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!

Tazawako Beer Awarded as World's Best Pale Ale at WBA

Tazawako Beer has won another honorable prize – now selected as the World’s Best Altbier Pale Ale by The World Beer Award!

The World Beer Award has been given annually to recognize best quality beers from around the globe. They are first selected regionally and compete against one another globally in individual categories of Ale, Lager, Stout, Porter, and Wheat Beer.

In this contest held in the Britain, Tazawako Beer’s Alt has been selected as the World’s Best Altbier Pale Ale in the category of World’s Best Pale Ales, it has been officially announced on October 27th.

The judging procedure is done blind for the fairness, which makes this competition the most credible international beer contest. First Tazawako Beer’s Alt was chosen to represent as the number 1 from Asia, then it proceeded to the final selection. The judges have reasoned that it has “sweet, toasted wood aroma. Rich mouth-feel with strong Alt characters, syrupy palate. Nice berry fruit character behind a good balance of malt and hops. Slightly sweet but fitting of the style, clean finish. Delicious!”

Tazawako Beer is brewed by the Warabi-za theatre company in Semboku City, which is the first beer brewery of Akita Prefecture. Tazawako Beer has competed and been awarded at several international competitions held in Japan before, but the World Beer Award was their first time to win overseas.

For its abrupt achievement, Mr.Taguchi, the manager of Tazawako Beer, has commented, “We have been crafting our product with some confidence, but this recognition has made it even more positive. We would like to continue brewing our beer and hope to please people in Akita.”

For more information, please contact Tazawako Beer (田沢湖ビール; Tel. 0187-44-3988).

(Source/ Yomiuri On-Line)

Best Craft Beer for Half Price at Tazawako Beer Festival (July 16-18)

Tazawako Beer is one of the best craft beer breweries of Japan! They have repeatedly won national and international awards. The brewery restaurant is now offering you a limited deal for these three days weekend starting from tomorrow.

 

The Beer Festival will be held from July 16 to 18 at Tazawako Beer Brewery Restaurant. During this festival, all the Tazawako Beer orders are half the regular prices! Of course, the usual all-you-can-drink is available as well.

●Glass（300ml）　350Yen　→　175Yen

●Mug “Jokki”（500ml）　550Yen　→　275Yen

●Pitcher （1,350ml）　1,350Yen　→　675Yen

Prices include sales tax.

 

Tazawako Beer Restaurant

Business Opens from 11:00 – 21:00

Between 14:00 – 17:00 Only Drinks

Closed Every Tuesdays until December 27th

Business Hour is flexible on your request. (TEL 0187-44-3988)

Tazawako Beer Won International Competition Again!

Tazawako Beer  （田沢湖ビール）has won another international award at Japan Asia Beer Cup 2011 by Japan Craft Beer Association (JCBA). Weizen of Tazawako Beer managed by Warabi-za in Semboku City has won the gold prize in the category of Weisbier.

(Source/ Sakigake On the Web)

Weizen features a tart and fruity flavor like banana and has been the original bottle since the company’s establishment in 1997. The company have just released 3,000 bottles in April but soon adding another 6,000 bottles in July to commemorate the winning of the gold prize, which is the second time to receive such award following their Altbier in 2006.

This year the awarding ceremony was held in Ebisu, Tokyo. 54 Craft beer breweries around Japan have submitted 144 brands in 24 categories. Tazawako Beer was awarded a silver prize on another bottle called Oraho made from smoked malt.

A 330ml bottle of Weizen is available for 498 Yen and Oraho is for 795 Yen. Inquire Tazawako Beer.

Sashimaki Mizubasho 2011 (Access/ Food / Souvenirs)

Sashimaki Mizubasho Festival 2011

has started on April 16th and continues till May 5th.

Click Here to Read More on Mizubasho Festival 

Access:

DRIVE – Route 46 in between Tazawako and Kakunodate Station. If you are driving eastbound from Kakunodate Area, the colony will be found on your right hand side before JR Sashimaki Station. Parking capacity is 70 cars and free of charge.

WALK -- 15 minutes walk from the nearby JR Sashimaki Station. When you exit the station, make an immediate left. Just follow the event signs and continue walking on the paved way. You may find some wild cherry blossoms and Mizubasho flowers as well, but  you are not there yet; continue until you get to the event site.

BUS – The bus lines connect JR Stations (Tazawako, Sashimaki, and Kakunodate). See the time-table below (left corner) on the flyer.

JR TRAINS – Take a local train on JR Tazawako Line; Shinkansen Express do not make a stop at Sashimaki Station. See the time-table below.

 

Local Food / Souvenirs:

Traditional Cuisine – Yama-no-imo Nabe (Hot Pot with balls of grated yam), Miso-Tanpo, Iwana (Japanese Char), Tama-Konnyaku, Oden, etc.

Other Local Specialties – Pickled Vegetables (Iburi-gakko, Eggplants, etc), Fresh Sansai (Wild Delicacies), Home-baked Oyaki (rice cake), Buckwheat Flour, Rice, Snacks, and Sweets, etc.

Other Souvenirs-- Iwana-sushi (Pressed Sushi with Japanese Char), Dorei (Pained Clay Bells), Liquors, Woodcrafts Goods, Tazawako Beer (Bottled Craft Beer), ORAE's Sausage with Alpine Leek, Nijinobuta Sausages and Pork on skewers, Rice-flour Taiyaki (fish-shaped pancake with sweet bean paste inside),Tagosaku Senbei, etc.

(Clockwise) Oyaki, ORAE's Sausages, Snacks,Yama-no-imo Nabe, Rice-flour Taiyaki,

Tazawako Beer (Sakura-kobo Beer), Miso-Tanpo, Woodcrafts, Dorei (Clay Bells).

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!

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 )

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.