Issue 5, January/February 2007 Is a Publication of the Aichi Prefectural Government San Francisco Office What’s Up Aichi －Timely Tourist Information On Aichi Prefecture And The Surrounding Central Japan Region－

Aichi Onsen Travelers who take the time to journey to Hadaka Matsuri the mountainous region of eastern Aichi One of the great pleasures of a visit to will be rewarded with baths that not only Your dip in an Aichi onsen should get you Japan is taking time out to enjoy a long, sooth the body, but that offer excellent in the right frame of mind for one of central drawn out bath in a communal hot spring. feng shui for the soul as well. The gentle Japan’s most unique and popular festivals. While it might take some guts the first time flow of clear water overheard from onsen if you are used to spending bath time situated along the banks of the alone, once you muster up the courage, easy-flowing Ure and Toyo rivers is certain you’re sure to be hooked. And what better to wash away any stress, and a few cups place to try your first group bath than a of sake and sweetfish pulled straight from country where no one knows you? And the fresh river water are a perfect way to what better time to try than when your wrap up a hard day of bathing. bones are stiff from the mid-winter chill?

At onsen, or natural hot spring baths, elements occurring in the spring water “ Does this outfit make me look fat?” such as sodium, calcium and iron reinvigorate the body while the hot The Hadaka Matsuri, or Naked Festival, temperatures help bathers wind down and has been around for 1200 years and relieve stress. draws hundreds of thousands of participants and festival goers hoping to Aichi prefecture has a number of fine hot dispel the misfortunes of the previous year spring baths, each with its own unique and summon the spring. charm. During a solemn ceremony in the days Many of the onsen in Aichi’s southern before the festival, a local man is chosen Chita Peninsula region offer stunning to be the shin otoko, literally “god man,” views of the Pacific Ocean and the Yukawa, Yuya Onsen on whom all of the year’s sins and incomparable feeling of relaxation brought misfortunes will be cast. The stripped shin on by taking in the fresh sea breeze. Just Closer to Nagoya, hot spring baths offer a otoko, shaven of all of his body hair and minutes away from Centrair (Central quiet respite from city life. Outdoor baths purified from days of confinement in Japan Airport), the Chita Peninsula baths with meticulously maintained gardens are Konomiya Shrine, makes his way through are a great way to unwind after a long an inexpensive getaway for even the most a horde of nearly ten-thousand men flight from overseas. Bathing enthusiasts rushed travelers, and a morning dip in a dressed in mere loincloths and headbands who simply can’t wait to chill out in a hot hot bath is a great way to start a day of all vying to touch (or hit) him in order to bath can even bathe inside of Centrair’s traveling or business negotiations off on drive away the year’s troubles and gain Miya no Yu, a unique bathing facility that the right foot. good fortune for the new year. Once the overlooks the runway. scapegoat reaches the gates of the shrine, For travelers who like the idea of a good he faces assailment from the unclothed bath, but are not quite up for sharing all of mass of freezing men as his outnumbered their secrets with a tub full of strangers, a guards bravely fend off the rambunctious kazoku buro, or family bath, might be the townsmen by dousing them with buckets best choice. Many Aichi bathhouses offer of ice cold water. these private facilities that are typically paid for by the hour and allow for more As many of the men succeed in their secluded bathing for friends or couples. attempts to lay a hand on the shin otoko and others give in to the winter chill, the Visitors to onsen should make use of god man is finally able to fight his way, showers situated away from the bathing bruised and battered, into Konomiya area to wash and rinse their bodies Shrine, where he will pay his respects to thoroughly before entering the bath. Kunitamanokami, the shrine’s divine Towels should be kept out of the baths. protector, before being driven from town. Genjiko, Minami-chita Onsen Inazawa City welcomes foreign Tsushima Shrine, near Meitetsu Oni Festival participants in the Hadaka Matsuri and Tsushima station Toyohashi City, Feb.10, 11 local hotels Wayokan and Wako offer a great package deal (¥8,800/$75 US) that Toyokawa Inari Shrine, near JR Aka Oni (red oger) and Tengu (a includes daytime use of a room, lunch and Toyokawa City station long-nosed goblin) engage in the latest all of the traditional accoutrements for round of their 400-year-old battle as running through the streets nearly nude. townspeople gather at Akumikanbe The “full set” service also includes help Shrine to cheer on the unremitting donning the loincloth and headband, as underdog. As the contenders make their well as admission to hot spring baths on way to the shrine grounds, onlookers vie the day of the festival. The hotels are for bags of Aka Oni’s medicinal candy. located just steps away from JR Inazawa After suffering yet another loss to the station and Konomiya Shrine. For smug Tengu, Aka Oni flees the scene in a reservations, dial 0120-23-5564 in Japan. cloud of fine white dust that covers the crowd and is believed to stave off illness. Osu Kannon Temple

Around Aichi

Be sure to check out these events happening around Aichi in January and February:

Beware of pickpockets Tenteko Festival Nishio City, Jan. 3 Celebrated on the 13th and 14th days of the lunar New Year, this year’s Hadaka This ancient festival commemorates the Matsuri will take place on Friday, March selection in 859 of the Niike locality to 2nd. While the festival gets going at provide rice to the gods that are believed around 3 pm, you’ll want to arrive early to to have given birth to Japan’s imperial beat the crowds and catch the traditional family. Local men of inauspicious age, The 423rd time is a charm! activities leading up to the big event. You representing the male component in rice don’t have to disrobe or shave anything to fertilization, parade through town keeping see the festival close up; just take the drum beats with phallic Chinese radishes Doburoku Festival nine-minute train trip from JR Nagoya to strapped to their waists. Local women of Obu City, Feb. 25 JR Inazawa or the 21-minute train ride every age blush and giggle. from Meitestu Nagoya station to Konomiya Join parishioners of the Nagakusa Tenjin station. Shrine as they carry on their 500-year Matcha Day tradition by making offerings of their Nishio City, Feb. 6 homemade doburoku (unrefined sake). Sip the cloudy, creamy concoction for Hatsumode Southern Aichi’s Nishio City produces yourself alongside Shojo, the 10-foot tall one-fifth of Japan’s matcha, or powdered red-faced drunken beast. Hatsumode, the first visit to a shrine in the green tea, and on Matcha Day, the locals New Year, is an important tradition all over celebrate this integral part of their Japan. Visit these Aichi shrines and hometown’s culture. Visitors can enjoy temples at the strike of midnight or during cooking lessons featuring matcha dishes, the first days of the new year to make a visit a matcha factory and even take a wish for 2007 and receive charms and matcha bath! talismans: Aichi Prefectural Government San Francisco Office Atsuta Shrine, near Jingu Nishi subway c/o JETRO San Francisco station on the Meijo line 235 Pine Street Suite 1700 San Francisco CA 94104 Osu Kannon Temple, near Osu Kannon Phone: 415-392-1333 ex252 subway station on the Tsurumai line Fax: 415-788-6927 Email: [email protected] Fukagawa Shrine, near Owari Seto Akihiro Oyaizu, Douglas Shelton station on the Meitetsu train line Nishio tea