First – a multi-part 12 series about a trip I took to Iwate prefecture in northeastern Japan for an annual festival that happens in late September early October.
Over the next few months i will share notes and photos from the trip, about the people, food and experiences.Tourism in Japan is expanding – we hit the 20 million target for 2016 in Oct! and by 2020 we expect there will be many more people coming to Japan. I’s like to encourage people to go beyond Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima and Tokyo. There’s so much more to see and do!
WHERE DID WE GO
Our destination was Iwate Iwate Iwate that’s right what a times three.
WHY and WHEN TO GO THERE
We went there Oct 1 and 2 to join an annual festival. We wanted to see what’s going on and to participate in local festival. We met local people and enjoyed the weekend together. I will share with you information about the severe themes topics over the next few months.
WHO DID WE GO WITH
There were 4 of us in our group. We are checking out interesting places throughout Japan – places off the beaten track – that might appeal to international tourists. We joined group of other travelers – people living the Tokyo area wanting to get out of the city, see the sights and take part in the festival.
HOW DID WE GET THERE
I want to start with just how easy it was to get there despite how far away it is. People have the image of Iwate prefecture or Tōhoku being really far – far from Tokyo that is. But it’s not that bad. You get on the Shinkansen – the bullet train – at Tokyo station and in just over 2 hours you’re there. We had a relaxing morning ride it was a really beautiful ride.
WHATS THE WEATHER LIKE
in early October its still late summer – typhoon season in Tokyo but in Tohoku its already Fall. I could feel the change from late summer of Tokyo to Fall by the time we got up north. A bright sunny dry autumn day awaited us in Iwate.
UPCOMING POSTS
I’d like to share some information about the festival itself and what we did there. I’ll share a bunch pictures of the floats not just ours not just the ones we pulled but all the groups that I could find. Of course no festival is complete without food. We had all types of food over two days and I’d like to write a little bit about that as well as local arm specialties.
WHAT I PARTICULARLY LIKE
I bought a lot of food at a farmers market and I’ll share a little bit about that as well. Also while we were there I have a church a group of us have a chance to wear key mono. That was fun to spend the day 😉 kimono and do a sake tasting. That of course was a lot of fun and there’s lots to write about that
WHY WRITE THIS?
to share this information with anyone interested in going up to different places and having different experiences in Japan. For people interested in seeing other parts of Japan, meeting local people and just knowing what’s going on in small-town communities.
Journeys with Sarajean 