Walking Map.jpgKamesei Ryokan, the Visit Japan Information Center here at Onsen Town Togura Kamiyamada, has just published a Gourmet Guide / Walking Map for our onsen town.  Highlights of the new map include:
 
*Listings of 20 different restaurants representing a wide variety of cuisine and budget, including full color picture, partial English menu and operating hours and other details.
 
*Descriptions of 21 shops and businesses that foreigners would be interested in.  .

The end result is a pretty unique map that will allow guests of Togura Kamiyamada, more fully enjoy our onsen town. Some of the parts designed particularly for travellers from overseas:
*The restaurants don't have English signs, so we included pictures of their facades to make them easy to find.
*We indicated which restaurants accept credit cards, are no-smoking, have vegetarian menus, and provide western-style sitting.
*We included a coin laundry, convenience stores with ATM's, a pharmacist and medical clinic as well as a church with service in English, so guests from overseas will know their various needs are covered.
*Visitors from abroad tend to walk and enjoy the outdoors, so the map mentions walking times and distances between major points and shows where rental bicycles are available.

Inquire at Kamesei Ryokan for your copy of the new Onsen Town Togura Kamiyamada Gourmet Guide / Walking Map.
Local festival at the centuries-old shrine that looks over our town. Totally non-touristy -- all the better to enjoy a real small-town festival here in the countryside of Japan. Featuring entertaining-to-watch kids sumo (adults, too!) and, at night, a moving lion dance performance.

10 minute walk from Kamesei Ryokan

More info at http://love-me.cc/blog/yado/kamesei/index.php?ID=1349

Autumn Leaves and Onsen Spa Tour (Uotoshi Ryokan)

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The autumn leaves season at Shiga Kogen usually starts from the beginning of October spending about one and a half months for the color change from the top to Yudanaka Onsen Spa at the bottom of the 2,000 height mountain. You may have a chance to see monkeys enjoying a hot spring spa with beautiful leaves at Jigokudani Monkey Park.

Yudanaka Onsen Spa is currently offering "Spa Tour Pass" which you can use for taking a spa at about 30 ryokans and hotels with only 600JPY for 3 places that usually cost you 500JPY to 1,500JPY per place.

Stay at Uotoshi Ryokan and take this advantage
  • BANFF Mountain Film Festival in Norikura 2010 (September 11, Sat.)
 Special programs (18:00 Open/19:00 Show)
 ・Deep/Shinsetsu
 ・Kranked - Revolve
 ・Ten - A Cameraman's Tale
 ・Silent Snow
 ・The Sharp End
For more information
http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/worldtour/listings/regions.aspx?cat=I&location=eu
http://www.banff.jp/
  • Norikura Kogen Alps Music Festival (September 25, Sat. & 26, Sun.)
http://www.norikura.gr.jp/topics/?page_id=1294
  • Autumn Leaves
The best season at Norikura-dake Mt. is usually from the end of September to the end of October spending about a month for the color change from the top to the bottom of the 1,500 height mountain.
Stay Alpine Inn MIZUSHIRO and enjoy the events in Norikura Kogen.

There are many places for beautiful autumn leaves in Takayama. Among them are Hida-no-sato (15 minutes by car from Ryokan Seiryu), a village established by replacing "Gasho" firm houses from Shirakawa-go and Kokubun-ji Temple (5 minutes walk from Ryokan Seiryu) with a huge ginkgo beautifully colored yellow.

Shihodaka Rope Way located 1.5 hours drive away from Ryokan Seiryu is another famous place known for its splendid autumn leaves. The best season is usually the mid of October and it takes about a month for the color change from the top to the bottom.

Stay Ryokan Seiryu and enjoy the gorgeous view in Takayama.
Summer event information from Ryokan Matsumae

  • Nara Tokae: August 5 (Thu.) - 14 (Sat.) From 19:00 to 21:45
  • Todaiji Temple Manto Kuyoe: August 15 (Sun.) From 19:00 to 22:00   
     * Free admission (Daibutsuden) on August 13 & 14 From 19:00 to 21:00

  • Kasuga Taisha Shrine Chugen-Mantoro: August 14 & 15 From 19:00 to 21:30
  • Nara Daimonji Okuribi: August 15 From 18:50 to 20:00
  • Light-up Promenade 2010: July 17 (Sat.) - September 26 (Sun.) From 19:00 to 22:00
     * Night event around Nara Park surrounded with World Heritage

  • "Romatsuzu" Restoration of original national treasure. Japanese Artist Chisako Tomizawa
     * Opening event and Kyogen will be performed at the end of August at Ryokan Matsumae
Major annual events information from Petit Hotel Ebisuya
  • June 18 to July 11: Lake Kawaguchi Herb Festival
  • July 3: The Opening of Mt. Fuji
  • August 5: Lake Kawaguchi Kojo Festival
  • August 26: Yoshida Fire Festival (The Closing of Mt. Fuji)
  • Mid.of August: Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival (Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater)
  • End of October to Mid. of November: Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
  • End of October: Kawaguchiko Momiji March (Walking Contest)
  • Mid. of January to end of February: Winter fireworks & illuminations
  • Mid. of January to end of February: Kawaguchiko Ice Festival
  • End of April to end of May: Fuji Shibazakura Festival
  • End of April to end of May: Fujizakura Mitsuba/Tsutsuji Festival

Summer Fireworks in Ise (Hoshidekan)

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The 58th Ise Jingu Shrine Fireworks
  • What: Firework contest competed by 52 pyrotechnists. Sound instrument will be equipped at toll stands
  • When: Saturday, July 17, 2010
Ise-Kawasaki Fire Works
  • What: Fireworks Festival in Kawasaki, Ise-shi. Enjoy water goldfish fireworks (fireworks on the water).
  • When: Sunday, July 18, 2010
Stay Hoshidekan and enjoy these local events!

Event Inforamation in Kanazawa (Ryokan Yamamuro)

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○Free Admission at Kenrokuen
  • Kenrokuen will be opened to the public for free!
  • When: From August 14 - 16 between 7:00 - 18:00
* Kenrokuen is located just a 10 minutes walk from Ryokan Yamamuro.

○Kanazawa Geisha Experience
  • Traditional Geisha dance and Taiko performance at Higahi and Kazue-machi chaya districts.
  • When (Higahi chaya district): Oct. 2, 23, Nov. 13, & Dec. 4 from 13:00 - 14:00
  • When (Kazue-machi chaya district): Sep. 11, Oct. 16, Nov. 6, & 27 from 13:00 - 14:00
  • Fee: 3,000JPY w/tea and cakes
* Prior reservation necessary (Call Kanazawa City Tourism Association at 076-232-444 for reservation)
* The two chaya districts are located just a 10 minutes walk from Ryokan Yamamuro.

Summer Events and Festivals (Sado Seaside Hotel)

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Stay Sado Seaside Hotel and enjoy these events and festivals in Sado!

Festivals
  • Kozan Matsuri Festival @ Aikawa area(July 24 & 25)
  • Tanabata Matsuri Festival @ Ryotsu area(August 7 & 8)
  • Ogiminato Matsuri Festival @ Ogi area(August 29 & 30)
Noh (July 25, August 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, & 28)

For more information: Sado Tourism Association