Japan - Arts, Parks & Culture - May 2024 (2) - Flipbook - Page 4
Day 11: Wednesday 29 May - Hachinohe & Lake Towada
Day 13: Friday 31 May - Akita
With a Pacific shoreline of outstanding natural beauty, a clutch of
fantastic cultural sights, thronging markets and delectable seafood,
there is a lot to see and experience during a visit to Hachinohe and the
Aomori Region. Today there will be the opportunity to explore the
region’s fascinating connection with contemporary art through visits
to two of Japan’s best contemporary art museums – the recentlyopened Hachinhoe Art Museum and the Towada Art Center.
A key city in the Tohoku region since medieval times, Akita was once a
castle town of the Satake clan, but today is a vibrant, prosperous city
that seamlessly honours its past while still embracing its young energetic
spirit. Noted for its burgeoning art community, there are several fine
museums to explore including the Hirano Masakichi Art Museum
housing a collection of work by Western and Japanese artists as well as
the Akita City Folklore Museum.
Reflecting a new approach to contemporary art, Hachinhoe Art
Museum, also known as an ‘art farm’ offers a dynamic new
interpretation of how and where art is created, housed in an
innovative design intended to bring the community together to utilise
the space. At Towada Art Centre, one of Japan’s foremost
contemporary art institutions, the striking Ryue Nishizawa designed
building features contemporary artists such as Leandro Erlich, Yayoi
Kusama and Ron Mueck.
Alternatively join a visit to the stunning Lake Towada, a 2,000-year-old
flooded double caldera some 400 metres above sea level, and its
surrounding forest in Towada Hachimantai National Park. Lake Towada
is the largest caldera lake on Honshu, and is characterised by two large
peninsula’s which extend nearly a third of the way across the lake. On a
clear day Mt Towada is reflected in the still waters of the lake creating
a picture post card scene. While a short walk brings you to Oirase
Stream with its beautiful and dynamic cluster of 30 waterfalls.
Day 12: Thursday 30 - May Muroran
Adventures abound at Shikotsu- Toya National Park, named after its
famous twin caldera lakes. Another picturesque natural hot spot, the
park’s spectacular scenery including its impressive lakes, hot springs
and volcanic wonderland, are all easily accessible and offer multiple
hiking and walking options. Activities here could include riding the
cable car to the top of Mount Usu to take in the grand scale views
over Lake Toya or visiting the geothermal spectacle of steaming vents
and sulphurous streams at Jigokudani aka ‘Hell Valley’ and the Upopoy
National Museum of the Ainu which stands on the shores of Lake
Poroto where you have the opportunity to see and experience the
Ainu culture including cuisine, music and crafts. This afternoon enjoy
free time to explore Muroran at your leisure, visit the scenic cape and
lighthouse or take in the city from above after a walk up Mount
Sokuryo
Venture inland to discover the Kakunodate Samurai District, a living
museum that showcases the samurai way of life in a picturesque setting
that remains largely unchanged since it was established in 1620. Beyond
Kakunodate in the mountainous spine of Honshu is Mount AkitaKomagatake where there are excellent hiking opportunities in sub-alpine
and alpine habitats at the southern-most extension of TowadaHachimantai National Park.
Day 14: Saturday 01 June - Niigata
Today sees us visiting the bustling port town of Niigata, famous for
snow, rice, sake, hot springs and the six-arched, granite-sided stone
Bandai Bridge, designated as an Important Cultural Property in 2004,
and one of the most scenic spots in the city.
Highlights here include Bandai- Asahi National Park, Japan’s second
largest national park, combining stunning volcanic scenery and hot
springs with lush forests, verdant highlands crisscrossed with walking
trails and home to Asiatic black bears, squirrels, foxes, and migratory
birds. Elsewhere Takada Castle Site Park, with it 3-storey castle from the
Edo Period, offers panoramic views of the Takada Plain, while the 193
hectares of Fukushimagata Wetlands is home to endangered flora and
fauna, including the rarely seen gigantic lotus Euryale Ferox, and listed
on Japan’s 100 greatest natural environments.
Day 15: Sunday 02 June - Kanazawa
Options today include exploring the historic mountain settlement and
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, high in
the remote mountains of the Shogawa River Valley in Hakusan National
Park. Take in the sights on mountain walks and experience the unique
cultural traditions including the region’s iconic Gassho-zukuri
farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old, designed to
withstand the heavy snow in winter and provide a large attic space for
cultivating silkworms.
