Spring 2012 Events in Towada

Spring has come (?) to Towada and with it come a whole bunch of events!!

See this site for a comprehensive listing of events (Japanese only):
Towada Spring Festival 2012 Event Map/Information

栗林隆WATER >|< WASSER　（ウオーター　ミズ　ヴァッサー）
Takashi Kuribayashi WATER >|< WASSER
Date:  Sat. Apr. 21-Sun. Sep. 2, 2012
Time: 9:00-17:00, Tue.-Sun. (closed Mondays, except Apr. 23, May 1, Aug. 8 & 13) 
   11:00-17:00 Sat. Apr. 21
   9:00-19:30 Fri. Apr. 27-Sun. May 6; Fri. Aug.3-Sun. Aug. 5, Fri. Aug. 10-Sun. Aug. 12
Location: 十和田市現代美術館、中心商店街ほか　Towada Art Center, around the Central Shopping Arcade, etc.
Admission:  500yen; 300yen/person for groups of 20 or more;  free for high school students and under

栗林隆アーティストトーク　Takashi Kuribayashi Artist Talk
Date: Sun. Apr. 22
Time: 14:00-15:30
Location: 十和田市現代美術館 Towada Art Center
Admission: Free *exhibit ticket required* **limited to first 50 people**
Special Guests:
- 中田英寿（一般財団法人TAKE ACTION FOUNDATION 代表理事）
Hidetoshi Nakata (TAKE ACTION FOUNDATION, Representative Director)
- 南條史生（森美術館館長） Fumio Nanjo (Mori Art Museum, Director)


第９回桜流鏑馬 (Sakura Yabusame)
Cherry Blossom* Horseback Archery
(PDF poster)
Date: Sat. Apr. 28-Sun. Apr. 29, 2012
Time: 10:00-14:00
Location: 中央公園緑地 Chuo (Central) Park (map)
Admission: Free
Events:
- 流鏑馬競技（初級・中級・プロ級・団体戦) Women's competitions (all levels)
-体験乗馬、馬車運行など Horseback riding; horse-pulled cart rides, etc. 
- やぶさめビンゴゲーム Yabusame BINGO Game (Sun. Apr. 29 only)
* The event is called "Cherry Blossom Horseback Archery" but considering the cherry blossom blooming period of the past few years (around Golden Week--i.e. the first week of May) and the particularly long, cold winter this year, unfortunately it's entirely probable that there won't actually be any cherry blossoms out in time for the event

"メンズ限定"YABUSAMEエキシビション 
Men's Yabusame Exhibition
Date: Mon. Apr. 30, 2012 (Showa Day Substitute Holiday)
Time: 11:00-14:00
Location: 中央公園緑地 Chuo Park (map)
Admission: Free

Dance in 駒っこ広場 (Komakko Hiroba)
(Street　the　party　vo．1)
Date: Sun. Apr. 29, 2012
Time: 13:00-15:00
Place: 駒っこ広場 (官庁街通り) Komakko Hiroba (Kanchogai Dori) - across from the Police Box on Kanchogai Street *雨天時はアートステーショントワダ or Art Station Towada (map) in the event of rain*

よさこい元気祭り Yosakoi Genki Matsuri
Date: Mon. Apr. 30 (Showa Day Substitute Holiday)
Time: 13:00-15:00
Location: 駒っこ広場 Komakko Hiroba *雨天時はアートステーショントワダ or Art Station Towada (map) in the event of rain*

市内幼稚園児作成したワックスボールを点灯します
Lit Up Wax Globes Made by Local Nursery School Students
Date:  Sat. Apr. 28 - Sun. May 6
Time: 18:00-20:00
Location: アートステーショントワダ (AST) Art Station Towada (map)

桜展望台 Cherry Blossom Viewing Observation Floor
Date: Cherry Blossom blooming period
Time: 9:30-20:00
Location: 市役所新館5階展望ロビー　City Hall (New Building), 5th flr (map)
Admission: Free

夜桜と光の演出 Night Sakura Illuminations
Date: Cherry Blossom blooming period
Time: 18:00-22:00
 Location: Kanchogai Dori (Street) & Chuo (Central) Park
Admission: Free 

太素ウオーク 2012 (Taiso Walk)
Date: Thu. May 3 (Constitution Memorial Day Holiday)
Time: 8:30-15:00 (Registration 7:30-8:30)
Location: 太素塚集合 Start at the Taisozuka (Nitobe Memorial Museum area)
Fee: 1500 yen (includes lunch, insurance, etc.)
Courses: A Course (19km), B Course (14km), C Course (6km)
Registration Period: Tue. Apr. 3 - Fri. Apr. 20
Contact: 社団法人　十和田市観光協会 Towada Tourism Bureau
TEL:0176 -24 -3006

太素祭 Taiso-sai (Taiso Festival)
Date: Thu. May 3-Sat. May 5
Time: 10:00-19:00
Location: 太素塚 Taisozuka (Nitobe Memorial Museum area)
Admission: Free
Events: Student choral performances, karaoke contests, Japanese drum (taiko) performances *stage performances are only on Thu. May 3 & Fri. May 4*

ToWaCoN まちコン 
Towada Singles Party (Goukon*)
Date: Sat. May 12Time: 18:00-21:00 (Registration 16:30-17:30)
Location: アートステーショントワダ (AST) Art Station Towada (map)
Fee: 6000yen men; 4000yen women
Registration: Single men & women over 20 years of age should register in pairs (of the same gender) online
*See JeKai for a concise explanation of "goukon" and a Feb. 14, 2012 Japan Times article for an explanation about the recent "Machikon" phenomenon

February 2012 Events in Towada

第24回とわだ雪見ラリー 
Towada Yukimi (Snow Viewing) Rally
Date: Wed. 8 Feb. 2011
Time: Sign-in: 17:00~; Start: 18:00; Finish (for Prize Draw): 20:00 
Location: (受付・抽選会場)十和田商工会館 (Phone: 0176-24-1111 / Fax: 0176-24-1563)
(Reception/Prize Draw) Towada Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Fee: 2500 yen (in advance); 3000yen (at door)
Description: Your fee gets you one drink (of your choice) at a number of specified bars. Get a stamp for each finished drink and bring the completed stamp card back to the Chamber of Commerce & Industry (by 20:00) to be entered into the prize draw.

十和田市伝統芸能まつり
Towada Dentou Geinou Matsuri (Traditional Performing Arts Festival) 
(Download: PDF Poster)
Date: Sun. Feb. 12, 2012, 12:00~16:00
Location: Bunka Center
Admission: Free
Description: Performances include Koma Odori (horse dance), Keimai (rooster dance), Nanatsu Dougu (dance with seven implements)

十和田現代美術館イベント・ワークショップ
Towada Art Center Events/Workshops:
(For more info, see the website (Japanese): towadaartcenter.com)

こたつの天板にラクガキしちゃおう
Graffiti Up the Kotatsu Tabletop
Date: Sat. Feb. 4, 2012
Time: 10:00-15:00
Admission: Free
*NO reservations required!*

大団欒パフォーマンス (Dance Wag)
Large group performance (Dance Wag)
Date: Sun. Feb. 5, 2012
Time: 10:00-15:00
Admission: Free
*NO reservations required!* 

石鹸・小物デコパージュ
Soap and Small Item Decoupage*
*decoupage: the art of decorating surfaces by applying cutouts (as of paper) and then coating with usually several layers of finish (as lacquer or varnish)- Merriam-Webster
Date(s) & Time(s): Fri. Feb. 10 & 24, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 石鹸 soap 500yen; 小物 small item 1000yen

羊毛フェルトのちいさなマスコット
(youmou felt no chiisana mascot ) Wool Felt Small Mascot (Making)
Date(s) & Time(s): Fri. Feb. 10 & Sat. Feb. 18, 2012, 9:50 & 13:10 *limit of 10 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 1000yen

樹脂粘土アクセサリー
Resin Clay Accessory
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 11 & 25, 2012, 10-00-15:00
Fee: 1000yen

甘い香りを楽しみながら「育てる」蜜蝋キャンドルづくり
Beeswax Candle Making
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 11 & Fri. Feb. 24, 2012, 9:50 & 13:10 *limit of 10 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 1000yen

和布ボトン飾り付きブローチ（クリッピ付き）
Japanese Fabric Brooch Decorated with a Button (with Clip)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 12 & Fri. Feb. 17, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 500yen

フェアトレードガラスビーズのアクセサリーづくり
Fair Trade Glass Bead Accessory
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 12, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: from 500yen

ゆびあみシュシュ・アクセサリー
Finger Knit(ting) Scrunchie/Accessory
Date(s) & Time(s): Fri. Feb. 17, Sun. Feb. 26, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 500yen

和布シュシュ（ビーズ付き）
Japanese Fabric Scrunchie (with Beads)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 18, 2012, 10:00-15:00
Fee: 500yen

段ボール機（はた）裂織
Cardboard Sakiori* Loom
(*sakiori: cloth made from old pieces of fabric and threads woven together)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 19, 2012, 13:10 *limit of 15 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 500yen

スイーツデコホイップ
Sweets Deco-Whip (?)
Date(s) & Time(s): Sun. Feb. 19, 2012, 13:10 *limit of 15 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 500yen

自分で作るアロマスプレー＋ヨガの呼吸とセルフマッサージ
Create Your Own Aroma Spray, Yoga Breathing and Self-Massage
Date(s) & Time(s): Sat. Feb. 25 & Sun. Feb. 26, 9:50 & 13:10 *limit of 15 people/session, reservations required
Fee: 800yen

Towadako Fuyu Monogatari 2012

十和田湖冬物語Snow & Light Fantavista
Towadako Fuyu Monogatari (Lake Towada Winter Story)

Date: Fri. 3 Feb.-Sun. 26 Feb. 2012
Location: Lake Towada (Access maps available here: http://www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com/access/access_01.html)
*scroll down for special shuttle bus info*

Time/Event Schedule: 
Try:
 - 体験館 Workshops & Events (e.g. make a wax ball for 500yen): Mon.-Fri.: 15:00-21:00, Sat.-Sun.: 11:00-21:00 *participants limited; reservations recommended
- 十和田湖畔温泉足湯体験 Foot (Hot) Spa: Mon.-Fri.:17:00-21:00; Sat.-Sun.: 11:00-21:00: 300yen
Eat & Drink:
- *NEW* ゆきあかり横丁　Yuki Akari Yokocho (Alleyway "Restaurants"/food court): Mon.-Fri.: 15:00-21:00; Sat.-Sun.: 11:00-21:00
- ウインターバーWinter Bar: Daily 17:00-21:00: 500yen for a commemorative glass and hot mulled wine (free refills!)
- かまくらBAR Kamakura (Snow Hut) Bar: Daily 17:30-21:00
- 酒かま蔵 Sake Kamakura (Snow Hut): Daily 18:00-21:00: 500yen/cup
 View:
- お笑いかまくら "Cutie Brothers" Kamakura Comedy Performance: Sat.-Sun.: 20:10~ : 500yen admission fee
- Stage performances: Mon.-Fri.: 17:30, 19:00, 20:30; Sat.-Sun: 19:00~
- Illuminations: Daily 17:00~21:00
- Fireworks: Daily 20:00

For more information, see the website (Japanese): http://www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com/

*Special Shuttle Bus*
(running once daily between the Towada Art Center and Lake Towada)
Cost: 1000 yen (round trip)
Departure: leaving 16:00* Art Museum, arriving 17:30 at Lake
Return: leaving 20:30*, arriving 22:00 at Art Museum
*please get to the bus stop at least 5min before the scheduled departure time

Seats are limited to 40 seats per day on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations must be made at least *one day* in advance of departure.

Ticket reservations can be made by phone/fax from 9:00-17:00: TEL: 0176-23-7765/ FAX: 0176-22-7731

十和田奥入瀬まるごとシャトル予約専用"『冬物語号』予約"とお申し付けください。(Ask for  "'Fuyu Monogatari Gou' yoyaku" to be transferred to the Towada Oirase Marugoto Shuttle reservation line)

See the Towada Kankou (Japanese) site for more info: http://www.towada-kankou.jp/sight/2012/01/post-14.html

Home for the holidays (pt. 1)

As always the trip home for the holidays was fun and busy. This year’s itinerary was particularly packed since a friend from Japan came with me so we needed time to play tourist on top of all the appointments with friends and family.

The first day back was relatively relaxed, though. We all (my parents, brother, friend and I) had dinner at Swiss Chalet with family friends before heading off to church (Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church—MCBC) for the Christmas Eve (Eve) service.

Swiss Chalet: Festive Special!

Christmas Eve was breakfast at Tutti Frutti (a bit of a break from our usual Cora’s) and lunch at Frank at the AGO—both with friends, of course. (Between the meals we did spend some time walking around the Eaton Centre.)

Tutti Frutti: salmon eggs benedict

Frank: scones

Frank: beef brisket burger & sweet potato fries

Eaton Centre

After lunch we wandered around Chinatown and Kensington. Then it was a GO Bus back to Mississauga and some time relaxing at home. Dinner was Chinese takeout.

(friend's pic) Chinatown

(friend's pic) Kensington

(friend's pic) Chinese takeout dinner

We watched Kung Fu Panda 2 after dinner and hung out in the living room until midnight when we all opened our Christmas presents. I got an iPad from my brother and parents (my mother also got one from my bro) so we stayed up fairly late downloading apps and playing games.

(friend's pic) playing with my new iPad

Christmas Day service at MCBC was followed by a family lunch (dim sum with my aunts and uncle) and a trip to Niagara Falls.

(friend's pic) dim sum: duck feet

dim sum: lychee "pudding"

The car ride was mostly spent playing games on the iPad. Unfortunately it was rainy in the afternoon and foggy in the evening so the view wasn’t all that great. A nice steak dinner at Canyon Creek (and crème brûlée for dessert for me!), however, made it a nice evening.

Canyon Creek: filet mignon

(friend's pic) Canyon Creek: crème brûlée

Niagara Falls night view from outside Fallsview Casino Resort

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort

Our hotel suite at the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview was also the most strangely designed set of rooms I’ve yet to encounter. Rather than having two separate bedrooms with a common area in between them (my image of a “normal” suite), the “sitting” area was next to the window next to that was a king bed. The bathroom was in the middle, separating the main area from a smaller bedroom with two double beds. Other than the awkwardness of having the one king bed open to all and sundry in the room (compared to the double beds room which had a door to ensure privacy), there was also the design of the bathroom. Right next to the tub was a “window” that overlooked the king bed/main area. Although the window had shutters, the shutters didn’t lock! Of course we kept the shutters closed, but it was always possible for anyone in the main room to open the shutters and get a full view of the bathroom!

open concept bathroom: why?!?

 But anyway, Boxing Day we were able to check out late so we slept in a bit. After checking out and eating lunch, we took some pictures at the Falls and did some souvenir shopping before heading back to Mississauga.

double rainbow!!

After a short time at home (to pack and relax a bit), we headed off to Montreal. (Every Christmas vacation where I’ve come back from Japan we take a family trip somewhere. Last year it was San Francisco, the year before that Las Vegas, and before that Michigan.)

(to be continued...)