I'm going to japan this summer and spending about a week with a host family in Iwateken (specificaly Kitakami). I was wondering what there is to do in Iwate as far as sightseeing, tourist attractions, and other attention drawing things.
Also does anyone have any tips about Iwate or Japan in general? Anything would be helpful. Including what to bring as omiage for my host family and some do's and don'ts.
Thank you.
2007-04-15 13:04:29 · 7 answers · asked by desolation_boi 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
For the do/don't: Don't hug/kiss
Although most Japanese know that Americans (especially female) hug new people as a "hand shake" gesture, it is still very awkward to us.
It's like I met you for the first time and I started to tounge kiss you! Just don't do that.
Also don't expect them to speak English, etc. And if you speak Japanese just always use the general form. If you get in the habit of using plain form, you may forget and talk to someone that shouldn't be talked to in plain form. As a general rule just talk in polite form. We will understand because you are a foreigner.
Have fun and welcome to Japan!
2007-04-15 13:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by Adria 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Been to Iwate three times - it's one of my favorite Tohoku prefectures.Where in Iwate are you staying exactly?
In the Southern region go to Hiraizumi which was a 12th century semi-autonomous capital that Basho wrote a famous haiku about.
To the east of Hiraizumi is Geibi-kei a river-gorge area where you can board a flat-bottom boat and listen to your boat man sing old traditional songs.
Tono is a traditional area that does a great festival in September (haven't been there yet so don't know much about it)
Morioka is a good place to stay as a base for traveling about. In June children dress up in traditional clothes and ride horses.
In August there's a large festival with numerous drummers and dancers called Sansa Odori:
http://samuraidave.wordpress.com/2006/08/18/the-drums-of-tohoku-the-sansa-odori-festival/
If you're in Iwate in August you should head into Aomori for two great festivals:
Nebuta in Aomori Prefecture
http://samuraidave.wordpress.com/2006/09/18/japans-nebuta-matsuri-giant-floats-frighten-and-delight/
Neputa in Hirosaki
http://samuraidave.wordpress.com/2006/10/07/overshadowed-neputa-festival-of-hirosaki/
2007-04-16 03:41:06 · answer #2 · answered by samurai_dave 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to Japan! I am a Japanese-Brazilian and I lived in USA for one year with a host family. Japanese usually gives and receives cookies or chocolates. They loooooove food. When you watch TV, almost every channel is about food. What I miss and I can not find anywhere is cooking oil spray. I think they will be surprised, but I am not sure if you can take it on airplane. About places to go in Iwate-ken, you can find out on http://www.pref.iwate.jp/english/tourism/tourism.html
Have a wonderful trip!
2007-04-15 21:25:44 · answer #3 · answered by MSI 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two nice places.
One is Toono-the best place to experience traditional Japan. They offer courses in traditional crafts, rice planting, etc. You can join a tour which starts every day from 9AM at Toono station, and for a day to enjoy its nature and atmosphere.
The other one is a farm, the biggest farm in Japan, called Koiwai.I was there during the winter festival, and it was great.The food is sooo delicious!
Yes, and Hiraizumi, of course! See it for yourself:
www.iwate21.net/hiraizumi/english/index.html
2007-04-15 20:51:43 · answer #4 · answered by Princess Kushinada 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i asked similar question waiting for the answers.ta!
2007-04-15 13:13:37 · answer #5 · answered by \ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Summer festival! ( *v* )
2007-04-19 04:28:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ifi you have big stomach, try WANKO-SOBA
http://www.wankosoba-azumaya.co.jp/english/index.shtml
2007-04-16 18:22:05 · answer #7 · answered by Hitoshi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋