Firsthand Experiences
Kabuki & Wadaiko etc.
The area we introduce here called Minami Shinshu (southern part of Nagano Prefecture) is located in the center of Japan, that is to say, Nombril of Japan. Just like the nombril itself, this area forms the integral and core part of Japan.
Sandwiched by the two forbidding mountain ranges (Japanese Alps), Minami Shinshu is a treasure trove of unspoiled paysages with truly expressive seasons. Here, you can find the distinctive culture, nature, food and lifestyle unique to the mountainous region. Surely, they will fill you with pleasure and stimulate all your five senses.
Hence, let’s experience them.
These firsthand experiences will make you crave to come back again and each time, new discoveries will await you.
1. EXPERIENCEs
Wadaiko with Kabuki makeup
The Japanese drum (Wadaiko) is a very important music instrument which has been used in Shinto and Buddhism rituals, festivals and ceremonies.Initially, it served as a tool for transforming information. Later, in the medieval period (10-14th period) when ritual music and dance associated with rice planting became popular, it was used to keep the rhythm […]
Kabuki Makeup
It is often said that make-up gives you another personality. Even daily make-up makes you cheerful, gentle, intelligent, elegant etc. Let alone Kabuki make-up.Kabuki makeup has several standard styles, each of which indicate the character’s personality and status. Therefore, the audience can grasp the basic characteristics of the characters only from their makeup. This protocol […]
Cultural stroll
Let’s enjoy a cultural stroll in Yasuoka.You will be embraced by the mythical, but still refreshing atmosphere and become a part of untouched Japanese paysage.Here I introduce you two special places. The first one is Kin-no-suwa Shinto shirine (金野諏訪社) which honourably include some Important cultural properties. Then, next is Karakasa Station (唐笠駅) where both impressive […]
Tea picking
In Tenryu Village, at the southernmost tip of Nagano Prefecture, there are tea fields clinging to the mountain slopes which lie parallel to the Tenryu River. When there’s fog, tea fields seem to be floating in the sky. Below your eyes, the majestic view of Tenryu River. The views from each farmer’s tea field are […]
Yuzu Cooking (Yubeshi)
Yuzu is a fragrant citrus fruit that belongs to the Rutaceae family. Although Yuzu is a fruit, it is not suitable for eating raw. Therefore, we sometimes use them outside of the kitchen. For example, there is a custom of adding Yuzu to the bath during the winter to avoid catching a cold. Interestingly, it […]
Pottery making (Anan-yaki)
Since the northern part of Anan town called Tomikusa was seabed several thousand years ago, many fossils have been collected, including Megalodon in whose opened mouth an adult can stand without leaning forward. Incidentally, Megalodon is the ancestor of the Great white shark, the model of the famous movie character “Jaws“.Thus the soil of this […]
