the falling snowflake and the ski resort… if New Zealand has the most helicopters per capita Japan has to be up there when it comes to ski resorts – with more than 500 liberally scattered across the country These resorts are the product of frenzied ski development in the ’80s and ’90s and while many have since fallen by the wayside and many more have captured the minds of the general skiing public (read: Niseko & Hakuba) more than a few remain off the beaten track for those willing to find them Shizukuishi ski resort is one Historically known for hosting the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in the early 90’s nowadays the Shizukuishi Men’s downhill course offers an impressive 4.5km of consistent vertical whilst the women’s Super-G trail has since been converted into a Cat Skiing zone – and a very affordable one at that A single run will cost you a mere ￥4000 ($40AUD) – even less if you’re doing multiple runs While the cat skiing only operates on Saturday’s Sunday’s and National Holidays and the skiing is confined to the piste if you’re lucky and Saturday is a powder day (a fairly regular occurrence in Japan) you’ll have over 700m of open pow filled vertical laid out before you Shizukuishi is one of few Japanese resorts that offer sunrise cat tours with a 9km round trip to the summit of Kotakakurayama – and the option to ski back down 11 trails (or courses) are spread over just 65ha so it’s fair to say Shizukuishi isn’t the largest resort out there. More advanced skiers and boarders will find enough terrain to entertain themselves for two to three days. However, another five of Japan’s similarly lesser-known resorts are not far away in Appi Kogen (approx While we could well rate Shizukuishi as one of the best resorts in the area for tree skiing it’s not strictly allowed – so don’t do it… There is no ski village or many other accommodation options to speak of at Shizukuishi aside from the Prince Hotel Undeniably the biggest attraction here is the Takakura Onsen a natural hotspring serviced by the hotel that has deservedly been recognised as an onsen heritage site Shizukuishi Ski Resort is located in the northern Honshu prefecture of Iwate Most international travelers will arrive at either Narita International Airport or Haneda International Airport in Tokyo Travelling to Iwate from Tokyo is as easy as any other Japanese resort and can be done so by either boarding the Akita Shinkansen (bullet train) or the Tohoku Shinkansen The Akita Shinkansen stops at Shizukuishi Station and takes around 2 hours 35 minutes A short 20 minute taxi ride will then take you to the resort the Tohoku Shinkansen stops at Morioka Station and takes around 2 hours 11 minutes to reach It takes another 40 minutes by taxi to reach the resort or hop on one of the many buses organised by the folk at Shizukuishi Prince Hotel from there Shizukuishi offers stunning views such as that across the valley and up to Mount Iwate For those looking to truly rest their legs the ‘Asabiraki’ sake factory is understandably a first point of call for many whilst kids will be entertained by the ninja themed ‘play field’ that’s best summed up in the admittedly hilarious video below… See the video below for how long time friend of Mountainwatch Luke Kneller and others spent a day at Shizukuishi on assignment for Mountainwatch Travel If you are looking for a different Japan destination for the 2024-2025 season head to Mountainwatch Travel and check the latest  Shizukuishi packages. showcase of spectacular big mountain freeriding from some of the world’s best.. he Snow Australia Awards have allowed us to reflect on another amazing season.. we see higher than average pressure to the southeast of New Zealand Snow Australia Awards recognise the achievements of athletes across the 2024/25.. are now nominated for the overall Male Athlete of the Year - Olympic Discipline.. The Mountainwatch.com team is as passionate and dedicated about the mountains as you are everything about those huge piles of dirt and rock keep our blood flowing Our team strives to provide you with detailed weather conditions and vision of our most used mountain areas in Australia Iwate — People are becoming more excited about the prospect of seeing a 100-year-old cherry blossom tree in Shizukuishi 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 The tree sparsely bloomed last year due to damage from birds eating the flower buds Since no damage had been confirmed as of Tuesday which is said to be more than 100 years old The Edohigashi cherry blossom tree at Koiwai Farm is one of the prefecture’s leading spring tourist attractions only 20%-30% of the flowers bloomed last year compared to an average year as Eurasian bullfinches ate the buds from around January said it uses bird repellents and sound sensors as birds damage the flowers every few years The blossoms will be at their peak around late April “We cannot let our guard down regarding possible damage from birds until the peak time arrives,” said a Koiwai Farm official Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Ichinoseki The municipal government confirmed flowers blooming on a designated observation cherry blossom tree in front of the city hall’s main building The city said its cherry blossom trees reached their peak one day later than last year and three days earlier compared to an average year Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun representing a new chapter in the 60-year history of the brand seiko CEO shinji hattori commented: ‘the studio provides the ideal environment for our craftsmen and women to bring grand seiko’s mechanical watches to life and for the next generation of watchmakers to be trained and their skills developed it embodies grand seiko’s philosophy and is clear evidence to the world of our dedication to the art of mechanical watchmaking.’ all images courtesy of seiko watch corporation the kengo kuma-designed studio shizukuishi not only gives the grand seiko watchmakers an enhanced working environment but also opens up potential for future production kengo kuma continues: ‘grand seiko’s view of the importance of nature is reflected in every corner of its design and construction I greatly enjoyed the challenge of making the clean room where watches of the highest precision are assembled to balance natural materials with the room’s high-technology technical requirements was a new and intriguing task.’ kengo kuma incorporates an open exhibition space visitors can immerse themselves in the history of grand seiko as well as explore the manufacturing characteristics of grand seiko’s mechanical watches events will be held at which visitors can try their hand at assembling a mechanical watch themselves in a dedicated space known as the studio seminar room the heart of the studio is the clean room where the watches are assembled studio shizukuishi also includes a second floor lounge which overlooks mount iwate the inspiration for many aspects of grand seiko’s designs the lounge contains an exhibition that explains the world of grand seiko and will also showcase the brand’s first ‘concept creation,’ a watch movement which will reveal the full extent of the ingenuity and skill of every one of grand seiko’s specialists   the abundant use of wood fits with grand seiko’s philosophy of ‘the nature of time’ a lounge on the second floor looks out at mount iwate the hi-beat 36000 80 hours is the first new creation made at the new studio the watch’s dial inspired by the rich green landscape that surrounds the studio project title: grand seiko studio shizukuishi architecture: kengo kuma client: seiko watch corporation photography: courtesy of seiko watch corporation AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Please sign in with your Snow-Forecast account details below Create a free account to receive instant Snow-Alerts and save your favourite resorts on your personal MySnow page Shizukuishi Weather (Next 3 days): The snow forecast for Shizukuishi is: Heavy rain (total 29.0mm) Shizukuishi Weather (Days 4-6): Heavy rain (total 36.0mm) Rain and snow or hail reported from Morioka at 241 metres elevation 8 kms ENE of Morioka Highland Ski Resort from Morioka Highland Several North American ski areas that are still open plan to celebrate the unofficial Star Wars Day tomorrow The above table gives the weather forecast for Shizukuishi at the specific elevation of 851 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Shizukuishi. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Japan Click here to read further information on freezing levels and how we forecast our temperatures Be the first to write a review! View detailed snow forecast for Shizukuishi at:snow-forecast.com a small town tucked away in the Tokyo metropolitan area is home to the law practice of a man named Sora but he also has a secret: The white dog he looks after is actually a wolf who can only return to human form when the two are alone The brothers found themselves on this strange path many years ago I was expecting this to be a BL or perhaps a bromance fantasy light novel While it could be the latter if you squint (and want to see it that way) what this is is a story about the nature of being human and the dangers of becoming trapped in the way you see “right” and “wrong” as a total binary stagnating into an idea of justice that may not be fully possible a young man of the Emishi people (an ancient indigenous group in Northern Japan) who travels to Heian Kyo to avenge his master Aterui whose death he blames on Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (Those last two are real historical figures and the history is well grounded in the novel.) He and Tamuramaro all become immortal after meeting with the bodhisattva Miroku for reasons Sora doesn't entirely understand The story mostly takes place in the modern day with brief flashbacks to both the Heian and Showa eras and its true point doesn't sink in until the novel's close – but once it's been said we can see how it had been letting us know what it was discussing all along It's a little bit oblique and some of the modern lawyer sections drag The main driver of the action is Sora himself as he tries to sort through his emotions He's been alive for 1200 years by the time the Reiwa era comes around living with his brother Fuuka and occasionally bumping into Tamuramaro Sora isn't sure what Miroku wanted from him – the bodhisattva simply told him that he wasn't ready for the Pure Land yet and “cursed” Fuuka to be in the form of a dog in the presence of other people Sora is ready for life to start again for him and Shizukuishi is the first place he's lived that he's felt he could truly stay and grow old in assuming that “aging” is something that he could do His greatest wish is that Fuuka be human again but as he thinks back over time and talks with Tamuramaro he begins to question whether or not Fuuka ever really was it does a very credible job of guiding both readers and Sora along the path The most important relationship isn't quite what it appears and Miroku is careful not to give away any answers whenever they show up which makes the internalized narrative work and sometimes that's every bit as worthwhile as a quick I think the best word for it is “worthwhile.” Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker From the mechanical watchmaking center of Studio Shizukuishi to the Seiko Museum back in Ginza we finish our tour of Grand Seiko in Japan How To Wear It The Cartier Tank Cintrée In-Depth Examining Value And Price Over Time With The ‘No Date’ Rolex Submariner Watches In The Wild The Road Through America, Episode 1: A Model Of Mass Production In late September, we published Part 1 of our tour inside Grand Seiko A lot has changed since we last visited the Japanese manufacturer but likely no change has been more dramatic and impactful than the inauguration of the brand's new home of mechanical watchmaking – Studio Shizukuishi – on July 20 If you read the first story expecting to see inside Shizukushi Part of what seems to have captivated fans regarding the new space is not just the mechanical watchmaking that selling point for the brand has hit new heights with the new "Kodo" Constant Force Escapement (which is actually assembled in Ginza) and 9SA4 manual-wind high beat movement But there's something so captivating about the way the Studio Shizukuishi connects so cleanly with the environment that inspires so much of Grand Seiko's recent work Much of this is thanks to famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma who designed the space for Grand Seiko we'll also get a brief look inside the Seiko Museum back in Ginza which is much easier to visit if you're on a short trip to Tokyo and well worth your time this will give you a sense of what makes Grand Seiko so special in the modern landscape of watchmaking Grand Seiko is incredibly proud of their company's heritage and every place we've visited thus far has a little taste of that history to educate visitors Studio Shizukuishi is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays but to get there you'll either make the six-hour drive or two-and-a-half hour train ride to Morioka station in Iwate Prefecture and then take around a 20-30 minute cab ride to the studio If you somehow were able to get to Tokyo and make your way to Morioka but missed the Seiko museum in Ginza you get a curated taste of the mechanical side here A deconstructed display of a 9S27 movement Another display of a movement and the parts I mentioned in my past story that Grand Seiko watchmakers can earn "Meister" certification for both their skill and ability to pass that on to future generations of watchmakers Here are a few of the local Meisters on display Down this hallway is the direction you'd go to see the mechanical assembly that Studio Shizukuishi has become known for but before that I want to take you outside I was incredibly excited to get back outside The photo of the studio that I posted above was taken by diligently standing on a spot painted on the blacktop where the picture is perfectly framed for cell phone (or other) photography It shows how much thought went into the experience at Studio Shizukuishi The exterior and interior walls are lined with local red pine with the traditional Japanese yamato-bari technique forests cover 70% of the country's land – and yes that includes the white birch forests that have been a major inspiration for Grand Seiko The north-facing windows overlook the 6,686-foot Mount Iwate Grand Seiko has emphasized harmony with nature in more than just architecture A large majority of the land they own for their facilities outside Morioka has been committed to retaining its natural state Asian black bears are a legitimate concern when wandering outside in Morioka and the team at the studio carried bells (like you'd see on Santa's reindeer) and bear spray they said there had been at least one confrontation with a bear The white birch forests that surround Studio Shizukuishi A view back toward the studio from the walking path One common thing you'll see around the studio are these small insect hotels that help maintain the biodiversity of fauna that Grand Seiko has committed to helping sustain we got to the nuts and bolts – or rather plates and screws – of mechanical watchmaking You can start to see most of the parts that go into these watches One of the things we often take for granted are the screws that are necessary to hold parts together If you think you understand how small these screws are you'll notice the vertical wood paneling that connects the inside to the nature just out the windows There are also massive windows allowing light in for the watchmakers you get a good view of all the different jobs that go into the construction No parts manufacturing took place on site that I saw Watch movement assembly is done in the first two rows as you walk down the hallway Fourth row is more hairspring work and movement assembly See below which you can identify which of the following is taking place To give a sense of how fine of work all the watchmakers are expected to do That's a 5mm piece of paper that all watchmakers are responsible to turn into a tiny paper crane Now you can see movements being assembled and case The Grand Seiko SBGH283 Studio Shizukuishi Exclusive, which can only be purchased on tour at the studio workshop. I went hands-on with this and two other Japanese exclusives in a recent story we got a deep walkthrough of the new 9SA4 manually-wound High-Beat movement that is up for a GPHG award in the new SLGW003 The man behind that movement (and who did the education) is Yuya Tanaka Tanaka spent a lot of time looking at vintage manually-wound watches so he could get the winding click just right which is a massive part of the success of the watches the movement powers Tanaka pointing out the "wagtail" that helps regulate the click of the wind for the mainspring That design was inspired by a bird common to the area around Studio Shizukuishi Here's another look at the finishing and stripes done on the bridge Because the watches aren't made in Geneva calling them "Geneva Stripes" wouldn't make much sense they're called ."Shizukuishi River Finish." I promised that I wasn't going to share the meals on the trip or anything superfluous Grand Seiko did a great job of giving us some exposure to the cultural landscape that inspires Grand Seiko they took us on afternoon trips around Morioka near the studio One thing I mentioned in Part 1 is that Grand Seiko did a good job of putting the work they do in the larger framework of Japanese culture Most of that broader cultural experience came on Day 3 and I'll get to the substantive parts in a minute But wanko soba will haunt my dreams for a while Wanko soba (wanko is a regional word for a wooden bowl) is a style of Japanese soba noodles originally from Iwate Prefecture where we sat at a table with a large bowl with a lid and a group of waitresses came to the table dumping small cups of noodles in our bowl The goal was either to enjoy lunch or eat as much soba as possible We all took bets on how much we could eat and after hearing there was a special certificate for finishing 100 bowls The empty cups were stacked 15 high and the noodles kept coming and coming until you placed the lid back on your bowl I hit 100 bowls (and a few beers) in a bit over 28 minutes One of the Grand Seiko team members bested me by a handful of bowls They went much slower and could keep things moving at a better pace But I returned with a certificate and a little wooden medallion to remember that pride and regret starting with the Morioka Hachimangu Shrine a Shinto shrine that was originally established in 1062 then was rebuilt in 1593 by the Nanbu clan to be the protective shrine for Morioka Castle The shrine burned down and was rebuilt in 1884 with the main structure dating only to 2006 But it was a good place for my exposure to the practices of the Shinto religion and the cultural Shinto practices of many Japanese After doing the appropriate ritual washing of hands an historic home and also great place for influencers (or just normal folks I'm not sure who was who) to take some beautiful photos of the gardens and what these historic homes would have looked like But there was actually a Grand Seiko connection we discovered inside as his residence around 1885 (the Meiji Period) People now can visit for tours of the garden and matcha If you're looking for a nice place to relax and escape the heat While part of the pond was dried up from the unseasonable September weather it was still a nice break from the concrete jungle I'm used to in New York Grand Seiko is known for drawing inspiration from nature and the surrounding world, so as we walked through the house, someone from the brand pointed out we were seeing inspiration in action. These lacquered floors reflected the moving maple leaves that inspired the SBGJ273 GMT with red dial we made our way back to the big city of Tokyo I spent an extra week in Tokyo after the tour and I think it's hard to describe there was no sense of where Tokyo ends and anything else begins After the morning travel, we arrived in Ginza for a tour of the Seiko Museum The museum has recently started going through renovations which started with the Grand Seiko's floors If you've ever been to the Grand Seiko boutique in New York you'll see that the design language will feel quite familiar Starting off with a few Grand Seiko firsts One of the more interesting documents on display was the Grand Seiko wordmark and design framework There's something so elegant about the process of developing a logo like this Grand Seiko has rightfully raked in a number of awards over the years and two of those are on display While the case shape and bracelet here are something I've never seen before Here are some of the calibers powering the watches shown above any chance to see a variety of pocket watches including some of the early ones imported to Japan before Seiko Early machinery that allowed Seiko to start making their own parts American railroad watches did make their way over to Japan as well which is no surprise with how rapidly Japan expanded their rail system This display of the parts of the Seiko Laurel was fascinating burned so intensely that it created this melted metal mass of pocket watches.  though I certainly didn't completely understand how it worked or how you'd tell time with it but before the standardization of time with the rest of the world Japan had their own time system with varying lengths of the day over the course of the year As we move further along in the museum we started to see a number of more creative and wild clocks and watches from Seiko's history If this looks a lot like an American railroad pocket watch that's because it's Seiko's answer to the American offering Here's another fascinating solution to a very real-world problem: a tactile pocket watch for blind users Maybe my favorite watch that I saw on the trip: a Seikosha military officer's wrist watch from World War I I've spent a lot of time trying to find a similar example but just can't seem to dig one up A really interesting display from a Seiko Chronos Here's a curious puzzle: why does the watch on the left show the time backward If you're sick of carrying a phone to do all your computing you can go back to the 1980's for the Seiko Wrist Computer System I wanted to leave with you with the original Grand Seiko 44GS we got to see not only the new reissues (below) but the two men behind those and so many more pieces Junichi Kamata (Grand Seiko Design Director) and Mr But if you want to see what else they have coming you'll just have to wait a little bit longer Introducing The Doxa Sub 200, Now With A Steel Bezel Introducing The Tudor Black Bay Chrono "Carbon 25" Introducing Seiko Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT 60th Anniversary Edition SPB519 Business News Rolex Will Raise U.S. Prices In Response To Tariffs Reference Points The Cartier Tank Louis Introducing The Christopher Ward C12 'Loco' (Live Pics) Hands-On Tudor's Black Bay Pro Gets A Surprisingly Dramatic Facelift With An Opaline Dial Hands-On The Chopard Quattro Mark IV — The Most Impressive Release Of Watches And Wonders 2025 Take a trip into a fascinating centuries-old craft which is being kept alive by a team of eager locals Seated at an old-fashioned Japanese loom at the Agricultural Training Center in the small town of Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture it’s abundantly clear that I’m out of my depth I’ve come to try out a very unusual type of weaving that’s only practiced in this area It’s known as kikko-ori or tortoiseshell weaving The name is due to the hexagonal pattern which resembles the shell of a tortoise This intricate style is used to produce fabric from locally-grown hemp plants I’m surrounded by several local women deftly weaving at their own looms Yet despite my best efforts and the encouragement of my instructor I can’t seem to coordinate my hands and feet in the right way at the right time I eventually retire after producing a few paltry “It’s hard and takes a long time to learn,” Uwano says kindly we sometimes host groups of children on school trips who come to try weaving They usually pick it up much more quickly than adults.” Uwano is a member of the Shizukuishi Asa-no-Kai (Shizukuishi Hemp Society) This is an organization consisting of eight members that practices kikko-ori It also holds workshops and demonstrations for visitors and locals alike After 17 years as the president of the group she’s still an enthusiastic practitioner of the craft Kikko-ori is thought to have started around 400 years ago Though even in Shizukuishi it was only practiced by a limited number of families This was due to the high level of skill involved a family with members producing kikko-ori learned the technique In most areas of Japan this style of loom was replaced by easier-to-use floor looms With a back-strap loom the threads of the warp which run lengthwise in the finished fabric are strapped directly to the weaver’s body This means the operator can control the tension while weaving the weft over the warp to create a tightly-woven fabric so both physical strength and skill are required,” Uwano points out Even after my very limited time at the loom Kikko-ori probably reached the peak of its popularity between the late 1800s and early 1900s It then began to decline with the introduction of easier techniques for producing cloth and more opportunities for women to work outside the home this distinctive tradition was in danger of fading away altogether That was before a local woman named Mitsue Kato resolved to re-introduce it in 1968 who’d practiced kikko-ori in her youth Kato then teamed up with others to preserve the traditional techniques both for weaving and cultivating hemp for the yarn The Kikko-ori Study Group was set up in 1985 It was renamed the Shizukuishi Asa-no-Kai in 1988 The craft was given special status as an important historical technique in 2005 “I was born and raised here but I knew nothing about it until I received a gift made from kikko-ori so I decided to try learning it,” says Uwano and I wanted to help preserve kikko-ori and pass it on to the next generation.” The weaving itself is only one part of the process Members of Shizukuishi Asa-no-Kai also grow prepare and dye the hemp used for the yarn they produce handmade kikko-ori items such as bookmarks Visitors can see an example of a traditional ase-hajiki along with other historical artifacts related to kikko-ori at the Shizukuishi History and Folklore Museum “The weave of the fabric meant air could easily pass through making it ideal for agricultural workers out in the fields,” explains Hidenori Okamura At one time kikko-ori cloth was so highly prized that it was gifted to members of the Nambu family who ruled the Northeastern part of Japan from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) up until the Meiji Restoration of 1868 time and effort that goes into producing kikko-ori it’s easy to imagine that even nobility would have been delighted to receive items made through this beautiful and unusual technique Visitors who would like to watch a demonstration of kikko-ori or try their hand at weaving with members of the Shizukuishi Asa-no-Kai should contact the Tourism and Produce Center in Shizukuishi Station to make reservations in advance Those who need language support should make their own arrangements for translators The Tourism and Produce Center also carry a wide variety of gift items made from kikko-ori The Shizukuishi History and Folklore Museum is open daily except Thursdays With advance notice it may be possible to arrange for an English-speaking docent Along with items about the history and culture of the area the museum features a very well-preserved example of a magariya or bent house This is a traditional L-shaped farmhouse which includes a stable for horses attached to the main living area The magariya here is thought to be over 100 years old Another pastime with an equine connection in Shizukuishi is traditional horseback archery Horses were once essential for rural life here but today Yu-Yu Farm is the only facility in Shizukuishi providing horse riding and trekking services It’s thought that yabusame originated in the 6th century as a good-luck ritual for warriors but later developed into a more spiritual discipline The farm’s owner draws on his experience in yabusame competitions to help visitors try hitting targets with a 2.2-meter-long bow while seated on one of his beautiful and patient horses See here for more information in English about tourism in Shizukuishi Photos courtesy of Shizukuishi Town Tourism This article was published in Tokyo Weekender’s special issue Flip through the issue by clicking on the image below Professional Watches Grand Seiko opened a new studio dedicated to the production of its mechanical timepieces on July 20th 2020 in a ceremony that took place simultaneously at the Wako building in Tokyo and at the studio in Shizukuishi All of the mechanical watch assembly and adjustments for Grand Seiko mechanical timepieces will take place in Shizukuishi going forward the Chairman and CEO of Seiko Watch Corporation was joined by the studio’s distinguished architect was in attendance along with the studio’s directors the facility features a clean room made from wood floor-to-ceiling windows offering natural light and views of the surrounding landscape and enough room for potential future expansion There’s also an exhibition space where visitors can learn about Grand Seiko’s history as well as the manufacturing techniques used to create the company’s timepieces events will be held at which visitors can try their hand at assembling a mechanical watch themselves in a dedicated space known as the Studio Seminar Room A lounge on the second floor looks out at Mt the mountain that inspires many aspects of Grand Seiko’s designs The lounge contains an exhibition that explains the world of Grand Seiko and will also showcase the brand’s first “concept creation,” a watch movement the movement will reveal the full extent of the ingenuity and skill of every one of Grand Seiko’s specialists Details of this “concept creation” will be released at a later date a limited-edition Grand Seiko Hi-Beat watch made exclusively for will be presented in the lounge and will be available for purchase The Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi belongs to Morioka Seiko Instruments Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seiko Watch Corporation Morioka Seiko Instrument is committed to sustainable manufacturing and co-existence with nature Learn more at Grand Seiko Jason is a writer and photographer who founded Professional Watches to share his passion for watches WATCHPRO USA Grand Seiko has introduced a new addition to its Evolution 9 Collection showcasing the grandeur of Japan’s Mount Iwate with a dial inspired by the mountain’s rugged beauty Crafted at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in northern Japan this mechanical timepiece captures the spirit of the surrounding landscape known for its natural beauty and cultural significance The watch’s textured dial takes inspiration from the ridges of the mountain The light-blue hue is said to mirror the purity of the air and water of the surroundings while the radial pattern evokes the view from above With a design language that has its roots in the 1967 44GS model this new Evolution 9 watch features Zaratsu polishing which offers a distortion-free mirror finish complemented by delicate hairline finishes the model is not only resistant to corrosion but also boasts a brighter whiter finish compared to typical stainless steel a high-beat movement that offers 80 hours of power reserve thanks to its efficient Dual Impulse Escapement and twin barrels The movement’s finishing draws inspiration from the rippling waves of the nearby Shizukuishi River further connecting the watch to its Japanese origins This limited-edition timepiece is available in May 2025 with only 1,200 models created $10,500, grand-seiko.com The ‘Hi-Beat Birch Forest’ watch recalls the white birch tree forests near Grand Seiko's studio in Shizukuishi This article originally featured in the June 2021 issue of Wallpaper* (W*266),  available for free download seikoboutique.co.uk Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox. Hannah Silver is the Art Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper* she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.  By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Following its success with the SLGH005 White Birch from 2021 which won the Men’s category at the Grand Prix D’Horlogerie De Genève, Japanese luxury watchmaker Grand Seiko is now introducing the SLGH011 Green Birch the new timepiece celebrates the nature-filled region of Shizukuishi with its beautifully textured deep green dial conjuring images of the lush greenery and white stalks of a birch forest in the Japanese summer The three-dimensional backdrop is then adorned with diamond-cut hour markers with Grand Seiko’s signature mirror finish polishing as well as the iconic sharply-defined sword hands for an even more elegant aesthetic Powering the timepiece itself is the Hi-Beat 36000 caliber 9SA5 carrying 47 jewels and a power reserve of 80 hours The automatic movement is accurate up to +5 to -3 seconds per day giving you the exceptional performance watch fans have come to expect of the brand Stating that Grand Seiko is Japanese is like saying that the Eiffel Tower belongs to Paris It seems so obvious at first that you might forget that France’s most famous monument wasn’t meant to become a permanent fixture the Japaneseness of the brand isn’t just about the location It’s not about making watches in Japan; it’s about making watches the Japanese way something the brand calls Dou (道) or The Way I had the opportunity to spend a week in Japan and my goal was besides visiting several key locations for the brand to understand what makes Grand Seiko unique When I received an invitation from Grand Seiko in the late summer to finally visit Japan and the brand’s manufactures and other important locations (I say finally because this trip was initially planned for spring 2020…) I couldn’t hide a certain excitement a country that I looked at with the eyes of a Westerner a tendency that could easily lead to disappointment a unique experience and might well be why Grand Seiko named this trip the “Grand Seiko Media Experience” If I had to summarize the entire week in one word You can see contrasts in all areas of daily life in Japan The contrast between modernity – an omnipresent overdose of technology – and yet a deep respect for tradition The contrast between a strong pop culture and underground scene and a profound appreciation for rules and order This ambivalence is perfectly exemplified when you exit Meiji-jingū one of Tokyo’s most famous and traditional Shinto shrines and immediately find yourself deep into Shibuya one of Tokyo’s most popular nightlife areas its own way of looking at every aspect of life It might be the long isolation of the country from the initial input behind the creation of a watch to the design process and is also a world of unique and fascinating contrasts Our journey into the world of Grand Seiko starts in Ginza It is an impressive place –  highly recommendable – with a collection of over 10,000 timing instruments showing the evolution of watchmaking in Japan and the birth and growth of Seiko and Grand Seiko over the years or should I say the House of Precision that is Seikosha – seikō (precision) sha (house) – you first have to remember that Japan didn’t use the same timing system as Western countries Japanese timekeeping was built around divisions between sunrise and sunset – six divisions between sunrise and sunset six more divisions between sunset and sunrise – but with varying seasons clocks measuring traditional Japanese time With the restoration and the move to the solar calendar in 1873 the need for new watchmaking expertise grew Everything was about to change with the arrival of Kintaro Hattori. Just 21 years old in 1881 Hattori opened his workshop in the district of Ginza which would be named Seikosha – later to become Seiko in 1913 the first wristwatch of the brand left the factory and in 1924 just three years after the foundation of Seikosha Seikosha had cornered 60% of the domestic market But things were not as easy as they seemed Even though the country was undergoing rapid growth and industrialization Machinery eventually began to replace manpower at Seikosha Hattori returned with powerful steam engines and state-of-the-art machine tools Expertise and production capacities had to be sourced from Europe and America And this is something you can appreciate by looking at the early watches of the brand heavily influenced by the West – the same can be said for Japan as a whole had to face immense pressure from Westerners in order to adapt to the rest of the world The Great Earthquake of 1923 also had a huge impact on Japan and destroyed Seiko’s company building in Ginza which sits atop the Wako building and is the emblem of the district which led to a long conversation with one of the curators… I discovered a small wristwatch from the late 1930s with a case resembling that of a Calatrava and a sector dial that would have been perfect with the name Longines or Patek printed instead of Seikosha Precision (I must also admit I pushed the idea of a re-edition to the Seiko team) What I want to highlight here is the contrast between what has always felt like a deeply Japanese brand and a production that was still heavily influenced by external factors It wasn’t until after WWII that one can appreciate the change in design and spirit the Cronos or the Gyro-Marvel paved the way for the creation of Grand Seiko in 1960 The first watch to bear this name was still relatively conventional design-wise Everything changed in 1967 with the celebrated 44GS and the creation of the Grand Seiko Style Grand Seiko started to infuse its watches with pure Japaneseness something that covered every aspect of the watch precision and legibility to its unique way of playing with the light Dou (道) or The Way became an obsession that can be felt across the board from the manufacturing to the final product on the wrist But things were not initially easy for Grand Seiko Grand Seiko was (almost) uniquely available in its domestic market a great-grandson of Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori decided to open Grand Seiko to the rest of the world Aware of the need for Grand Seiko to stand apart from its more accessible and functional brother Seiko Grand Seiko became a stand-alone brand and has gained impressive visibility and popularity Grand Seiko watches have never felt as unique as Japanese as they’ve ever been before The first experience with the manufacturing of a Grand Seiko watch was clearly not what I expected; as I mentioned I began my journey with many preconceptions Inside the Wako building is the Atelier Ginza… Not a place where you’d expect to see watchmakers at work one of two locations for ultra-high-end watchmaking This place was created specifically for the final assembly and finishing of the Grand Seiko Kodo Tourbillon under the lead of a Swiss-trained rock-star watchmaker named Takuma Kawauchiya (a musician turned watchmaker obsessed with the beating sound of a movement) And this place couldn’t be more different from the rest of the experience which combines traditional Japanese watchmaking and techniques with postures and processes from the West my next encounter drastically changed this initial perception Heading west in the mountains next to Nagano is a very important place for Seiko and Grand Seiko the initial view is that of an industrial plant a large white building that could have easily been producing pharmaceutical products or chemicals this isn’t entirely wrong… Compared to the Atelier Ginza an overwhelming sensation of ambivalence… This place is where all quartz and Spring Drive movements (9F and 9R It is also where the watches around these movements are almost entirely produced and it is home to the Shinshu Watch Studio It is at the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and pioneering technology dedicated to the manufacturing of parts – all sorts of parts from movement blanks to raw cases and electronic components Highly industrialized locations were not part of the visit when I said that there was a connection with chemicals it wasn’t so far-fetched and can be seen when you hold a MASSIVE quartz crystal grown in-house by Seiko among many other aspects of this manufacture shows the dedication of the group to be as independent as possible Or is it the result of the long isolation that forced Seiko to act this way told me that the absence of external suppliers resulted in this strategy of vertical integration Moving further into the Seiko Epson Shiojiri Plant things change drastically from what the exterior of the building insinuates This is where the distinction between Seiko and Grand Seiko truly crystalizes cases are finished by hand using the Zaratsu and hairline finishing techniques that I have not seen anywhere in Switzerland (and I have seen more manufacturers than I care to admit!) with a tangible dedication from the women and men working on these watches It’s still a rather oil-filled place Employees entrusted with this task can use only their eyes and the feeling in their fingertips to sense the exact angle and pressure required will the famous distortion-free mirror-polished surfaces appear Grand Seiko is rightfully proud of its dials and these are also crafted in this studio (at least using textures that reflect the “Nature of Time” philosophy of the brand The Japanese attention to detail becomes clear when you see how the markers of these watches are done a technique that I’ve never seen before There are no CNC machines or computer-controlled diamond-cutting tools here; instead the markers are cut and polished by hand using a rotating drum – I’m still wondering exactly how it works but I’ll leave this as part of the mystery adjusting and control take place in a series of ateliers that are surprisingly different from Swiss or German manufactures Japanese watchmakers work using a microscope but one that has its importance in the overall philosophy of Grand Seiko The Shinshu Watch Studio is also home to the Micro Artist Studio where high-end Grand Seiko and Credor watches are built The contrast with the rest of the plant is once again striking Philippe Dufour has a caring eye on things mastered by highly skilled watchmakers who have been trained internally at the Takumi Studio you’re not a master watchmaker; you’re becoming a Takumi (匠) something that has long been recognized by the government and that is cherished by Grand Seiko you can be selected by the Japanese government as a Contemporary Master Craftsman and awarded the Yellow Ribbon Medal given to individuals who have become public role models through their dedication to their work when compared to the technology deployed in a Spring Drive movement is what best represents to me the concept of Japaneseness the clash of cultures that results in an object where perfection is constantly sought The second half of this experience leads us to the north of Honshu in a quiet forest in Iwate Prefecture near Mt one of the country’s most famous yet shy mountains We’re far from Tokyo and its bright lights The main building that composes the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi is yet another shock strongly contrasting with what was behind us There’s a tangible serenity in this place a connection with nature that was key in its conception and that has been around since its opening in 2020 this contrast between what remains an industrial activity and this place exudes the same feelings as the perception most of us have of mechanical versus Spring Drive or Quartz watches Despite many of them having a hi-beat movement mechanical watches run at a much slower beat than quartz-controlled watches traditional watchmaking versus innovation and technological mastery The rush to always do better is inevitable; the idea to constantly improve is inherent to Grand Seiko The moment arrives when you strap a watch around your wrist the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi behind you maple trees that have turned red with the Autumn on your right a small garden designed according to Japanese traditions on your left and Mt you understand what Japaneseness at Grand Seiko means For more details… I would normally invite you to check www.grand-seiko.com I won’t be able to transcribe everything that I’ve seen and felt during this experience @Rob – it’s a taupe nubuck strap, which we sell in our webshop. You’ll find it here (make sure to take 19/16mm) https://shop.monochrome-watches.com/collections/nubuck-watch-straps/products/monochrome-nubuck-watch-strap-taupe @Yachtmaster2021 – it is one of the possible improvements I mentioned to them… let’s hope the team at GS considers it As a former Japanese resident and longtime admirer of Seiko watches I thoroughly enjoyed your observations and insights of a brand that has through generations of hard work dedication to tradition and innovation achieved its definition — success How ironic that a photo of a worker shows a smart watch on a wrist Not enough wrists to go around for Seiko timepieces I have owned a rose gold Eichi II for four years and it will remain the crown of my collections forever Iwate — An annual illumination event is held at Koiwai Farm Makiba Garden in Shizukuishi called “Koiwai Winter Lights Night of the Galactic Farm 2024,” began on Nov About 600,000 LED lights create a spectacular atmosphere in the garden The lights create the shape of a steam locomotive named “Galactic Railways SL,” which is popular at the event The lights also form a “Tunnel of Light,” measuring about 40 meters long Many tourists enjoyed watching the vibrant illumination and took photos of each other a company employee who visited from Morioka “The colorful decorative lights are so beautiful The Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi takes the natural world as its inspiration grand-seiko.com Grand Seiko celebrates its 60th anniversary with the release of this 39mm platinum Elegance model with a hand-engraved dial decorated with symbols related to the legend of Shizukuishi features a green machine-engraved dial that evokes the radiant green white birch trees located near the studio where the watch is made Both models are fitted with manual-winding movements and located in the Prefecture of Iwate is not only a state-of-the-art manufacture but is also home to 90 expert craftsmen and women who are responsible for the decorative features and polishing of the watches and are capable of executing fine adjustments to infinitesimal tolerances Shizukuishi is renowned for its spectacular mountain scenery with the snow-capped Mount Iwate in the background an old man living in the region started to hear strange sounds emanating from underneath an old cedar tree villagers followed the sound to its source and were led to a deep The sound was produced by drops of water “shizuku” dripping from the ceiling The sound of the water hitting the rocks is known as “ishi” in Japanese and since then the area became known as Shizukuishi The decoration of the dial and the hands of this Elegance model are inspired by this curious legend; the razor-sharp hands feature a water droplet motif and each hour marker bears the pattern of water splashing against a rock Master engraver Kiyoshi Terui and his small team have engraved all the decorative features by hand The dial is made of 18k white gold and the task of hand-engraving is rendered more challenging given the slightly curved surfaces the artisans have to work with especially on the outer minutes/seconds track The 39mm platinum case has a height of 11.8mm and features the spectacular mirror-polished distortion-free finish we associate with GS watches The reverse side of the sealed caseback protecting the manual-winding movement has an 18k yellow gold Grand Seiko lion The platinum Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGW263 is produced in just 20 pieces and will retail for EUR 101,000 The second Anniversary Elegance model comes in an 18k rose gold case and its spectacular green dial is decorated with an intricate geometric motif radiating from the centre the dial is machine-engraved by hand and the colour takes its inspiration from the white birch trees close to the studio Like the trees with their white trunks and vibrant green leaves the dial shimmers in green and white as the viewing angle changes The case measures 39mm in diameter and has a height of 11.6mm and is beautifully finished with mirror-polished (Grand Seiko’s legendary Zaratzu technique) and brushed surfaces The rest of the dial is typically GS with diamond-shaped indices cut at the tip to reflect more light and polished to a mirror-like finish with their surgically sharp edges and brushed upper surface contrast to the bright polish of the central seconds hand Also equipped with manual-winding GS calibre 9S64 the movement has a 72-hour/3-day power reserve is resistant to magnetic fields of 4,800 A/m and has an accuracy rate of +5 to -3 seconds per day This Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGW264 in rose gold is produced in 120 pieces and will retail for EUR 25,000 Both watches will be available from July 2020 in Grand Seiko Boutiques and Salons worldwide For more information, please visit grand-seiko.com To the watchmakers that work at the Shizukuishi studio the sky’s blue hue is ideal for the dial of its SBGR321 Grand Seiko is determined to make the world aware of two things this year it is celebrating its 60th anniversary as a luxury brand; born out of Seiko Corporation that its watches are inspired by the nature and culture of its native Japan particularly the area around its two watchmaking studios in Shizukuishi and Shinshu The latest anniversary limited edition from Grand Seiko is inspired by the brilliant blue sky over Mount Iwate near its Shizukuishi studio To the watchmakers that work at the studio the sky’s blue hue is ideal for the sunray dial of its SBGR321 and also for the oscillating weight of its Caliber 9S65 which can be seen through a sapphire caseback that has a red inner ring It comes in a 40mm steel case on a steel bracelet About Our Group Index Business & Products Index Investor Relations Index Sustainability Index Seiko and Sports Index Seiko and Music Index Three domestic factories in Iwate Prefecture (Morioka Seiko Instruments Inc. located in Shizukuishi-cho; Tono Seiki Co. in Ninohe City) that manufacture watches for Seiko Watch Corporation (SWC) an operating company of Seiko Holdings Corporation (Chairman & Group CEO have signed an electricity supply and demand contract for the use of renewable energy generated by the Tohoku Electric Power Group 100% of the electricity used at SWC's watch factories in Japan will come from renewable energy sources The Seiko Holdings Group's “Initiatives for Climate Change and a Decarbonized Society” are among the Group’s key materiality issues for environmental responsibility the Group is actively expanding the introduction of renewable energy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.As part of this effort which manufactures luxury mechanical watches such as the Grand Seiko and Seiko Prospex lines which manufacture and assemble watch parts signed a renewable energy supply contract in April 2022 with Tohoku Electric Power Co. called “Yorisou (Stay close) Renewable-Energy Power,” in which Tohoku Electric agrees to supply electricity from seven hydroelectric power plants in northern Japan This plan’s long-term target is to achieve zero CO2 emissions from electricity production Seiko aims to obtain 100% of the electricity used at its domestic factories from renewable energy sources and thereby reduce its CO2 “footprint” by approximately 10,000 tons per year.The Seiko Holdings Group will continue striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout its business operations in part by increasing energy-saving activities in offices and manufacturing sites and also improving the energy-saving performance of its products and services The Group will strengthen its efforts to achieve a decarbonized society by actively introducing renewable energy in its operations Seiko Holdings CorporationPublic Relations & Investor Relations Department 2025 2024 2023 Business & Products Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) The Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi is a place for all seasons NEWSPAPER SECTION: Life In the rural Japanese town of Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture a new wooden studio for Grand Seiko blends with its natural surroundings A swooping roof and clear glass window offer a sublime view of Mount Iwate where rocks unfold their true colours when snow melts the studio bears witness to wild creatures are breathing life into mechanical watches It is a place that embodies the brand's philosophy of the nature of time in an environmental and technological sense we have a sensible notion of appreciating changing seasons The appreciation of subtle change is how the Japanese enjoy the flow of time we want to have our product reflect that," said Akio Naito "It also suggests the essence of watchmaking Grand Seiko is meant to be an ultimate functional watch the Seikosha Factory faced its greatest crisis A fire destroyed 1,500 timepieces that customers sent in for repair but Kintaro Hattori replaced all of them for free Seiko Group has been manufacturing and selling watches for over 140 years it established one of its manufacturing bases it produces high-quality watches for Grand Seiko (Seiko's collection that eventually became an independent brand in 2017) and other lines The Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi officially opened in July 2020 the Morioka Handcraft Village and Tsunagi Hot Spring Japan's prominent architect behind the Japan National Stadium and many other notable projects The roof is reflected in a platform at the entrance walls and pillars are built in the yamato-bari style to create rhythm On view are historic timepieces and the manufacturing process that show unrivalled craftsmanship a high-beat movement with long power reserve Its bridge has curving outlines that draw inspiration from Mount Iwate and the Shizukuishi River make adjustments and inspect products in the clean room the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi is committed to environmental protection a long walkway allows visitors to observe takumi at work in the clean room Their desks are made in the style of iwayado-tansu adjusting hairsprings that demand an accuracy of 0.01mm it has set up a human resource development system whereby takumi are certified according to the level of their skill and train their successors "We have to protect high skills and pass them down to the next generation of watchmakers," said Tomomi Ichinokura assistant manager of the studio's public relations Being mindful of the future translates into environmental sustainability The studio is committed to waste reduction water treatment and carbon emission control Staff are looking after more than 1,000 trees They also provide birdhouses and insect hotels one of which is located in front of the studio it collects and purifies rainwater and releases it into a pond This is an area where animals pass to Mount Iwate or Lake Gosho," said staff member Wataru Inoue "We take nature to our design and therefore have to harmonise with it." The Seiko Museum Ginza chronicles the history of the brand’s timepieces the Seiko Museum moved from Sumida-ku to Ginza Located in Tokyo's premier shopping district the museum chronicles the brand's history of timepieces In front of the six-floor building is Rondeau La Tour a clock of 5.8m in height with a slowly swinging pendulum dolls and gears move in unison amid radiating rainbow light a wall depicts trees made up of gear motifs Visitors can buy souvenirs at the shop and explore each floor where timepieces are displayed under different themes "Merchants must stay a step ahead of the rest If they stay too many steps ahead they will be seen as prophets Merchants shouldn't be prophets," founder Hattori once said Hattori's room demonstrates his vision that is "always one step ahead of the rest" Japan used the seasonal time system where the traditional clock would be adjusted according to the changing length of daylight It was eventually replaced by the fixed time system Hattori thought it would make for a good business because people would have to buy new clocks he opened his store (now on the site of Wako) selling imported timepieces he began manufacturing clocks at the Seikosha Factory there was a huge earthquake in Tokyo in 1923 He decided to give customers new watches for free even if they didn't have receipts anymore an exhibition shows the technological development of timepieces including the world's highest-quality wristwatch The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers designated the historic trio -- the Laurel the Grand Seiko and the Quartz Astron -- as mechanical engineering heritages in 2014 A long walkway allows visitors to observe takumi at work It is said to be the "embodiment of Hattori's soul" On the rooftop are its iconic clock tower and a new garden that offers a panoramic view of the district But the highlight is the new Atelier Ginza the studio will provide room for artisans to produce high-end mechanical watches for Grand Seiko I got an opportunity to listen to the heartbeat of its Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon which won the chronometry prize from the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in November "Because I brought takumi with me to Geneva There are only few watchmakers who are capable of assembling this very difficult piece," said Naito "We thought we were able to complete [the production of a limited edition of] 20 pieces in two years they uncovered technical problems and had to go back and redo it watchmaking has seen the advent of smart gadgets Is it possible that mechanical timepieces will vanish Naito said "they will stay" because they have special values "Timekeeping is not the only value of [mechanical] wristwatches There is something that you can appreciate -- either companionship in your life or some memorabilia which can be passed on for generations -- other than function regardless of whatever revolution will take place." By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy Grand Seiko is helping us to keep dreaming of azure skies into the fall with two GMTs inspired by the view from its Shizukuishi Watch Studio near Tokyo The Grand Seiko Sea of Clouds GMT (SBGJ275) captures the sky on a slightly cloudy day while the Mid-heaven GMT (SBGM253) dazzles with a bright sunray sky blue face Both are powered by in-house hi-beat mechanical calibres with their blue oscillating weights visible from the back The Sea of Clouds GMT is a masculine 44.2mm and has a day/night 24 hour bezel for the second time zone and its bright blue dial is certain to appeal to both men and women Grand Seiko offers the same dial in a three-hand automatic with date The Sea of Clouds GMT is limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide and is on sale now for $7,600 with a production run of 1,700 is retailing for $5,600 The behemos watch business of Seiko Holdings Corporation has been recording revenues in excess of $1 billion since 2010 and has been maintained closing at more than $1.2 billion for the financial year ending 31 March 2020 who in April 2010 was appointed President of Seiko Holdings Corporation Currently the Chairman and Group CEO of both Seiko Holdings Corporation and Seiko Watch Corporation Shinji is the great-grandson of Seiko founder Kintaro Hattori he became President and CEO of Seiko Watch Corporation he established the “Shizukuishi Watch Studio” located outside Morioka City This is where high-end mechanical watchmaking by an elite core of skilled craftsmen takes place The “Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi” was also established here in mid-2020 and is the home of Grand Seiko mechanical watches Shinji led the development of the automatic Spring Drive that was unveiled in 2004 launched highly complicated watches equipped with Spring Drives namely the Credor Sonnerie (2006) and the Credor Minute Repeater (2011) as well as introduced Seiko’s very first tourbillon movement – the Credor Fugaku Tourbillon – in 2016 Shinji was a key driving force behind the world’s first GPS solar watch – the Astron GPS Solar that made its debut in 2012 development began after Shinji asked the R&D department to build such a watch that was not completed until six years later The Astron GPS Solar perpetuates the strong legacy of the world’s first quartz watch – the Seiko Astron 35SQ of 1969 Seiko’s Prospex collection was finally offered worldwide Shinji firmly entrenched Grand Seiko on the world’s stage Once offered in only a few countries outside of Japan Grand Seiko was launched globally in 2010 and became an independent brand in 2017 the largest Grand Seiko Boutique opened on Place Vendôme in Paris a move that showcases what this Japanese brand can truly offer to an international watch collecting audience *On the occasion of GMT Magazine and WorldTempus' 20th anniversary, we have embarked on the ambitious project of summarising the last 20 years in watchmaking in The Millennium Watch Book, a big, beautifully laid out coffee table book. This article is an extract. The Millennium Watch Book is available on www.the-watch-book.com with a 10% discount if you use the following code: WT2021 Order now 13 trails (or courses) are spread over just 65ha so it’s fair to say Shizukuishi isn’t the largest resort out there. More advanced skiers and boarders will find enough terrain to entertain themselves for 2-3 days. However another five of Japan’s similarly lesser-known resorts are not far away in Appi Kogen(approx Tweets by iwate town A single run will cost you a mere ￥400 –even less if you’re doing multiple runs While the cat skiing only operates on Saturday Sundays and public holidays and skiing is confined to the piste if you’re lucky and it’s a powder day (a fairly regular occurrence in Japan) you’ll have over 700m of open pow filled vertical laid out before you or hop on one of the many buses organises by the folk at Shizukuishi Prince Hotelfrom there a natural hot spring serviced by the hotel that has deservedly been recognized as an Onsen heritage site the restaurant and apres scene is also fairly sparse There’s a family style restaurant on the seconds floor of the Prince Hotel On mountain eateries include Ramen Akenko at the bottom of the Ropeway Station – try the “Anekko Miso Ramen’ catch the Ropeway to the top and enjoy a Japanese-style western menu at Restaurant Alyeska – try the rice omelette whilst kids will be entertained by the ninja themed ‘play field’ light snow only found in the coldest parts of central Hokkaido.. Once I bought baby formula from my local supermarket in Kutchan the most popular resorts in Japan tend to be the ones with the m.. Introducing the inaugural 'Snow Chasers Pass'.. 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 stunning night views and hot springs take pride of place in the beautiful wilderness of Japan’s second largest prefecture Situated in the mountains along the western border of Iwate Prefecture the small town of Shizukuishi can be reached in three hours from Tokyo on the Akita Shinkansen a plentiful supply of high-quality snow and a choice of three ski resorts make the area a great choice for winter sports There are also hot springs and nature-themed activities on offer If you’re looking for a laidback winter getaway laced with genuine local hospitality All Shizukuishi’s ski resorts are located on the southern side of Mount Iwate and you can choose the one that best suits the needs of your group or try out all three The biggest is the Shizukuishi Ski Resort next to the Shizukuishi Prince Hotel of being the first place in Asia to host the Alpine Ski World Championships the longest of which runs for 4.5 kilometers Shizukuishi Snowland offers child-friendly activities like sledding and tubing and a kids’ club keeps little ones entertained while adults are out on the slopes If you’re looking for something more challenging try the “cat skiing” — guided backcountry exploration with a snow cat transporting skiers out to untouched snow Multilingual signs and support are offered for international visitors at the resort “I particularly recommend our hotel’s Shizuikishi Takura Onsen spa — an open-air hot spring bath inside the hotel including a pond with carp swimming right next to the hotel which you can see from the onsen,” says Osamu Yoshida The hotel also offers stargazing tours where visitors can ride the ropeway up to see uninterrupted night views Amihari Onsen Ski Resort has the best powder snow in the area This comprehensive resort has seven trails for all levels along with a ski school and a children’s play area The Kyukamura Iwate-Amihari Onsen Hotel is conveniently located nearby and offers a choice of five different baths the adjacent Onsenkan Yakushi-no-Yu facility welcomes day trippers unpretentious resort which is particularly popular with snowboarders due to its long It also has a well-maintained mogul area and “freestyle course and snow park” where snowboarders can attempt some natty tricks Iwate Kogen Snow Park offers lessons for anyone who would like to attempt mogul skiing along with a school with the usual ski and snowboard classes for beginners Courtesy of the Ministry of the Environment which is located within Towada-Hachimantai National Park The center provides information on recreational activities and uses interactive technology such as augmented reality to present information in several languages The center sits on the edge of the Amihari Forest where you can experience snowshoe trekking in winter with a choice of modern snowshoes or traditional oval-shaped wakanjiki shoes available for rent “Our wakanjiki are handmade with local materials and are ideal for the rugged terrain of in our local mountains and forests They’re lighter than snowshoes with large claws so they work better on the slopes,” explains staff member Chieko Kawaguchi Visitors of all ages will enjoy venturing out into a pristine winter wonderland and searching for animal footprints Staff at the center will do their best to answer any questions about the trail and about the plants and animals that can be spotted in the area Snowshoe trekking is also offered at Koiwai Farm a working dairy farm with a long history and which is now a major tourist attraction in Shizukuishi Staff will guide visitors up to the backcountry areas surrounding the farm and the courses are suitable for all levels of fitness The Shizukuishi region has a wide variety of onsen and after a long day on the ski slopes it’s a great way to relax and unwind While a hotel might be the most convenient choice of accommodation for snow sports there are many onsen facilities available in the area Of particular note is the Shizukuishi Anekko Roadside Station (Michi-no-Eki) complex which includes the spacious Hashiba Onsen day spa where you can choose from either Japanese or Western-style baths There are also a range of restaurants and gift shops in this well-appointed roadside station so you can indulge in some local cuisine as well as picking up souvenirs of your trip or snacks for the road Although winter might not seem like ice cream weather you might change your mind after trying the Hitomebore soft serve made with the local milk for which Shizukuishi is known a hot springs village which has been popular for more than 450 years There are a variety of places to stay here ranging from modern hotels to traditional family-run inns the hot springs were discovered during the late sixteenth century when a local man saw a Japanese bush warbler soaking its injured leg in the water The story inspired the creation of Oushuku’s mascot character Kekyokichi — a chubby bush warbler who loves hot springs a visit to Shizukuishi will prove that this little town definitely isn’t just for the birds Further Details: It takes about three hours from Tokyo Station on the Akita Shinkansen to reach Shizukuishi a rental car is ideal for getting around and making the most of the area’s attractions This article was published in Tokyo Weekender’s Nov-Dec 2021 magazine Grand Seiko has just released a stunning example of a classic, hand-wound mechanical watch The watch pays homage to both traditional Japanese craftsmanship and Seiko’s history watchmaking by housing its 9S64 caliber movement (72-hour power reserve) and a dial that’s made using Urushi dial techniques The Urushi lacquer dial is sourced from trees grown outside of the town of Joboji The mountain is often referred to as “Nanbu Fuji” for its resemblance to Mount Fuji and can be seen from the Shizukuishi Watch Studio jet-black lacquer dial are gold Arabic numerals and highly legible indices decorated with a raised maki-e technique from Isshu Tamura – a master of Kaga Maki-e Urushi Looking for the entire ski and snowboard experience in Japan or looking to unwind with some retail therapy Furano and Hakuba will lend a helping hand The Grasshopper has wrapped up his weekly Japan forecasts for for the 2024/25 season He’s having a couple of months R&R and will be back in June with his Australian and New Zealand  forecasts Japan’s best snow forecasts will resume in December 2025 it leaves the climate open to be more impacted by sub-seasonal mid-scale drivers.. Snowfall also ramps up and spreads southwards over the Canadian Rockies on Satur.. colder winds from the northwest will bring another sizeable dump of powder to th.. A storm will then reach the Pacific coast Saturday night before ballooning out.. Today's print edition Home Delivery The revised active volcano law has taken effect in the hopes of helping residents such as those around Mount Iwate in the Tohoku region prepare for the worst the highest in the Ou Mountains that straddle the cities of Hachimantai and Takizawa and the town of Shizukuishi in Iwate Prefecture experienced an "eruption crisis" 26 years ago with increased volcanic activity the local economy was dealt a major blow.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); But memories of the crisis are fading with time and the local community faces the need to better prepare for possible eruptions after long intervals of quiet 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 By Kensuke Fukushima / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Seiko Watch Corp.’s luxury wristwatch brand marked the 60th anniversary of its establishment in 2020 a new studio to produce the brand opened in Shizukuishi The Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi sits at the edge of a forest amid a rich natural environment who was also behind the National Stadium built for the Tokyo Games The company said the aim was to create a building that embodies the Japanese sense for the passage of time through changes in the natural environment Timber such as those from larch trees were used to make the building The interior walls are made with a technique called Yamato-bari in which boards are laid in such a way that their edges just overlap each other The company said the technique was used to inspire the rhythm of the passage of time “Seiko’s craftsmanship is world-class,” Kuma said “I’m happy I could design a studio that produces these representative watches.” about 20 watchmakers were working with their faces full of concentration Visitors can see them work through a window in an aisle of the studio The heart of each watch is a movement that is only a few centimeters in diameter more than 200 tiny parts are assembled inside the drive unit The studio is a valuable place for visitors to learn about the deep appeal of wristwatches and directly see some of phenomenal skills required of watchmakers While taking into consideration the effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic the studio is scheduled to remain open to the public “I want to make this studio a base for promoting the GS brand to the rest of the world.” The history of the Grand Seiko brand overlaps the progress of watches made in Japan The first model of the Grand Seiko brand was created in 1960 Watchmakers at the time had a slogan: “The highest-quality wristwatches made in Japan that can take on the world.” This model was sold as the first mechanical watch made in Japan with high accuracy levels that passed the standards of the official watch bureau of Switzerland more than double the starting salaries of high-ranking public servants Seiko continued to release new models with higher functionality and higher accuracy Seiko produced a model for women that was epoch-making as the model’s monthly time gap was within two minutes After Seiko released the world’s first quartz watch in 1969 The Grand Seiko brand released its first quartz watch in 1988 consumers reappraised the good points of mechanical watches manufactured manually by skilled artisans the popularity of mechanical watches have regained momentum the Grand Seiko brand revived a mechanical model with Seiko releasing its first Grand Seiko chronograph in 2007 a model commemorating the 60th anniversary was released WATCHPRO Seiko Watch Corporation chairman and CEO Shinji Hattori says the studio will improve mechanical watchmaking for generations to come Grand Seiko has officially opened an entirely new studio dedicated to the production of its mechanical watches the chairman and CEO of Seiko Watch Corporation says the studio provides the ideal environment for our craftsmen and women to bring Grand Seiko’s mechanical watches to life and for the next generation of watchmakers to be trained and their skills developed “It embodies Grand Seiko’s philosophy and is clear evidence to the world of our dedication to the art of mechanical watchmaking,” he adds the architect who designed the Grand Seiko Studio in Shizukuishi says he was aiming to bring the natural setting of Shizukuishi into the building “Grand Seiko’s view of the importance of nature is reflected in every corner of its design and construction To balance natural materials with the room’s high-technology technical requirements was a new and intriguing task,” he describes the studio also has an exhibition space where visitors can immerse themselves in Grand Seiko’s history and explore the manufacturing characteristics of Grand Seiko’s mechanical watches Events will be held at which visitors can try their hand at assembling a mechanical watch in a dedicated space known as the Studio Seminar Room Very creative approach to establish such a facility Japanese version Japanese version well-known Japanese dairy brand Koiwai Farm is Japan’s largest private production farm with the grounds equaling double the size of Haneda Airport Aside from its prolific work as a forestry and livestock farm the grounds offer a variety of events on the range horseback riding and butter-making classes visitors can tour the backyard and factory the farm will transport you back to a more picturesque era through its traditional wooden architecture and Japan’s oldest brick silos a variety of snow and light illumination events will be held turning the grounds into a silver winter wonderland (Ticket prices are subject to change depending on the season of travel for example they reduce to half price in winter.) Book Now: koiwai.co.jp/makiba/en/ (guided tour tickets including entry fee are available)  Email Contact: [email protected] (English and Japanese)