Hanami: Unique Japanese Tradition

  In this issue, I want to introduce one of Japan’s main cultural events, hanami, or cherry blossom viewing.

           Every year, during late March through April, cherry blossom information is all over the news, and a popular topic among Japanese people is when and where they should go see the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms have always appeared in poetry and literature, songs, and more. It’s definitely a big part of Japanese culture.

　 

Regarding Tohoku District-Off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake

Please  let  us  express  our  sincere condolences for the victims of the　recent　earthquake that struck eastern Japan. As Hyogo citizens have experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in the past, we would like to offer our deepest sympathies to all　those affected by this terrible disaster. We pray for the earliest possible recovery of the affected areas so that the people can soon return to their normal way of life.

Thank you very much for many emails from home and abroad asking about the situation not just the devastated area but in Hyogo & Kobe. In Hyogo and Kansai region, no damage from the earthquake has been reported so far.

  Governor Ido, as chairman of the Union of Kansai Government, announced that he would like to support the affected area with all the power in Kansai, which experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

*Hyogo-related information concerning the earthquake

http://web.pref.hyogo.jp/ac02/index_d.html （Japanese)

*Latest correspondence from the Government of Japan

http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kikikanri/jisin/20110311miyagi/index.html  (Japanese)
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/topics/2011/earthquake2011tohoku.html （English）

Hyogo Tourism Association

Hina Dolls of Yodoko Guest House

  Have you ever seen a Japanese hina doll?

  On March 3^rd, also known as Girl’s Day, Hina festival is held to pray for girl’s growth and good health.

  Hina dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that are put on display on Girl’s Day. With Otoko-hina (male doll) and Onna-hina (female doll) in the center, they are surrounded by 3 servant dolls and 5 musician dolls.

  Today, I’m going to introduce very famous and popular hina dolls of Yodoko Guest House.

Hina Dolls of Yodoko Guest House

Hyogo Industrial Tourism Excursion

   The other day, I visited Himeji city for the Himeji Industrial Forum, and I joined the excursion that they offered. The excursion took us around to popular industrial facilities in the area. Currently Hyogo is putting in a lot of effort into “Industrial Tourism” to revitalize the prefecture by using the industrial facilities as tourist attractions.

                      　　　         

      Inside Himeji Castle                         Himeji Castle in Restoration

Tasting Izushi Sara-soba in Izushi

   Izushi is a town in Toyooka city, located in northeastern part of Hyogo prefecture. Back in the day, this town prospered as a castle town of the former Izushi Clan. Many of the buildings that were built during that time still exist today, giving the town a nostalgic atmosphere. Also known as Little Kyoto of Tajima, the area is designated as an important traditional architecture preservation district. Izushi is also famous for its soba noodles, and there are about fifty soba noodle restaurants in the area.

                            

              View of Izushi Castle Town                              Toyooka City Mascot, Gen-san Rice-Cracker

Spring Festival in Chinatown

 Eastern Asian countries such as China and Korea celebrate the lunar New Year. Along with Yokohama and Nagasaki, Nankinmachi in Kobe is one of the 3 biggest Chinatowns in the country, and a huge New Year celebration called Shunsetsusai, or Spring Festival, was held from February 3rd to the 6th.

                     Seian Gate of Nankinmachi in Kobe               Shunsetsusai 

A Trip to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge-Bridge World!

    The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is 3911 meters long, and it has the longest central span of any suspension bridge in the world, at 1,991 meters. The two main supporting towers rise 298.3 meters. Japan’s tallest tower, Tokyo Tower, is only 332.6 meters.

 There is a tour that will take you to the top of this tower, and I actually went on it the other day. It was a great experience, so let me share a little bit about this tour.

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge