Tour2
We guided 2 guests from Italy. First we visited Thatched Roof Folk Art Museum.
Next, we went up to the Observation to see the panoramic view of the Tateyama Mountain Range and Toyama Plains. But unfortunately the mountains disappeared from the view behind the clouds. But after a few minutes walk, the mountains came out from behind the clouds. Lucky!
Then, we visited Five Hundred Stone Statues called Gohyaku-Rakan. We saw colorful ribon loops called wagesa.
Next we went to the Clay Doll Studio. This studio is one of their destinations in Toyama! So they really enjoyed painting dolls.
Very beautiful and cute!!
Last we went to Enzan-An, a tea house. We enjoyed having powdered green tea (matcha) and Japanese sweets. I hope they had wonderful memories in Toyama.
24th April 2024
Tour4
I guided six people, an American couple and two British couples.
They came to Fushiki Port by ship, Westerdam.First, we visited the Mikurumayama
Museum where you can see the floats throughout the year.They seemed to
be impressed by the huge real float.
After that we had a late lunch at a coffee shop in Yamacho-suji Street, where wealthy merchants used to live.
Next, we visited the Great Buddha of Takaoka that is one of the Three Great Buddhas of Japan.But this Buddha is the most handsome of the three !
The next spot was the highlight of the tour, Kojo Park.We were so lucky
to see the lovely cherry blossoms in full bloom in such nice weather !!We
also visited Imizu Shrine in Kojo Park.They tried praying in a Japanese
Shinto style and drawing a fortune slip called omikuji.
Then we took the Manyo Line tram and went back to Takaoka Station.
I hear they are still going on a journey and will leave Japan this weekend.
Travel safe !!
7th April 2024
Tour1
Today I guided 4 guests from Australia. First we went to a traditional medicine shop, Ikedaya-Yasubei-Shoten.
After a demonstration by the shop staff, they experienced making pills. Oh, it's an excellent performance!
Next we visited the Glass Art Museum. They enjoyed beautiful Dale Chihuly's art works there.
Then we headed to Toyama Castle Park. This is the Chitose Gomon Gate, built in 1849.
At the end of the tour, we had powdered green tea(matcha) and Japanese sweets while viewing the Japanese garden. It's cherry blossom season now in Toyama. So today's sweets were cherry blossoms. Very delicious!
6th April 2024
Research Trip
This time we went to the eastern part of Toyama Prefecture. First we visited Nissekiji temple in kamiichi, about 30 min from Toyama station by car. This temple is famous for Magaibutsu, literally means "Buddha carved on a cliff", built in 725. In ancient times, this temple flourished through Tsurugidake Mountain Worship.
This is Mt. Tsurugidake, 2999m (9839ft) above sea level. It is a part of the Northern Japan Alps. This mountain is for advanced trekkers only, because there are several steep ascents and descents. So many people worshiped from this temple.
This is Roppon-daki, 6 waterfalls from 5.5 meter (18.04 feet) high spouting points. The number 6 has special meaning, a set of such human organs as eyes, ears, nose, mouth, body and mind. You can experience Takigyo" here. Takigyo is Japanese waterfall meditation. Let's try! Water is very cold and water-pressure is very high, though.Our guide said that a record holder of visiters was a tourist from America, 12 min! This area is famous for Somen. Do you know Somen? Somen is a Japanese noodle, made of wheat flour. It's white and thin.
Next we visited here. What do you think it is? It's a cylindrical water tank. Through this tank, water from the river can bedistributed equally to 3 agricultural irrigation canals. This place was designated as a tangible cultural property in 2020.
Sake Brewery! Thanks to the nice rice and water for sake brewering, there are 33 Sake Breweries in Toyama Prefecture. We visited one of them in Uozu sity, about 45 min from Toyama station by car. This was my first time to see these mashing-tanks closely. Oh tasting time! Freshly pressed sake, very tasty!
22nd February 2024
Gokayama
This time we went to Gokayama, southern part of Toyama prefecture. Gokayama is famous for World Heritage Site, but this time we visited Kaminashi region near World Heritage Site. First we visited Murakami family's house. This house was built about 400 years ago and designated as a national important cultural property.
The master of this house explained about the history of Gokayama and the famous traditional Japanese folk song "Kokiriko". It is said this folk song is the oldest folk song in Japan.
What do you think this is? It's a Tofu, Gokayama tofu. Gokayama tofu is characterized by its density and firmness. So you can carry it tied with a rope, like this. Oh of course it's delicious.
Next we enjoyed making a traditional music instrument , called "Sasara". This instrument plays the main role in "Kokiriko" dance.
First it was very difficult to weave wooden plates. But it was fun to dance with my own handmade "Sasara".
Lunch time! Soba, deep-fried Gokayama tofu and tenpura. Yummy!
22nd January 2024
