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!

Katamaeyama Forest Park : The Best Viewing Spot of Lake Tazawa and Akita Komagatake!

Today was such a beautiful weather at Lake Tazawa! On such day, here is a place where you can come and see the entire view of Lake Tazawa and Akita Komagatake, the highest mountains in Akita Prefecture!



Tazawako Viewpoint at Katamaeyama Shinrin Koen (Forest Park)



This scenic spot located in Katamaeyama Forest Park　（潟前山森林公園）. During the summer, this park is a popular camping spot where you can choose to stay at a cottage or a bungalow as well. It is close to Murakko Bussankan　（むらっこ物産館）, a farmer's market where you can find local delicious foods!

Although this camping is not in service during the winter, you can still come by for the beautiful view!

Seeing Akita Komagatake over Lake Tazawa.
Tazawako Ski Area is about to open soon!

より大きな地図で Tazawako Map を表示

Business Re-Opening in Spring (Part 2): Murakko Bussankan

Driving on from Tazawako Heart Herb ...

My next destination is Murakko Bussankan in Nishiki Area.

Murakko Bussankan is another store that had a celebratory event after the winter closure. They had a festival called Bakkya Matsuri, Butterbur Sprout Festival. But by the time I got there, it was already past noon. Too bad, all the prepared Bakkya dishes were gone, but instead I enjoyed talking to the staffs and the customers enjoying their lunch. I overheard a conversation between people asking one another where they were from. Some had unfamiliar accents, so I believe they were from different parts of Tohoku.

The entrance

The packages are labeled with a name and contact information of its producer. It has become a common preaution taken by many co-op style markets in Japan, but it just shows how much the providers care about the consumers. Plus, it would make you feel like cherishing it so much more when you see a familar name on the label.

The packaged Bakkya, Butterbur Sprout.

Azami (C. japonicum DC) is commonly enjoyed in local cuisine.

I found other kinds of wild delicacies too, all prepared and ready to be cooked! The prices are so  reasonable, considering all the preparations you need to take before cooking them by yourself.

Local people enjoying the lunch combinations! Help yourself with a piece of dried mochi roasted on the irori fireplace.

In Autumn, they have Saimyo-ji Chestnut instead.

Get a pack of Iburi-Gakko here! They are radishes smoked and picked by hands of local ladies.

Handwoven baskets.

This small store is so much more informative and you can take a better peek at the lives of local people. The staffs are very friendly and hospitable, so you should talk to them!

Up on the wall I found a poster of up-coming events. Special events are planned on every third Sundays.

The Event schedule of 2010:

Bakkya (Butterbur Sprout) Matsuri---April 18th

Sansai Matsuri (Wild Vegetables) Festival--- May 16th

Takenoko (Bamboo Shoots) Festival--- June

Mizu (E. Umbellatum) Festival--- July 18th

Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival)---August 14th

Kinoko Matsuri (Mushroom Festival)--- September 19th

Shukaku Kansha Sai (Thanksgiving Festival)---October 17th

Attaka Nabe Matsuri (Hot Pot Festival)--- November 21st

The back of the building still remains inches of snow. In summer, you can have a short walk here. The store is located right in front of the gate to Katamae-Yama Shinrin Koen (Katamae-Yama Forest Park). You can strech your walk to the park, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. The park is also a popular camp grounds with cottages and bungalows. If you are camping there, this is the closest grocery store. The business is open 9:00-17:00.