Best 5 “must see events” guide in Tokai for February 2018

Tokai is a region which is easy to visit as a day trip from Kansai or Tokyo. There are many historical places such as Nagoya and Iseshima. Let’s enjoy sightseeing and join and enjoying the events which are held in this region. This time we’ll show you events in Tokai that are held in February.

Event enjoy nature

1. Kawazu Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival): February, 10. 2018 – March 10.2018


Source: 花といで湯の町、河津

Kawazu zakura are cherry blossoms which are early blooming. About one month at the beginning of February till the beginning of March at Kawazu-cho Kamo-gun, Shizuoka. The specialties of this cherry blossoms are large and beautiful flowers in pink colors. These cherry trees are early blooming and you can enjoy the flowering process. Especially in Kawazu cho, the cherry trees are certified as a symbol of the town since April in 1975. “Kawazu Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) “is every year held at the beginning of February for one month and about 800.000 people visit to watch the wonderful blossoms. Along the river you see 800 cherry trees. In total you see about 8000 cherry trees and you will feel that spring has arrived during this festival.

You will find many market stalls at the evening. The cherry trees are illuminated and you can enjoy several other side events.

Schedule

Saturday February, 10. 2018 – Saturday March 10.2018

Access & address

・Place

Along the Kawazu river

・Nearest station and travel time from the station

Izukyu Kawazu Station 2-minute walk

・Travel time from the terminal station of the city

From Atami Station about 1.5 hours by train

・Address Kawazu-cho Kamo-gun Shizuoka

・Map

Admission & reservation

Visit free

No reservation required

Official website

http://kankou.town.kawazu.shizuoka.jp/

2. Winter Season limited Ice canyon: January 1st.2018 -March, 10.2018

Many snow falls in Okuhida region in Gifu prefecture. Nyukawa-cho,Takayama, Gifu is an area known for its heavy snow fall. This time we’ll show you about sightseeing spots of this town, “The Hida Great Limestone Cave”. On the way to the cave, there is “The Ohashi Collection Kan Museum’. You can see many artworks and articles of adornment from around the world or the block of gold (current value approximately three hundred million yen). Admission to the museum is included in Limestone Cave admission fee. Inside the cave there is a sake/wine cellar or “Tsuki no sekai (moon world) – as if you were standing on the moon and many other interesting spots. When you go out from the cave, you’ll see “Ice canyon”. Beautiful Pale icicle are the natural art created by the land of severe winter. The canyon lasts about 300 meters long. On specific dates of February, the “Ice canyon” will be lighted up. Let’s go to enjoy special seasonal event.

Schedule

Monday, January 1st.2018 –  Saturday March, 10.2018

9:00 A.M.- 4:00P.M. (closes at 4:30 P.M.)

Light up : Specific dates of February

Sunset – 8:00P.M.

Access & address

・Place

The Hida Great Limestone Cave

・Nearest station and travel time from the station

From Shounyudo-guchi bus stop 3-minute by pick-up bus

・Travel time from the terminal station of the city

From JR Takayama Station Nohi bus & pick-up bus about 40 minutes

・Address  1147 Hiyomo, Nyukawacho, Takayama, Gifu

・Map

Admission & reservation

Adult (High school and over) 1,100 yen

Child (Elementary and Junior high school) 550yen

※Charge covers admission for both the Hida Great Limestone Cave and the Ohashi Collection Kan Museum

No reservation required

Official website

http://www.syonyudo.com/

Traditional festival

3. Naoishinji(Hadaka Matsuri) – February. 28.2018


Source: flickr

Naoishinji Hadaka matsuri (Naked Festival), common name is Kōnomiya Hadaka matsuri. This is a traditional festival which is held at Owari –Ōkunitama-jinjya shrine (Kōnomiya) in Inazawa-shi Aichi. It is held every year January 13th till next morning of old lunar calendar and designated” Intangible Folk Cultural Properties” of Aichi prefecture. During this festival, more than 1000 men try to touch Shinotoko (a statue of the god of men) to relieve misfortune or disaster. The struggle of a large number of bodies. It’s a spectacular event you must see!

Besides the day before this festival, 50 Kagami mochi (a round rice cake) are offered to the god. The day after this festival, many worshipers visit this shrine to get mochi to wishing to be in good health.

Schedule

February. 28.2018

Naoishinji Start at 3:00 P.M.

Pray  5:00A.M. – about 6:00P.M.

Access & Address

・Place

Owari –Ōkunitama-jinjya shrine (Kōnomiya)

・Nearest station and travel time from the station

Meitetsu,  Kōnomiya Station 5-minutes walk

・Travel time from the terminal station of the city

From Nagoya Station about 15minutes train & walk

・Address   1-1-1 Kōnomiya Inazawa-shi Aichi

・Map

Admission & reservation

Visit free

The prayer fee: 5000yen or more

No reservation required

Official website

http://www.konomiya.or.jp/

Event for traditional cultural experience and learn history

4. Ohinamasa ( a pair ornamental dolls of emperor and empress) in Tokaido  Kameyama-juku, / Seki-juku, February .10 .2018 – March. 4 .2018


Source:観光三重

You see many ohinasama(a pair ornamental dolls of Emperor and Empress) at Kameyama-juku, / Seki-juku in old Tōkaidō which is designated as an important preservation by the local government. The district containing groups of traditional buildings. Dan kazari (dolls decorated standing on the stairs), Tsurushi hina (hang dolls) or hand made dolls are welcoming you. Especially on the first day the first 100 people can tasting “Zenzai” (sweet azuki red beans soup) at civic cooperation ”Mirai”,old house family tachi by Kameyama-juku, “Ashiyu (public bath in which people can take a bath for their feet) koryu shisetsu” by Seki-juku. During this event, you can try make yourself Japanese goods, tsurushi hina (hang dolls) or flower arrangement. Besides, a Stamp Rally (where one goes round to certain locations to stamp their book with rubber stamps. Each location would have a unique stamp.)

While there are prizes to be won from stamp rally. On the day of hinamatsuri (doll’s festival) March 3rd , Hinamatsuri market will be held and you can buy related goods and enjoy the festival Let’s enjoy doll’s festival and feel early spring in Kameyama-juku/Seki-juku.

Schedule

February .10 .2018 – March. 4 .2018

9:30A.M. – 4:00P.M.

February.10:  testing zenzai (sweet azuki red beans soup) for the first 100 people

Kameyama-juku: civic cooperation ”Mirai”,old house family tachi

Seki-juku:“Ashiyu( public bath in which people can bathe their feet) koryu shisetsu”

Access & address

・place

Kameyama-juku, / Seki-juku

・Nearest station and travel time from the station

JRKansai Main Line , Seki Station 5-minute walk

・Travel time from the terminal station of the city

From Nagoya Station one hour by train

・Address Area between Honmachi kameyama Mie and shinjo sekicho kameyama Mie

・Map

Admission & reservation

Visit free(Some experience you have to pay)

No reservation required

Official website

http://www.kameyama-kanko.com/home/genre/festival/015/index.html

Food event

5. B-class local gourmet (Local cheap good foods) all gathering!: February 10, 2018 – February 12. 2018


Source:flickr

“B-class gourmet all gathering! “ is a special event for “Kawasu-sakura matsuri (cherry blossom festival)”. B-class gourmet means locally cheap produced but good foods. ikameshi (squid cooked rice) styled cooked rice, fried squid, Danish pastry, Ramen, yakisoba( Stir frying noodles ), potato, Korokke(Japanese styled croquette). Sanma( mackerel pike) sushi, Shizuoka beef steak, wasabi pork buns, and others which are usually you only can eat at east of Shizuoka ,Izu area.

Let’s try and find your favorite dishes. This are is famous for early-blooming cherry blossoms. Enjoy food & cherry blossoms!

Schedule

February 10, 2018 – February 12. 2018
10:00 – 15:00

Access & address

・Place

Kawazu-sakura matsuri (cherry blossom festival) parking lot No7 (Next to the kawazu tourism exchange center)

・Nearest station and travel time from the station

Izu kyuko line, Kawazu Station 8-minuts walk

・Travel time from the terminal station of the city

From Atami Station 1.5 hours by train

・Address 72-12 sasahara, kawazu-cho, kamo-gun, Shizuoka,

・Map

Admission & reservation

Visit free

No reservation required

Official Website

http://www.kawazu-onsen.com/