Already Seen These Beautiful TOHOKU Commercials? Catch them on CNN and NHK World!

Have you already caught these beautiful commercials on CNN and NHK world?



Click to link!



In one of the videos, titled “Colourful Emotions : TOHOKU,” a foreign family visits sites in the Tohoku region and enjoy hot springs, skiing, making traditional crafts, etc. This video makes you literally “emotional,” for it gives you the same real feeling as you get in every pockets of Tohoku region!

Other MOFA commercials are titled, “Japan: Power of Harmony,” “We believe in Fukushima,” and “Message from Japan: Arigatou.” These have been currently aired on CNN and NHK World. They will be shown on NHK BS-1 after April.

Tsurunoyu's Yama no Imo Nabe at traditional irori fireplace.

Tsurunoyu's famous milky-colored bath

Tohoku has a lot to offer! Just watch the video because it captures the essence of your trip to our region. Tsurunoyu Onsen in Tazawako area is featured as the picturesque hot spring inn where the family enjoy Yama no Imo Nabe (hot pot) and milky-colored outdoor hot spring. This is only one of the many attractions we have in the Tohoku region.

 Our Tohoku region was the most hit by the series of disasters. The number of foreign tourists has significantly declined, understandably. However, the rich and profound culture that our ancestors have cultivated over thousands of years has to be continuously shared with the rest of the world.

This Sunday, March 11, you perhaps have a plan to remember the devastating East Japan Great Earthquake that happened one year ago. The disaster has left Tohoku and the rest of Japan severely damaged; yet, considering the fast recovery and strength we showed in the perseverance through the difficult time has proven to the world, we are sure more tha never -- Our greatest asset is the people.

What’s your plan this weekend?

Many people say the 2011 earthquakes have reminded them of the importance of family and friends. Perhaps with these video you can remember that again, and consider a trip to Tohoku with your beloved people!

The New Year's Surprise: Akita Pref. Revealed the New PR Campaign, Akita Vision!

On January 1, 2012, Akita Prefectural government has uncovered the new PR strategy! The campaign, whose slogan is 'Akita-Bijon,' aims to promote the prefecture’s overall public image and boost the awareness in our community.



‘Akita Bijon’ literally means “Akita Vision” - as in ‘bijon’ is an adopted word from English language, ‘vision’ and has a similar sound to “Akita Bijin,” which is often the first thing to be associated with Akita prefecture. The slogan will be used until the end of the designated campaign period, March 2014.



A New Year's Day special print on Akita Vision

In the morning of the new year's day, the local newspaper, Sakigake Shinpo, delivered a special print featured on the campaign. The poster design has three different versions, each themed in hot spring, agricultural villages, and sake. They will be displayed at 400 different locations around Akita Prefecture. Next year 7 different themes such as the traditional culture, forestry, and children, will be additionally featured in the designs!

The campaign has been promoted by the posters and TV commercials.  You can watch all of the 3 versions on the linked website .  Each commercial were filmed at different locations featuring local Akita residents who are farmers, sake brewers, the prefectural governer and a popular TV talent, Natsuki Kato.  "Anbeiina" means "in good shape" in Akita dialect.

Check out this one! It starts from the famous cloudy outdoor bath of Tsurunoyu Onsen!

The Fall Foliage Has Finally Arrived in Nyuto Hot Spring Area!

In the most recent updates on fall foliage in Tazawako Area, Nyuto Onsen Hot Spring Area is finally reported to have reached its peak!

Nyuto Area is covered with many different kinds of trees: the best known are beech trees, which shows the brightest shades of oranges in this season. The picture of the spectacular view of Kuroyu Onsen embedded in the bright orange and yellow mountains (see below) is probably one of the most published to represent Nyuto Hot Spring Area.



Kuroyu Onsen （黒湯温泉）



Here are some photos of Nyuto Area from last week when it was at the earlier stage of foliage. The foliage has gotten preceded even further by now; Now the leaves are in much more vibrant colors!

"Nyuto Onsen Map"











In the average year, the foliage is expected to arrive from October 11 and 22. The temperature is already so low today that it feels as if it would start to snow any day - not until mid-November. 

Just imagine yourself being soaked in the hot steamy hot spring bath out in the nature! That’s the experience you could have in Nyuto this week!

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。

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.

A New York Times Article That Gives The Beautiful Portray of Snow-Covered Tazawako Area!

Here is an interesting New York Times article from November 2007, titled '' Snowbound in Japan ''.

The article not only gives a beautiful portrait of Tsurunoyu in Nyuto Onsen Hot Spring Area viewed by an American traveler but also shows some amazing and fashionable photos of the hitou, Tsurunoyu and Gozanoishi Shrine, and Ukiki Shrine at Lake Tazawa.

The models make the places seems surreal, but the scenery is authentic! The background view is just like how it looks like during the winter. Aren't they beautiful? Also, the article gives an accuate portray of the places around Lake Tazawa.

Tsuruyoyu is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, which has been  acclaimed as the best hitou (hidden hot spring) in East Japan. Gozanoishi Shrine is at Lake Tazawa, whose red torii gate over the blue lakewater is truly mesmerizing - selected as one of the most spiritual spots ("Power Spots") of Japan. Ukiki Shrine is also on Lake Tazawa, right next to the famous golden statue of Tatsuko - also plays an important role in the legends of Lake Tazawa.




 

We heart Nyuto!

Yesterday we made a little trip to Nyuto Onsen Village. It was one of the first day in this season to have snow there. The temperature has dropped below zero and it's pretty foggy there too.

A mountain in Nyuto area

We found some writings on the benches at Tsurunoyu~
The visiters left some traces of delight :)

Thanks for loving Nyuto （乳頭）!
And we love you, too!

Says, ''Tsurunoyu Tsurunomai''
(''Hot Spring of Cranes, Dances of Cranes'')

Of course, we didn't write them ourselves!
Today we have welcomed the first snowy morning here in Tazawako.

The ground is covered with a layer of snow in a couple of inches deep. Finally, everything is covered in white :)

NYUTO ONSEN-KYO (乳頭温泉郷）101

  Welcome to Nyuto Onsen-kyo in a Beech Forest!

 

What is Nyuto Onsen-kyo?

Nyuto Onsen-Kyo (乳頭温泉郷） is known as one of the best hotspring village of Japan. But did you know there is no such onsen inn called Nyuto Onsen?

It is actually a name short for Nyuto-Sanroku-Shukusha-Gyosha Nyuto-Onsen-Kumiai (乳頭山麓宿舎事業　乳頭温泉組合）, which is basically an union of onsen hotels that are on the foothill of Mt. Nyuto. （乳頭山）

Unlike typical onsen-kyo (温泉郷）in Japan where the hotels are sharing one headspring, Nyuto Onsen-kyo is blessed with countless headsprings throughout the area. This is why each Nyuto inn owns its own individual headsprings, which allows you to experience different healing properties in one location!

Nyuto's attraction is not only the water: it is situated in an unspoiled deep forest of beech and birch trees that has been designated as Towada-Hachimantai National Park　(十和田八幡平国立公園）. The tradition of toji (湯治), a hot-spring sojourn for therapeutic benefit, had been practiced particularly by farmers. Still, many toji guests from all over Japan seeking for a get-away experience choose Nyuto for the first choice. Nyuto, being in remote location and preserving secluded atmosphere, played a significant role in inspiring the recent boom of hitou （秘湯）.

Getting around in summer and winter:

Nyuto Hot Springs are scattered in a large area, which are often accessed by cars; however this does not mean that you couldn’t access in between the hot springs on foot. Hiking routes (varying 10 to 1 hour; not available in winter) connects to different locations in Nyuto. The courses are relatively mild and can be enjoyed by hikers of all ages and all levels.  Do not forget that Nyuto Area is also a popular stop-over for climbers to Mt. Akita Komagatake (秋田駒ケ岳）as well.

Nyuto in winter leaves you an unforgettable impression as well. Just imagine yourself in steamy hot spring bath surrounded by thick layers of snow. Nyuto is famous for the picturesque scenery as well. For overnight guests in Nyuto, Yumeguri-go (湯巡り号） bus service is the most convenient in getting around— a coupon book that includes bus fares and entrance fee to all 7 locations.

!! 7 INNS in NYUTO ONSEN-KYO !!

Tsurunoyu Onsen (鶴の湯温泉）

Ganiba Onsen　（蟹場温泉）

Taenoyu　Onsen (妙乃湯温泉）

Magoroku Onsen　（孫六温泉）

Kuroyu Onsen　（黒湯温泉）

Ogama Onsen　（大釜温泉）

(All the photos above courtesy of Semboku City)

Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen-kyo （休暇村乳頭温泉郷）

  

Access to Nyuto Onsen-kyo Area:

1.  Find the bus stop nearest to the destination (e.g. Tsurunoyu Onsen etc.)
2.  BUS: check the time table.  Or catch a taxi at JR Tazawako Station.

Staying overnight in Nyuto? Consider Yumeguri-go!

 

IRIS ---Now on Air!

Earlier this year, IRIS, a Korean drama featuring Byon-hun Lee and Tae-hee Kim was shot in Tazawako. For a little over three weeks, our little town was almost invaded by the Koreans and the flocking Japanese supporters of the phenomenally-acclaimed Korean actor!! What a fun winter that was..

IRIS (The Official Website : http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/iris/ )

The drama is on air only in Korea at this point.. but it will be aired in Japan from February, 2010.
Here is a video of  "Don't forget'' a song by Shing Seung Hun.  Enjoy~



(Notice the scenes where Kim walks by the snowy lake, then embracing each other at Tsurunoyu and in front of the golden statue of Tatsuko.. Beautifully shot!! Thanks,  KBS!)