Spread the Smiles from Akita : New "Genki" Recovery Project Begins!

Smiles of Green Tourism in Akita Prefecture:

Look at their smiles! This morning, a local newspaper, Sakigake-shinpo published a full-page ad of the new project by Akita Government and Tourism Federation!

They are members of Nishiki Green Tourism Group. (西木ＧＴ研究会） These are the smiles you will be welcomed with at farmer’s inns (農家民宿；noka-minshuku) in Nishiki area, which is a mecca of Akita’s Green Tourism! (Read more on one of Nishiki's GT pioneer, Seisetsukan.)

Akita's Effort to Support the Neighboing Tohoku Communities:

Akita has been one of the areas whose physical damage by the earthquakes was relatively small; The Akita residents have been working hard to support the neighboring struggling prefectures.

Although there are still uncertainties regarding the nuclear situation in Fukushima, our daily life is almost back to normal; our business reopened its services, train lines have been reconnected, and flights have been rescheduled. Despite of the fact that the plants are 300 km away and even many residents are choosing to be sheltered here, Akita is still suffering from the significant economic damage!

Let Us Spread Smiles of Japan from Akita Prefecture:

While Travel and Tourism is said to be quick to recover, the damage has hit particularly in the industry; Many “Tohoku” tours have been canceled by domestic travelers in the mood of voluntarily self-restraint (“jishuku”). The consequences have been spreading to other industries too. But it is about time to end  this mood! We must regain our energy and move on so we can share it with the victimized prefectures!

That's the objective of this new project. It is called “Tohoku’s Energy Recovery Project: Smiles of Japan from Akita” (Tohoku-no-Genki-Kaifuku Project. Nippon-no-Egao Akita-kara; 東北の元気回復プロジェクト「日本の笑顔」秋田から)

From the link below, you will be directed to an online application page in which you fill out your personal information between April 22 and 25. 500 people will be randomly chosen and given a 5,000 yen worth hotel coupon. Other 200 people will be given 3,000 yen worth present as well.

Let's try our luck! Apply and become genki in Akita Prefecture!

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.

Travelling Market Goes to Seisetsukan

Seisetsukan (say "say-sets-kahn") is a farmer's inn (noka minshuku) in Nishiki Area. They will be hosting an exciting event this weekend: Tabisuru Market, or The Travelling Market.

Seisetsukan, A Farmer's Inn named "Stars and Snow Inn"

Tabisuru Market is Ms. Izumi Miura, who organizes a series of travelling flea markets to promote arts-and-craft artists and shop owners. Besides the variety of crafty goods, the market also offers an opportunity to try some delicious foods— sausages, coffee, sweets, etc.

Tabisuru Market is held at different locations with different themes. Because its location serves such an important role in setting up the atmosphere, Ms. Miura does a lot of research and networking to find the perfect site.

Seisetsukan is hosting this 2-days event on coming Sunday and Monday, July 18th-19th, 2010-- subtitled, (the market ) “Goes to a Farmer’s Inn”.

Seisetsukan is the main contributor of this event, offering the space and hosting activities like a flashlight night-hiking and fresh veggie picking (spinach, radishes, and Japanese turnips).

Seisetsukan is providing you with food items such as rice balls and miso soup as well as various kinds of mochi, rice cakes.--Remember, Seisetsukan is farmers first; therefore, the food must be fresh and good!

The Café  also features items from other businesses: Kougyoku Café (Delicatessen/Café from Yokote City) and Kawai Nojo (a dairy farm from Mitane Town).

Availability of items and events will vary on the day.

Please check the details on the flyer below.

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.