Issue 22, Summer 2011 is a Publication of The Aichi Prefectural Government San Francisco Office

Aichi News on Facebook Shopping for Something Unique Aichi Shows off Autumn Colors Aichi Tourism information can be found on The National Tourism Agency Envied by us all, Facebook. Check it out and become a fan! (JNTO) recently published a guide to the Turning to such loveliness “What’s up in Aichi – Jetro San Francisco” popular locations of Japan. Red leaves that fall and Aichi are mentioned a couple times, Shiko (1665-1731) The Samurai Princesses of Aichi and we are happy for the recognition!

The guide highlights some pop culture stores in Aichi to rival ’s famous . Most stores are conveniently located next to stations in the Nagoya area. Some stores not mentioned in the article but worth a visit are Toranoana and Mandarake. Both stores can be found in Toyko, however the Nagoya branches are equal in size and carry a large number of Korankei is said to be the No.1 place to see unique items. Of course a trip to coincide the autumn maple leaves in the Tokai with the annual World Summit in region. In Autumn over 4,000 maple trees Nagoya would be the best way for a Japan are painted in yellow and red. As a special pop-culture bonanza. treat for visitors the trees are illuminated in

The Aichi region is the hometown of many the evenings from sunset to 9:00 p.m. Full map from JNTO: samurai warriors including the first ones to http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/animemap/ unite the Japanese archipelago, Oda Autumn in Japan brings with it the Nobunaga, , Tokugawa opportunity for unhurried anticipation of the Ieyasu, and Maeda Toshiie. Last summer arrival of fall colors. By mid-November, the Nagoya Samurai Greeters were created Aichi’s landscape gives itself up to be to commemorate the 400 year anniversary painted in the soft reds, oranges and of the founding of Nagoya City. This yellows that have crept down slowly and summer the Aichi Sengoku Princesses will steadily from . be introduced to promote the region’s long history. On August 5 the group will make With the turning of fall foliage comes the their first public appearance at an event on realization that winter’s chill can’t be far the grounds of Nagoya Castle. behind, and the people of Aichi make the Beat the Heat at Aichi Beaches most of this opportunity to enjoy the mild Starting from top left there is Odai the Now is the best time to take an adventurous weather one last time. Autumn is also a mother of Ieyasu, Ichi the younger sister of day trip down to the sea. Aichi has over 350 great time for foreign visitors to the region Nobunaga, Kitsuno the concubine of miles of coastline where you can shed to get out and discover some of Aichi’s Nobunaga, and One the wife of Hideyoshi. some clothes and escape the heat. less-explored areas at a leisurely pace In front there is Matsu the wife of Maeda while witnessing Mother Nature’s slow Toshiie, and Gou the daughter of Ichi. costume change.

The original Nagoya Samurai Greeters If you are interested in travelling to were created over a year and a half ago, Korankei, it is actually quite simple. Start at and are still extremely popular. The troop Nagoya Station and travel to consists of six famous historical Higashi-Okazaki Station by Meitetsu line in commanders , Toyotomi 35 minutes. From Higashi-Okazaki Station, Hideyoshi, , Maeda take a Meitetsu bus to Asuke. It is about 70 Irago Cape and Koijigahama Beach Toshiie, Kato Kiyomasa, Maeda Keiji and Lapped by cool Pacific waves, Aichi minutes by bus from Higashi Okazaki. four Ashigaru foot-soldiers. beaches offer unique options for tourists Aichi Prefectural Government looking to escape the concrete jungles. Umi c/o JETRO San Francisco no ie are shady hut-like retreats from which 201 Third Street, Suite 1010 to take in views of the sea. Visitors relax Phone: 415-392-1333 ext. 252 while enjoying the weather. you can have Facebook: What’s up in Aichi an ice-cold draft beer or a refreshing Email: [email protected] kakigori, the Japanese version of the snow Kenji Sato cone, and of course delicious food. Sean Lampe