Now Open : IRIS Museum at JR Tazawako Station

A museum to commemorate the filming of Korean drama, IRIS, in Akita Prefecture has just opened at JR Tazawako Station. Many authentic props and picture panels are on display at this exhibition. On December 22nd, an opening ceremony was held attended by an actor, Mr. Kim Young-Chul, and Mr. Tae-Won, CEO of Taewon Entertainment, producer and distributor of the acclaimed TV series.



IRIS Museum Opening Ceremony, December 22, 2011.



In the speech, Mr. Taewon showed his great interest in filming the sequence in Akita again: “IRIS and Akita are closely associated. We heard the tourists number declined after the earthquakes. I hope that IRIS 2 will bring many more tourists and re-energize.” Additionally, he suggested a possible idea to “recast Lee Byung-Hun as the main character and start from a scene in which he is shot, where the previous series left off.” He revealed that the filming in Akita may begin from fall or winter next year.

At the museum, you can find props like a mask worn by Lee and a hand mold by Mr. Jung Jun-Ho as well as some photo panels featuring the Akita scenes and the locations where they were filmed. On the first day of public opening, December 23, the museum was visited by approximately 3000 visitors!

The IRIS Museum is the second floor space of JR Tazawako Station. Previously, the area has been used for displaying pictures regarding environmental resources and showing some video on the regional culture. The area was re-modeled for this special exhibition by the hands of art directors of the drama IRIS.

The admission is FREE, open every day from 9:30am to 16:00pm, and scheduled to remain open until the end of March, 2013.

World Premier of IRIS's Theatrical Version!

IRIS-THE LAST, The theatrical version of Korean Drama IRIS has been just released on January 8th. Before the nationwide theatrical release, there was a premier screening in Akita City!

It was an exclusive event, which invited only 400 people like staffs and volunteers involved in the location shooting in Akita as well as public audience selected out of 4000 applicants.

 

The opening ceremony was a performance of Namahage, a traditional ritual from Oga peninsula, which also appeared in the film and drama.

Photo courtesy of Semboku City

After the screening some IRIS related goods were handed out to the audience. It contained a few film flyers, IRIS photo cards, and a mug with printed Tazawako scene!

We hope many more people enjoy IRIS, and it will become a good introduction to Akita’s beautiful scenery!

Komakan: A Hotel With Satisfying Meals For a Great Price!

Komagatake Kanko Hotel (“Komakan”) is located in Tazawako-Kogen area, which is with a great access to Tazaswako Ski Area, Nyuto and Mizusawa Onsens, and Mt. Komagatake.


Komakan is one of the largest hotels, which host individual travelers as well as a larger group of a travel agency. Many travel agencies offer package tours with an acommodation at Komakan, and satisfying both domestic and international guests. It is because the food and Onsen are satisfactory!

Komakan’s meal is known for its volume and been popular especially for hungry travelers! The quality and presentation are good as well. All year around, they offer special deals with two meals (dinner/breakfast).

You can find out more on their website, but here is an example of their #1 offer:

Goka-Shokuzai-Ni-Bikkuri, Onaka Manzoku Plan

(“Stomach Satisfying Plan with Surprising and Rich Ingredients”)

Starting from 18,900 yen for two people, you can choose a main dish for your dinner from a list with seafoods including large horsehair crab, shrimps, abalone, and some more. Breakfast would be a buffet. With such meal and volume for this price, you won’t walk out without feeling satisfied!

Free wi-fi access is available on the lobby. If you are there and wondering what IRIS is about, check out the desk with magazines and some local IRIS information here.

IRIS Booth Located in the Lobby.

The nearest bus stop is Kami-Kogen Onsen (上高原温泉), which is just across the street from Komakan. If the bus is not available on your convenience, they can take you to the nearest station, JR Tazawako Station.

Kami-Kogen-Onsen(上高原温泉）Stop

Stay at Birke and Become a Fan!

Hutte Birke is a family-owned inn within a minute from Tazawako Ski Area. Why am I talking about them now in the summer? Well, here is the reason:

Hutte Birke

Mrs. Sato, the landlady of this minshuku, best known as Birke Eomeoni or Birke Mama, is an energetic and homey woman who can leave you a deep impression as, well, an enthusiastic Tazawako and IRIS promoter!

How she came about is an interesting story. For several years, Korean drama has been very popular in Japan. Winter Sonata was a mega-hit here, which has inspired many people to study Korean language. It is only natural to want to understand the content beyond translation. So she did—she started to learn Korean language, entirely embracing the culture as well.


To make the long story short, for her passion in Korean culture, filming of IRIS at Tazawako Ski Area was such a fortunate coincidence! Even more, when the filming took place in her neighborhood, she offered her place to a crew – just for a slim chance to be a help. As it turns out, he came back on the following day and asked her to share the place for Lee to change the wardrobe.

Her excitement from the day still remains strongly. She has written with more details in her blog, which has been visited by many. Today her inn is becoming one of the IRIS related spots. Guests can see the autograph of the star Lee Byoung-hun and IRIS-related photos displayed next to her family photos—as if it is her wall of honor to celebrate her extended family.

Autograph on the wall

She shares not only her IRIS collection but also a lot of tourist information on Tazawako Area. Talking with her would make you a fan of both the drama and Tazawako Area! That is why she is such an IRIS and Tazawako promoter!

She is admirable also for her savviness in Sansai, wild delicacies. Her meals consits of seasonal delicacies collected by her own hands in the neighboring wilderness. If you are interested in knowing how the locals really eat, she probably would be willing to show you!

Birke Mama!

Another specialty of her is special blend of tea—containing 16 different kinds of wild herbs. The earthy aroma and a hint of natural sweetness have been praised by locals including a chef of Momo-Ya, a restaurant highly conscientious about healthy and high quality ingredients. Now Birke’s tea has been served at Momo-ya as a part of brown-rice lunch special (macrobiotic-inspired).

Birke Blend, lots of good stuff!

List of herbs and its effects.

Drying her herb!

She has a charm that attracts people beyond languages and cultures. Her genuine hospitality makes you feel at home. She is someone who is trustworthy to put up a friend with, because of her compassion for people. That is why travelers from in and out of Japan keep on coming back! Perhaps with her, you can call Tazawako your second home!

Entrance

Onsen!

She has many nostalgic things.

 

A welcoming message written by her sons when they were little.

All the rooms have tatami mats.

JTB's IRIS Tour is Out!

JTB's IRIS Tour is available now: http://d-stand.jtb.co.jp/fdata/book12558/index.html


JTB Travel has just put IRIS related package tour on sale! You can browse the detailed prices and itinerary on their website above.


JTB’s IRIS package tour also features stops at IRIS filming locations including transportations and accommodations. As opposed to their counterpart JR East’s View product that is either day-trip or one-night at a hotel, this JTB version are stretched over 2 nights or 3 nights taking you to many other places. If you prefer an extended trip to enjoy the sightseeing spots of Akita, JTB could be more preferable for you. If you wish to visit IRIS filming locations exclusively for a short time, JR would be the one for you!

Detailed itinerary is omitted here, so please check their website for more detailed information. (But sorry, it’s only in Japanese at this point.) Some noteworthy differences from JR of each itinerary are listed belw.

Course A: 2 Nights (Tazawako-Yokote-Akita-Oga)*
Arriving at Tazawako Station and a tour to spots in Tazawako. Have a Lunch at ORAE and stay at Hotel Ischia. 2nd day is a trip to Yokote City and stay at Castle Hotel in Akita. 3rd day is a trip to Oga City and return to Tokyo from Morioka Station.

Course B: 2 Nights (Akita-Oga- Tazawako)
Arriving at Akita Station. A trip to Oga and an accommodation at Hotel Teisui. 2nd day is in Yokote and stay at Castle Hotel in Akita City. 3rd day is to Tazawako and return to Tokyo.

Course C: 3 Nights (Yokote-Tazawako-Nairiku Jukan Tetsudo-Oga-Akita City)*
 Arriving at Omagari Station; a trip to Yokote City and stay at Hotel Ischia in Tazawako. 2nd day is a train ride on Nairiku Jukan Tetsudo and stay at Hotel Teisui in Oga. 3rd day is sightseeing in Oga and Akita City and stay at Castle Hotel in Akita. The last day, a shopping at Akita Shimin Ichiba and return to Tokyo.


*Note: you will be allowed to see Byoung-hun Room (where Lee stayed) only if you are an overnight guest at Hotel Ischia.

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.

Tazawako Ski Area is Open This Summer

Tazawako Ski Area is open during this summer as well! One of the most remembered Akita scenes of Korean Drama IRIS was shot at Tazawako Ski Area. Ginrei House is a restaurant where Kim Hyeon-joon (Lee Byung-hun) and Choi Seung-hee (Kim Tae-hee) have a cup of coffee after skiing. The building is located about halfway up the hill, where you could have a magnificent view of Lake Tazawa.


The winter sports season is officially over, but Tazawako Ski Area is going to remain open throughout the off-season as well. They are commemorating the drama shoot at the site, and turning the restaurant Ginrei House into an exhibition space where you can have a coffee (Blended coffee Lee was pleased) or other kinds of soft drinks. The site is being decorated with many props actually used during the shoot--- snow suit worn by Lee, the yellow snow mobile, autographs by the casts, etc. Many tour packages are already confirmed by JTB and JR View (major Japanese travel agencies), which are already being booked so rapidly!

The admission charge to this exhibition is 500 yen per person including your choice of a drink. Whether or not you come to Tazawako for drama, you will definitely enjoy visiting this place!

Still in the process of preparation here.

View from the window where the actors sat.

The same cup used for the scene. The cups are disappearing... I wonder how!

One of the slopes at Tazawako Ski Area was named IRIS Gelande.

Soundtrack and promotional videos are being played.

The panels with autographs are displayed.

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 Information Exhibit at Tazawako Station

We are displaying a collection of materials related to the Korean drama IRIS, including photos, articles, and videos. It’s located on the upstairs of JR Tazawako Station. It’s your rare opportunity to see these materials all at once! You shouldn’t miss it!

Go upstairs.. following the sign.

Down the hallway is the Cinema Club! Open 8:30-18:30 Admission Free! Just come in....

Newspaper articles. Courtesy of Akita Sakigake Shinpo 

The official IRIS LOCATION MAP is out!

IRIS, Korean action drama featuring Lee Byoung-hun, Kim Tae-hee and T.O.P. of Big Bang, was shot in Akita Prefecture. The broadcasting in Korea has already ended, but it's still been recieving raving reviews in Korea and other Korean-speaking communities. Finally, the Japanese release date was announced! ( See the details on IRIS Japanese Official Site)

Save the date: Wednesday April 21st, 2010. 21:00-23:00 on TBS Channel.

Many beautiful scenes in which main characters have a romantic get-away were shot in Tazawako Area. Even the rumored and deleted (?) bed-scene was shot in Tazawako! Check out my post on Hotel Ischia.

We have been inquired on the drama locations and access to the other areas. We were unable to publish any IRIS-titled guide maps due to the copyrights and such. However, the rumor had it that the Akita prefectural government was working on a official IRIS materials! In the meanwhile, to live up to the growing expectations and demands, we made a hand-drawn map featuring, not Lee Byoung-hun, but our local character, Takko-chan!!!

Download from the sidebar link or here.  This is so humble *blush*

It has a simplified map of the station area with names of nearby bus stops to the drama locations!

It is still useful, isn’t it? .. Well, at least some people find it cute!

So finally here it is...

The OFFICIAL IRIS Location Guide Book!

Published by Akita Prefectural Government

As of now, only Japanese and Korean versions are available. If you are lucky, you might grab a hard copy, but the stock is extremely scarce! Additional printing has been placed in order and English version is on its way. You can also download a PDF file on their website. (click here)
Enjoy the map and stay in tune!

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.