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Zombieland Saga‘s Franchouchou unit has teamed up with Saga Prefecture’s Karatsu City for the Zombieland Saga Revenge KARACHU♡Karatsu♡Shuuyuu Campaign Part of that campaign is a newly released music video that features the Franchouchou girls in various spots of Karatsu Those spots are also part of a stamp rally that will reward participants with illustrated goods with the artwork being based on the character designs for the collaboration The collaboration song featured in the video is titled “Sukicchan The music video’s staff credits include: • Storyboard artist and unit director: Momoichiro Masuda (Oblivion Battery Episode 11 co-director)• Character designer: Kasumi Fukagawa (Zombieland Saga)• Choreographer: JUN JUN • Animation producer: Yuriko Waki (Zombieland Saga Revenge production desk)• Animation production: MAPPA Source: Karatsu City official YouTube channel Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Zombie Land Saga anime's X (formerly Twitter) account made a surprise announcement: a new song release on December 3. “Suki-chan! Kara-chu-” is the first new Zombie Land Saga song in two years and is already available on YouTube 最新MVはこちら（YouTube）https://t.co/w4ZrOUQbHe pic.twitter.com/twV7qShtEc According to the Zombie Land Saga website the music video features the members of Franchouchou dancing at Kagamiyama and other famous locations in Karatsu City The video also highlights local cuisine specialties such as Yobuko Squid and Karatsu Q Mackerel The Karatsu City website also notes Karatsu City is “currently holding the Zombie Land Saga Revenge KARACHU Karatsu Tour Campaign” stamp rally with designs inspired by social media posts by collecting stamps at participating locations in Karatsu City The stamp rally will run between December 1 to March 31 Along with the stamp rally, fans of Zombie Land Saga who post the “Suki-chan! Kara-chu-” music video URL along with the hashtag “#KARACHU” on TikTok or X will be entered to win one of 100 original eight-piece Zombie Land Saga coaster sets (The staff did not announce the deadline for entering the drawing.) Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp From the moment we arrived at the Karatsu train station bedecked with posters celebrating the recent Karatsu Kunchi (festival) until our last walk past the purple night-glow surrounding Karatsu Castle magnificently perched on Mt and created many warm memories along the way In fact the name itself (kara - roots; tsu - port) refers to the ancient centre of trade with China or Korea it’s the visual history that grabs so much attention starting with the celebrated annual festival that takes place in early November And for those visitors who may not want to compete for viewing space at Karatsu Kunchi with up to 500,000 others is a great alternative.’Hikiyama’ refers to the fourteen historic floats and each is on display On the second floor there is a video of the festival showing the teams of roughly 150 people and there are also histories of each float the Golden Lion was built in 1847 using gold leaf and is reputed to be the largest lion head in Japan the Tiger –head Orca built in 1876 by a seafaring community paid tribute to a mythological creature who could remove fire by spouting water A local bus took us near our accommodation Riverside Hotel Karatsu Castle but noted for its location on the Matsuura River the 360-year old Black Pine Forest along the sandy beach  We received a very warm greeting on arrival a comfortable tatami room with a view of the river and the city With the opportunity to view Karatsu Castle as the sun was setting we walked the 15 minutes to the city centre friendly izakaya with fantastic food prepared by the owners Akihiro and Mihoko Fujino Squid Shumai (steamed dumplings-a local speciality) we were on a local bus to see where the squid shumai originated a good number of stalls were open on this Tuesday morning They were a bit chewy but had a sweet ‘mollusk’ taste   The town itself is small with fishing boats docked in the port and the Yobuko Ohashi Bridge listed as one of Saga’s 100 top scenic attractions spanning some of the islands in the Genkai Sea But it was time to return to Karatsu City to explore the Castle mount  Karatsu Castle was built between 1602 and 1609 and was referred to as “Dancing Crane Castle” (Maizuru-Jo) based on an imaginative resemblance to a crane The impressive stonework rises directly out of Karatsu Bay this one was reconstructed and completed in 1966  The interior exhibits relate to the history of Karatsu and the various clans that became lords of the Castle  The 5th floor observation galley affords striking views of the city The Castle grounds include Cherry Blossoms and Wisteria with more superb views of the surrounding area Steve Gillick has been involved in the Canadian travel industry for over 40 years in various roles President of the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors He has explored 85 countries and territories with 20 journeys to Japan and 60 published articles about the country a consultancy specializing in skill development www.talkingtravel.ca The opinions expressed in the above article do not reflect the views of JNTO All content and images are property of the writer unless otherwise specified Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages New Zealand rally driver Zeal Jones continues to turn heads in his debut season in the All Japan Rally Championship landing second overall in the 2025 Tour de Kyushu Round 2 of the Morizo Challenge Cup in Karatsu After securing a third-place podium at the season opener—the Mikawawan Rally—Jones and co-driver Bayden Thomson arrived in Karatsu determined to build on their early momentum Still figuring out the intricacies of their GR Yaris Morizo Challenge Cup Car the pair approached the weekend with a focus on refining their set-up and pushing their limits A stellar drive that saw them climb one step higher on the podium The Karatsu rally course threw everything it had at competitors over the 324km two-day battle Day 1 brought Jones a string of mechanical woes with the car forced into limp mode in five of the six stages even snatching a stage win amidst the chaos but we’ve had issues for 5 out of the six stages We have been getting into limp mode at every stage so it’s really annoying that we can’t be fighting for first “We were in good rhythm when we weren’t having problems As soon as we didn’t have problems in that last stage so the pace is there; we just need to stay consistent without the issues.” A torrential overnight downpour soaked the stages transforming the tarmac and gravel roads into treacherously slick and shifting terrain With precise pace notes from Thomson and a confident push behind the wheel They cemented their place among the frontrunners It was a really good result for us from everything we had to get through on day one we didn’t make it easy for ourselves either I made a big mistake on the third stage of the morning loop and inconsistent; you never knew what grip level you would get in each corner.” said Jones “We were trying so many things; We just got a bit eager on the handbrake then looped it tried driving out of the slide on full lock and gassing it up but probably made it worse and just drove straight into a concrete wall we had a few big moments that definitely scared us there were still lots of positives to take away “The pace was good; we just need to get all the little things right and we really look forward to the next round and know what we can do Jones is making an early statement in the Morizo Challenge Cup and the broader Japan Rally scene with two podiums from two rounds “This one is really for the team; they did so much work this weekend to keep us going Massive thanks to Cusco Racing and all the partners back home We will prep and review and see what we can do for the next one.” As the duo continues to dial in the GR Yaris and gather mileage on unfamiliar terrain it’s clear they’re a force to be reckoned with Jones was asked post-rally about his MCC success to date and about his upcoming goals in the series so we definitely want to chase that 1st [place finish] now and fight with Otake [Naoyuki] for the whole rally If these opening performances are anything to go by the best from Zeal Jones might still be to come and website in this browser for the next time I comment © 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news © 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news Saga — The annual Karatsu Kunchi autumn festival took place in the city of Karatsu dragons and other animals paraded through the city please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent is a word used in the northern Kyushu region Nagasaki Kunchi in Nagasaki is another famous Kunchi festival the grand autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine has a 400-year history and is designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Huge floats are said to have first been produced in the 19th century by a local engraver based on what he saw at the Gion Festival in Kyoto 14 floats lined up on the grounds of Waseda Saga Junior and Senior High School Organizers said about 250,000 people visited the site After parading through the city escorting a mikoshi portable shrine the floats proceeded to the sand-covered Otabisho people frantically pulled the floats and stuck them in the sand while chanting energetically to the music of flutes and drums and placed them to their designated positions Onlookers loudly applauded as they finished pulling the floats Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Slow travel recommendations for one of Saga’s most beautiful cities Saga’s charming coastal city of Karatsu is only two trains — with amazing views of Karatsu Bay along the way — and a 1.5-hour trip from Fukuoka’s JR Tenjin Station. Often overshadowed by Arita and Imari cities when it comes to ceramics Kyushu’s long history of foreign trade over the centuries is to thank for the region’s diverse ceramic culture. Every prefecture is home to one or more distinct varieties of earthenware; Hasamiyaki in Nagasaki and Ontayaki in Oita are just two of many options. Alongside Arita and Imari, Karatsu figures as part of what is often cited as Kyushu’s “pottery trifecta.”  Travelers can also visit Nakazato Toroemon Kiln to learn more about how Karatsu ware is made. The family-run business is managed by a 14th-generation artisan. Diving deeper into local culture and art, fans of Japanese architecture should visit the Former Takatori Residence. The home is made up of two buildings, one with distinctly Japanese features and the other inspired by Western trends at the time. It was the residence of Koreyoshi Takatori, a coal baron during the Meiji Period (1868–1912). Wander the halls to see beautifully decorated screen doors and a fully functional noh stage. Karatsu Castle stands on the shores north of the city center. Nicknamed “Maizuru Castle” due to its similarity to the head of a dancing crane, it was built from materials collected during the dismantling of nearby Nagoya Castle. The castle is popular in spring and early summer for its cherry blossoms and wisteria. Though still under repair, a visit to Karatsu Castle will reveal the rich history of Karatsu in its small museum and gallery. If you like to visit Japan’s many places of worship, Karatsu Shrine, founded in the 8th century, is a must-see. The most remarkable part of the shrine is its giant white torii gate. Time your trip right to attend the Kunchi Festival — a bucket-list-worthy activity. It is celebrated in early November to wish for a bountiful harvest, a tradition that dates back over 400 years. Mr. Nakazato says.I believe that pottery should be used. I want to make pottery that can be used in daily life, not just displayed and looked at.Her works are not expensive, and they are designed to be easy to use. Yet, they have a warmth and feel that enriches our lives, which makes us happy. When the calculations are exceeded, the warmth and texture unique to Karatsu-yaki are born. JapanChevron Diane Sooye KangSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links I pulled on rubber boots and followed the writer and photographer Prairie Stuart-Wolff into a weed-choked gully not far from her rural home in northern Kyushu the southernmost of Japan's four main islands “The inoshishi got here first,” Prairie said a bitter leafy perennial and early harbinger of seasonal change we picked our fill of vibrantly green fukinoto buds; the best would be set aside for tempura while the others would be blanched and chopped into miso paste to make a relish “Fukinoto is considered the first taste of spring,” Prairie said I feel in a way that fukinoto is a symbol of my life in Japan.” Prairie (pictured here with Hanako) offers a series of seasonally minded Here, cities loom large and shine bright. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to the complex, concentrated life force of Tokyo, the juxtaposed bustle and serenity of Kyoto So extreme is the concentration of the Japanese urban population that the government has offered to pay families $7,500 per child to move out of Tokyo and into rural areas I had a sense of stepping farther off the beaten track with each of the five trains I caught until I was conspicuously alone among local commuters watching a storm send scalloped whitecaps arcing against the rocky coastline near Karatsu This was a part of Japan I would not have thought to visit on my own The language barrier is challenging outside major cities We started with a multicourse dinner at the lauded Arutokoro a rustic farmhouse renovated by chef Sunao Hirakawa who offers a flawless but unprecious take on kaiseki We ate at a local establishment that serves only tofu in many forms and at the female-owned female-cheffed Tamatori restaurant in Karatsu we spent leisurely hours connecting with the countryside and cooking in Prairie and Hanako's compact open-plan house Prairie shaved flakes of mineral-hard dried skipjack tuna to make dashi from scratch; I ground sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle; the fukinoto we'd plucked finally became a delicate tempura Prairie has acquired a terraced parcel of farmland where she is building a dedicated home for the salon “a big place to cook and exist together,” as Prairie puts it to be surrounded by a kitchen garden and a small orchard I asked her if she thought the ideas of farm-to-table dining and traditional craftsmanship were as prevalent in Japan as in the United States it's not yet mainstream,” Prairie replied “but I do feel like the future is bright on that level.” Tourism can help “Foods are great for their flavor,” she added “but when you see how they're made and the people behind them we drove an hour south through forested hills and past tile-roofed villages historically a trading center known for porcelain and green tea and now a major global supplier of nori The frigid February wind whipped at my face as we chugged out into the Ariake Sea but a frosty nose was worth it for the astonishing sight that awaited: a vast network of two million fiberglass poles stretching into the distance sticking out of the shallow ocean like so many acupuncture needles and supporting around 200,000 of the nets on which nori grows for its short labor-intensive season during the coldest part of the year Never would a spicy tuna roll look the same showing off a bundle of foraged watercress Tsunehiro showed us around the small facility where he processes nori into different products environmentally friendly producers of food and crafts who are banding together to preserve traditional Saga industries by attracting both international and domestic tourists and buyers Collective members make—among other things—sake there's much less of a divide between art and craft,” Prairie told me “They're able to coexist in one place.” it can have a ripple effect through other practices Convince people that there is value in artisanal foods or introduce them to the purveyors whose careful labor produces something delicious and perhaps they will bring a stronger sense of intentionality to other areas of their lives as consumers “My aim isn't so much to give a recipe that someone could go home and replicate but more to inspire an approach or a philosophy,” Prairie said that rather than bringing home some souvenir that would look out of place in my house I was taking with me a dream of mindfulness and even though I still order Postmates plenty of nights which is fermented in sun-warmed pottery vessels and then aged in cedar barrels up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information The enchanting Forest of Environmental Art in Karatsu on the island of Kyushu proved to be the perfect venue for droves of visitors celebrating Greenery Day on May 4 More commonly known as “Midori no Hi” in Japan Greenery Day falls during the Golden Week period of national holidays that start in late April each year Situated in the Kyuragimachi district of picturesque Saga Prefecture a facility called “Fuyu Sanso” allows visitors to appreciate the wonders of nature and art while basking in lush greenery It sits on a 10-hectare site in a private forest halfway up 887-meter Mount Sakurei Photos of lacquered tables mirroring the lush greenery took social media by storm Visitors began arriving from early morning Admission is 700 yen for high school students and up and 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students Tama Monorail in western Tokyo gets Night View Heritage status Hakone reclaims position as most popular onsen resort in Japan Seoul’s Blue House a tourist hot spot after opening to public Tokyo office buildings offer more green space to woo workers Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Autumn is a special time for celebration throughout Japan as many shrines and temples sponsor a matsuri (festival) to give thanks for a good rice harvest and prosperity The island of Kyushu hosts many such festivals — and one of the largest is the Karatsu Kunchi Festival which attracts upwards of 500,000 visitors The 400-year old Karatsu Kunchi Festival begins every year at the Karatsu Shrine in Karatsu City and is a ritual of sending its deity to Nishino Hama Beach This festival draws a huge crowd of visitors because of the hikiyama — elaborate parade floats that depict imagery from Japanese culture and mythology such as lions The 14 hikiyama currently used for the Karatsu Kunchi Festival are over 100 years old constructed between 1819 and 1876 — and standing up to 6 metres and weighing up to five tons at least 150 people are needed to pull each float Karatsu Shrine is the prime destination to visit if you want to see the Karatsu Kunchi Festival the procession of 14 hikiyama will be paraded through different parts of Karatsu City Here’s a breakdown of what activities each day of the Karatsu Kunchi Festival brings: You can expect to work up an appetite after following the hikiyama procession for a few hours — thankfully there are plenty of food stalls lining the roads But if you’re lucky enough to have a friend in Karatsu City or meet a friendly resident that invites you to enjoy a kunchi meal many families in Karatsu City cook up kunchi meals for family and acquaintances — the centerpiece is the Ara no Sugatani a gigantic saw-edged perch that’s been stuffed with daikon radish and other ingredients before it’s boiled all day in soy sauce and sake If you don’t have the opportunity to join a local family for their kunchi meal, many inns in the area serve it, including Yoyokaku (reservations are a must) There are also plenty places to have local favourites like tsugani (local river crab) The easiest way to get to the Karatsu Shrine area where the festival is taking place is to walk about 10 minutes north from Karatsu station past the City Hall and Bank of Saga ＊Click here to see how it went last year Pottery from Karatsu is recognisable by its use of sober colours (mainly earthy terracotta and dark navy) and patterns with clean lines depicting birds Pottery was introduced to this city in Saga Prefecture on Kyushu island between the 16th and 17th centuries via the local port boats would bring back other treasures from their explorations across Asia This is how the first Korean and Chinese potters settled and ultimately stayed This ‘rustic’ approach allowed the Nakazato Tarouemon Tobo studio they developed Karatsu cups made from rice crackers (senbei) available to buy from their boutique for 300 yen (€2.60) The products have seen great success among consumers since their conception you would think they were created using terracotta More information on Osamu Tsurumaru’s creations can be found on the Nakazato Tarouemon Tobo studio’s website The Infinite Depths of Mingei According to Naoto Fukasawa Terry Ellis and Keiko Kitamura: Redefining the Spirit of Contemporary Mingei Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos The series 'Hysteric Ten' by photographer Sawatari Hajime revisits one of the most sulphurous relationships in Japanese art Nagisa Oshima made Sada Abe the heroine of his film defying the codes of 'pinku eiga' that make men the focus of attention This rice soup seasoned with miso is served by a monk to Ashitaka one of the heroes in Hayao Miyazaki's film we interviewed its founder and chief representative This small museum and exhibition hall contains 14 large parade floats which are brought out once a year for a festival and parade through the town The festive floats are several meters high and weigh many tons These fanciful enameled figures of demons and animals date from the 1800s and they are carried through the streets of the city by groups of men accompanied by flutes and drums during the annual celebration Travelers leave tea kettles in a remote part of Death Valley as part of a mysterious A uniquely robust and historic look at Mexico's omnipresent dance with Death The world's largest collection of witchcraft regalia A bizarre collection of gifts to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il from the despots of the world This hands-on museum houses roughly 80 vintage pinball machines and arcade games Phoenix man has two yards full of vintage signs and antiques Three hangars filled with meticulously restored aircraft and armored vehicles Today's print edition Home Delivery As with most upscale kaiseki ryōri (traditional multicourse meal) restaurants there is little by the way of decoration in Karatsu to distract It's a new restaurant — just eight months old — but it's located in a house that's over 100 years old when the polished floors have worn with age it will remain as beautifully uncluttered as the day it opened in 2017.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); trained and worked at Kyoto Kitcho — one of Kyoto's most famous restaurants — before branching out on his own last year His eponymous restaurant is quiet and unassuming while his cooking conforms to the rhythm and scope of kaiseki he's certainly not afraid to roll out bold In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division. Sachin & Babi Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear Japanese version Saga Prefecture's Sagaprise! project announced in December that it is partnering with the Yuri!!! on Ice anime to promote protagonist Yūri Katsuki's home prefecture. The Sagaprise! website announced details of the first wave of the Saga!! The "Ice Castle Hasetsu" ice skating rink will let fans fulfill their dream of skating on the same rink as Yūri from March 6 to March 12 Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Gaien Skating Rink will host the special rink inspired by the one that Yūri uses in his hometown of Hasetsu in the anime The rink will feature special illustrations and have a photo spot during the promotion Yūri's anime hometown of Hasetsu is based on the real-life city of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture. The campaign will offer local specialties and original goods in Karatsu from March 3 to May 7 Karatsu's official website offers side-by-side comparison images of Hasetsu in the anime and Karatsu in the real world Source: Animate Times Japanese version Public Relations Office, Government of Japan Home > Highlighting JAPAN > Highlighting Japan November 2019 > Japan’s Food Culture a festival is held in early November during which many people maintain an age-old family tradition of laying out a lavish feast No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form National Report Saga Prefecture—A hole surrounded by concrete penetrates a mountain here part of a project once touted by politicians as a potential symbol of unity between Japan and South Korea But the project is now described as “absurd” and a representation of the close ties between a religious group and Japanese politicians at the national and local levels The project—a Japan-South Korea undersea tunnel--has also been criticized as an elaborate tool of the group a Tokyo-based organization affiliated with the Unification Church plans to build the 235-kilometer-long tunnel that would connect northern Kyushu and southern South Korea Overall costs are estimated at 10 trillion yen ($71 billion) according to records from the church and the International Highway Foundation The plan hatched in 1981 was the culmination of the “prayers of many years” of Sun Myung Moon a former official with the International Highway Foundation said “The project was based on Moon’s thinking that Japan should stop being an island nation by becoming connected with South Korea,” the former official told The Asahi Shimbun The hole in the mountain is located 1.5 km from the ruins of Nagoyajo castle in Karatsu city The castle was known as the outpost for Japan’s invasions of the Korean Peninsula in the late 16th century A sign placed above the hole says in both Japanese and Korean that the opening marks entry of an inclined shaft drilled in a geological survey for the tunnel project whose official name now is the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification first chair of the Japanese arm of the Unification Church assumed the top post of the predecessor of the highway foundation when it was set up in 1982 The cost to prepare for construction of the undersea tunnel was estimated at 4.57 billion yen About 2.18 billion yen was used to dig the shaft but work was suspended after the hole reached the boundary of the land owned by the church A man in his 80s who lives in the neighborhood said last month that before the novel coronavirus pandemic busloads of Japanese officials occasionally arrived there for inspections “I did not take much interest in whether the project would be completed because it seemed so unrealistic,” he said “I do not think the project has caused friction with local residents.” Support for Moon’s planned tunnel spread slowly across Japan giving birth to many councils that promoted the project According to the Lower House’s secretariat the Tokushima prefectural assembly in 2011 submitted to the Diet chamber a statement calling for an early realization of the tunnel A similar move was made by the Tsushima municipal assembly in Nagasaki Prefecture two years later the Japan-South Korea tunnel promotion council was inaugurated at a meeting in Tokyo co-sponsored by the International Highway Foundation Other entities linked to the Unification Church including the Universal Peace Federation Japan and the council of peace ambassadors “Let’s take a bullet train from Tokyo to Seoul,” Eiji Tokuno chair of the foundation and the Unification Church in Japan Attendees responded with a thunderous applause Those in attendance included several Diet members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party gave a speech on behalf of party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai but he cannot come since the Diet is in session now,” Takeda who served as Nikai’s special aide at the time “We should strive to make this dream happen.” a former chief Cabinet secretary who served as secretary-general of the league of Japanese Diet members working on friendly relations with South Korea said in a video speech shown at the meeting “We are aware that (construction of the tunnel) will be one barometer to indicate the ultimate union of Japan and South Korea.” Academics have also taken part in efforts to promote the project A former president of Kyushu University chaired the liaison council in the southern main island for construction of the tunnel when it was inaugurated in 2015 But the church’s dubious donation collection methods returned to the spotlight after the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July politicians are downplaying or denying any connections to the church land minister Tetsuo Saito said the government has no direct involvement in the project “We have never considered the tunnel project when we were formulating plans to develop Japan’s land,” he said “I believe the vision for the tunnel is quite absurd.” Karatsu Mayor Tatsuro Mine also distanced himself from the tunnel plan saying the project is an activity conducted on private property by a private organization “I personally feel uncomfortable about the sign mentioning Karatsu whenever news media show it Press releases distributed by the Unification Church in 2014 stated that all followers were joining forces for an early realization of the Japan-South Korea tunnel project They also said the church and its followers had together donated more than 10 billion yen for the project undertaken by the International Highway Foundation Lawyers representing former followers of the Unification Church say the tunnel project has been used as a pretext for the church’s relentless solicitation of donations “The involvement of politicians and academics in the project has given it public credibility and ending up helping the church’s donation drive,” said Hiroshi Yamaguchi a representative of the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales “They should immediately end their involvement.” Yamaguchi represented plaintiffs in a string of lawsuits filed in the 1980s seeking a return of their money given to the church and its affiliated organizations represented a former follower in a lawsuit demanding about 180 million yen in compensation over donations connected to the tunnel project “The church took followers to the test drilling site on many backstage tours,” Hirata said “The tunnel project gave the impression to followers that the church was committed to a significant activity and has been used as a pretext for soliciting donations to fund its activities.” The highway foundation told The Asahi Shimbun that it has conducted surveys and research and acquired land for the project with donations made by numerous groups and individuals But it acknowledged the project has stalled citing the souring of Japan-South Korea relations and Japan’s post-bubble economic slump “We cannot help admitting that it has not been easy to raise funds after around 1990,” the foundation said It also said lawyers critical of the church are deliberately raising the tunnel subject to damage the group’s reputation and spread groundless information who retired from politics last year as a lawmaker from Yamaguchi Prefecture told the Asahi that he had never received backing from the church and that he was reluctant to send a message since he knew the religious group was involved in the tunnel project But he did send it at the request of a city assembly member in Yamaguchi Prefecture tied to the church Kishida denies Unification Church ties after magazine report LDP denials over ties to church ring hollow for lawyers group Candidate picked by Abe won seat with Unification Church backing Unification Church: Murder suspect’s mother still a member Saga Prefecture--A replica of a golden tearoom that renowned warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi used to flaunt his power more than four centuries ago is now available for ordinary folk to sample the joys of traditional tea ceremony Completed at a cost of 36 million yen ($268,000) it offers visitors a rare glimpse of late 16th century Momoyama Period culture the Saga Prefectural Nagoya Castle Museum allows visitors to sip matcha green tea inside the space which boasts a red floor and is just three “tatami” mats in size The replica was created based on historical records kept by the Karatsu-based museum The project took about six months until March 2022 Hideyoshi (1537-1598) first used the room for tea ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto in 1586 where he made and served tea to Emperor Ogimachi Hideyoshi hosted the event to express gratitude for his inauguration as “kanpaku,” a title given to an individual who serves as chief adviser to the emperor The assembly-type tearoom was taken to Nagoya Castle that had been built in the city of Karatsu as a base for Hideyoshi’s invasion of the Korean Peninsula It was used four times for tea ceremony with feudal lords and to welcome foreign envoys While Hideyoshi was reputed to have flamboyant tastes the golden tearoom was also a way for him to enhance his own authority in politics and diplomacy It is said the tearoom was later brought back to Osaka when Hideyoshi returned there and was destroyed by fire during the Summer Siege of Osaka Castle in 1615 Officials said about 16,500 sheets of gold leaf were used for the replica craftsmen used silk fabric in place of “shoji” screen paper and woolen fabric to cover the tatami mats After closing the shoji sliding door and dimming the lights the tearoom is enveloped in a “hazy glow” of gold and red “I feel that people in those days were more sensitive to light shadow and color than people nowadays,” said museum curator Tetsuya Hisano The replica is an opportunity for visitors to experience what those people felt long ago The museum offers programs in which visitors can listen to a curator’s commentary and drink matcha from Karatsu ware in the golden room Just a five-minute walk from the museum is another tearoom for those who want to enjoy matcha while viewing a Japanese traditional garden that incorporates the scenery of the castle ruins The tearoom “Kaigetsu” is located on a hill on the southwest side of the Nagoya Castle ruins Visitors can casually enjoy tea and Japanese traditional confection without worrying about the strict rules of tea ceremony After a “cuppa,” they can relax by lying down on tatami mats or sit on the veranda while viewing the garden Monk keeps portable kit for tea ceremony for every occasion Japan sets sights on wealthy visitors to increase consumption Fukuyama offers the chance to be king of the castle (for a price) ‘Tearoom in the sky’ offers view of tea plantations in Shizuoka Hideyoshi built quake-resistant stone wall at Fushimi Castle Original letter from warlord Hideyoshi found in Kyoto Japanese version Yūri's anime hometown of Hasetsu in the anime is based on the real-life city of Karatsu The "Ice Castle Hasetsu" ice skating rink was also open at Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Gaien Skating Rink on March 6-12 as part of the promotional campaign The rink let fans fulfill their dream of skating on the same rink as Yūri and featured special illustrations and a photo spot Karatsu's official website offers side-by-side comparison images of Hasetsu in the anime and Karatsu in the real world. Kubo traveled to Karatsu in January Many fans have been traveling to Karatsu since the Yuri!! on Ice television anime premiered in October Production of a brand-new Yuri!!! on Ice film has been green-lit [Via Nijimen] A person is completely surrounded by lush green scenery when driving on a mountain road in Karatsu which has the highest percentage of man-made forests in Japan at 67% There are many cedar and Japanese cypress trees that have been planted in these mountains probably because many people live near them But what caught my eye were the bright green leaves of maple trees which suddenly came into view on the hillside of Mt that cover the about 10-hectare mountainside meaning art that is created by the natural forest "We have worked really hard to improve the air and water quality," said Masaaki Tsuruta owner of the forests who maintained the trees with his wife Tsuruta established a landscaping company in the city and received an award for his landscaping works his life changed in 1980 when his second son who played on the high school baseball team became sick because of an unidentified illness and died after suffering from a high fever for 1-1/2 years "What is the most important thing in this world?" and reached the conclusion that air is the most important thing," he said Tsuruta has planted broad-leaf trees on a deserted piece of land which he initially bought to collect large stones to decorate his garden with since 1981 and began his work to bring back the natural scenery using the forests "I dug up bamboo roots for the first 10 years and I hated it with a passion when the winds were strong," he said But because he felt supported by all the people who donated blood to his son while he was fighting the disease a cottage made from the wood of demolished buildings The cottage has been fully open to the public since 2010 but only in the autumn when the maple leaves change colors The cottage started to become more well known about four years ago Tourists began posting photos on social media showing the reflection of the maple trees on the surface of a lacquered desk on the second floor of the cottage "It was at a time when instagrammable places were becoming popular when the association held photo competitions in 2016 and 2017 photos of the Kankyogeizyutsunomori won awards and we used the results to promote Karatsu," said Michiko Yamane deputy chief of the secretariat of the Karatsu Tourism Association the cottage has become available to the public during the spring as well and it is a popular time to go because of the lush green scenery has helped his father with his work for two years strolling along a path near ponds and rivers sunbeams fell through the green leaves of the maple trees "We try to maintain this scenery while at the same time taking advantage of the natural environment," Kenji said Kenji's father has asked him to succeed him in continuing the work Though maintaining the forest is a tough job Kenji said he wants to preserve as much of the forest as possible also asked me to 'take care of the mountains [and forests],'" he said The family's work has supported and conserved the forest which is a Chinese-style dumpling using squid It is believed that ika shumai was created in Manbo and chef at the time created the dish because they wanted to serve a hot dish in the winter using squid when the number of customers decreased and there was a surplus of squid," said Junko Ota There was a lot of trial-and-error until the dish was finally perfected the failed versions were served on the dining table of the Ota family onions to bring out the sweetness and other ingredients are used to make ika shumai As I stuffed my mouth with a piece of ika shumai I tasted the umami of the squid and it had a smooth texture The dumplings are not wrapped in dough sheets but are rolled through shredded wonton pieces A souvenir box containing eight ika shumai which is sold at the Manbo flagship restaurant The dumplings can also be bought in JR Karatsu Station at Asaichi-dori street in the Yobuko area or over the phone Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/ is hosting a 3-day festival with parades highlighting 14 gigantic Hikiyama floats through the streets and along Nishinohama beach Karatsu Kunchi (kunchi meaning festival) is the most important event of the year in Karatsu and drags people for all around Karatsu Up to 500,000 people at a time come attend the parades They’re made of lacquered wood and covered with gold and silver leaves The biggest floats are close to 7 meters high and weighs up to 5 tons They are drawn by the inhabitants thanks to long cords If the festival is only on November 2-4 every year people can still see the floats all year long at Hikiyama Float Exhibition Hall The people drawing the floats are chosen in the families living in the 14 traditional districts of Karatsu Yet most districts only allow men to be part of it They wear traditional clothes representing their district As some street are very narrow and a part of the parade is taking place on the beach drawing the floats can be very hard and there sometimes are accidents The highlight of the festival is the second day for Otabisho Shinko The 14 floats are drwn on the sand of Nishinohama beach the floats and the music make it an outstanding event that is even broadcast on TV and on the Internet fascinating viewers from Karatsu to all Japan and even worldwide the Japanese government made Karatsu Kunchi an "Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property." The attractive coastal city of Hasetsu is the hometown of star figure skater Katsuki Yuri in the popular anime series Yuri!! But did you know that Hasetsu is actually based on the real-life city of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture As part of its local revitalization project Sagaprise! on Ice to create the collaboration project Saga!! which is taking place in both Tokyo and Saga from Monday This fun project is the perfect opportunity to get your hands on exclusive Yuri!! on Ice merchandise while also supporting a beautiful and fascinating part of Japan Specially drawn illustrations and events set to take place in each location have been announced ahead of the project A Message from the Governor of Saga Prefecture Yamaguchi Yoshinori"When I first saw Yuri!! I remember being seriously shocked and moved as I realized 'That's Karatsu!' We've prepared a number of projects so that through the power of anime everyone can discover first-hand what makes Saga Prefecture so special Whether it's the train station that Katsuki Yuri arrives at in the first episode we'd love for you to experience Saga too.Saga's the best!" Saga Prefecture has organised specially drawn illustrations and collaboration menus that are available exclusively in Saga You can find out more about the collaboration goods and collaboration menus on the project's official homepage which will also be sharing a variety of Saga Prefecture highlights the city on which Katsuki Yuri's hometown of Hasetsu City is based you'll have no problem finding your way around with the help of the Saga!! Various locations around the city will be home to life-sized panels of Yuri!! giving fans a warm welcome to this very special place Discover locations from the anime including Karatsu Castle and Maizuru Bridge and enjoy Saga Prefecture's beautiful nature and sightseeing spots together with Yuri!! Source: Spice A new visual of the series' entire cast of skaters was also released These live viewings will be held at 48 theaters around Japan on March 3 Victor and the two Yuris can clasp onto just about anything with their special arms By Ichiro Marutani / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Saga — The gold tea room used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi the late 16th-century warlord who unified Japan will be re-created with gold leaf in Kyushu where Hideyoshi based his operations for campaigns targeting Korea The so-called Golden Tea Room is said to have been built at his order and was regarded as a symbol of his prosperity According to the Saga prefectural government the luxury tea room was first used at a tea ceremony held in Kyoto in 1586 where Hideyoshi offered tea in the presence of the emperor As the room could be dismantled and reassembled it was later transported and used at Osaka Castle Records show that the Golden Tea Room was also brought to Kyushu’s Nagoya Castle — not to be confused with the more famous Nagoya Castle in Nagoya City — for a tea ceremony in 1592 Hideyoshi used the castle in northern Kyushu as his base to orchestrate his invasion of Korea but the ruins can still be found in Karatsu According to the diary of a wealthy merchant in Hakata who participated in a tea ceremony at Kyushu’s Nagoya Castle the tea room was estimated to be about 3 meters long walls and ceiling were wrapped in gold leaf and the tatami mats were woven with imported red woolen cloth Although all traces of the original tea room have been lost the Golden Tea Room has been restored several times across the country the Ministry of Agriculture’s Museum of Art in Atami which was exhibited in Karatsu in 2005 and 2013 Another one is part of a collection in Kyoto City The Saga prefectural government decided to re-create an additional tea room and open it to the public in March next year at the Nagoya Castle Museum in Karatsu which focuses on the castle as well as Hideyoshi’s dispatching of troops to Korea in 1592-98 The Saga government plans to spend about ¥55 million aiming to make it a centerpiece of tourism When tea ceremonies were held at Nagoya Castle in Kyushu including founder of the Tokugawa shogunate Tokugawa Ieyasu and Date Masamune This led to the area’s population to surge to over 200,000 along with the 23 warlord encampment locations in the surrounding area have been a government-designated special historical site the number of visitors to the museum has been sluggish due to few special facilities and no castle towers on the ruins the Saga prefectural government plans to hold events reminiscent of the tea ceremonies held by feudal lords and develop the ruins of the camps for sightseeing “I’m sure the tea room will become a centerpiece for attracting visitors,” a museum official said “We’d like to use it to revitalize the region as well.” Yuri!!! on Ice co-creator Mitsurou Kubo recently traveled to Karatsu He adopted character Jean-Jacques "JJ" Leroy's trademark pose in one of the images and Yuri for people at the restaurant on fancy Japanese paper boards The restaurant and a fall festival held at Karatsu Shrine in November inspired Kubo's illustrations The colorful shapes and pictures in the images conceal names Famous people in Japan often sign and draw pictures on similar paper boards to give to people or places they visit The anime co-creator's visit to Karatsu came about after a Twitter exchange with Kawakami that started with mention of "katsudon pirozhki." In the anime, Yuri gives Yūri the culinary concoction that combines both their favorite foods: Japanese pork cutlet bowls and small Russian pies. Unfortunately, none of these food items appear on Caravan's menu Kubo said that she wants to visit Karatsu again, and she would not be alone. Kawakami reported that between 20 and 30 people visit Karatsu every day for anime pilgrimages. He posted pictures of some of the guests to his restaurant. Victor and Yuri cosplayers joined the mix Saga Prefecture is already collaborating with the anime to establish Yūri's hometown as an anime pilgrimage site The collaboration is planning to offer regional products and special themed merchandise Yuri!!! on Ice co-creators Kubo and Sayo Yamamoto will appear together at the Dallas anime convention AnimeFest this August Source: Animate Times The cadence of celebration in Saga and Nagasaki prefectures Plan your next trip to Kyushu’s Nagasaki and Saga prefectures with these new and old cultural events Combining cultural elements from China, Japan, Portugal and the Netherlands, the Nagasaki Kunchi festival can trace its origins back to a single dance performance at Suwa Shrine in 1634 this raucous multicultural affair is still going strong with 58 towns and neighborhoods taking part annually Mesmerizing moves are still a critical element but as the many teams take turns performing certain dances some of them can only be witnessed every seven years Partake in the festivities by joining the clamor of the crowds shouting “Motte koi motte koi!” — a phrase meaning “Bring it!” — and express your appreciation for the show Where: Suwa Shrine and other venues across Nagasaki city This traditional event is linked to Obon, the summer custom of commemorating one’s ancestors. In Nagasaki, families gather for Shoro Nagashi a spirit boat procession that sets sail along the city’s waterways The boats are usually prepared by families who have lost a loved one in the last year and decorated with colorful flowers Shoro Nagashi sends its spirits out with a literal bang: As the boats wind their way through the city they are serenaded with the explosive din of firecrackers The Nagasaki Lantern Festival started as a celebration of the Lunar New Year but has evolved into a grand event in its own right Nagasaki city — especially in and around Chinatown and Minato Park — is dyed with the warm glow of about 15,000 lanterns lion dances and other events take place under the colorful canopy of gleaming lights for a period of about two weeks Where: Minato Park and other locations across Nagasaki city This massive autumn festival in Saga Prefecture’s Karatsu city has a rare beachside twist Fourteen hikiyama floats representing lions fish and other creatures parade the streets to the rhythmic chants of “Enya Enya!” and accompanying responses of “Yoisa Yoisa!” encouraging participants to keep their strength up Lurching to the side as they navigate sharp turns the floats are then dragged through the sand to a temporary shrine on Nishino Beach The parade on the festival’s final day is a more mellow event with floats rolling through the streets to graceful flute melodies Where: Karatsu Shrine and other areas in Karatsu city Asia’s largest international hot air balloon competition is ready to take flight with about 110 contestants this year an area notorious for its fast-changing wind directions and strength the event requires competitors to constantly calculate and redirect their movements to match the weather conditions The fantasia balloons depicting popular cartoon characters cute animals and more offer a bright and fun non-competitive element Dozens of hot air balloons light their burners to the tempo of a musical piece Unlike the cacophony of Arita’s spring edition, the Arita Autumn Porcelain Festival is more subdued be sure to tear your eyes away from the brilliant craftsmanship to catch sight of the smoke rising from the chimneys of the 400-year-old wood-fired kilns Make the most of the festival period by sampling the special menus — with dishes served on Aritayaki — at nearby restaurants and renting a kimono to complete the experience Note: Kimono rental reservations should be made at least three days in advance A 'water bomb' threatens India as it freezes IWT Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) 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