February Events in Towada

Towadako Fuyu Monogatari 2013 十和田湖冬物語
(Towadako Winter Story: Snow and Light Fantavista Lake Towada)
Website: (Japanese) http://www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com  
Date: Friday, February 1- Sunday, February 24, 2013
Location: Lake Towada  
Events:

●冬花火 Fireworks 20：00～ Daily (approx. 10 min.)

●光のゲート "Gate of Light" 17：00～21：00 Daily

●光のトンネル "Tunnel of Light" 17：00～21：00 Daily

●雪のすべり台 Snow Slide (sled rentals 100yen/hour)

●津軽三味線ライブ(体験館) Live Tsugaru Shamisen (in Taikenkan) 19：00 & 20：30 Weekdays; 20：30 Weekends

●酒かま蔵 Sake Kamakura (Snow Hut) 19：00～21：00 Daily

●かまくらＢａｒ Kamakura Bar 18：00～21：00 Daily

●ステージイベント Stage Performances 19：30～ Sat., Sun. & Holidays

●雪見足湯(十和田湖畔温泉) Foot Onsen (Hot Spa) 17：00～21：00 Daily

●*NEW* イルミネーションツリー Illumination Trees 17：00～21：00 Daily

●乙女の像ライトアップ "Light Up" of Otome no Zou (Bronze Maidens Statue) 17：00～21：00 Daily

●ゆきあかり横丁 Yuki Akari Yokocho (Alleyway Food Stands/Restaurants) 15：00～21：00 Weekdays; 11：00～21：00 Sat., Sun. & Holidays

Towada Yukimi (Snow Viewing) Rally とわだ雪見ラリー
 Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Time: Reception: 17:00; Start: 18:00; Finish/Raffle Drawing: 20:00
Fee: Advance Ticket: 2500yen; At-Door: 3000yen
Location: 5 bars around Towada
Ticket Purchase, Reception, Finish/Raffle Drawing: Towada Chamber of Commerce & Industry 商工会議所
Description: Within two hours, have a drink at each of the 5 specified bars around Towada and get a stamp. Bring your stamp card back to the Towada Chamber of Commerce & Industry at the end to be entered into a prize raffle drawing. 

Towada Dentou Geinou Matsuri 十和田伝統芸能まつり
(Towada Traditional Performing Arts Festival)
PDF Flyer (Japanese)
Date: Sunday, February 10, 2013
Time: 12:00~16:00
Location: Towada Bunka Center 十和田市民文化センター
Admission: Free
Description: Watch traditional (performance) art performances from various areas of Towada, e.g. Kirida Kagura, Ofudo Keimai, Maita Nanbu Koma Odori etc.

Nameko in Vancouver Part 1

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Nameko is making good use of his time in Canada by heading out to the west coast! The night before the big trip, Nameko has a nice half chicken dinner (split among 3 people) and a leftover Reuben sandwich (from the previous night in Windsor).

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Before heading to the airport, Nameko has a ham and egg (over easy) sandwich made by dad.

At Pearson Airport, he admires some of the art.

He goes to a completely different section before realizing his error and heading back (moving walkways are so helpful!) to the proper boarding gate.

Once safely on the plane, Nameko enjoys the view from above the clouds and snacks on a granola bar (from Australia!--a present from a friend). Since it's only a 5-hr flight, no in-flight snacks/food is provided, although it is available for purchase (expensive!).

Nameko's first view of Vancouver!

After arriving, it's off to Burgoo for dinner with friends.

They order a (crab bisque) soup and (grilled cheese) sandwich combo, and macaroni and cheese (Macaroni & More), while Nameko has Ratatouille Provençale.

Everyone shares a Hot Chocolate Chili Pot for dessert--although Nameko probably eats the most! =P

The bill comes in a dim sum steamer--cute!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The next day it's off to Paul's Omelettery for breakfast where Nameko enjoys a Veggie Omelette.

After a bit of a rest (digestion time!), it's off to Metrotown for some shopping. Of course, the mall is all decorated for Christmas. There's even a train ride (third picture from the bottom)!

Then it's off to Downtown via the Skytrain! Nameko gets his Faresaver ticket, sticks it in the validator to get it date/time stamped before heading up to the platform to wait for the train. (He later realizes that to get from Metrotown to Downtown (Granville), he needed a 2-Zone fare, not just a 1-Zone fare, but thankfully didn't get checked and was thus safe. ^^;;)

Although he's not particularly hungry, it's nearly 1pm so he decides to get lunch at Foodwares Market: chipotle chicken chowder and blueberry white tea.

Nameko wanders around downtown, checking out sites like the Vancouver Art Gallery (just the outside), Robson Square Ice Rink, Waterfront Station, and the Gastown Steam Clock.

After a few hours of walking, Nameko takes a break at Tim Horton's (not nearly as popular as Starbucks in Vancouver) with a steeped tea and candy cane chocolate doughnut.

Then more walking! Down to Chinatown, the Rogers Arena, and Science World.

Walking past Science World, Nameko happens to find a gelato place, Amato Gelato Cafe! Yes, it's winter, but it's never too cold for ice cream! Unable to resist temptation, Nameko has a double cup (Pine Nut and Raspberry Truffle) for dinner.

Then it's off to see Amaluna, a new Cirque du Soleil show. The temporary Cirque tents are pretty cool.

Inside, Nameko even manages to get a photo of the stage before being reminded that photography isn't allowed inside.

The show is a great way to end a fun day of playing tourist in Vancouver.