Issue 13, Summer 2008 is a Publication of the Aichi Prefectural Government San Francisco Office What’s Up Aichi －Timely Tourist Information On And The Surrounding Central Region－

O-bon Season Offers Opportunities

for Cultural Insight and Celebration

ever-present basins keep you well ravelers making the trip to Japan in T hydrated as you make your way through August may notice that things quiet down town, resting at its picturesque temples, considerably for a few days mid-month. and climb the hill to Gujo Hachiman Aside from the dog day heat keeping Castle. The castle, which was originally people indoors, the summer hush can also constructed in 1559, provides be attributed to the O-bon season, which awe-inspiring views of the town below. occurs in Central Japan from August 13 to 16. For more information, visit the extensive Locals happily offer impromptu dance lessons Gujo Hachiman website: During O-bon, or the Bon Festival, Japanese who can get away from work all-night dancing that take place during http://gujohachiman.com/kanko/ travel back to their hometowns to gather O-bon. with their families, welcome the spirits of Yonezu River Festival ancestors and pay tribute to departed Townspeople don their most colorful relatives by visiting and maintaining their yukata, or summer kimono, and gather in Every year, on August 15, the city of , grave sites. Although much of O-bon is by the narrow streets for a dusk-to-dawn just south of Nagoya, celebrates O-Bon nature quite private, opportunities exist for dance party that was initially created by a with a stunning spectacle of light that is at foreign visitors to Central Japan to observe feudal lord who wished to encourage once poignant and festive. some fascinating local traditions harmony among the town’s aristocrats and celebrated during the festival season. commoners. Visitors are encouraged to At the Yonezu River Festival, thousands join in—in fact, you may find that you have of elaborately decorated lanterns are no choice—and shops rent yukata and released into the Yahagi River in a glowing other traditional summer clothing that will tribute to lost ancestors. As the lanterns make your experience more authentic. float quietly downstream, the somber Dance lessons are offered throughout the mood gives way to jovial anticipation. day at the Gujo Hachiman Kinenkan Soon the familiar light of summer fireworks Tourist Center, or you can just find a fills the night sky and colorful embers friendly local to teach you the steps. parachute downward, creating a breathtaking contrast with the shrinking All of that dancing at night may leave you image of the drifting lanterns. exhausted in the daytime, but make sure Dancers pack Gujo Hachiman’s public spaces to spare enough energy to walk Gujo Hachiman’s streets and enjoy the tranquil Dancin’ in the Streets atmosphere provided by the merging of in Gujo Hachiman the Kodara, Yoshida and Nagara rivers, which flow from the mountains surrounding A two-hour express bus from Nagoya’s the town. The people of Gujo Hachiman Meitestu Bus Center is your quickest utilize the blessings of the waterways in connection to Gujo Hachiman, a their daily lives through a strictly regulated picturesque water town tucked away in the Edo era system of channels, drinking the mountains of central where pure mountain water and using it to wash A moving scene on the Yonezu River bank dance rules the summer. Blessed with locally grown vegetables and laundry crystal clear rivers that are channeled into before the rivers regroup and flow Board a Nishio-bound train from Meitetsu town and provide the ubiquitous sound of southeast to the Pacific. Nagoya station for the 40-minute trip to gently flowing water, Gujo Hachiman is at Yonezu station and follow the yukata-clad its most stunning during the Gujo Odori, a As you make your way leisurely through crowd to the Yonezu Bridge, the epicenter 400-year-old dance festival that takes the car-free, narrow streets, follow the of the festival. Arrive before sundown to place for 31 days throughout the summer. locals’ lead and sip pure mineral water see the lanterns in their splendor and At the heart of the festival are four days of from centuries-old stone basins. The claim a seat for the fireworks display. Something is Brewing in Nagoya Nagoya Beer Gardens Summer Ceramics Festivals

Nothing counters summer heat quite like Maybe those three glasses of Asahi were On August 30 and 31, Tokoname, one of an ice cold beer or two…or three…or five. only enough to pique your thirst, or maybe the two rokkoyo (Japan’s six great kiln Nagoya swelters with the best of them in you are looking for another ale-centric towns) that are situated in Aichi will hold its the middle of summer, so we thought we night making the best of the hot summer biggest celebration of the year with the would recommend a few places in the city weather. Beer gardens are a great place to 42nd Tokoname Yaki Festival. Walk along to kick back with a cold one. drink like a fish and get stuffed to the gills, the kiln-lined Pottery Path from the and Nagoya has plenty of choices. Here Ceramics Hall and peak into galleries to Asahi Beer Factory Tour are just a few of the city’s most popular search out deals on signature summertime drinking spots. Tokoname-yaki teapots, characterized by Asahi is Japan’s leading brewer, and its earthy red coloring. most popular beer, Super Dry, is a staple The top of the Chunichi Building, in the of summertime outings. Visitors to Asahi’s Sakae district, provides the perfect perch Tokoname is a 30-minute ride on the Nagoya Factory have a chance to come from which to enjoy cold drinks while Meitestu Tokoname line from Nagoya’s in out of the heat to learn more about the overlooking some of Nagoya’s best known Jingumae Station. 120-year-old company. landmarks. Oasis 21 and the Nagoya TV Tower are both visible from the rooftop Nearly all of the Asahi that is sipped, beer garden, which is just steps from swigged, swilled and shotgunned in Sakae station and offers an Central Japan is made in the company’s all-you-can-eat-and-drink package for Moriyama factory. Visitors smell and touch ¥3500 that features a wide array of food fresh hops and malts and see the huge choices. Kirin Ichiban, Super Dry’s biggest tanks in which these and other key rival, and Kirin Black draft are available on ingredients are combined to create the tap, or combine the two for a slightly bitter beloved beverage. You’ll also see the half-and-half. Fruity “sours,” refreshing high-tech canning process and walk Japanese cocktails made with shochu Searching for ceramic treasures in Seto amongst towering stacks of Super Dry, all (distilled liquor), are also featured on the shiny and new in their trademark silver and menu. On September 8 and 9, Aichi’s other black labels. rokkoyo welcomes visitors to its own Sapporo completes the trifecta of pottery party. The Setomono Festival, Japanese megabreweries, and the begun to honor the memory of Kato country’s oldest brewer weighs in big with Tamikichi, a porcelain master who several options for beer lovers at Nagoya’s introduced techniques to the region in the th th Kouyouen, which is a quick walk from early 19 century, is in its 76 year. Most Tsurumai station on the JR Chuo or of the pieces that you’ll find in the city of Tsurumai subway lines. Diners can choose Seto are relatively refined compared to the from set menus and all-you-can-eat more rustic Tokoname-yaki style. options that include barbecue and shabu Get to the festival early, as you’ll be shabu to accompany their A backstage look at Japan’s most popular beer all-you-can-drink beer. The brewery competing with half a million visitors for the restaurant, which features Sapporo’s best bargains at over 300 shops. In The highlight of a visit to the beer factory hard-to-find craft beers, is a fun option for addition to booths set up for the festival, for many comes after the tour is finished connoisseurs of the bubbly stuff. be sure to allow time to visit the city’s and they get a chance to sample draft many outstanding museums and galleries. Asahi for twenty minutes (up to three If it’s variety and views that you’re after, glasses). The professional beer servers in look no further than Beer Garden Miami. Take the half-hour trip on the Meitestu the tasting area pour perfect mugs of Situated on the rooftop of the Dai Nagoya Seto line to Owari Seto from Nagoya’s Super Dry and other Asahi favorites, Building across from Nagoya station, Sakae station. achieving the ideal foam-to-liquid ratio in Miami is celebrating its 45th year. every glass. For youngsters (the Throughout the summer, Miami offers Japanese drinking age is 20), moms-to-be all-you-can-drink and an all-you-can-eat and teetotalers, a selection of Asahi’s buffet selection that features local dishes. Aichi Prefectural Government non-alcoholic drinks is on offer. For two and a half hours you can stuff San Francisco Office yourself silly and choose from 11 types of c/o JETRO San Francisco The 75-minute tour, given from 9:30 to beer and a wide selection of sake and 201 3rd Street Suite 1010 3:00 daily, is by reservation only. To make shochu. After all of those drinks, you may San Francisco CA 94103 a reservation or request an English tour, just think you’re seeing double as you peer Phone: 415-392-1333 ex 252 call 052-792-8966 in Japan. off of the top of the 12-story building. Rest Fax: 415-788-6927 assured. Those are just the twin JR Email: [email protected] The Asahi Beer Factory is a 15-minute Towers. Beer Garden Miami offers Douglas Shelton, walk—or a 30-minute stumble—from Shin- up-close views of these and other giants of Yasunobu Sugimoto Moriyama station on the JR Central Line. the rapidly evolving cityscape.