seminar to learn about Muslim Culture in Aomori

Hi! This is Takayuki Sato, one of the guys running this page.
I'm noticing that we've been hearing the word, "Halal" more frequently in Tohoku lately.
It was not until very recently that I learned the word, "Halal" means "that which is permissible under the Islamic law," and it designates not only food and drink but also all matters of daily life.

In Japan, I think that the word "Halal" is strongly associated with food.
There was a seminar to learn about Muslim Culture in Aomori, supported by Michinoku Bank.
Key takeaway points from lectures were that, in terms of inbound tourism, it is important to improve the environment of Tohoku to attract and host visitors and international students from Islamic countries, and that it's crucial for aging Japan to partner with Islamic countries when it comes to outbound tourism.
Listening to them talk, I got excited about the future collaborations with our Muslim friends.
At the seminar site, international students from Malaysia and Indonesia participated in panel discussions and after party sharing their experiences in Aomori and Japan.
I don't really know Muslims since there aren't many of you in Japan, especially in Tohoku, but, by interacting them, I felt that we have similar perception.
I hope we can build a better society by knowing each other and exchanging our cultures!

Rice paddy art

Hi! This is Takayuki Sato.
Have you ever seen Rice paddy art?
Rice paddy art is created by planting rice of various types and colors.
In Inakadate village, Aomori prefecture, people draw variety of designs on rice fields every year, fascinating visitors with beautiful contrast of colors.

This year, the theme of the art is "Gone with the Wind" and "Star Wars."
This rice paddy art projected was launched in 1993, as a part of "Rice farming workshop," which is an event in which participants experience the whole process of rice farming from plating to harvesting in a traditional way. This was an attempt to pass down the rice farming tradition of northern part of Japan that has been lasting since Yayoi period, which is nearly 2000 years ago.
Initially, they were creating letters by planting rice of different colors, however, the design of the
art were getting sophisticated year by year, thereby attracting more attention and people to the village. Today, rice paddy art has become the signature event of Inakadate village and is playing a big part in revitalizing the village.
The popularity of rice paddy art in Inakadate village is spreading the art throughout Japan.
Furthermore, the art went viral on the internet and is entertaining people from all over the world.
It's still difficult to recognize the design of the art since they planted rice recently. But, in the summer, we can enjoy wonderful rice paddy art! Can't wait!

 

Zao mountain range and enjoy the beauty of Goshikiko or The lake of five colors

Assalamualaykum,
Brothers and Sisters,
We already knew that Zao is very famous during winter season for the skiing and snowboarding spot. How about from spring to autumn?

You can still visit Zao mountain range and enjoy the beauty of Goshikiko or The lake of five colors. The lake changes its color depending on sunlight. The lake is surround by mount Kattadake, Kumanodake, and Goshikidake. In this beautiful lake we could not find any creature (with naked eyes) due to high water acidity. But it's always fun trip to visit this beautiful and unique water color.
How to get there (By Japan Info)
Address: Inside Zao National Park, Zao-machi, Miyagi
Phone: 0224-34-2725 (Zao Tourist Association)
Hours open to visitors: 8:00 - 17:00
Closed: A certain period of winter
Directions: (Bus) An hour and 47 minutes on Miyako Bus bound for Zao Katta Mountain Peak
from JR Shiroishi Zao Station (runs only in Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
(Car) An hour from Shiroishi Interchange, Tohoku Expressway

Dateuma market in Sun Mall Ichibancho

Assalamualaykum
I came across Dateuma market in Sun Mall Ichibancho. Dateuma market is a store that sells Tohoku’s delicious products: sweets, fresh vegetables and fruits, coffee, homemade pickles, and ready to eat foods, etc. You can find various kinds of Tohoku products here in this occasional market.
And, alhamdullilah, here you can try Halal curry, samosa, tandoori chicken at Harun's Food stand.

So if you want to enjoy Tohoku's high quality products with reasonable price, make sure to check out the market schedule and visit this place with your friends and families.

a road extends across Miyagi and Yamagata prefecture in Zao just opened

In Tohoku, there are some roads that are closed during winter due to heavy snow.
Many of such roads, when they open in spring, look like cloisters surrounded by gigantic walls of snow, because snow plow trucks stuck up snow at both sides of the road.
Recently, a road extends across Miyagi and Yamagata prefecture in Zao just opened.
Usually, this road opens in April. This year, however, the authority was putting it off due to the elevated volcanic activity of Mt. Zao.
But, since the activity settled down and the likelihood of eruption decreased, the road was finally set to open.

Zao is particularly beautiful this time of the year.
Nature is beautiful at this time of the year at Zao, and it's perfect for driving and hiking.
Everyone, pleas come enjoy Tohoku!

Turkish House

Turkish House was built as the symbol of friendship between Giresun City in Turkey and Sagae City in Yamagata, because both cities are cherries producers.
This house is located in Cherryland, Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Turkish House in Sagae was built based on Turkish building architecture at Ottoman Empire Era.
In this house you can see and buy various kinds of Turkish goods such as plates, carpets, jewelries and so on.
You can also buy Turkish ice cream (Dondurma) in 5 flavours, and it is halal inshaaAllah.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Y0DJT
Website: http://www.michinoeki-sagae.com/index.htm

Sendai Umi no Mori Aquarium

Today, July 1st, a brand new aquarium has opened in Tohoku:
"Sendai Umi no Mori Aquarium"
This aquarium has build in a region where the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami caused severe damage, and the new aquarium symbolizes recovery.
Various kinds of fishes from all over the world are swimming valiantly in about 100 fish tanks that are recreating different seas in the world.
Among them, a largest tank recreated the sea of Sanriku, one of most famous fishing ports in the world, especially attracts visitors' attention.
Their dolphin and sea lion show has the largest seat capacity in Tohoku, and it's amazing!

It's exciting to have another sightseeing spot in Tohoku, isn't it?
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Adress: 4-6, Nakano, Miyagino-ku Sendai-shi, Miyagi, 983-0013, Japan
Map: https://goo.gl/zkC9gI
Web: http://www.uminomori.jp/ (Japanese)