Tazawako Kogen Hot Spring Area's Mascot Characters Selected!

Over the summer, Tazawako Kogen Hot Spring Area held a contest of mascot characters themed in the tourism attractions of the area. After the thorough screening and voting, the trio characters were finally selected out of 132 contestants. On September 30th, the characters were finally revealed to the public at an announcement party.

 

Tazawako Kogen Onsenkyo Mascot Characters Announcement Party

The winner is Omotenashi Sankyodai (おもてなし三兄弟), “the 3 Hospitable Siblings.”

They are trio of fairies, each themed in different features of Tazawako Plateau: Lake Tazawa, Hot Springs, and Mt. Akita Komagatake.

Nukuindaa, Fukaindaa, and Iyasundaa


Nukuindaa, (“it warms you up”), was born in the flow of hot spring water coming from Nyuto Onsen to Tazawako Plateau. He is the youngest, boy fairy. In his tiny body, he secretly has a strongest will and burning energy. With his adorable and heartwarming character, he eases the pain of your body and soul.

Fukaindaa, (implying “it is deep”), is a fairy born in the deepest lake of Japan, Lake Tazawa. He might be a bit of sensitive and mood but has a deep compassion and considerate personality. He is the oldest of three and takes a good care of the younger ones. The depth of his heart is limitless, and he is hospitable for both the visitors and the residents in the area.

Iyasundaa, (“it heals”), was born in Mt. Akita Komagatake, which proudly represents from Mountains in Akita Prefecture as Mountain of Flowers. She is a tranquil girl who loves the flowers. She exudes a sweet aura and embraces everything and heals the heart of people.

Now the character contest moves on to a theme song! The Union is accepting ideas for a bright tune to light up the tourism in Tazawako Plateau. Please send your ideas in! We are looking forward to it :D

Sakura Viewing Spots in Semboku City (2011 Update)

In Semboku City, cherry blossoms will be seen earliest in Kakunodate Town. Then the sakura-zensen (“cherry blossoms front”) slowly moves up through Tazawako area according to the higher elevation and temperature: Lake Tazawa, Tazawako Kogen (plateau), then it finally reaches to Nyuto Onsen area in mid-May.

Kakunodate Town, for example, has been known as one of the most beautiful viewing spots of Japan. This small town, whose population is only about 14,000, is flooded with approximately 1,000,000 tourists only during the sakura weeks from late April to the first week of May.

The visitors look forward to visit two quintessential viewing spots of Kakunodate: Sakura tunnels on the bank of the Hinokinai River and the historical landscape scattered with centuries-old cherry blossoms trees.

Sakura Tunnel along the Hinokinai River

Night Viewing of Sakura amongst the Samurai Houses

The "sakura front" passes through the vast rice paddies of Jindai and Obonai area; then, it reaches to the lake and plateau. Although the viewing spots in Tazawako Area seems rather humble compare to the touristic Kakundoate area, there are many hidden viewing spots where you will most likely enjoy the fresh breeze and quietness in the air!

More info on the approximate viewing dates

are HERE.

より大きな地図で Cherry Blossom Viewpoint in Semboku City を表示

Also, JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) has some more helpful information in regard to the Bloom of Cherry Blossoms across the nation. You can see a map and updated approximate blooming dates in the major cities.

Get Rakugo Tickets at Honey Festival

Yama No Hachimitsu-Ya BEE SKEP is a specialized honey shop located near Lake Tazawa. The company owner, Mr. Nishimura, is known as a passionate man full of innovative ideas of honey and revitalizing the community.

Bee Skep's Cafe and Pastry Shop

Bee Skep's Queen Bee's Cafe, an open rest space in a double-decker!

When you meet him, you will see how charismatic he is—the fun-loving and eager character attracts many people. He inspires his staffs to become cheerful and hospitable. They are so welcoming and lovely! His philosophy is "if you don't think you could give the best smile to customers, just take a day off." People is what he cares about -- No wonder his shop is the #1 seller in the industry.

Bee Skep’s Honey Festival is coming up soon!

DATE: OCT. 7-9TH, 2010. 9:00-18:00

BUS ACCESS: Bound for Lake Tazawa /Nyuto Onsen and

 off at “Tazawako-bashi” stop. The store is right in front.

Kikuou Hayashiya, a famous rakugo story-teller (Center)

Last year it hosted more than 10,000 people only for 3 days! Phenomenal!

Aside from the honey products in the store (jams, lotions, pastries, etc.), the tents outside will offer a variety of good foods from Akita prefecture such as Inaniwa Udon, sake, pickled veggies, white taiyaki (fish-shaped pancake of rice flour) and so many more things. You can also find Kikuzo Ramen, which is a package of ramen noodle designed by Kikuou Hayashiya, a famous Rakugo (落語；Japanese traditional verbal entertainment) story-teller.

Stage performances and recreational games are available as well. Try your luck to win some Bee Skep products!

What’s more? With a purchase of over 2,000 yen, you will receive a pair of tickets to the Rakugo event on October 16th. Yes, Mr. Kikuou Hayashiya will be the headliner along with opening acts by other prominent rakugo storytellers. The tickets are not sold—it is only given to customers at the Honey Festival. Only 1,000 tickets are given away on a first come, first served basis.

This will be a rare chance to see the real rakugo in Akita! Last year’s great success has become a legend now—we are sure it will be quite an event this time as well. YOU  MUST COME!

Bonden Festival at Obonai Shrine

Many Shinto Shrines are having a reitaisai, an annual festival this week. We have introduced the reitaisai of Gozanoishi Shrine in our previous post. Reitaisai at Gozanoishi was relatively small—held only inside of the main shrine gathering less than 20 people.

Obonai Shrine, 10 minutes walk from JR Tazawako Station

On the other hand, Obonai Shrine, another local one, gathers hundreds of crowd from Obonai Area. This festival is neither as touristic nor elaborated as in Akita City’s Kanto festival or Kakunodate’s Yama-Buttsuke festival; still, this festival is traditionally held and serves an important role in reuniting families and childhood friends who returned home during the obon week (August 13th- 16th).

Although the Obonai gathers multiplied number of crowds compared to Gozanoishi Shrine, the festival is still preserved within the community, not exposed or introduced in elsewhere.

Bondens in various sizes

A bonden is a wooden cylinder decorated with cloths and papers in various hues that has a sturdy wooden stick to hold. A typical group consists of 40-60 people including men to shake the weighty bondens (various size as in a family: parent, a child, grandchild, etc), folk-dancers, and a band of taiko drums, fluetes, and bells. They stroll around town as in parade, departing from their neighborhood, stops at almost every house along the way to get to their final destination, Obonai Shrine.

Ishigami Area, near Lake Tazawa, is an area where the traditional performing arts is well-preserved and passed down through many generations. Ishigami Traditional Performing Arts Preservation Group takes its pride to do so. And you will see it—they have fun! That is why many people flock to catch a glimpse of Ishigami Group’s performance!

Enjoy the photos, first. Next post: Videos of Ishigami Group's performance!

A groups of folk-dancers are usually consisted of young girls.

Flute players

Taiko Drums

The bands are loaded in this mini-truck.

A man reading the list of donations made to the group.

Mini Bondens.. held by the children

 

Lining up in front of the main shrine in the end of the festival.

The Annual Ritual at Gozanoishi (Videos)

Here are some videos of the Reitaisai at Gozanoishi Shrine. Enjoy!

A Musical Ritual at Gozanoishi Shrine

Red Torii facing the lake at Gozanoishi

Gozanoishi Shrine is one of the most picturesque and popular sites at Lake Tazawa. The name, Gozanoishi, is said to derive from a historical fact that Lord Yoshitaka of the Satake Clan that ruled Akita area around 17th century had rested and enjoyed the magnificent view upon his visit to Tazawako Area.

Staricase connecting between the torii and the precinct.

Original amulets for sale (left). The offering goes to maintain the shrine.

The main shrine at Gozanoishi.

Tatsuko's Statue for the eternal beauty stands on your right from the entrance to the precinct.

Even the fountain for washing hands is dragon-shaped.

As some summer travelers might know, August is when many festivals are held in all over Japan, regardless of its religious, customary or touristic meanings for the people.

Reitaisai is an annual ritual which signifies the most important ceremonies for the shrine. Some reitaisais are elaborated and touristic: others are more humble and kept --yet practicing the unique customs of the tradition.

Gozanoishi Shrine’s Reitaisai (例大祭) is an example of the latter— hosting no more than 15 guests—performed with a religious music and dance with traditional instruments. Quite interesting!

A ritual dance with bells.

Ritual dance using the swords!

Some say Gozanoishi Shrine emits a strong spiritual powerwho knows—but just the magnificent view through the red torii gate would leave you an enduring impression in your mind. You might feel somehow spiritual.

Note there are a few other spots nearby you couldn’t miss: The mirror rock which Tatsuko had reflected herself in (Kagami-Ishi: 鏡石), the holy tree naturally grafted with seven species (Nanairogi:七色木), and a reconstructed site of the holy spring where Tatsuko took a sip from (Katagashira-no-reisen: 潟頭の霊泉).

Gozanoishi's Torii Gate

Naturally-grafted, Nanairo-gi, or A Tree of Seven Colors

Amagai-ishi, or The Rock of Call for Rain

The rock

A cafe is next to the shrine.

Asari-Shoten, or Asari Market, is a souvenir shop with some snacks and noodles.

Access: Take a local bus line called Isshu-Sen (一周線), which departs from JR Tazawako Station, loops around the lake, and takes you back to the station. A few of them (check the time) even allow you to take off, enjoy your sightseeing, and hop on the next available bus—not all of the buses on the line, though, so plan ahead!

downloadable from the side bar.

Tazawako Festival 2010

Tazawako Festival is an annual event held late July each year with highlights including fireworks and a dragon festival that represents Tatsuko's reunion with Hachiro Taro, her lover in Legend of Three Lakes.

This year's Tazawako Festival was held last Saturday, bringing more than 8,000 people to our small town.

Each year, two people are  chosen to take the role of Tatsuko and Hachiro Taro. Past few years the roles were played by persons from neighboring cities. This year the candidates happened to be the natives to Tazawako-- It brought so much joy to the local people!

A hiking tour was scheduled to follow the route of Tatsuko— starting off from her birthplace in Innai area, pay a visit to historical landmarks, hiking up through the mountains all the way to Lake Tazawa.

Innnai Area, Tatsuko's birthplace.

Tatsuko for this year 2010 was Miss Shinobu Kanaya.

A shinto ceremony in front of Tatsuko's grave.

Tatsuko's Grave

Unfortunately, the tour was called off due to the unpredictable weather and route condition, for it is meant to be Tatsuko's pilgrimage that greatly concerns her safety.

Instead, the group  visited ruins of Okura shrine. It is a shrine, according to the legend, to which Tatsuko is said to paid 100 night visits to wish for the eternal beauty.

A monument at the ruins of Okura Shirine.

At the site now remains a few kannon statues.

The ruins are embedded deep in forest.

Many food stalls welcomed guests at the event site, among which was a produce market by Omagari Nogyo High School. Another group from the same high school performed traditional dance on stage.  

Omagari Nogyo High School specializes in agriculture courses.

Omagari Nogyo High School's Traditional Dance Club

Other food stalls included Keitora Ichi, a market of light-weight ("kei" class) trucks loading different products.

The biggest attractions of Tazawako Festival are held in the evening: Ryujin-Sai (Dragon Festiva) and fireworks on the lake!

Last year Dragon Festival was cancelled due to the shortage of hands. It was a disappointment to many people, so that this year a great effort was made to to spread the words, bringing more than 100 participants-- more than we expected!  

Tatsuko and Hachiro for this year: Miss Shinobu Kanaya and Mr. Shunsuke Sasaki

The participants getting ready for the festivity!

The floats led by Tatsuko and Taro proceeded to the ceremony.

Ceremony for the eternal unity of a couple

Two dragon floats representing Tatsuko and Hachiro Taro are carried to the beach.

Tazawako Ryujin ("Guardian Dragon")  Daiko

The food stalls can not be missed!

Tazawako Festival takes place in late July. We will be looking forward to seeing you next year!