 of them — which included the featuring Korean actor and also awarded Lee Byung-hun, and provided accommodations and food for free of cost. If it weren’t their contributions, hosting of the filming had not made Akita Prefecture the only area with significantly increased number of inbound tourists.

The Korean drama IRIS had become a great success with breaking record of audience rating in Korea, and it has been viewed in many other countries as well. To entertain the guests, Hotel Ischia had been displaying the filming sets and props, and has become the main IRIS-related attraction here, which resulted in promoting the development of inbound tourism in surrounding regions.

According to Sakigake Newspaper, the awarded included Japanese actor, Mr. Masaharu Fukuyama, and Panasonic’s founder, the late Mr. Konosuke Matsushita. Awarding ceremony was held yesterday, October 20th, 2010, in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo. Lee Byung-hun was not able to attend the ceremony but announced that “As an actor who took a part in IRIS, I am marveled that its filming location had become so widely-known. I wish for Akita Prefecture to become more loved and visited as a global site.”

Japanese Version of IRIS Trailer:



Recommended Souvenirs: Honey Jams and Okami Crackers

Some loyal fans of Tazawako might have already tried most of the typical souvenirs from Akita, such as kiritanpo, inaniwa udon, sake etc-- they are very delicious and must items but rather ubiquitous in Akita.

Since you are in Tazawako area, you should try something different or bring back something different to impress your friends.

Here  we would like to recommend you other unique options of souvenirs!

Honey Jams from Bee Skep!

Left: Strawberry Jam

Right: Honey and Milk "Jiggly" Jam

You can buy it at a honey shop called Bee Skep near Lake Tazawa! These jams are very tasty! Honeys are lower in calories and less-fattening ;) Highly recommended!

"Akita Bijin no Okami Senbei"

From Hotels of Taenoyu Group

These crackers are not so sweet but the okami is..

Okami, the landlady/master of a Japanese inn, illuarated on the crackers is one of the most acclaimed contributors who brought the filming of Korean drama IRIS to Tazawako Area. She is a petit but an energetic lady who will welcome you in her charming warmness.

She is the head of Taenoyu Onsen, one of the 7 hot spring inna in Nyuto Onsen Area,  in affiliation with Hotel Ischia and Miyako Wasure.  If missed catching her in person for a photo, do not worry-- just get these senbei!! :)

JR East's IRIS Location Tour

East Japan Railroad Company (JR East) has launched a package tour, in which you can tour to IRIS filming locations in Akita Prefecture.

The basic one-night tour will take you to Statue of Tatsuko, Hotel Ischia, Tamagawa Dam, Tsurunoyu Onsen, Tazawako Ski Area, an accommodation at a hotel, then a trip to Oga Peninsula on the following day. You can also choose to skip the second day and make it a day-trip.


The tour prices range from 30,000 – 50,000 yen, depending on the number of participants and your choice of hotel. It will be available from June 1st through September 30th. At this point, it is available only through a call or at View counter of JR East Station. Folake Tazawako Tourism Information Center also take reservations. Perhaps the most important note here: guide is available in Japanese only. But, if you are a Japanese learner or an IRIS drama fan, it would be an ideal learning experience for you.

One of the most noteworthy is Hotel Ischia. This is where you can enter a room where the deleted bedroom scenes were filmed. A guest -- both for restaurant and overnight --can enter the room for free; otherwise, the entrance fee of 500 yen will be charged. It is important to note that Ischia hosted the Korean filming staffs over 3 weeks, providing accommodations and meals. The room where Lee stayed is available on view exclusively for the overnight guests.

Ischia's IRIS combination lunch could be your choice of order here. This meal includes some items that the casts (especially Lee) had requested since he was on a strict diet.

Near the entrance to the filming set,  you will see an IRIS souvenir shop. There are many items that you can find it only at Ischia. Make sure to stop by!

Ischia has the largest number of IRIS merchandises -- the newest one is Kiss Candy. (Remember the scene where Hyun-jun gives a candy to Seung-hee by mouth?) Yes, you can buy a box here.

And of course, Tsurunoyu Onsen is a must-see!

The mixed bath where they end up doing Ashiyu, a  footbath.

The office where Hyun-jun and Seung-hee are greeted.

And yes!  Last but not the least, Tazawako's symbol that is now internationally recognized: Statue of Tatsuko and Mt. Komagatake will be visited as well.

IRIS Merchandises on Sale in Semboku City!

The Japanese release date of Korean drama IRIS was announced:

Wednesday April 21st, 2010. 21:00-23:00
TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting Channel Television)

In Akita prefecture, it will be broadcasted on the following dates:

Saturday April 24th, 2010.13:00-15:00
 ABS (Akita Broadcasting System)

The first episodes are 2 hours and the following episodes are 50 min.

If you visit Akita touring the locations of the drama, make sure you don’t miss the merchandises while you visit here. We were able to see the goods before they were on sale here. Just a sneak view for you!

Following is a list of places where you can buy them:

• Tazawako Ski Area
• Tazawako Hotel Ischia
• Restaurant ORAE
• Nyuto Onsenkyo Tsurunoyu Onsen
• Natsuse Onsen Miyakowasure
• Nyuto Onsenkyo Taenoyu
• Nishinomiyake  in Kakunodate

They are also available on line through TBS .

IRIS Gelande Naming Ceremony and Dinner with the Producers.

IRIS, the Korean drama filmed in Akita prefecture Spring 2009, will be on air in Japan from March 6th. The drama has achieved the highest audience rating in Korea as 39%, which have been bringing large groups of Korean tourists to Akita. It has been boosting the inbound tourism and energizing us to the unexpected level.

A group of IRIS production contributors visited Akita earlier this week to meet and reunite with the participants and volunteers who promoted the filming in Akita. The group was lead by Jung Taewon, CEO of Taewon Entertainment and Yang Yoon-ho, director of IRIS along with many others.

February 2nd, the IRIS production group attended to a naming ceremony of IRIS Gerende in Tazawako Ski Area. Tazawako Ski Area is where the main characters played by Lee Byoung-hun and Kim Tae-hee have enjoyed a romantic get-away. Tazawako Ski Area has re-named a ski slope after IRIS to commemorate this special occasion of friendship between Japan and Korea.

(Ginrei House, IRIS photo panels and snow suit worn by Lee Byoung-hun on display)

(Many news reporters and writers gathered for this special occasion.)

(Mr. Wakasugi, CEO of Tazawako Ski Area, explaining where the ski slope, IRIS Gelande is.)

 (A view from IRIS Gelande)

(The snow condition is the best! Tazawako Ski Area is known for this.)

In picture above are CEOs of Tazawako Ski Area and Taewon Entertainment, Sei'ichi Wakasugi and Jung Tae-won. In a highlight of the ceremony they have enjoyed sliding down the renowned slope in the best condition! The slope has a great view of Lake Tazawa in Ou mountain range.


Later this evening the group joined the local contributors at Hotel Ischia on Tazawako lakeshore for a celebratory dinner party. A 20-minutes promotional video subtitled in Japanese was screened to the audience, followed by a Q & A of the producers.

(Again, Ischia's gorgeous meal awaits...)

(IRIS's producers)

(Kyoko Sato, Ischia's O-kami and CEO of Taenoyu

toasting to the continuing success of the film and tourism of Akita.)

(Ischia's Mr. Ko'ichiro Sato in interview of a local TV station.)

(... and the party goes on.)

Hotel Ischia was also one of the locations IRIS was filmed. Not to mention that it is the hotel where the casts stayed for three weeks. The room where the bed scene was shot (cut out due to the content) is now on view as an IRIS special room for the overnight and restaurant guests. The hotel is affiliated with Taenoyu Onsen in Nyuto Onsen Area and Miyako-Wasure in Natsuse Onsen Area. Ischia stands in a great location with a magnificent view of the lake and has an atmosphere of a European resort hotel. They provide shuttle bus service to the overnight guests to Taenoyu, known for a modern Japanese style, so you can enjoy both feelings at the same time.

Thanks to IRIS, we are having an increasing number of guests traveling from overseas. After it is broadcasted in 16 different countries, we expect even more guests from different parts of the world. We hope you all enjoy the experiences in Onsen and beautiful scenery in Tazawako.

Christmas Party with Louis Monty at Ischia

The Christmas feeling is all around--- even in our little town, Tazawako.

(Ischia's Restaurant)

Hotel Ischia, formerly-known as Familio Tazawako, hosted a Christmas dinner party on December 13th.

The main chef for the night, Louis Monty is an exchange student from Quebec, Canada, studying international business at Akita International University. He has worked as a chef for 12 years before coming to Japan and has a strong background in French-Canadian cuisine. It has been 4 month since he came to Akita and soon returning to his home country. This dinner was organized by an AIU faculty along with the staffs of Ischia. While studying business here in Akita, he had wished to have an opportunity to share his cooking in collaboration of styles from his home and Akita.

Louis Monty (on the right)

The food was a fusion of French, French-Canadian, and Japanese--- French and French-Canadian styles using regional products from Akita, such as ducks, sake, persimmons, apples, and plum wine.
The party was originally planned for 40 people, which turned out that most of the people who received the invitation showed interest and ultimately, almost doubled the expected number.

Although it was the first attempt to host a non-Japanese chef at Ischia, the Ischia staff and the guest chef worked as a team in sync. The event ended up as a great success! We are hoping that they will host another or more of such events in near future.

Ischia is one of the locations where the Korean drama, Iris, was filmed. The room is now in public view together with some props and some behind-the-scenes photos taken on the shoot. The lodging and meals for the film staffs were provided by Ischia for 3 weeks. They have well-skilled chefs specializing in both Japanese and Western cuisine. The restaurant is open for lunch and coffee as well. It is located on the lakeshore Tazawako adjacent to Tazawako Herb Garden Heart Herb. If you are looking for a sophisticated resort hotel to have a relaxing spa sojourn in Tazawako, Ischia would be your best choice.

(Iris special room)

(Props and photos on view at the restaurant)