Yuzawa Summer Matsuri

Obon is festival season in Snow Country and yesterday and today saw the Yuzawa Summer Matsuri in full swing. The east side of Echigo Yuzawa station was crammed with food stalls, games for families and kids as well as a stage with dancers and shamisen players. Lots of families were enjoying the summer activities and then coming down to the festival.

The warm summer temperatures held for most of the day but the clouds came in towards evening and it looked as if the rain was going to put a dampener on things. Luckily, although it rained quite hard for a while, it didn't last too long and the fireworks still went ahead slight behind schedule.

The firework show was fantastic with a huge, loud display that drew plenty of appreciative "Ahhs" from the spectators. Today saw the team waterpistol battle and the portable shrines make an appearance

Echigo Tsumari Art

Every three years there is the Echigo Tsumari Art Festival. Artists from around the world are invited to contribute with the aim of revitalizing the region. Anywhere is fair game for an installation with the outdoors, old buildings, town streets and schools hosting works of art.

The next big year is 2012 but this summer there is plenty on display with 160 works of art dotted around the region that can be viewed as well as festivals held in the different towns in the Tokamachi and Tsunan regions.

That's a lot of art to see but if you are looking for a quick taster, there is a handy beginners guide put together by the organizers that takes you round a few different routes.

Yuzawa Bike Rental

Yuzawa has great transport links with the Joetsu Shinkansen, HokuHoku Line, Joetsu Line and the Hakutaka Line all stopping at Echigo Yuzawa station. There is also a good network of local buses to take you around. Occasionally though you might want a bit more freedom and the chance to wander off the beaten track. Thankfully it is really easy to hire a bike in Yuzawa  with bicycles for rent inside the station and at the Information Office just outside the West Exit of Echigo Yuzawa station

You won't be winning the Tour de France on one of the rental but you'll have great fun exploring.

Theodor Von Lurch and the Start of Skiing in Japan

A quick explanation about the giant yellow mascot that was gracing the streets of Yuzawa during the Yukata Matsuri on Saturday night. [You can see him at the bottom of this post...] 2011 was the 100 year anniversary of the introduction of skiing in Japan and that big, cuddly, yellow fellow is the man responsible.

He is Major Theodore von Lerch who came over to try to teach the Japanese army how use skis at a resort in Niigata Prefecture. Apparently he had mixed success and there may have been problems adapting to the deep, Japanese snow. He seems to be fondly remembered though and with Japan's love of big mascots, it is likely that he will be around for much longer.

Just so you know what he was supposed to have looked like...(image from Wikimedia Commons) and he is now fondly known as Reruchi San.

English OK!

Snow Country is gradually implementing systems to become even more accessible to international visitors and one of the initiatives is to let people know where English is spoken. The first English OK! sign is already up and you can expect to see many more appearing in the coming months.

Information centers, restaurants, hotels and other operators are all eligible for the sign and it should make negotiating SnowCountry even easier.

Shiozawa Bokushi Doori

Shiozawa is often seen as the very heart of Koshihikari rice country. It is not just agriculture that it is famous for though. It also has lots of temples, shrines and sites of historical interest. Recently the main street of Shiozawa had a facelift and reverted to a period look.

The wide footpaths are perfect for ambling up the street, imagining what life would have been like back in the day, or ducking into one of the local restaurants or cafes for refreshments. If you are in Japan with the family there is a good little park just off the main street for the kids to let off some steam.

SnowCountry - Arrive in Style

The Japanese have an amazing, modern train system but there is a way to go back to the past and travel in style. Several steam engines are still in service and running the line between Takasaki and Minakami in Snow Country.

It is a great way to travel and is a big hit with the train-mad population. When the steam train arrives at Minakami on the weekend there are hordes of fans armed with cameras jostling to get a photo. You'd think it was a royal visit coming into town by the crowds. If you are around Minakami at midday the steam train is on display for a while, posing for photos, before making the return trip.