Introducing Aizu-Hongo Ware, a Traditional Japanese Craft! This video, titled "【会津本郷焼】継承されていく伝統と歴史 /【Aizu Hongouyaki】The tradition and history that are passed down for generations," was created by "Aizu-Hongo Ware Association" (会津本郷焼組合). The video introduces the history and crafting process of the Aizu area's traditional craft, Aizu-hongo Ware. The video is only 3 minutes long, so for those interested in Japanese traditional culture, how pottery is made, or just want to admire some beautiful works of art, definitely check it out! The History of Aizu-Hongo Ware Source :YouTube screenshot Aizu-Hongo Ware originates from the town Aizumisato, near Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle in Fukushima Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan. Aizu-Hongo Ware was already being created by the 16th century, leading to it being known as the oldest pottery tradition in Japan's Tohoku region. The pottery pieces are made using high-quality Okubo clay. The clay used for decorating the pieces is also made from materials gathered in the region. This is one of the special characteristics of Aizu-Hongo Ware. Aizu-Hongo Ware is created through traditional methods involving the use of a potter’s wheel, as shown from 1:19 in the video. The high quality and exquisite beauty of the pieces has led to Aizu-Hongo Ware being designated a Traditional Craft of Japan. How To Create Aizu-Hongo Ware Source :YouTube screenshot There are many kilns for making Aizu-Hongo Ware in the Aizu region. The pieces created by the Kamomoto craftsmen are beautiful enough to be called works of art. In the Aizu region, there are many pottery classes and pottery-making experiences available. Through creating Aizu-Hongo Ware, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. Besides visiting the Aizu region itself, you can also purchase pottery pieces online. As shown from 2:26 in the video, there are various types of products that can be used in daily life, such as mugs, bowls, coffee cups, Japanese teacups and more. Be sure to check them out if you're interested. Summary of Aizu-Hongo Ware Source :YouTube screenshot Aizu-Hongo Ware is a deep-rooted tradition of the Aizu region, with a long, rich history. If you have the chance to visit Aizumisato, not only can you learn more about this traditional craft, but you can also view the beautiful Japanese landscapes of the region. Immerse yourself in Japanese culture through Aizu-Hongo Ware!

Shimogo in Aizu, Fukushima This video, titled "Shimogo Promotion Video" (下郷町プロモーションビデオ), was uploaded by "ShimogoKanko." Shimogo is located in the center of Fukushima in Japan's Tohoku region. The area was known as Aizu until the Edo period (1603-1868) and it's a sightseeing spot with many charms. In Shimosato, there's a mountain in the direction of the rising sun where the gods are said to rest. You'll also find Kannon-numa Forest Park at the foot of the mountain, which can be seen from 2:39 in the video. You can enjoy the natural scenery of the four seasons nurtured by the harsh climate of Aizu, and in fall, the area around the swamp is decorated with the colorful, beautiful autumn foliage. This article will provide information on recommended sightseeing destinations in Shimogo, where the blessings of Japan's rich natural environment, scenery, history, and culture are intertwined, alongside the video. A Tour That Connects the Past and Present Photo：Ouchi-juku in autumn, Shimogo, Fukushima The history of Aizu was a series of turbulent events that were swallowed up by the swell of Japan's modernization. It's said that after the Meiji Restoration, the Aizu clansmen were forced to move to an undeveloped area called Nakatsuma, where they established Minami Aizu. The traditions such as the Hange Festival and Ouchijuku Snow Festival shown from 3:18 in the video, were handed down from their ancestors. Shimogo is a town where ancient Japanese culture and traditions remain and where the present meets the past. Fukushima is best visited during winter as the snowfall in the region creates beautiful landscapes. There is an event called "Mizuki-no-hana-dango" (みずきの花団子) during Little New Year. It is an event to pray for health and longevity and colorful dumplings are stuck into the branches of trees that haven’t yet sprouted. This is a unique Japanese custom in Aizu to enjoy the long winter. This can be seen from 3:33 in the video. Sightseeing Information for Shimogo Photo：Shimogo, Fukushima, To-no-Hetsuri The beautiful scenery of the nature-rich town of Shimogo has always amazed the tourists who come to see it. To-no-Hetsuri, a marvelous landscape created by the Aga River (阿賀川, Agagawa), is a photogenic spot that you don't want to overlook when sightseeing in Aizu. Also, the buckwheat fields of Sarugaku Plateau is a place where Aizu clansmen lived through the turbulent times of Japan from the end of the Edo period to the Showa period. These can be seen at 2:12 in the video. The Aizu Line is a popular line with direct access to the Tokyo metropolitan area and is full of peaceful views. From 2:07 in the video, you can see mountain cherries in Toaka, and at 3:51the Nakayama Snow, Moon, and Fire Festival, where igloos and lights decorate a snowy Aizu. There are many popular sightseeing spots in Shimogo, Fukushima, including a snowshoe experience which is filled with the wisdom of Fukushima's ancestors who have lived through the harsh winters. The Food Culture of Shimogo, Fukushima Photo：Minamiaizu's local cuisine, Shingoro The Aga River, a quiet, clear stream flowing through Shimogo, is an important river that nurtures abundant life and is necessary for preserving the local culinary culture of Aizu. Upstream, there are many hot spring hotels and inns where you can enjoy a steamy atmosphere. You can relax at hot springs such as Yunokami Onsen after a long day of sightseeing. Fukushima is also famous for rice production. Shingoro is a local delicacy of Shimogo. It's made by rolling up a special type of rice, sticking it on a skewer, coating it with Junen (a kind of egoma) miso, and grilling it over charcoal. At the roadside station and Shimogo Town Local Products Center, you can find a different kinds of souvenirs of local food, such as soba noodles and local sake. Summary of Shimogo, Fukushima Photo：Shimogo, Fukushima The spirits and thoughts of the Aizu clansmen who lived through the turbulent times in Japanese history can still be found in Shimogo. The ancient traditions are kept alive by the people who love their town. The Shingo Furusato Festival, Shingoro, and Hana-dango during Little New Year are designed to heal the hearts of tourists, and to keep the healing alive, they will be passed on to the future. Please enjoy the attractions of Shimogo, Aizu, Fukushima, a town with beautiful, traditional Japanese scenery, by watching this video. 【Official Website】Aizu Shimogo Town, Fukushima Prefecture Town Hall Website https://www.town.shimogo.fukushima.jp/ 【Tripadvisor】Shimogo Town https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g1120990-Activities-Shimogo_machi_Minamiaizu_gun_Fukushima_Prefecture_Tohoku.html

Check Out This Video About Ryokusuien in Fukushima This video「四季の里 緑水苑の春（福島県 郡山市・本宮市）」is about a beautiful Japanese garden located in Ryokusuien (Koriyama city/Motomiya city Fukushima). You can see beautiful weeping cherry blossoms during this 3-minute video clip. You can see the majestic figure of Mount Adatara which has a bit of snow left on it at 0:03 in the video. Please enjoy watching the beautiful spring scenery in Japan in the video. What Can You Explore at Ryokusuien in Fukushima? Photo：Spring at Ryokusuien Ryokusuien is a popular Japanese garden that is built along Gohyaku river between Kikutamachi Horiuchi in Koriyama city and Iwane in Motomiya city. One of the most attractive things to enjoy is walking around and seeing the beautiful seasonal flowers and hearing the calm rivers flowing. Especially in spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, tourists are enchanted by breathtaking scenery all around. What Kinds of Flowers Bloom at Ryokusuien? Photo：Spring at Ryokusuien There are about 2500 cherry blossoms blooming in early spring at Ryokusuien. There are also many kinds of flowers blooming such as plums, peach trees, forsythias, rose bays, moss pinks, daffodils, skunk cabbages and irises, and more. In the Fall you can enjoy the falling leaves such as those of the ginkgo and maple. Stroll through the cherry blossom viewing spots where you can enjoy scenery of all four seasons. It really calms the spirits. Take a Trip to Ryokusuien! Source :YouTube screenshot We recommend taking a walk around Hana no Teien (the flower garden). On the way, you can see various kinds of trees and stones such as Suikinkutsu(stone pot), Keikaboku (fossil tree trunks), Ushi no Ki (a tree shaped like a cow), Kame no Ishi (a stone shaped like a turtle) and Azumaya(Chickee). When Fall comes, Imoni (outdoor food festival) is held in the barbecue area. Don't worry about bringing meat, vegetables, rice balls, etc. You can buy them there. It's also a great location for those who have pets to bring with them to the dog park. Summary of Ryokusuien in Fukushima Source :YouTube screenshot We introduced you to a video of the spring scenery at Ryokusuien in Fukushima. As you can see, it is surrounded by cherry blossoms which makes it a great place to take Instagram photos. We would recommend checking when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom before visiting to get the best experience. ◆Ryokusuien - A Village of Four Seasons◆ 【Address】Koriyama city Kikuta MachiHorinouchi Akatumae 71 to Motomiya Iwane Kawahara 208-1 【Access】About a 15-minute by car from Tohoku Expressway/Koriyama IC ・Hongu 【Admission fee】 Adults 500 yen Students(elementary/junior high) 300 yen (May 1st to July 20th) Adults 300 yen Students (elementary/junior high) 200 yen (April 1st to April 30th, July 21st to December 31st) 【Visiting hours】Spring/Summer: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Fall/Winter:8:30 am to 4 pm 【Parking】ordinary vehicles 200, fully equipped accomodations, and 10 large buses (free) 【 Phone】024-959-6764 【Official Website】Shiki no Sato Ryokusuien Kikutamachi Koriyama, Fukushima http://ryokusuien.com/

The Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture This is a video titled “【Official】Obama Montsuki Festival 2018" (【公式】小浜の紋付祭り2018), that introduces the Obama Montsuki Festival, a traditional Japanese festival in Fukushima Prefecture, created by Matsurism. The Obama Montsuki Festival is a traditional Japanese festival passed down in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture in the Tohoku region. In this article we'll introduce the charm, schedule, and highlights of the traditional Japanese event that has been passed down for generations in Fukushima prefecture. Be sure to follow along with the video, as it has a lot of interesting scenes that you won't be able to see in the article! The History of the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture Source :YouTube screenshot The Obama Montsuki Festival is a traditional Japanese festival held in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, during the consecutive holidays in October, and is an annual festival of the Shiomatsu Shrine tradition in the Obama district of former Iwashiro town (岩代町, Iwashiro-Cho). It is said that the festival started with a parade of decorated Mikoshi (portable shrines) praying for recovery from the local famine that occurred in the Edo Period (1603 to 1868 AD). The name "Obama Montsuki Festival" comes from the men wearing montsuki hakama (a formal Japanese attire of men with their family crest). The Obama Montsuki Festival, a unique festival with 230 years of history, where festival participants dress in Montsuki Hakama, is definitely a festival that we recommend to tourists looking to see traditional Japanese festivals. The Schedule for the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture! Source :YouTube screenshot At the Obama Montsuki Festival, traditional floats, called “Taikodai,” are prepared from 4 towns. The Ujiko of each town play the Japanese flute and drums while wearing the formal Montsuki Hakama, and walking around the town with traditional floats. The parade of the floats is introduced at 0:26 in the video, and you can hear the sound of beautiful music resonating throughout the city. The Obama Montsuki Festival is held every year on the first day of the consecutive holidays in October. It starts with the evening festival “Yoi-matsuri,” followed by the main festival the next day, and the “Ato-matsuri” on the last day. The main festival is regarded as the most important event at the Shiomatsu Shrine annual festival. At the evening festival “Yoi-matsuri,” there's the Taikodai, and the main festival has a Mikoshi parade, Montsuki Festival, and lantern festival. On the last day of the “Ato-matsuri,” there are lively events such as the water festival, and there's also a chorus. How to Enjoy the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture The Obama Montsuki Festival is held on a three-day holiday schedule including the October Sports Day. Prior to this schedule, a traditional festival called the "Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival," is held in early October. The Lantern Festival is a lively festival where seven Taikodai, decorated with lanterns, parade through the city. Summary of Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture Source :YouTube screenshot During the Obama Montsuki Festival, there are food stands along the roadside, so you can enjoy delicious Japanese festival food and the local Fukushima cuisine. Be sure to take some pictures of your visit to the festival. They'll look great on Instagram! In the video, the local people talk about how the Obama Montsuki Festival is a festival made possible by the local residents working together, and about how lively it is. In Japanese festivals, it's common for people to wear Yukata or Happi coats, but at the Obama Montsuki Festival in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima, men participate while wearing Montsuki Hakama. Be sure to watch the video to see the sights of this rare festival! 【Official Website】Nihonmatsu City Hall Official Website https://www.city.nihonmatsu.lg.jp/page/page002466.html 【Nihonmatsu tourism association 】Obama Montsuki Festival http://www.nihonmatsu-kanko.jp/?page_id=2441

Aquamarine Fukushima in Fukushima, Japan This short video “aquamarine PR web” made by aquamarine0715 introduces Aquamarine Fukushima, and aquarium located in Iwaki city in Fukushima prefecture, in the Southern part of Japan's Tohoku region. The video shows the submarine-like architecture and some of the charming marine animals that can be met there. Aquamarine Fukushima has a lot of experience caring for rare creatures. For example, they were the first in the world to keep and exhibit sailfish in 2009, and deep sea shrimp in 2019. Enjoy a fun-filled day at this aquarium full of marine life! The video introduces various creatures that you can meet at Aquamarine Fukushima. You can also enjoy the beautiful sound of the shamisen, a traditional 3-stringed Japanese instrument, in the background, coupled with the sounds of the aquarium. Highlights of Aquamarine Fukushima Photo：A school of fish Introduced at 0:16 in the video is the large water tank "Oceans at the Current Rip" where they've replicated the Oyashio and Kuroshio currents. Visitors can watch tuna, sea turtles and sardines swimming in schools from the triangle tunnel. At feeding time, you can witness a tornado of sardines! At 'Sea of Coral Reef' shown at 0:31 in the video, you can see a variety of colorful tropical fish that are great for taking pictures. There are plenty more things to see at the aquarium, such as sea lions and Ribbon seals at "Marine Mammals and Waterfowl of the North Sea," deep-sea fish at "Oyashio Ice Box," and "The Shores of Fukushima" where the forests and nature of Fukushima is replicated. Don't miss out on "WAKUWAKU Satoyama Jomon Village," where you can meet adorable European river otters, and "The World of Coelacanth," where you can learn about the living fossils with a guide. Introduced at 1:53, the coelacanths are a highlight of the aquarium. Experience Based Activities at Aquamarine Fukushima Source :YouTube screenshot At Aquamarine Fukushima, there are many events and experiences where you can enjoy the beauty of nature. There's the backyard tour where you can feed marine animals, a night program where you can see the aquarium at night, and a fishing experience where you can BBQ your catch. Janome Beach, shown at 0:12, is one of the most popular outside spots for children. After sightseeing and participating in some activities, don’t forget to enjoy the delicious food at one of the restaurants and drop by the souvenir shop. As for souvenirs, you can't go wrong with the marine life goods. Summary of Aquamarine Fukushima Photo：Aquamarine Fukushima Which one of the marine creatures caught your eye? Aquamarine Fukushima is perfect for spending time with your family, going on a date, or even just relaxing by yourself! As shown in the video, there are plenty of things to see and do, and you can spend an entire day here. Why not stop by next time your in Fukushima? ◆Institution Info of Aquamarine Fukushima◆ 【Address】50 Onahama Tatsumi-cho, Iwaki city, Fukushima 【Admission fee】Adults ¥1850 (~$18 USD) Child (small from elementary to high school students) ¥900（As of November 2019） 【Hours】 From March 21 to November 30: 9:00～17:30 From December 1 to March 20: 9:00～17:00 【Access】20 minutes from Joban Expressway Iwaki Yumoto IC 5 minutes walk from AEON mall Iwaki Onahama st. of Onahama Ena direction bus from JR Joban Line Izumi st. 【Parking】Available. 700 car capacity（Free） 【Official Website】Environmental Auarium Aquamarine Fukushima｜Fukushima Iwaki Tourism https://www.aquamarine.or.jp/