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Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! - Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part-5 -

2017.11.20

Places to visit

As I have introduced in our previous blog, I had the opportunity to join a tour visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins in June 2017. I went with the president of the Hotel Riverge Akebono, Mr. Shimizu, the intern of the hotel, Ms. Julia Coslian, the manager of Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Office, Mr. Takama and his staff member, Mr. Juancho Santamaria.

 

 

armor

At the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins, visitors can experience Kimono Dressing to make them feel as if they have stepped back in time to a Warring States Period.

 

 

the manager of Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Office, Mr. Takama decided to participate in experiencing wearing Kimono in the hot weather

It was very hot that day, so wearing Kimono would be hard to do.
Mr. Takama volunteered to participate in the Kimono Dressing experience.

 

 

Julia is trying Kimono

Julia participated as well.
For this Kimono Dressing experience they don’t apply the 'shironuri' makeup (white powder mixed with water into paste) or put a wig, so it gives the participant a natural look. Julia looked amazing.

 

 

before getting dressed up

Before getting dressed up

 

 

after getting dressed up

After getting dressed up

 

 

As Mr. Takama and Julia finished getting dressed, they walked through a replica of the town from the end of 15th and 16th centuries. They looked as if they were actually from the time of Warning States Period. The Kimono dress that Julia wore was the one that women from that time would wear when they went out. The armor Mr. Takama wore was what men would wear for fighting. *the Kimono and the armor are not exact replicas of what people used to wear.

 

Julia and Mr. Takama enjoyed walking around in their Kimono and armor as if they were in the time of Warning States Period.

 

 

Mr. Takama and Julia are posing in the beautiful nature wearing their armor and kimono
Mr.Takama and Julia are standing on the street with their armor and kimono
Julia stands in the nature by herself

They looked amazing and they also looked like the people from the time of Waring States Period.
The Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins is located in an area that is rich in nature. Moreover, the buildings were rebuilt as they used to be as accurately as possible so it made us feel that we were not living in modern times.

 

 

visitors and Mr. Takama are talking friendlily
everyone had a great time

Other visitors were having fun as well.

 

Stay tuned for the next blog!

 

T.F

 

We would like to share a video which is provided by Fukui Prefecture,

"Japan Emotion in Fukui".

Please enjoy!

 

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 1-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 2-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 3-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 4-

 

You can see some tourist attractions and the directions to these places from the webpage, "Hotel Reiverge Akebono, Tourist attractions around our hotel".

Made by Julia during her internship, this webpage has directions that are easy to follow.

She researched these tourist attractions, before visiting them and experiencing

the charms of Fukui herself. As I mentioned in our blog, it can be difficult for tourists

to get to some great places in Fukui, so this map that Julia made will help you

get around easier.

 

There is also a Japanese version of this webpage(only available in Japanese).

However, some of the places which are introduced on the Japanese webpage

are different to the English version that Julia made.

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! - Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part-4 -

2017.11.10

Places to visit

a tall sign says Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins

As I introduced in our previous blog, I had the opportunity to join a tour visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins in June 2017. I went with the president of the Hotel Riverge Akebono, Mr. Shimizu, the intern of the hotel, Ms. Julia Coslian, the manager of Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Office, Mr. Takama and his staff member, Mr. Juancho Santamaria.

 

 

entrance fee information

at the entrance
English versions of the iPads are also available

The Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins is a large site with a very interesting history. At the information desk, visitors can borrow an iPad to use throughout the area, which shows how things were built during the civil war period in Japan. English versions of the iPads are also available, so visitors from overseas can enjoy this place and its history.

 

 

As soon as we walked into the old town, which was reproduced based on the ruins there

As soon as we walked into the old town, which was reproduced based on the ruins there, so many interesting things caught our eyes and we felt the atmosphere change.

 

Mr. Shimizu explained to us how and why the town was built in the way they are now. He explained it to us simply so it was very fun and interesting for us to learn about the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins and Japanese history.

 

 

when entering the town from the area where enemies would have entered, you can’t see the end of the street

For example, when entering the town from the area where enemies would have entered, you can’t see the end of the street.

 

 

from the end of the street where residents would have lived, they could easily see enemies entering the town

However, from the end of the street where residents would have lived, they could easily see enemies entering the town. Therefore, the residents were able to prepare for battles.
Julia was surprised to see the way the town was built for battle.

 

 

the restored the town fo Warring States Period

Juancho, a Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Officer, is fluent in both Japanese and English so he participated in this tour as an interpreter that day. With Juancho and Mr. Shimizu’s explanation in Japanese and English, Julia seemed to enjoy experiencing the Japanese history and knowing about Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins.

 

I myself think it is best to visit actual places like this and not simply read from books or watch TV to understand the charms of such places. I also think that the Fukui accent and dialect, which sound relaxing, are an important part of Fukui’s charm.

 

 

Julia, Juancho and the Japanese staff are smiling. especially the Japanese woma has a nice smile

More importantly, talking to others with a smile is one of the key values of Japanese “Omotenashi” culture.

 

 

DID YOU KNOW?

the locations that a commercial for a famous Japanese cell phone were taken

Although Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins has a rich history as the ruins of a feudal lord during a period of brutal civil war in Japan, it has also found fame as the filming location of a commercial for a popular Japanese cellular phone company.

One of the actresses in the commercial is so famous in Japan that she was too busy to participate in the filming of the commercial at the same time as the other actors and actresses. It is little known but the producers actually used a CGI version of her for the commercial! If you have a chance to watch the commercial, see if you can spot which actress is CGI.

 

Stay tuned for the next blog!

 

T.F

 

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs.

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 1-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 2-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 3-

 

You can see some tourist attractions and the directions to these places from the webpage, "Hotel Reiverge Akebono, Tourist attractions around our hotel".

Made by Julia during her internship, this webpage has directions that are easy to follow.

She researched these tourist attractions, before visiting them and experiencing

the charms of Fukui herself. As I mentioned in our blog, it can be difficult for tourists

to get to some great places in Fukui, so this map that Julia made will help you

get around easier.

 

There is also a Japanese version of this webpage(only available in Japanese).

However, some of the places which are introduced on the Japanese webpage

are different to the English version that Julia made.

Spreading the charms of Fukui to the world! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part-3-

2017.10.31

Places to visit

A photo of an exterior view of the restaurant Tempura Yaguruma from the official website of Tempura Yaguruma
A photo of the sign outside of the restaurant Tempura Yaguruma from teh official website of Tempura Yaguruma

Source: Photographs of the restaurant, “Tempura Yaguruma” from the photo gallery of the official website of Tempura Yaguruma(the website is available only in Japanese)

 

As I introduced in our last blog, I had opportunity to join a tour visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins with the president of the Hotel Riverge Akebono, Mr. Shimizu, and the intern of the hotel, Ms. Julia Coslian, the manager of Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Office, Mr. Takama and his staff member, Mr. Juancho Santamaria in June 2017.

 

Before heading to Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins, we had lunch at the tempura restaurant, "Tempura Yaguruma" (the website is available only in Japanese) which is a popular tempura restaurants in Fukui.

 

 

a photo of a small waterfall in Tempura Yaguruma from the official website of Tempura Yaguruma
a photo of a tempura cook is cooking tempura in Tempura Yaguruma from the official website of Tempura Yaguruma

Source: Photographs of the restaurant, from the photo gallery of the official website of Tempura Yaguruma(the website is available only in Japanese)

 

At “Tempura Yaguruma”, you can enjoy watching the traditional Japanese garden with a small waterfall, and the Japanese chef cooking tempura in front of you while you are eating.

 

 

a photo of one of the special combos at Tempura Yaguruma

There were many foods on the menu that all looked delicious so we couldn’t decide what to order. Mr. Shimizu suggested we order their special lunch combos.

 

Shortly after we ordered, a lady who works at the restaurant started serving our meals with a lovely and polite smile. First, Miso soup (the taste of the soup was amazing) then, Japanese pickled vegetables and freshly cooked rice were served. It was free refills on the rice. Following that, the tempura was served, which was cooked in the middle of the restaurant where everyone could see the chef prepare it.

 

As the chef finished cooking, the freshly made tempura, which was crispy and hot, was served for each of us. I loved the crispness of the vegetable, fish and shrimp tempura. The lunch combos were quite substantial. I would like to suggest this lunch combo to people who visit Fukui.

 

The condiments (or you may call it toppings) are a small plate of grated radish and chopped Welsh onions that are served with the tempura. We call it “Yakumi” and it can be added to your soup or tempura depending on your preference.

 

 

how to use chopsticks in English

Source: dremstime, HOW TO USE CHOPSTICKS

 

I was amazed by how Julia and Juancho were using chopsticks skillfully and enjoying every meal without any problem. I realized that it is common for people from outside of Asia to be able to use chopsticks well these days.

 

 

a photo of the garden in Tempura Yaguruma from the official site of Tempura Yaguruma

Source: Photographs of the restaurant, from the photo gallery of the official website of Tempura Yaguruma(the website is available only in Japanese)

 

Julia and Juancho seemed impressed by the meal and the traditional Japanese garden at the restaurant.

 

 

taboos for using chopsticks in English,

Source: Japanzine Japan’s Must-Read Mgazine, Chopstick Crimes

 

rules for eating Japanese food in English

Source: Hugh FoxⅢ Multicultural Lessons, Japan

 

To be able to eat Japanese food in the traditional way, there are many rules and manners one must know. Even some Japanese people find following the rules perfectly a challenge. Julia found it difficult as well. She said that because there is a certain order and etiquette when eating traditional Japanese food, she must watch others to enjoy it to learn properly.

 

As a Japanese person, I thought I knew how to have traditional Japanese food properly, but I realized that there are rules and manners I am still unsure about such as the order in which to eat, how to hold the bowl for miso soup and everything in between. I would like to properly learn it again to be able to teach others, especially from overseas, the rules, etiquette and the beauty of Japanese food.

 

Stay tuned for the next blog!

 

T.F

 

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 1-

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 2-

 

You can see some tourist attractions and the directions to these places from the webpage, "Hotel Reiverge Akebono, Tourist attractions around our hotel".

Made by Julia during her internship, this webpage has directions that are easy to follow.

She researched these tourist attractions, before visiting them and experiencing

the charms of Fukui herself. I'm sure that this map will help you get around easier.

 

There is also a Japanese version of this webpage(only available in Japanese).

However, some of the places which are introduced on the Japanese webpage

are different to the English version that Julia made.

Spreading the charms of Fukui to the world! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins Part-2 - Let more foreigners come visit Fukui!

2017.10.19

Places to visit

map of tourist places in Fukui Prefecture

Source：Travel Information of Echizen and Wakasa in Fukui Prefecture from Fukui Tourism Guide

 

There are many places that are very interesting and attractive for people to visit in Fukui. However, I often hear that not too many people visit Fukui. I would like more people to know about our beautiful city and come here to visit.

 

Julia, an intern from the USA at the Hotel Riverge Akebono

As I introduced in our previous blog (part-1), Julia, an intern from the USA at the Hotel Riverge Akebono, and I had a chance to talk about why not so many people visit Fukui.

 

She said that there are amazing places in Fukui but most of the places are difficult to get to. Even she wants to go to some places in Fukui by taking public transportation but there are no English signs and/or announcements on them.

 

When I took a local train in Fukui the other day, there was English guidance but not on local buses in Fukui. To visit many interesting places in Fukui, we need buses to reach them if we don’t drive, so I started remembering what Julia said. Some visitors from overseas would be ok going there without any English guidance but I’m sure for many of them it can be inconvenient. I had the same experience in the USA. There was no Japanese guidance on buses and trains and it was very inconvenient for me. After a few years, I was confident enough to ask people because I learned English, but before that, I did not event want to take buses and/or trains even though I wanted to go to many interesting places.

 

I hope people take what Julia said seriously to solve these problems and more people will want to visit Fukui.

 

Stay tuned for Part-3!

 

T.F

 

 

Please enjoy our previous blog as well.

Spreading the Charms of Fukui to the World! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins Part 1-

 

You can see some tourist attractions and the directions to these places from the webpage, "Hotel Reiverge Akebono, Tourist attractions around our hotel".

Made by Julia during her internship, this webpage has directions that are easy to follow.

She researched these tourist attractions, before visiting them and experiencing

the charms of Fukui herself. I'm sure that this map will help you get around easier.

 

There is also a Japanese version of this webpage(only available in Japanese).

However, some of the places which are introduced on the Japanese webpage

are different to the English version that Julia made.

Spreading the charms of Fukui to the world! -Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins Part-1

2017.10.06

Places to visit

Visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins

It just so happens that by coincidence I had opportunity to join a tour visiting

Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins with the president of the Hotel Riverge Akebono,

Mr. Shimizu, and the intern of the hotel, Ms. Julia Coslian,

the manager of Fukui City Hospitality and Tourism Promotion Office

(the information is only available in Japanese), Mr. Takama

and his staff member, Mr. Juancho Santamaria in June 2017.

 

 

Julia, the intern at the Hotel Riverge Akebono

Julia is from the USA and is a university student majoring in hospitality and tourism.

She had worked at Hotel Riverge Akebono from May to July of 2017 as an intern.

During her time here, she has learned the charms of Fukui and the spirit of Omotenashi

(hospitality).

 

The purpose of visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins was for Julia to see the ruins and

experience the charms of Fukui and Japanese history. The town, which was rebuilt,

can show visitors how people used to live in the Warring State Era. Mr. Shimizu, Mr. Takama

and the guide explained the history of the ruins to Julia so she was able to learn why the ruins

were built, who lived there, and more.

 

Let’s see how Julia felt about visiting Ichijodani Asakura Clans Ruins,

and Japanese/Fukui language and culture.

 

Stay tuned for the next blog!

 

T.F

 

 

You can see some tourist attractions and the directions to these places from the webpage, "Hotel Reiverge Akebono, Tourist attractions around our hotel".

Made by Julia during her internship, this webpage has directions that are easy to follow.

She researched these tourist attractions, before visiting them and experiencing

the charms of Fukui herself. As I mentioned in our blog, it can be difficult for tourists

to get to some great places in Fukui, so this map that Julia made will help you

get around easier.

 

There is also a Japanese version of this webpage(only available in Japanese).

However, some of the places which are introduced on the Japanese webpage

are different to the English version that Julia made.

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