awkfille

[jmjjeje]

In Gunma, we have a special wish-granting doll called the Takasaki Daruma Doll which has a 200 year history. The doll resembles a buddhist monk sitting in meditation. We learned to paint the “red-clothed” Daruma dolls using brushes and black ink. The thick eyebrows are drawn in the shape which resembles a crane, believed to live 1000 years. The mustache is drawn in the shape of a turtle, believed to live 10,000 years. When you make a wish, paint in the Daruma’s left eye. When the wish comes true, you can paint in the right eye! We were lucky to watch Mr. Sumikazu Nakata, a Master Daruma Doll Craftsman paint a Daruma Doll in person at the Daruma No Furusato Daimonya workshop in Takasaki. #高崎だるま #だるまのふるさと大門屋 #群馬のいいとこ伝え隊 #gunmanoiitoko #visitgunma (at だるまのふるさと大門屋) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD3HYMMgLig/?igshid=13y31kh7vg7qo

[jmjjeje]

This is my town, Annaka! Meganebashi (lovingly named so because of its resemblance to eyeglasses) is Japan’s largest brick arch bridge and was built in 1892. Annaka is surrounded by beautiful greenery with the famous Mount Myogi in the backdrop. We were lucky to join the Abandoned Railway Walk and learned about the history of the Shin’etsu Line Railway which ended service between Yokokawa Station and Karuizawa Station on September 30, 1997. It was interesting to walk into the first of twenty-five tunnels at the former Kumanodaira Station and watch the news clips from 1997 on the day this railway ended its services. #めがね橋 #廃線ウォーク #あんとりっぷ #群馬のいいとこ伝え隊 #安中市 #gunmanoiitoko #visitgunma (at めがね橋) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD0mYMJgiX-/?igshid=1vixgh1he9e37

[jmjjeje]

Yummy udon with tempura and asazuke cucumbers 😋. “Hinata” is a wonderful farm house located in this beautiful small town area of Tomioka. We learned how to make udon noodles from Mr. Urano and his wife by making and then kneading the dough with bamboo and even with our feet! Everybody was so good at making udon noodles, so we all received our Udon-making Certification :) We also took a stroll in the fields where we saw pretty soba plant flowers, chestnuts and ukon root! #農家民宿ひなた #うどん #そばのはな #群馬のいいとこ伝え隊 #gunmanoiitoko #gunma #visitjapan (at 農家民宿ひなた) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDx6xJbAU2U/?igshid=zxy0vv5ohuol

[jmjjeje]

Tomioka Silk Mill was built almost 150 years ago and is the oldest modern silk reeling factory in Japan. I was so surprised to see silk worms up close and there were even silk worm-shaped chocolates :) Many of my students also learn about Gunma’s silk production history at school and they also take care of silk worms and eventually weave their own school’s emblem flag using the silk they got from the silk worms! #富岡市#tomiokasilkmill #gunmanoiitoko #群馬のいいとこ伝え隊 #gunma #worldheritagesite #visitjapan (at Filature de soie de Tomioka) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDvjqRkA1cG/?igshid=sadzdohg8are

[jmjjeje]

Take a rest at Japan’s number one rest stop Kawaba Denen Plaza (川場田園プラザ)！There are nice shops for soba, ramen, bakery goods, sausages, pizza and pasta! Visit the farmer’s market for fresh produce and other yummy foods! Kawada farm 川田牧場 is also nearby and they sell gelato made from their own farm-raised milk cows! The milk flavor gelato had a natural creamy taste :) #gunmanoiitoko #visitgunma #gelato #visitjapan (at 川場田園プラザ) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7KMYmcgT1M/?igshid=1chd80sdjxjhc

[jmjjeje]

Happy new year! New decade here I come :) #2020 #mouse #newdecade https://www.instagram.com/p/B6xzRmDgR-t/?igshid=wlvvqrg3318p

[jmjjeje]

Happy new year! New decade here I come :) #2020 #mouse #newdecade https://www.instagram.com/p/B6xzRmDgR-t/?igshid=4d9ozu5xmrkj

[jmjjeje]

星空 #HighRail1375 ✨ (at 野辺山高原) https://www.instagram.com/p/B49s2_hgHaK/?igshid=12iclv7atb8nr

[jmjjeje]

Morning Annaka! #GunmaSL #ELぐんまよこかわ #JREastPass 🚇🚄🚊🚝🚞 (at Annaka) https://www.instagram.com/p/B48sUdmgORi/?igshid=1hvtygfepf9sh

[jmjjeje]

Going onboard a steam locomotive for the first time! やった！^_^ #gunmagoldenguide #japanrailpass #enjoy_chichitetsu #秩父鉄道 #ちちてつ #さいたま #saitama (at Kumagaya, Saitama) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4oEwloAW2Z/?igshid=1rsjo1xmomidq

[jmjjeje]

Tatsumikan 辰巳館 is a Japanese-styled inn “ryokan” 旅館 in Minakami, northern Gunma Prefecture. I enjoyed delicious food made from locally-grown vegetables, grilled rice balls “yakionigiri” 焼きおにぎり with miso paste, “Tsukune” つくね chicken meat balls in “nabe” 鍋 stew pot, and the freshly-caught sweetfish skewered and smoked with salt (a small river fish) called “Ayu” 鮎. We all agreed that the freshness of the local ingredients made this meal especially tasty :) And after the meal, enjoy relaxing in the onsen of Tatsumikan! #visitgunma #gunmanoiitoko #gunmaprefecture (at 上牧温泉　辰巳館) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1aPP1aAu9i/?igshid=1n54uo0q1ex0c

[jmjjeje]

Minakami is a beautiful mountainous area located in the north of Gunma prefecture. It is a great place to enjoy water sports such as rafting and canyoning; especially in this summer heat! Come for the gorgeous mountains such as the famous Mount Tanigawa, and you can even climb up the 486 steps at “Doai” 土合 station, the unique “mogura” (モグラ 土竜) or mole station! :) #visitgunma #gunmanoiitoko #gunmaprefecture (at Canyons キャニオンズ) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0sm0NSgXSs/?igshid=wilm893d6e0g

[jmjjeje]

I feel so honored to be a part of the “Gunma no iitoko tsutae tai” (ぐんまのいいとこ伝え隊) team :) Super excited for all the great places to be visited and the many Gunma gems to be discovered! Let’s have fun in Gunma!!! #visitgunma #gunmanoiitoko #gunmaprefecture (at Gunma Prefecture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0qx5pfAkgm/?igshid=1qfxodxi1oh25

[jmjjeje]

This was my first time experiencing such wonderful omotenashi with the #gunmagoldenguide. I enjoyed all of the following with these beautiful people: taking the shinkansen, canyoning, rafting, bungee jumping, ryokan experience in an onsen town, firefly watching, morning coffee on top of Mt. Tanigawa, cherry picking, Japanese washi paper making, and Daruma doll painting!!! #ggg #gunma #cometogunma (at Gunma Prefecture) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzqAFaMg_BY/?igshid=1a38hykzv9ve6

[jmjjeje]

Yipeeeee!!! In Gunma you can fly like Kiki ;) Fly~~~ then canyon through the mountains and raft down the Tone river 💪 #ggg #gunma #onehourfromtokyo #gunmagoldenguide #smile (at 群馬県利根郡みなかみ町) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzp38XFgON-/?igshid=yafj54zylf20

[jmjjeje]

My favorite place in Japan (so far :D). #miyajima #hiroshima #throwback #spring #break #missthesea (at 宮島嚴島神社) https://www.instagram.com/p/By7XG-gg6Gt/?igshid=124nhjtlms4hv

[jmjjeje]

Tried to make Japanese Washi paper with #ggg #gunmagoldenguide. My lack of artist ability turned my crane-shaped Gunma prefecture into a pond of momiji with fish roaming in water 😂. Also enjoyed talking with the teacher and awkwardly moving closer trying to take a two shot photo haha. #willpost #post1ofmany #gunma #minakami (at たくみの里　和紙の家) https://www.instagram.com/p/By7WqnzAuVy/?igshid=1cvmukbqeaelf