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!

Come to Christmas Parties at Tazawako Art Village!

Tazawako Art Village will have some Christmas events this month!

CHRISTMAS PARTY AT TAZAWAKO BEER

WHEN: Saturday, December 17. 18:00 –

Come enjoy the delicious food and the award-winning Tazawako Beer. A fun bingo game will be held as well.

INQUIRE: Tazawako Beer Restaurant (Tel.0187-44-3988)

PRICE: 5,000Yen (Adult) / 3,000Yen (Elementary & Junior High School Students) / 500Yen (Pre-School)

 CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR CHILDREN with SANTA CLAUS

WHEN: Saturday, December 18. 18:00 –

Fun games and story-telling will be held. Buffet with lots of delicious foods and a lottery for everyone to get a present. Come join in groups of children and friends.

INQUIRE: Onsen Yupopo (Honkan) TEL.0187-44-3333

PRICE: 5,000Yen (Adult) / 3,000 Yen (Elmentary & Junior High School Students) / 2,000 Yen (Age 3 – Preschool)

JOYFUL CHRISTMAS PARTY AT BAKKYA

Saturday, December 24. 18:00 –

Come join at this homey and “cosy” party Izakaya-style restaurant. A lottery will be held to give you a nice present. It also includes all you can drink and a hot spring bathing fee.

INQUIRE: Onsen Yupopo (Onsen-kan) TEL. 0187-44-3955

PRICE: 5,000Yen (Adult)

Other affiliated facilities like Hotel Kiraraka (TEL. 0185-37-2311) in Oga and Ou Sanso in Daisen City will host Christmas parties as well. To reserve or more information, please inquire each facility.

Pick Your Own Blueberries at Tazawako Art Village from July 1

Blueberry orchard at Tazawako Art Village will be open very soon!

July is the month for blueberries! The Niko-Eco farm is an blueberry orchard at Tazawako Art Village, whose soil is enriched using the fertilizer of recycled food waste. That is why they produce large blueberries that are well-balanced in the tanginess and sweetness!

Blueberries are in season from July :D

Blueberry Picking Experience

Date:

From Friday, July 1 to Sunday, August 7th, 2011.

Place:

Nikonico Nouen (Orchard next to Shinrin Kogei-kan)

Time:

 9:00 to 15:30

Fee:

Adult 800 Yen / Children (Age 4-12) 400 Yen

*If you wish to take the blueberries home, you can buy 100 grams for 200 Yen.

*The bush is low enough for the children as well.

*May be closed due to the weather condition.

Reservation:

Call Tazawako Art Village (TEL0187-44-3939) or Tabiyori



Chibli's Vertuoso, Kazuo Oga, is the Art Director of the Warabi-za Play!

Omoide Poroporo （おもいでぽろぽろ） is a new musical play of Warabi-za Theater Company, which is based on a Ghibli Studio Animation. The original animated film was written and directed by Isao Takahata.

The art director was an Akita native, Kazuo Oga, who has created many artworks for the Ghibli works including Princess Mononoke, Totoro, and Omoide Poroporo. Now once again after 20 years, he created artworks for the same story - now for the Warabi-za! He says, “I did not expect another chance to paint safflowers ever again. I am looking forward to the musical version.”

Tazawako Art Village (where the Warabi-za Theater is located) has been hosting small exhibitions of Mr. Oga’s works at Onsen Yupopo. Also, in recent years, Mr. Oga has been designing labels for some bottles of Tazawako Beer.

He also designed a special beer label commemorating the Omoide Poroporo production that commemorates the Warabi-za’s 60th anniversary!

Sakura Beer for Your Cherry Blossoms Viewing

Hanami  (花見）, cherry blossoms viewing, always accompany with food and Sake. So, for your choice of rice wine, we recommend Sakura Hirahira, light pink Sake specially brewed using Sakura-colored Koji by Hideyoshi, one of the oldest Sake breweries of Japan.

So what about BEER under the cherry blossoms? Take  Sakura Beer!

Sakura Beer is produced using the wild-yeast extracted from cherry blossoms petals, which gives reddish brown color and the distinctive flowery aroma. The bitterness is mild and easy to drink.

Tazawako Beer brews excellent quality craft beer of Japan. They brew regular types of beers like altbier, kolsch, dark lager, and pilsener. Also, they brew other special craft beers like W chocolate bock around Valentine’s Day.

(No photos here, but just look for the label at the restaurant shop.)

Tazawako Beer Restaurant is located adjacent to Warabi-za Theater in Tazawako Art Village. It would be a perfect place to ease your thirst and hunger after watching a performance at the theater. Tazawako Beer Restaurant serve western-style dishes like pasta, pizza, hamburgs, etc., while the next building is Bakkya, where traditional Akita cuisines are served.

Tazawako Beer has been reopening since April 9th. Until April 22nd, the business is open only during the lunch time (11a.m. to 14 p.m.), and after April 23rd, it will be on the regular business hours as in 11 a.m. to 21p.m.

Tazawako Beer is also a member of Japan Craft Beer Association (JCBA) and have been accepting donations for the earthquake/disaster victims through a link on the website.

Kakunodate Town's Bukeyashiki-dori  is one of the viewing spots of Semboku City!

"ATERUI" Opens with a Promise to Encourage the Tohoku

ATERUI, a new production of Warabi-za Theater Company, has just opened yesterday April 10 at its home theater, Warabi-za Theater in Semboku City. The play has been produced to commemorate the company’s 60th anniversary. The final rehearsal was held on the day before, at which the casts and staffs showed an enthusiastic stage performance before the media reporters, a local newspaper reported.

The original novel by Katsuhiko Takahashi, Hion Kita-no-yousei Aterui (火怨　北の燿星アテルイ; literally, “Aterui, the Shining Star in the North”) portrays the 8-9th century hero, Aterui, who fought to protect the emishi people (Tohoku’s indeginous people) from the conquerors of the Japanese central government led by a commander, Sakanoue-Tamuramaro, who is depicted in this novel as a childhood friend of Aterui.

Warabi-za’s Takao Nakamura (中村哮夫, age 79) comments, “The way how the emishi people contends against the conquerors overlaps with the strive of Tohoku people in the current catastrophic situation.” Miro Ebisumoto (戎本みろ, age 41), who plays Aterui, adds, “we believe this play gives courage to the victims in the disaster.”

ATERUI has opened on April 10 and continues till May 4; after a brief interval due to the national tour, it will return to the home theater on July 26th and played till August 16th. For more information, please call Warabi-za Telephone 0187-44-3939.

MORE POSTS ON ATERUI

ATERUI (Photo/Warabi-za)

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。

Tazawako Beer's Pasta and Pizza Lunch for 500 yen

Tazawako Beer has been one of the best beer breweries of Japan. Tazawako Beer was established in 1994, soon after the alleviation of Liquor Tax Act, which opened up another direction of business interest for Warabi-za Theater Company. They took a great interest in the brewery culture that has a long tradition in many countries and also focused on using ingredients produced only in Akita Prefecture--- becoming the very first beer brewery in Akita Prefecture.

 

Although Tazawako Beer Restaurant is best known for the award-winning beers, the meals served at this restaurant are also as good!

While you are visiting Tazawako Art Village for their Warabi-za Theater performances, a woodcraft making experience, or a relaxing soak in their onsen (hot spring) Yupopo, make sure you try the great food as well.

Bakkya is a Japanese restaurant where Akita’s local specialties are available: Next to it is Tazawako Beer Restaurant, where more western style dishes like sausages, stew, pasta and pizzas can be enjoyed.

This year Tazawako Beer Restaurant has been welcoming the guests with a special lunch deal: 500 yen pasta or pizza meal!

Tazawako Beer Retaurant's 500-yen Lunch

You can choose either pasta or pizza of the day. The item changes every day. In the photos are pizza with bacon and potato and spaghetti with nanohana (turnip mustard) and anchovies.

The campaign will last until the end of March. They are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (Also closed on Thursday, February 24th )

Talented Performers of Warabi-za!

Warabi-za, Tazawako's theater company, is proud to present high-quality performances. Prospective actors come from all over Japan to try out for an audition to join the Warabi-za actors.

The casts of Yamagami-Sama No Okurimono!

This play features a young talent on the rise of popularity. He is Hiroki Suzuki (鈴木 裕樹；Center top above) who plays Yanosuke (弥之助）. He can dance, sing, and play musical instruments (a Japanese flute in this case), while he touches your heart and move you with emotions. Suzuki was featured as the leading character in his most recent work, a romantic comedy about Jindai Curry. Since his debut in 2009, he has been rapidly but firmly establishing his reputation to soon become recognized nationwide!

Sayo is played by Aya Takada, born in Akita and raised in Gifu Pref., has a strong background in folk music. She has been travelling with Warabi-za to Korea and USA and has been mesmerizing the crowd with her beautiful vocal and powerful dance. Shigezo is played by Tetsu Watanabe, who has been highly rated as a leading actor for many James Miki works.

Yamagami-Sama No Okurimono
READ SYNOPSIS

Casts in the photos. Takada (top in kimono) and Suzuki (bottom).

Also as a special guest, Mr. Kadowaki, Semboku City Mayor!  (top right)

Schedule:

In theater until November 3. 2010 at Warabi-Za Theater.

Available at 10:30 and 14:00 on most days.

Tickets:

Tickets are on sale via e-mail, online, and telephone, and at the box office.

ALSO:

Don't forget-- Warabi-za is located in Tazawako Art Village, a multi-purpose facility whose restaurants offer you the internationally-awarded beer (Tazawako Beer).

You can easily spend a whole day so, a day-trip ticket with a show, a meal and onsen (available from 5,200 yen) is highly recommended!

PREVIEW:

Synopsis of Yamagami-sama (Warabi-Za)

“Yamagami-sama No Okurimono” (山神様のおくりもの) has been a long-run hit play for a decade with different casts. First, watch the TV commercial below.

This play has been very popular for a long time. It is inspired by an authentic folklore culture of bear hunting. Does the tradition of matagi, beer-hunting, sounds intriguing but also intimidating?  No worries—it is not about killing an animal. It is a drama about common people!!

Synopsis  of Yamagami-sama No Okurimono:

SEE THE PHOTOS OF STAGE

The story takes place in a beautiful mountainous village in Akita. There lived an old man, Shigezo, with his grand-daughter, Sayo. Shigezo had been widely famed as the master matagi, a traditional beer hunter. While he abruptly quit 17 years ago, he had taken care of his colleague’s son, Yanosuke , to pass down the hunting technique to bring him up as a grown man. Sayo had been fond of him -- if he is her own brother-- and also expects him to become one someday.

Despite all the high expectation as Shigezo’s apprentice, Yanosuke –on the other hand—is reluctant to hunt. His inability is becoming a frustration and disappointment to his colleagues. With his compassionate nature, his heart belongs to-- not the mountains --but somewhere else.

Meanwhile, a young, successful matagi called Kuma (lit. meaning  "a bear") had requested Shigezo for a permission to marry Sayo. In reply to his aggressive attitude, Shigezo insists that patience is an important way of matagi. He tells his grand-daughter, “choose whoever knows how to handle life.”

Now—Yanosuke, after finding out Kuma's proposal to Sayo, confronts with Sayo and finally confesses his wish to move out of town with her, only to hear that Sayo wouldn't want to leave the beloved hometown.

At a fall festival, Kuma picks up a challenge against Yanosuke over a marriage to Sayo -- "Whoever hunts down an Itazu ("a bear") would prove a better match with Sayo." However, Yanosuke remains reluctant, "the mountain is a sacred place-- not a battle field over such matter."

Soon winter arrives. Kuma is so impatient that he takes a risk and rushes into the cold mountain-- only to return home injured instead. Now, the whole village is in peril. The villagers are at risk. What would become of them? Which man would Sayo choose to marry?

Schedule:

In Warabi-za Theater until November 3. 2010

Morning (at 10:30 ) and afternoon (at 14:00) shows are available on most days.

Reservation:

At Warabi-za Theater. Tickets are on sale via e-mail, online, and telephone, and at the box office.

A package with a ticket, meal and onsen is available from 5,200 yen! (Recommended!)

Access:

Take JR Kakunodate Station;

Free Warabi-za shuttle buses are available. Ask Warabi-za.

Authentic Story of Bear Hunters

"Yamagami-sama.." is a story inspired by folklores in Akita. It is not about a samurai or a shogun— but the farmers and hunters that are more ordinary and common. Their stories are less represented in media and may not appear as elaborated, but our folklore culture has a rich tradition of art and music cultivated in the farmer’s life.

Folklore culture is what Warabi-za proudly represents in their performances. They have 7 performing groups travelling all over Japan and overseas at more than 1,200 stages in a year. (Details in English) 

Warabi-za even owns a folk art research center with a rare collection of documents and recorded materials, which is also dedicated in an effort to make the dramas more authentic to the cultural background. No wonder the company has been awarded repeatedly by the national and prefectural governments.

Minzoku Geijutsu Kenkyu-sho (民族芸術研究所）

You might be concerned about the language. Yes, Warabi-za plays are all in Japanese. But consider, their performance is musical and often in Akita dialect, so that even native Japanese speakers might not understand every word. The performance group travel overseas and perform and still receives great reviews. There is a reason!

Particularly in “Yamagami-sama..,” many terms are unfamiliar to even native Akita people-- Like the word, “Matagi” that refers to professional bear hunters who worshiped the deity of mountain and lived by the respective code: "Follow the rules of life cycle, transmigration of souls, and harmony in the Great Nature."

Another word you will repeatedly hear is, Itazu, which means "a bear." The strict code of Matagi had prohibited using common "town" terminology as opposed to the "mountain". Itazu is said to derive from Itachi, a mustlid, suggesting that such beast deserves as little fear as a tiny animal. Also, the code prohibited women from entering the mountain, because the deity is female and extremely jealous. That is why Yanosuke insists that “the mountain is no such place for a battle over a woman.”

Merchandises of the play is available! Find your own matagi and itazu goods...

Knowing the background culture would help you enjoy Warabi-za plays. Perhaps, it could be the very inspiration to learn more about the rural culture!!

Ghibli's Kazuo Oga Exhibit at Yupopo

Tazawako Art Village is a multi-purpose facility with restaurants, hotels, hot springs, and – most importantly—a theater company which emphasizes in preserving the traditional performing arts in Japanese culture.

Hiroshima/Nagasaki Exhibit by Kzauo Oga

The hotel, Yupopo, is exhibiting a small show of Oga Kazuo, who was the art director and a painter for Ghibli Studio. His style, specializing in water-color, has had the greatest influence in Japanese Animation industry.

Displayed in the hallway.

The exhibition is themed in Hiroshima/Nagasaki, since August is the unforgettable month for the Japanese people. These water-color paintings were based on some photographs taken during the war and post-war period. These paintings are ironically beautiful in portraying the difficult time in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

The Poem by Sankichi Toge, Calligraphy by Sayuri Yoshinaga.

Based on a photo taken from an airplane.

His most-known works include Totoro, which is known for the beautiful sceneries in the countryside. He most likely took some inspirations from his childhood memories in Akita. In these Nagasaki/Hiroshima paintings also, you can clearly see the traces of his signature style.


Barefoot Gen ("Hadashi-no-Gen," 1983), a film based on an edu-comics about a boy who experiences the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, is another film that marked his career, whose paintings are displayed at the show as well.

Also: how does this sound-- a black tea flavored with Yamabudou, or Crimson Glory Vine?

Darjeeling Tea flavored with Crimson Glory Vine.

Katanko's Original flavor! Available for 450yen. Also: With Soda (480Yen)

It is available at a café called Katanko, near the walk-through to the Bakkya side. The sweet and tangy flavor is so irresistible!

Blueberry Picking at Art Village

July is blueberry month in northern Tohoku region.

Nearby blueberry farm, Nikoniko Noen (ニコニコ農園）is on the premise of Tazawako Art Village (田沢湖芸術村), located next to Shinrin Kogeikan (森林工芸館).

Nikoniko Noen is popular particularly for their flavorful and full-sized blueberries. The staffs say it is because of their soil that is fertilized with recycled materials such as food waste from the restaurant, so that it is enriched and become suitable environment for blueberry farming.

Nikoniko Noen cultivates as many as 14 different kinds of blueberry species.

The bush is relatively low-- Accessible for children and people on wheelchairs.

Available through July 1st- 31st 
Hours: 9 a.m. to 15 p.m.

Fee: 800 yen (Adult)/ 400 yen (Child)

Take-Home: 200 yen (per 100 gram)

Go by Dakigaeri-Go!

Dakigaeri is a most popular hiking destination in Tazawako Area, just following Mt. Akita Komagatake.

Dakigaeri Gorge in Summer

If you feel a bit overwhelmed hiking up Mt. Komagatake for a whole day, Dakigaeri is the one for you!

Dakigaeri is most famous for the beautiful foliage seen in late fall. Thousands of hikers visit here from in and out of Japan. The contrast of emerald green in river against the burning red foliage is so unforgettable!

Hikers can enjoy beautiful and refreshing greenery from June- September.

One concern by many Dakigaeri hikers, though, was the inconvenience in terms of transportation! The nearest JR station is Jindai -- a small station where no taxi awaits you in front. From there, a walk takes at least 30-40 minutes only to the entrance of the trail. Many hikers find this prologue too overwhelming, frustrating, and tiring!

But, say-- you take a taxi from JR Tazawako or Kakundoate Station. This is possible but will probably cost you more than 3,000 yen.

If that sounds like a bit of a trouble to you, Dakigaeri-Go is the best choice!

Download or get a copy at Folake

Download Japanese

A free shuttle bus service between Tazawako Art Village to Kakundoate Area (Station/Samurai Residences) is available, operated by Tazawako Art Village (call 0187-44-3333). Refer to the timetable on the above.

A Box of Tazawako Beer Arrived!

Yay! We have received a box of beers from Tazawako Beer Brewery Pub!

Alt, Pilsner, Megumi, Dark Lager, and Kolsch. (L-R)

All these have  been awareded internationally.

Megumi is #1 reviewed and made of all-Akita ingredients.

Says the content of dietary fiber in a bottle of their beer is about the same as a bunch of spinach!

Also, they are 100% natural and additive-free!

 Tazawako Beer is the very first original beer brand from Akita Prefecture. The brewers are committed to the quality of ingredients, using the spring water from Waka forests, where grows the largest beech tree of Japan.

Every year they announce seasonal specials on the limited quantity. This year, the special beer features labels designed by Kazuo Oga, art director and background artist for Studio Ghibli Anime works.

The brewery has a beautiful restaurant with a variety of cuisines, ranging from Japanese to Italian and French. The space is available for large parties and weddings. For a group of more than 5 people, reservation is recommended and course meals could be served upon request. Shuttle bus is available from JR Kakunodate Station.