Issue 23, Winter 2012 is a Publication of The Aichi Prefectural Government San Francisco Office

Aichi News on Facebook -Atsuta Shrine is one of the 3 most Exploring the Manufacturing Kingdom Aichi Tourism information can be found on important shrines in Japan, near Jingu Nishi You may already know that Aichi has Facebook. Check it out and become a fan! Station on the Meijo Line earned the nickname “Manufacturing “What’s up in Aichi – Jetro San Francisco” Kingdom,” for being home to automotive, aerospace, many other manufacturers. Matcha Day is February 6th Naturally these manufacturers want to show off their history of innovation and skill, so there is an abundance of private museums. Toyota Automobile Museum The museum is a car enthusiast’s dream because of collection of cars from around the world that shaped the modern -Osu Kannon Temple, near Osu Kannon automotive industry. The fascinating Station on the Tsurumai Line displays will even appeal to patrons who are not car buffs. The museum has pieces What area produces the most high quality from Leonardo da Vinci’s conceptual design green tea in Japan? Most tea experts agree of a self-propelled cart all the way to the that the highest quality green tea comes beginning of car culture in the 1960s. from Anjo and Nishio City in southern Aichi. www.toyota.co.jp/Museum/ The region produces one-fifth of Japan’s Toyota Exhibition Hall & Plant Tours matcha, powdered green tea, and green tea All of those classic cars at the Toyota is an important part of the local culture and Automobile Museum are sure to pique your economy. -Tsushima Shrine, near Meitetsu Tsushima curiosity about just how the ubiquitous On Matcha Day, the locals dedicate a whole Station on the Meitetsu Line machines are built. Also be sure to allow a day to celebrate this integral part of their half day to take a tour of a Toyota Assembly hometown’s identity. Visitors can enjoy Plant and Exhibition Hall. cooking lessons featuring matcha dishes, www.toyota.co.jp/en/about_toyota/facility/toyota_kaikan visit a matcha factory and even take a Noritake Garden matcha bath! The Morimura Brothers felt that using the http://www.city.nishio.aichi.jp/index.cfm/8,5998,92,415, craftsmanship in Aichi they could create html high quality porcelains in the western style, but for a lower price. So in 1904 they New Year Celebrations founded the Noritake Company and in less -Fukagawa Shrine, near Owari Seto Station Hatsumode is the tradition of visiting a than a decade Noritake became the leader on the Meitetsu Line shrine or temple at the beginning of the in Japanese porcelain goods. The Noritake New Year. Every year millions of people will Garden is located just minutes from Nagoya brave the cold weather to wish for good station. Visitors can watch as artist hand fortune and health. Almost every temple paint the porcelains or they can try it and shrine has special celebrations for the themselves at the Crafts Center. New Year. The celebrations are more www.noritake.co.jp/eng/mori/ secular festivals than religious ceremonies, SCMAGLEV and Railway Park so it’s not uncommon to see many This recently completed museum houses foreigners among the crowds. Although at 39 different trains from steam engines to the larger temples be prepared for very next generation magnetic levitation large crowds and long waits. The following (Maglev) bullet train. Also there are many temples range in size from large (Atsuta -Toyokawa Inari Shrine, near JR Toyokawa interactive exhibits that let you control of a Shrine) to small (Toyokawa Inari Shrine). City Station bullet train, explore the history of Japan Rail, Getting an Omikuji is also part of the New and walk in the largest diorama in Japan. Year tradition. Omikuji will tell your fortune http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/ for the coming year, and the larger shrines Aichi Prefectural Government usually have English Omikuji. Also make c/o JETRO San Francisco sure to pick up an Omamori, good luck 201 Third Street, Suite 1010 charm, to help keep you safe throughout Phone: 415-392-1333 ext. 252 the year. If you are superstitious next year Facebook: What’s up in Aichi will be an unlucky year for men who will turn Email: [email protected] 42 and women who will turn 33, so make Kenji Sato sure to get an omamori. Sean Lampe