Ideya

DAY 1

We rode a bus from the meeting place to an old private house linked to our lodging for lunch. The house had a kitchen, so we asked local moms to come cook a meal using the vegetables they picked that day in their fields.

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• Sake provided by a local sake brewer

Since the old house had a wood stove, we cooked rice using it. We served the meal buffet style, letting everyone choose what they wanted to eat. Some guests had dietary restrictions, like being vegetarian or avoiding dairy, but we made a diverse and satisfying meal with just vegetables.
Everyone was amazed by what we could do with only vegetables.

The group wore matching happi coats as they headed to the festival. They watched many portable shrines being pulled in and enjoyed food and souvenir shopping at the food stalls. After enjoying food, shopping for souvenirs, and enjoying the food at the food stalls, they gathered at night for the fireworks display. Two people applied for the fireworks display option, which was accepted as part of the tour.
They were thrilled to hear their names and messages announced in English during the fireworks show.

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• We gave out cushions for sitting on the pier, along with sake from a local brewer and eco-friendly bags as souvenirs, in addition to the happi coats.

DAY 2

On the second day, they focused on learning about Nishikigoi. They visited Nishikigoi no Sato, a sightseeing center run by the city. A staff member explained the Nishikigoi's history, how they interact with the local environment, and their ecology. Later, they fed the Nishikigoi. They also explored a Japanese garden located outside the facility. It was a pleasant experience for all.

At the Yamakoshi Village ORATARU tourist center, attendees watched a video projection that displayed the recovery process after the earthquake and explored various exhibits. Following this, guests savored a bento box with salted rice balls made by local mothers. These women shared the meal's ingredients and cooking techniques with everyone at the table. The participants listened to the mothers' stories with great interest and asked many questions about cooking and preservation methods.

After lunch, we went to a tourist center in Yamakoshi Village. There, we got to try and pick up carp from a wild pond. The Koi farmers move them to the house pools before winter. To understand this process, the local farmer showed us how to set off the carp. We were able to feel and lift them too.

Finally, we went to a Nishikigoi farm to learn about breeding and the industry. The participants heard about Nishikigoi and touched the Koi beforehand, which sparked their interest. They asked questions to the Koi farmers, leading to more communication than anticipated.

Participant Comments

We asked the people what they remembered and why.

Fabulous firework.

Amazing, creative and 3 hrs long of continuous magnificent firework that I have never seem before.

Seeing the fireworks and participating in Japanese culture.

It was very fun to see the countryside, a slower pace of life, and get to meet locals.

The beautiful countryside.

I have never been to such a festival where each firework display is a paid dedication from individuals and companies.

The fireworks festival.

I have always visited big cities.

The Festival!

You could really feel the spirit and love put in by the locals. I felt very honored to be able to enjoy such a special event they worked so hard to prepare.

Koi Harvesting and fresh local made food by the obāsan.

Well organized and everyone was very helpful and nice. The local food was wonderful. The events planned were awesome to experience.

The koi farm tour three different phases: Museum-Harvest-Koi house.

Wanted to learn the overall process of tour coordination which Ide and Machida san did so well.

Probally when our names were called in the Firework Festival.

I feel like I got the authentic countryside experience. I moved to Japan to have such experiences and I feel really grateful. I enjoyed meeting the local people at the street food market, they were very friendly. I won't forget this trip :)

I loved everything about this trip, right from the fireworks to the street food and koi farm. I loved meeting the local people and of course also my fellow only in japan travellers. I've lived in japan for a year and this is one of the best and most memorable trips so far.

Each firework has a meaning for each one who dedicated the firework.

Fireworks and meeting others.

It feels so authentic, everything. The food made by the okaasans, the craftsmanship of the fireworks, the atmosphere. Everything about the koi day was super unforgettable too.

Super big fireworks.

It was great meeting other Only in Japan community members.