Category Archives: Photos

  Kotaro Yamada Visitors at Asakusa Shrine had an opportunity to enjoy “flowing fine white noodles” at a fun event cosponsored by Japan Federation of Dry Noodle Manufacturers Associations. The noodles prepared by as many as 15 prefectures nationwide including Akita and Kagawa Prefectures were served to 500 visitors a day for free from July 1 to 7 to call an  attention to the Somen Day on July 7 and encourage people to have more somen this year to survive the hot summer. The event was held for the first time, targeting shrine visitors who come to drive away ill luck during the first six months of the year and … Continue reading →

  Kotaro Yamada – Junior Tour Guide Training Program at Tomioka Silk Mill – (Tomioka-shi, Gunma Prefecture) The city of Tomioka in Gunma Prefecture is now offering its first course targeting local children who are interested in becoming junior tour guides at a new World Cultural Heritage, Tomioka Silk Mill. The program aims to provide children with thorough knowledge of the history and cultural importance of the mill and let them have opportunities to lead visitors. “How big is the mill?” asked a student. “It’s three times bigger than the Tokyo Dome or seven times bigger than a soccer stadium,” answered Takatoshi Sato, 74, a veteran guide who is also … Continue reading →

Kotaro Yamada – Murasaki (purple) Project (Chikushino-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture) – Residents of Chikushino-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture, are trying to boost the development of the city by restoring old traditional coloring methods that uses lithospermum erythrorhizonor, which is called Murasaki-so (purple plant) in Japan. Murasaki-so, also called Murasaki in a shorter form, had been cultivated all around the city as a plant to make natural purple colorant. Some years ago, the city, which uses a Chinese character for Murasaki (purple) in its name, decided to take on a challenge to grow this old coloring plant again in order to make it a new local specialty. “It was an unforgettably impressive moment when … Continue reading →