Semboku City will Host An American Student Program Next Year!

A big step towards Semboku City’s internationalization! Next summer Semboku City will host a large group of American high school students in a home-stay program!

The program is called People to People Student Ambassador Programs. It is by an American organization called People to People, whose aim is to achieve world peace through educational opportunities to understand cultural and language differences. The programs send Student Ambassadors abroad to represent their home community and share their diverse backgrounds with the hosting community.

This program normally sends about 40 students over 4-5 times during a certain period. However, because next year will be the first time in Tohoku, about 120 students will be sent at a time. 80 of them will be home-staying in Semboku City.

Earlier this month, two persons representing the People to People Ambassador Programs visited Semboku City to meet with the Japanese side of coordinators for this program.

A reception party was held at Tazawako Beer Restaurant. There they met our mayor of Semboku City, other government officials involved in Tourism division and Green Tourism farmers in Nishiki town. They were warmly welcomed with cheerful singing and dancing by some Warabi-za theater company’s actors. Although many of the farmers did not speak English, they expressed their overflowing excitement through the interpreters.



Each host-family member gave a short welcome speech at the reception.

The two stayed at a farmer’s inn called Taizando, which is the very first noka-minshuku (farmers inn) registered after the law was revised in 2005.


Taizando （泰山堂）is the first registered noka-minshuku (Farmers Inn) of Akita Prefecture.



The owner, Ms. Fujiwara represents the local Nishiki Town’s Green Tourism association. Her house is full of warm, rustic atmosphere! Her energy and hospitable spirits transcends language borders. The students will have an amazing time with host families like her. The Program coordinators were impressed by hospitality and heartfelt welcome by the hosts!





The group toured around Semboku City to learn about the environment where their students will be exploring for the Japanese rural cultural experiences: Lake Tazawa, about 10-15 minutes away from Nishiki Town, is a beautiful lake that cannot be missed; Ando Jyozo is a soy sauce and miso brewery in Kakunodate Town, which is closed to the Nishinomiya Residence, an old samurai house that turned into a museum and shop; Bukeyashiki-dori is a stree of samurai houses where to time-travel; also, a local Elementary school is where they will have cross-cultural experiences with eager children.

The two remained in high spirits for the entire time! They seemed impressed how friendly and happy the local people are. In the end of the trip, they were certain that the participating American students will have an unforgettable time there.

Semboku City is a perfect place for any rural cultural activities of Japan. From June to July is when the local farmers are restless and cheerful about the new life cycle in their field and mountains. That’s when the hiking season begins in the local mountain, Akita Komagatake.

The program can be applied through the organization, People to People Ambassador Programs. We are looking forward to meet you and your children here!

Tweet & Stay at Farmer's Inn : Sign Up For the Green Tourism Monitor Tour in Semboku City

Semboku City （仙北市） has launched a new division(Nosanson Taiken Design Shitsu, 農山村体験デザイン室)　designated for designing rural agricultural experiences particularly in the field of Green Tourism (“eco-tourism”) and educational programs. It is the City’s effort to head-start the industry to promote such inbound tourism using our unique and excellent natural resources. In fact, Semboku City is the pioneer of green tourism in Akita Prefecture.

Technology Plus Tradition:

Since July, they have been offering a very unique monitor tour that has utilized the latest technology and the traditional agricultural life. The participants use twitter to make notes of what the real-time experiences are like. Through that, it aims to connect the technology saavy generation (e.g. internet) and another that is generally considered aging and less exposed to the technology of social media. It ultimately aims to promote the stays at Noka-minshuku (農家民宿）, farmer’s inn.

 

Tweet Your 1-Night/2-Days Experience at a Farmer’s Inn:

The monitor tour hosts a group twice a month from July to December, 2011. The participants stay at a farmer’s inn (Nokaminshuku), enjoy the rural activity such as agricultural experiences, cooking traditional cuisine, and mingle with the farmers and other locals. The excitement and joy of the real hands-on experiences will be spread and shared by the participants’ Tweets.

Requirements:

Anybody with a Twitter account and follow @semboku_gt can sign up. Tweet your will addressing to @semboku_gt with a hashtag #semboku_gt . You will be provided more detailed information on your itinerary. If there were more than the maximum number of tour participants, the committee will assess and make a selection.

No fee will be charged on condition that you are fully participating in the monitor tour.(That means it is free hotel with meals and other activities!)

Other Notes:

If wi-fi routers are necessary to lubricate the communication infrastructure, they will be lent to you.

Your tweets will be re-tweeted by the division. You will be asked to tweet with the hashtag ( #semboku_gt) so that the monitor tour will be more widely seen and shared by many people.

Each tour is held at different Noka-minshuku (a farmer’s inn) with unique experiences.

You will have an unforgettable rural experience for free! This is a rare chance that you shouldn’t miss!

Magobei at Organic Festa in Akita 2010

Pension Magobei is a farmer’s inn which is highly inspired to promote the organic farming and has become a pioneer to host the international volunteers through WWOOF Japan.

Pension Magobei near Lake Tazawa (Photo Courtesy of Magobei)

On August 21st, 2010— Magobei had participated in an event to promote organic farming in Akita Prefecture, called Organic Festa in Akita 2010.

Flyer of Organic Festa in Akita 2010 held on the August 21st.

The venue was Akita Port Tower Serion.

The port, a scene of IRIS was shot here..

Many participants in various backgounds were there. (Farm Garden Tasogare from Katagami City)

This event was held to promote the sustainable living through raising the awareness of safe food production, particularly by emphasizing organic farming. Although each participating business had brought a booth to sell their fresh produces and products, the main goal of this event was rather focused on strengthening the networks within and among the organic farmers and consumers in Akita Prefecture.

Magobei’s booth offered some produces such as pumpkins and garlic cloves, as well as some preserved foods like jams and canned beans— all of which are organically cultivated according to the strict criteria!

Magobei's Owner, Mr. Taguchi, with his WWOOFers at the booth.

Jams of strawberries, black currant, and blue berry, and a can of black edamame beans! (quite delicious)

"Black Edamame" No serious, we loved this!

Significantly reduced or NO agricultural chemicals used in the production.

The participants and organizers at the end of day.

The event brought more than 3,000 people to the site-- turned out to be a great success!!

On this day, the Magobei had brought a WWOOFer from Tokyo: World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a networking organization that facilitates the connections between organic farmers and volunteers. The following is an insert from the WWOOF Japan’s official website:

"Hosts give WWOOFers accommodation and all meals in return for the WWOOFer assisting the Host. Hosts also give WWOOFers various knowledge and skills as result living and helping them, Japanese culture & Japanese language, introduction to the beauty of the local area, and other resources most of which are outlined in the Hosts' Preview. There is no payment of money between Host and WWOOFer."

Pension Magobei had head-started as a part of this network as early as October 2007. They had hosted many international and domestic volunteers and have been contributing to the promotion of Slow Food Movement in Japan.

Magobei’s signifying product is a type of wild rice called kodai-mai (古代米), which has been re-gaining its popularity in recent years. You can purchase Magobei’s Kodaimai and other fresh vegetables at shops in Tazawako like Tazawako Ichi!

Tazawako Ichi is located in front of JR Tazawako Station.

Inside of Tazawako Ichi.

Needless to say, the involvement with WWOOF Japan is just an example of Magobei’s business efforts. Remember—they are a farmer’s inn, first! They do accommodate non-WWOOFers as well for an affordable price over 8,000 yen per adult (prices may vary on seasons.)

Besides the farming and accommodation, the Taguchi family (the owners) are known for the professional level skiing! Farming season may end when the snow falls, but the Magobei will entertain you with their enthusiasm in winter sports. All year around, the Magobei experience would leave you with unforgettable memories!

Travelling Market at Seisetsukan

Seisetsukan, a farmer’s inn in Nishiki Area has just hosted an exciting event over the weekend, July 18th and 19th.

Tabisuru Market (lit. "Travelling Market") is a series of event organized at different locations in Akita, in which a group of handmade/craft artists and retailers gather to open a market, while a café/restaurant owners bring a variety of healthy foods. The group all together promotes more environmental consciousness and more sustainable living.

Seisetsukan (星雪館）, a Noka Minshuku (A farmer's inn) hosted this event.

The Kadowaki Ladies!

Kadowaki family offered fresh vegetables and different rice cakes!

Chimaki (front) is sweet rice wrapped and steamed in bamboo leaves-- full of aroma! 

Delicatessen Kougyoku from Yokote City offered many delicious items made of local ingredients.

They issue monthly paper called Kougyoku Shinbun.

Sarasara offers various tea blends from different parts of the world along with delicious baked goods.

The entrance to Seisetsukan

Original T-Shirt of Tabisuru Market.

Wide open windows which are more like the whole wall! Liberating!

Treasures from all over the world!

Tenants of handmade goods and color therapy.

Surely, it was an exciting event for children as well.

Rice Ball & Miso Soup Combo (300 yen), Yakimochi, and Apple Juice.

The rice balls are wrapped by a wood sheet-- traditinal way with no use of plastic wrap! Smells great!

Onigiri with chopped radish and leaf  (left) and  with shredded salmon with a hint of ginger (right).

These cheerful and energetic organizers make us smile: Fujimi-san (left) and Saemi-san (right).

 Seisetsukan's backyard covered with rice paddies. You will hear ever-lasting symphony of frogs and cicadas.

Greenhouses of various kinds of vegies!

One of the activities was vegie picking here.

"Welcome Home"

When you enter Seisetsukan, the first thing you see is this sign: "Welcome home".

Many visitors travelled from cities many hours away-- this event made us more proud of our simple, green, and slow lifestyle as a great cultural resource.Once you are here, you will realize how welcoming these people are!

So please come! -- Find your "home" at Seisetsukan.

A Farmer's Inn of Stars and Snow

Nouka Minshuku (農家民宿) is a term literally refers to “A Farmer’s Family Inn”.

Perhaps you are familiar to a term, “ryokan”; but, more or less “minshuku”.


Minshuku is basically a budget version of ryokan, roughly similar to British Boarding House or Bed & Breakfast, with a few differences in simpler and home-style meals that could be communal and/or optional. The meals usually offer more localized culinary experience with fresh and seasonal produces.

Seisetsukan (星雪館) is a minshuku (民宿) managed by a noka (農家), the Kadowaki Family in Nishiki Area. Nishiki area preserves the primitive and beautiful rural scenery of Japan. Farming is an important industry there—so that it is only natural to have promoted Green Tourism.

The Kadowakis in their spinach house.

The Kadowaki Family manages a spinach farm: accommodation started only as their side business. The idea came about after a visit to Taizando (泰山堂), which was the only Nouka Minshuku in Akita Prefecture--that was 12 years ago!

Driven by the inspiration, the mother and her daughter convince the father, who later to become enthusiastically involved. After a thorough contemplation, the Kadowaki Family started its accommodation service, becoming the 2nd noka minshuku in Akita prefecture. Since then, they have been serving an important role in promoting green tourism in Akita Prefecture.

Seisetsukan (星雪館) literally means “Stars and Snow Inn”, which was named after a wish for guests to enjoy stars in the summer and snow in winter.

Seisetsukan is surrounded by rice paddies.

The field becomes deeply covered with snow.

Shimi-Daikon (lit. Frozen Daikon Radish) is naturally freeze-dried by hands.

Fujimi-san (back) and O-kasan (front)

Fujimi-san, the daughter of the family, might seem a bit reserved. Despite of her first impression, she is an active promoter of green tourism in Nishiki area. She has an experience in attending a language school in China. No wonder -- she has a quality of someone who can make a genuine friendship with people from any cultural background.


The Kadowaki also welcome guests who wish to stay for an extended period -- for more hands-on experience with farmers or to discover a community for their second home.

Nishiki is at the heart of Japanese rural community. If you are searching for a real intercultural connection with people, a noka-minshuku is highly recommended.


Seisetsukan (星雪館）　is available from 3,000 yen (with No meals/shared kitchen) and 6,000 yen (with 2 meals). You can also stop by only for a meal. Reservation can be made on by telephone(#0187-48-2914) or fax (# 0187-48-2977).

Hand-drawn Map of Local Area.