Into Aichi - Secrets of Central Japan -

[intoaichi]

Starting the New Year Japanese Style, Hatsumode

On the dot of midnight, December 31st, all across Japan, temple bells begin to ring out to welcome in the new year. The deep, resonating booming of temple bells can be heard from miles around in the crisp, cold air.

To the Japanese, New Years Day is as important as Christmas in the west, and is celebrated as such. Part of the traditional celebrations include performing Hatsumode.

Hatsumode is the First Visit of the New Year to a Shinto Shrine, to thank the Shinto gods for the previous year, and pray for happiness in the coming, new year (Pictures above: Tsushima Shrine’s Main Gate and the great crowd awaiting for midnight on New Year’s eve).

Some of the more famous shrines around Aichi include the nationally famous Atsuta Jingu in Nagoya City (picture above), which receives millions of visitors over the first three days of the year. The Toyokawa Inari (picture below), a rare combination of Buddhist temple and Shinto shrines, is one of the nations Three Big Inari shrines, dedicated to the god of foxes. Inazawa City is famed for the ancient Owari Ookunitama Shrine, while the historical Tsushima Shrine, head of a 3,000 shrine network is also a very popular Hatsumode spot.

(Above: Toyokawa Inari on New Year’s and its famed Reiko-zuka Foxes)

It is a big occasion with many dressing in kimono, and many shrines surrounded by festival like attractions and food stalls.

Many people make the mistake of going to temples to perform Hatsumode, but in fact, Shinto Shrines are where one truly does Hatsumode. Performing Hatsumode is simple. Make your way to your local shrine, remembering to bow as you pass under the distinctive tori gates, as you are entering holy ground. Upon entering, you’ll see people going through a ritual cleansing process, scooping water and washing both hands, then standing in line to take turns at facing the shrine. It’s as simple as depositing an offertory coin, bowing twice, clapping your hands twice, putting your hands together, and with your eyes closed and head bowed, pay your respects. When you’ve finished, bow again, and you’re done!

(Above: washing hands before the prayer is part of the purification ritual)

The faithful crowds, now done with their spiritual obligations, then buy amulets, including traditional cloth bags called Omamori, or arrows, even Kumade bamboo rakes decorated with auspicious items to “rake in” fortune. Speaking of fortunes, omikuji, fortunes telling the outcome of your year ahead are also popular. Some, especially those who have bad luck predicted, will fold the omikuji into a long thin string and tie it to a tree or special line set up for the occasion.

(Above: amulets for sale at Atsuta Jingu Shrine on New Year’s)

(Above, kumade rake amulets for sale at a Japanese shrine)

It’s a great way to start the new year, and experience Japanese culture too.

(Above: Main Gate of Masumida Shrine on New Year, Ichinomiya City)

(Above: the great crowds at Tsushima Shrine continue for the three first days of New Year in Tsushima City)

Aichi Now - Hatsumode Feature (Basic English version): https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/features/detail/10/

Aichi Now - Hatsumode Feature (Complete Japanese version): https://www.aichi-now.jp/features/detail/131/

[intoaichi]

World SAMURAI Summit in Samurai Heartland, Aichi!!

Aichi has long been recognized as the “Home of the Samurai”, as most of the more famous samurai through history were born in and around Aichi. To celebrate their rich heritage, Aichi Prefecture recently staged the World SAMURAI Summit on the weekend of November 19 and 20. Two days of samurai action and excitement, including samurai parades by samurai from across the nation, demonstrations by traditional samurai sword-smiths, traditional hawking, food and samurai goods stalls too.

Staged at the World EXPO 2005 site in the eastern districts of Nagoya at Nagakute, the grounds were filled with folks in samurai gear, enjoying the stage presentations, talk shows, re-enactments and competitions. There were old samurai, young samurai, very young samurai, women samurai, even foreign samurai! The demonstration of actual battlefield fighting techniques, put on by one of Japan’s most realistic re-enactment groups, had the crowds applauding for more! The event ended with a display of Tezutsu-hanabi, hand held fireworks based on the old samurai signaling flares.

Although the Samurai Summit has finished for now, there are still a few places where you can go to try on samurai armor and have your photo taken all dressed up too. One of the best is Kiyosu Castle, in the western districts of Nagoya City. You can try on the armor, take photos, register yourself on the International Samurai Registry, and receive a certificate. Another great place is Okazaki Castle, birthplace of the first Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Mikawa Bushi and Ieyasu Museum also has armor for visitors to try on.

Above: Samurai Armor Fitting Experience at Kiyosu Castle

Above: Okazaki’s Busho-no-Yakata is another place for Samurai Armor Experience

Hope to see you next year for the next World Samurai Summit in Aichi!

https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/spots/detail/1543/

[intoaichi]

Hard To say, Easy to Enjoy, Aichi’s Delicacy, Hitsumabushi

Apart from Okinawan cuisine, no other region in Japan boasts such a unique food culture as that of Aichi. Known as Nagoya Meshi, or Samurai Cuisine, it is rich in variety, and includes rice based meals, side dishes, confectionary, snack like serves enjoyed with alcohol, and not just traditional Japanese cuisine, but international foods have been creatively enhanced to create a cross-cultural food experience with Nagoya Meshi.

One of the most popular Nagoya Meshi meals is a dish called Hitsumabushi. That’s quite a mouthful to say, break it up, Hitsu-Ma-Bushi,…there! That’s the first major hurdle covered. Stay with me, there are a few more hurdles to get over.

Next hurdle, What is it? Hitsumabushi is slices of char-grilled eel covered in rich tamari sauce, served atop a steaming bed of rice in a large wooden container.

 EEL?? Yes, eel, and its not as bad as it sounds. The aroma of the eel being char-grilled is one of the finer smells of Japan, and the taste of the grilled eel together with the tamari sauce is simply divine! Just smell it on the street first, that will have you wanting to go inside the restaurant and try it,…trust me.

The grilled slices of eel are served on a bed of rice. Separate it into four serves, and scoop out the first portion and savior its natural taste. For the second portion, add the accompanying condiments and enjoy.  

The third segment is enjoyed like ochazuke, doused in green tea or broth, and the remaining condiments, allowing you to enjoy three flavors in one. For the fourth final serve, you choose your favorite way to partake. Personally I skip steps two and three and enjoy it just as it is served.

Hitsumabushi is said to have originated in Nagoya during the Meiji Period. When it came to be served as the final, most anticipated dish at banquets, and condiments such as green tea were added to make it refreshing. 

Incidentally, I mentioned this being called Samurai Cuisine, right? The eel is sliced open along the backbone in the Kansai (western Japan) style, as cutting along the stomach is seen as too similar to the traditional punishment of the samurai, the practice of Hara-Kiri!

Incidentally, I mentioned this being called Samurai Cuisine, right? The eel is sliced open along the backbone in the Kansai (western Japan) style, as cutting along the stomach is seen as too similar to the traditional punishment of the samurai, the practice of Hara-Kiri!

  Hitsumabushi, grilled eel,…it’s not a punishment, it’s a reward!

[intoaichi]

Rallying Around The Shinshiro Rally

Aichi is the motoring center of Japan. Toyota was founded and remains in Aichi, Mitsubishi is here, most of the major car parts manufacturing and research companies, such as Denso, Aishin and others are based in Aichi. Aichi has some of Japan’s greatest motor museums, and it also has the Shinshiro Rally!

Around 15 rally cars of different makes and models, but all outstanding with their colorful livery and sponsor signage, (not to mention those purring engines) roared through the streets of Nagoya city recently to be displayed at the annual Shinshiro Rally’s Official Kick-Off event, staged at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, the original site of the Toyota Motor Company, just north of Nagoya Station, the gateway to Aichi.

Rally officials, Shinshiro City’s Mayor, the Governor of Aichi and over 300 participants were on hand to promote the exciting event.

Held since 2004, over 45 thousand spectators line the course annually for the All Japan Rally series final showdown either late October of early November on Aichi Prefectures’ historical Shinshiro City. Top names from Japan and even international drivers compete over the two-day rally covering a total 78km worth of special stage courses.

Unlike rallies in Europe, America, Australia, where the mix of wider paved and dirt roads make up the course, Japan’s narrow, twisting turns and curves provide the next level of excitement. That and the determination of the Japanese drivers to take the flag means a race worth rallying around!

Shinshiro Rally >>

https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/spots/detail/163/

[intoaichi]

Aichi’s Amazing Autumn Attractions

“Koyo mini ikoyo”

If you’re coming to Japan in autumn, and you have friends to guide you around, use this phrase,….  “Koyo mini ikoyo”.

Use this, and you’ll be treated to some of the best autumn leaf viewing spots Aichi Prefecture has to offer. Places like Jakkoin, a 650-year-old temple at the top of a very steep hill in Inuyama, with 320 steps leading to the main precincts. That’s 320 steps, with seven pause points from the car park at the half-way point! The area was a favorite spot of the warlord and master of the region, Oda Nobunaga. Particularly in autumn! The 800 or so bright red and orange trees under a crisp blue Japanese sky is even more breathtaking than the stairs to the top!

Another great spot to visit is Asuke’s Korankei Gorge, a deep, ancient valley gouged out by the Tomoe River that flows through it. The banks of the river are lined with over 4,000 maple trees, and even more deciduous trees along the many walkways create tunnels of color. At night, the Korankei Gorge is illuminated, creating a mystical scene. The surrounding mountains also turn a brilliant fire-engine red, yellow, orange, and vermilion. Come at the right time, stand in the right place and you can see a rainbow effect reflected in the river, red, golden yellow, orange, blue and green. Simply stunning!

Iwayado Koen in Seto City is also famed for its fall colors, with thousands of trees divided by a gushing river among spectacular rock formations, gorgeous waterfalls and hiking trails. Late November is best for this area, and if you can, go on a weekday. Weekends, the place is PACKED!

One more place that is truly magical is the Horai-ji Temple on 700m high holy Mt. Horai. The area is a known power spot. The temple complex is stunning all year round, situated below a sheer cliff face, but in autumn, it becomes all the more special with some of the most beautiful leaves in Japan, in abundance! The effect lasts after the leaves fall too, carpeting the temple grounds and walkways with discarded foliage. Until you see the colors of Aichi’s Horai-ji area in Horai City in the autumn, you’ll never know the true meaning of the word “magical”.

Jakkoin Temple in Inuyama, Korankei Gorge in Asuke, Seto’s Iwayado, or Horaiji’s Horai-ji Temple…these are just a few of the many great seasonal leaf viewing spots to visit. Wherever you go in Aichi during the autumn, the scenery will bring a smile to your face, and using the above mentioned phrase will bring a smile to your Japanese friends’ faces too.

 “Koyo mini ikoyo”

It’s a word pun. It means “Let’s go see Autumn leaves!”

Features: Temples, Shrines and Autumn Leaves >>

https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/features/detail/70/

Autumn Festivals and Gorgeous Festival Floats >>

https://www.aichi-now.jp/en/features/detail/71/

[intoaichi]

The Crazy World of the World Cosplay Summit

Aichi is the home of the Japanese Cosplay boom sweeping the world. Every year the World Cosplay Summit is staged in Aichi’s capital, Nagoya, every August, drawing thousands from overseas, and many, many more from across Japan to take part in dressing up as your favorite anime, manga, or game hero or character. The amount of time and effort put into the costumes is incredible! The atmosphere in the city center is electric!

 It’s colorful, it’s entertaining, it’s fun, it’s creative, it’s crazy, it’s amazing! It’s the World Cosplay Summit!

(Japanese Anime, Manga and Game Culture spreads across the world!)

Teams from 30 countries around the world compete for the title of World Cosplay Champion!

You’ll be amazed as the Red Carpet Parade takes place along Nagoya City Central’s Nishiki Dori main street in front of capacity crowds. Many thousands more gather in full costume around the futuristic looking shopping and event space at Oasis 21 and the ancient Osu Kannon Temple precincts. There are events in Aichi’s seaside Gamagori, and at the historic Museum Meiji Mura too. Then comes the big event itself,…the World Cosplay Championships.

(Even if you don’t know what’s going on, it’s still great fun to watch!)

( Over 30 countries from around the world are represented. )

(Animation and Game Characters come to life in creative and entertaining ways) Some amazing people, in fantastic costumes put on some incredible shows! Even the Governor of Aichi gets into costume and joins the festivities!

(Governor Omura as animation character, Detective Conan)

(The costumes are stunning! )

When the World Cosplay Summit starts, not just Japan, but the world takes notice! The show can be watched live across the globe on the Niconico streaming service website. Many Cosplay fans around the world hold home parties to enjoy the event with their friends, naturally, they’re all in costume too! I’m lucky in that I get one of the best seats in the house,…being the annual events’ MC and all!  See you at the World Cosplay Summit!

[intoaichi]

A Walk Around Nagoya’s Samurai Castle

There are many articles on the internet extolling the wonders of Nagoya Castle. Most will tell you the most obvious points and places to look for,..here are a few you might not have known about.

The first thing to notice when visiting Nagoya Castle are the three sets of moats, and all stone work surrounding the castle. This was all completed in six months. I kid you not! It was still the Sengoku period, a time of civil war, and so they didn’t have the luxury of taking their time putting up castles. It had to be done like,..yesterday! Six months! Can you imagine how many workers there must have been to get this done by hand 400 years ago?

In the case of Nagoya Castle, the former Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (He’d handed the reigns to his son, Hidetada by this stage, but still wielded plenty of power!) had 20 of the nations’ daimyo, or warlords assist in its construction. The cost of providing the thousands of laborers, stones for the walls and timber for the buildings was financially ruinous, and prevented these daimyo from being able to afford to wage war. To show their “loyalty” and to prove that they’d built the stone walls as ordered, they carved marks in the stones they laid. It was also a means of preventing over zealous rival warlords from stealing your rocks! These marks are called Kokumon, and various designs can be seen all around Nagoya Castle. Looking for and identifying the Kokumon is a great way to work your way around the grounds.

Taking of rocks, this is one rock that,..well, rocks. It’s called the Kiyomasa Stone, the biggest stone used at Nagoya Castle and is named after Kato Kiyomasa, a warrior amongst warriors and a castle building expert. Kiyomasa was long credited as the chief architect of Nagoya Castle, but that isn’t the case. In fact this huge stone wasn’t placed by Kiyomasa at all. It was brought in by another well-respected samurai, Kuroda Nagamasa!

Kiyomasa only built the stone base under the main and sub keeps. But what a fantastic job he did. Kiyomasa built Kumamoto Castle, famed for its graceful sloping walls and is considered a masterpiece of castle construction. He outdid himself working on Nagoya Castle! The curves are magnificent! He even left us a little reminder of his expertise. On each corner of the main keep’s base, is Kiyomasa’s name, position and a symbol carved into it.

The South eastern corner carving was badly damaged by the heat of the burning keep 70 years ago. The South Western corner is too far away to see. The North Eastern corner is the best example, and one of the best times to see this clearly is if you visit Nagoya Castle in Autumn, around about 4pm, as the sun sets in the west, casting the last, low rays of sunlight and allowing the shadows to make the characters become clearer.

Something else to look out for while you’re looking at this corner stone is the Wall of Spears! Above the Fuemon Gate (so named because it was never opened) are rows of spearheads pointing outwards.　Theses are Tsurugibe, rows of spear-like spikes, protruding from wall tops and aimed at keeping attackers, in particular ninja, from entering the grounds. These defensive devices can be found only at Kochi, Kumamoto and Nagoya castles. Nagoya has them above the Fuemon Gate, and also along the outer wall between the main and sub keeps.

All of this goes to protect the very central part of Nagoya Castle, the treasure,…in fact a former National Treasure.

 The Nagoya Castle Honmaru Palace was considered a masterpiece of Samurai Shoin-Zukuri architecture.  Built as the living quarters for the lord of Nagoya, it was vacated two years later, and from then on used exclusively for the Shogun on his visits between Edo (Tokyo) and the Imperial capital, Kyoto. It was so fine a building, so richly decorated and so well preserved, it was made a National Treasure along with the rest of the castle around 1930. In 1945, just three months before the war ended, the castle, its magnificent keep and sub-keep, gorgeous palace, many gates and watchtowers were all destroyed during WW2 firebombing. Like a phoenix, rising from the ashes, it is returning to its former glory.

While the keep was rebuilt in concrete in 1959, a fully authentic reconstruction effort on the Honmaru Palace began in 2009. The first of three sections opened in 2013. The grand entrance hall, waiting rooms, and lords’ audience chamber featuring walls of gold leaf and richly decorated with paintings of tigers and leopards, birds, animals and landscapes is simply breathtaking !

The second section opened June 1, 2016. Although it is much more subdued than the gorgeous entrance and main halls, it is still an amazing piece of architecture, and a glimpse into the lifestyles of the samurai elite. While the lord’s audience chambers were supposed to impress the many noble visitors, the Taimenjo room was for confidential, private audiences with top ministers in a more relaxed setting. The art is just as incredible, the ceilings, particularly in the Taimenjo room are double coved with black lacquered coffers with gold leaf fill.

The third stage is set for completion in 2018.

Need more? There’s a great deal of information here:

https://www.aichi-now.jp/spots/detail?spot_id=17 http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/hommaru/

[intoaichi]

Obara, for the Best Natural Scenes and Hand Made Screens

The village of Obara, located within Toyota City, is famous for two main attractions. One is the special Shiki-zakura, a cherry tree that blooms in spring, and again in the peak of autumn, when the other trees are showing their brightest orange and red leaves, giving you the chance to enjoy Japan’s famed cherry blossom and autumn leaves at the same time.

( Cherry blossom and autumn leaves together )

The other attraction, enjoyable year round, is the traditionally hand-made washi paper, made since the 1400’s from the pulp of the Kozo mulberry tree.

Japanese washi paper is the strongest paper in the world, and Obara’s washi is among the best. The paper was used for traditional shoji sliding paper screen doors, umbrellas, folding fans, folding screens, also for writing, wrapping gifts, paper craft and hundreds of other uses.

( Obara’s famed washi paper has been used for hundreds of items over hundreds of years )

At the Obara Paper Art Museum, Washi-no-Furusato, you can enjoy the various types of paper made, along with products and art created using the traditional paper. Set aside an hour or two and for a small fee, make your own decorative Hasuki paper, calligraphy art, painting or even a traditional uchiwa fan. If you don’t have the time to make it yourself, Obara paper products and souvenirs are available too!

The garden surrounding the facility makes for an enjoyable walk as you wait for your masterpiece to dry, or for collecting leaves to set in your artistic paper.

[intoaichi]

Real Off Road Action & Adventure!

Just outside of Toyota City is five and a half hectares of 4WD fun! The Sanage Adventure Field, one of Japan’s best off road driving ranges, provides 4WD and wet weather driver training and safety courses, as well as experience driving courses. There’s even a specially mounted 4WD drive vehicle rollover simulator (which shows you the true value of seatbelts!). Bring your own vehicle, or rent one from the Center House and take to the various courses!

(4WD Action and Excitement at Sanage)

The exciting “Rinkan Course” runs 1.15km through winding, twisting dirt track. You’ll experience a 55m, 20°climb up a 32m high hill, before snaking your way back down. The “Wonderful Course” is shorter and easier to navigate at 750m through steep mountainous forest with climbs and descents of up to 15° through tunnels of trees before emerging on the “Panorama Road”. “The Trial Course” takes you over rocky roads, humps, dips and bumps, and short, sharp segments with 30 ° gradients! Depending on the season and recent weather conditions, there may be huge puddles to splash through and thick mud to slip and slide through.

(Rough Riding 4WD Style)

After 4WD-ing, enjoy the day camp facilities surrounded by natural forest, or undercover gas or charcoal BBQ facilities with seats and tables. The Center House restaurant offers simple but filling foods. (My suggestion is to experience the 4WD courses and the rollover simulator BEFORE you enjoy your lunch! Particularly the rollover simulator!)

(Popular Sanage Adventure Field, near Toyota City)

Sanage Adventure Field is always popular, and regular events are often scheduled, so call ahead to confirm that the facilities are available, and to book a rental vehicle too. Check out the Sanage Adventure Field for a more modern Japanese adventure.

[intoaichi]

Tumblr Fuji

A Tale of Adventure to Break the Ice

Moored in the Port of Nagoya, opposite the Nagoya Aquarium is the Japanese Antarctic survey ship, Fuji, a retired ice-breaker that plied the South Pole between 1965 and 1985.

The Fuji is 100 meters long, 11 meters wide and 22 meters high with a displacement of 5,250 tons. Its diesel electric powered engines boasted a speed of 17 knots, (about 35 km/h) and carried a 245 capacity crew and research team. The Fuji could smash through 80cm thick ice. After many successful missions, the Fuji was retired, stripped down, and put on display as a floating Antarctic research maritime museum of the 60’s and 70’s Polar missions. Interesting displays show the difficult conditions experienced by those who served on her, as well as the important research work undertaken on the lengthy voyages.

(The Arctic research Ice-Breaker Fuji, berthed at the Port of Nagoya)

Visitors can walk throughout the three levels of the ship, including the Bridge and research areas, the galley, kitchens and accommodation areas where crew and researchers lived and worked side by side during the long and arduous missions, and down into the ship’s bowls to view the engines. On the rear deck is the huge Sikorsky helicopter that carried researchers far into the Arctic interior and safely back on board.

(The Fuji research team’s mission helicopter remains a focal point.)

(Enjoy exploring the old research ship inside and out.)

Beside the ship is Fuji Park, featuring a tribute to the hero sled dogs Taro and Jiro who were left behind on a late 50’s mission, only to be found alive a year later having survived alone in the bleak and freezing conditions. The Fuji’s propeller and drive shaft, anchor and even one of the researcher’s futuristic looking snow- vehicles is also on display.

(Sled dog heroes Taro and Jiro, with the Fuji’s huge screw in the background.)

(Experience the conditions of the crew and researchers, and the equipment used on the long and dangerous missions.)

Explore the Fuji to appreciate the displays and the difficult conditions under which the vessel operated. While you’re there, visit the Aquarium, Port Tower lookout, Sea-Land amusement area and other top class attractions at the Port of Nagoya.

[intoaichi]

Spin Out Slowly In Nagoya City Central

Right in the heart of Nagoya City is the “Sky Boat”, a 42 meter diameter Ferris Wheel with 28 glass bubble gondolas mounted right on the side of Sunshine Sakae, a large shopping and entertainment complex.

(A surprising sight, a Ferris Wheel in the city center!)

(The 42 meter diameter Sky Boat at Sunshine Sakae)

Sunshine Sakae has six floors above ground and one underground floor featuring “The Grand Canyon”, a small performance space where local “Idol Talents” (ie, cute entertainers) regularly perform their song and dance routines for hoards of Otaku fans. The underground also hosts a Pachinko Parlor, (The popular pinball game that was created in Nagoya!) and a coffee café. There are more cafés, dining areas and a bar on the second floor, along with Nagoya’s version of the Ramen Museum. (Yea, it’s hard to imagine a museum dedicated to noodles in soup, but hey, this IS Japan!) The third floor is a rental DVD, CD, comic and game outlet. There are up market trendy men’s and women’s fashion stores on the fourth floor, with beauty and relaxation massage services available on the fifth, and more restaurants including a yakiniku (BBQ grill) and an Izakaya styled open pub dining on the top floor.

(A city landmark, Sunshine Sakae’s Ferris Wheel)

(Ride it twice, because one good turn deserves another!)

(Grand Canyon entertainment space)

The main focus is the Ferris Wheel which takes about 15 minutes to go all the way round, so you can spin out, really slowly,…and you get a great view of the city central. For riders at night, the view is spectacular and the Ferris Wheel looks stunning all lit up! The bars, café’s, restaurants and shops are fun to check out, and a ride on the Sky Boat Ferris Wheel is a great way to take short break and see the city!

[intoaichi]

Rev It Up at the Toyota Automobile Museum!

Rev head or not, you’ve GOT to see the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture!

Over 120 cars from all eras across the world and in pristine condition are on display, 98% are original. Not just Toyota, but American and European vehicles, including many different and famous brands too, Mercedez Benz, Ford, Mazda, Porsche, Subaru, Isuzu, Rolls Royce, De Soto, Jaguar, Nissan and more.

Every vehicle on display looks like it just rolled off the assembly line.

One of the great points about this museum is,…you’re allowed to take photos! And there’s plenty to take! Highlights include a bright red and gold trim 1910 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, an early Toyoda Model AA from 1939, a classic 1955 Ford Thunderbird in fire engine red with white walled tires. U.S. President Roosevelt’s 12 cylinder armor-plated, bullet-proof Packard Twelve, a white, open top 1965 Jaguar E-Type, and even a pink Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz with huge rear fins and tons of blinding chrome!

Cars of every shape and size, of every make and model.

Honestly, the displays are magnificent! Even my mother, (a definite non-motor head!) was impressed by the scale, range and beauty of the cars. In an adjoining pavilion, there are more vehicles surrounded by household items, furnishings and toys from the matching times. See cars along with TV’s, washers, fashions and furniture from the 50’s, 60’s 70’s and 80’s.

Work your way amongst a showroom of classic cars

Man Meets Machine

Cars and homes through the years

Naturally there are cafes, restaurants and shops to check out too. Bring plenty of memory space in your camera, and tissues to mop up the drool, you’re going to need it!

[intoaichi]

Going Ape In Aichi

Aichi is famous for being the home of the “World’s Most Handsome Gorilla”, a western lowland gorilla named Shabani that has women –human women - swooning over his movie star looks in the Nagoya Zoo. Aichi is also home to the Inuyama Monkey Park, a combination primate research institute and theme park in historical Inuyama City.

Calling it a “primate research institute” makes it sound cold and harsh. Far from it. The park is designed to offer comfortable living arrangements for the residents, and quality viewing for the visitor.

(Everybody do the Monkey!)

You can see and learn about the lives and habitats of apes, chimps, gibbons, gorillas, mandrills, monkeys, primates of every type, and from all over the world. You can even go inside some areas, such as the Madagascar Lemur enclosures, for a face to face with a lemur.

(Meet the monkeys at Inuyama Monkey Park)

The adjoining theme park is fun too, featuring over 35 attractions, including  a ghost train to roller coasters, haunted hospital and merry go rounds. In the summer, Inuyama Monkey Park opens its popular, wide, open air pool facilities. (Don’t know whether they feature Sea Monkeys in the pools though,…) and in the winter offers ice skating.

Give yourself at least half to a full day to see and enjoy it all. Great for young and old, it’s one place that encourages you to monkey around!

[intoaichi]

Make-Up In Oku-Mikawa

Much of the worlds’ top brand women's makeup foundation is made from minerals taken from the earth in Aichi Prefecture.

The main raw ingredient for make-up foundation is sericite, a fine-grained mica mineral, and some of the finest sericite is found deep inside the mountains of the Oku-Mikawa region of eastern Aichi Prefecture.

Oku-Mikawa is famous for being the site of the Battle of Nagashino, and the Senmaida terraced rice fields, and the very popular Yuya onsen hot springs (where I had wild boar for lunch!) amongst many other great features. Now it’s becoming famous for Beauty Tourism.

Senmaida terraced rice fields.

Nagashino battlefield re-enactment event

Yuya Onsen lunch; Botan-nabe, boiled wild boar!

I had the chance to go down one of the mines recently to see where the best foundation minerals are found, and afterwards, we visited the old abandoned Nokiyama school house on the outskirts of Toeicho, in Aichi Prefecture. The schoolhouse is now a café and beauty tourism experience center, where you can blend your own original foundation from local, 100% natural ingredients.

While the women in our group made their own blend of foundation, the guys made bath bombs from various natural ingredients, minerals, salts and honey.

Making the foundation, starting with sericite.

Bath Bombs, made using natural salts, minerals, colors and honey.

For interesting things to see and do, Aichi has some pretty good foundations!!

The website is here, but Japanese only,… http://naori-toei.jp/cosme.html

[intoaichi]

Sub-Culture, Antiques, Food, Fashion, Electronics, it’s all at Osu Kannon!

Less than a Kilometer from Nagoya’s bustling central Sakae district and easily accessible by taxi or subway, the Osu Kannon Temple is one of the cities landmarks. It’s also one of the more interesting and lively shopping areas, and well known as one of Japan’s must see sub-culture centers, with Maid café’s and Otaku specialty stores.

(Nagoya’s famous Osu Kannon Temple)

The temple’s bright red pillars and beams make it one of the more exciting and photogenic temples in the area, but the real appeal is the rows of shopping arcades, selling everything from computers, electronics, cameras, stereo systems old and new, to clothing, toys and collectables. Plus there are all sorts of great restaurants to enjoy too. If you don’t feel like a sit down meal, numerous stalls invite you to grab a light snack to go!

(Rows of shops along the Osu Arcade)

(Trash or Treasure, there’s an eclectic array of items for sale)

(Old kimono shops and new fashion outlets sit side by side)

If you visit on the 18th or 28th, there’s the added bonus of the Antiques Market in the Osu Temple grounds. Naturally there’s quite a bit of junk, but if you know what you’re looking for, there can be some real treasures amongst the trash! (Over the years I have picked up a late 1500’s set of Samurai armor, various sword fittings, antique cabinets, and a Sumo Banzuke, with the famous Sumo wrestler’s names hand painted on it.) There’s pottery, furniture, handcrafts, old coins, and a wide selection of old fabrics such as kimono and obi (sashes) too. Entry is free, and most of the dealers accept a little haggling too, which adds to the fun.

[intoaichi]

Ancient Cutting-Edge Technology, The Rare, Terraced, Senmaida Ricefields

Just outside of Shinshiro City, eastern Aichi Prefecture, are these fantastic terraced rice growing fields called Yotsuya Senmaida, Translated, senmaida means “1,000 rice fields”, but there are 1,296 rice fields, averaging 90 m2 on the hillside at Yotsuya.

The retaining walls between the levels of terracing are created using rocks, carefully placed in the same way that castle walls were constructed. The amount of time, and labor intensive effort required to build the terraces must have been enormous. This is an incredible feat of engineering from 400 years ago. You could call it “cutting edge” rice growing technology!

Because of the steep levels, different sizes and irregular shapes, modern machinery can’t be used, and so tending to the fields, planting, reaping and maintenance is all done by hand!

The scenes here are fantastic whenever you see them. In late spring the paddies are irrigated for planting, and on a still day mirror the sky, clouds, surrounding hills and forests. In mid summer the growing rice is a rich green. Autumn sees the ripe rice turn a stunning golden yellow, contrasting with the deep greens of the surrounding trees and mountains. In the winter, the terraces are bare, so you can clearly see the amount of work put into building and maintaining the hundreds of steps.

Spring is a good time to visit the various Senmaida rice paddies, as many Rice Planting Festivals take place right in the rice paddies themselves, with song and dances performed to thank the gods for last year’s crops and pray for a bumper harvest. Anyone can take part, so if you don’t mind getting damp and dirty, hop right in and enjoy rural hospitality!

[intoaichi]

On the Right Track, With Steam, Electric and Bullets!

Did you know that Nagoya Station is the world’s largest train station by floor space? True! If you’re into trains, there’s this great railway museum in the south of Nagoya, capital of Aichi Prefecture called the SC Maglev and Railway Park.

You can see and climb aboard 39 actual steam locomotives, electric and diesel railcars, all versions of the world famous Shinkansen Bullet Train (which are made in Aichi!) and even the exciting next generation Maglev, Superconductive Magnetically Levitated Vehicle, set to link Nagoya and Tokyo in 40 minutes commencing from 2027! (Takes and hour and 45 minutes by Bullet train now!) Other exhibits include the Railway History Room, Rare Train Zone and a number of World Speed Record setting trains, including the Fastest Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotive, the C62. It also houses one of the world’s largest train set dioramas, and a range of train driving simulators to try.

Even if you don’t think much of trains, it’s a pretty cool place to check out.