Namiki Gelato

Last summer was a scorcher (in Japan). And this year seems to be following suit. @_@ I'm fine with cold weather, but heat really kills me.

The only good thing that I can say about hot weather is that it makes frozen treats extra delicious. And Namiki, a gelato place in Shichinohe is the best place to indulge!

Address: 青森県上北郡七戸町字立野頭69
(Shichinohe-machi Aza Tachinogashira 69)
Telephone/Fax: 0176-62-2646
Website: www.namiki-gelato.com
Hours: 10:00-17:00* Daily
(*Or until everything is sold out--which happens pretty early on weekends in the summer)
Parking: Available (Free)

The gelato is handmade every morning using farm fresh milk and organic fruits and vegetables. Not only is it delicious, but it's also super cheap--250 yen for a single cone/cup, or 300 yen for a double. (Compare that to Baskin Robbins where a regular single cone is 320yen.)

summer flavours: tomato & pineapple

regular flavours: jersey milk & cheese

fall flavours: pumpkin & cookies 'n cream

It's off the Shichinohe Bypass (Rte. 4) just south of the 394 and there's a big NAMIKI sign with a cow and picture of gelato marking the turn off and plenty of signage showing the way from there.

 

Towada Street Festa June 26 (Sunday)

十和田ストレートフェスタ Towada Street Festa
Date: June 26, 2011 (Sunday)
Time: 11:00-16:00 (Road closed from 10:00-17:00)
Place: 旧4号線（旧気田金物店からホテルルートインまで）　
Old Rte. 4 (a.k.a. "awning street," from the former Keta Hardware Store to the Route Inn)
Events:
11:00~ 55m のり巻　55m Nori-maki (参加無料　participation is free)
11:40~ ギター演奏　Guitar Performance (北里大　Kitasato University)
12:20~ よさこい　Yosakoi (北里三原色　Kitasato Sangenshoku)
12:40~ 子ども劇団　Children's Theatre Group
13:00~ ちびっこサンバ　Chibikko Samba
13:30~ 縄跳び選手権　Jump Rope Skipping Competition (参加無料　participation is free)
14:30~ ストリートパフォーマンス　Street Performance (北里ＫＤＣ　Kitasato University KDC)

Towada Art Center Summer 2011 Events

Upcoming events at the 十和田市現代美術館 Towada Art Center

企画展示：　マイケル･リン　ミングリングーふれあい
Special Exhibit: Michael Lin Mingling
Date: May 28 - July 28, 2011
Time: 9:00-17:00 (last entrance: 16:30)
Admission: 400yen adult; 300yen per person for groups of 20+; Free for high school students & below


ジャズコンサート Jazz Concert
PDF Flier (Japanese)
Date: June 25, 2011
Time: 14:00-15:40 (including a 20min break)
Location: 十和田市現代美術館休憩スペース　Towada Art Center Rest Space
Admission: Free  (no registration required)
Description: Featuring SASAKI Yuuka on the flute and INOUE Satoshi on the guitar

オペラコンサート Opera Concert
Date: July 30, 2011
Time: 18:30-19:30
Location: 十和田市現代美術館休憩スペース　Towada Art Center Rest Space

Admission: Free  (no registration required)

レイト開館 Late Hours
Date: July 29-August 6 & 9-14, 2011
Time: 17:00-20:00
Admission: Permanent Exhibit: 500yen adult; 400yen per person for groups of 20+; Free for high school students and under (see above for Special Exhibit admission fees)

2011 Summer Events in Towada

ルピナスまつり Lupinus Matsuri (Festival)
Date: May 28 - June 30, 2011
Time: 9:00-17:00
Location: 手づくり村鯉艸郷 Risoukyo
Admission: FREE for Towada residents (proof of residence required) until June 30, 2011; Adults 500yen; Elementary-Junior High School Students 200yen; Groups (15+ people) 450yen; Physically Disabled 400yen
Description: Enjoy 10,000 flowers spread over 4000 square metres


芍薬まつり Shakuyaku Matsuri (Chinese Peony Festival)
Date: June 11-26, 2011
Time: 9:00-17:00  
Location: 手づくり村鯉艸郷　Risoukyo
Admission: FREE for Towada residents (proof of residence required) until June 30, 2011; Adults 500yen; Elementary-Junior High School Students 200yen; Groups (15+ people) 450yen; Physically Disabled 400yen
Description: Enjoy about 2000 blooms of 140 varieties

花菖蒲まつり　Hanashoubu Matsuri (Japanese Iris Festival)
Date: June 18 - July 24, 2011
Time: 9:00-17:00
Location: 手づくり村鯉艸郷　Risoukyo
Admission: FREE for Towada residents (proof of residence required) until June 30, 2011; Adults 500yen; Elementary-Junior High School Students 200yen; Groups (15+ people) 450yen; Physically Disabled 400yen
Description: Enjoy 20,000 flowers of 500 varieties

第15回奥入瀬ろまんパークフェスティバル Oirase Roman Park Festival

Date: Sat. July 2 - Sun. July 3, 2011
Location: 道の駅おいらせ「奥入瀬ろまんパーク」 Oirase Michinoeki "Oirase Roman Park"
Description: Peruse stalls selling fresh local produce and foods while watching various performances.


第46回十和田湖湖水まつりTowadako Kosui Matsuri (Lake Towada Lake Festival) 
Date: Sat. July 16-Sun. July 17, 2011
Description: Enjoy yosakoi and various other performances and activities during the day, and fireworks at night.

十和田市夏まつり第54回花火大会　Natsu Matsuri Hanabi Taikai (Summer Festival Fireworks Display)
Date: Sun. August 14, 2011
Location: 陸上競技場・中央公園内 Athletic Track/Chuo (Central) Park