Topics 2018

【8/16-11/30】Model Train Strap Campaign

Enjoy Views of the Sea of Japan from a Train Window

Grab a flyer and visit Tomari Station, Itoigawa Station and Naoetsu Station to collect stamps. Get all 3 stamps and receive a free phone strap featuring one of the Echigo Tokimeki Railway's trains!

The campaign runs from Aug 16 until Nov 30.

For more information, ask at one of the participating stations for a leaflet!
http://www.kitaalps-nihonkai.com/pg105.html#event_25
   
Posted:2018/08/28

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【10/21】 Autumn Umidani Festival

The Autumn Umidani Festival will be held this year on Sunday, Oct 21!

Enjoy the deep autumn colors of the Umidani Gorge Geosite at this local festival.

The festival begins with the Umidani Hike (Sign-up at 9:00, Departs at 9:30) and also features leaf stamping, a photography exhibition, a special demonstration of the Mizuho Kagura Dances, onigiri rice balls handmade by local children, handmade soba and more!


Time: 21 Oct (Sun) 10:00 - 15:00
Place: Umidani Sankyo Park (https://goo.gl/maps/QFoxqE6eaHC2)
※In the event of rain, Nishiumi Community Sports Center
Other: Free shuttle bus is available on the day of the event
Departs Jade Kingdom Center ① 9:00 ②11:00
Departs Umidani Sankyo Park ①13:00 ②14:30
※In the event of rain, bus ② will be canceled
   
Posted:2018/10/02

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Land of the Lustrous Exhibition in Itoigawa Geopark

The Fossa Magna Museum is collaborating with Haruko Ichikawa's popular gemstone-themed manga, "Land of the Lustrous" featured in Monthly Afternoon.

During the special exhibition, the Fossa Magna Museum's collection of jade will be joined with the many other gemstones featured in Ichikawa's series.

Dates: Sep 8 (Sat) to Oct 28 (Sun)
   
Posted:2018/08/28

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【8/2】The Fossa Magna Park has Reopened!

After a year of renovation, the Fossa Magna Park has reopened to the public on August 2nd with a newly designed exposure which is more dynamic and easier to understand. Be sure to check it out!
   
Posted:2018/08/28

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Important Information Regarding the Oumi Festival and Itoigawa Fireworks Festival

Tropical Storm Jongdari is expected to pass over Itoigawa this weekend. For the safety of participants and visitors, the following changes are being made to the upcoming Oumi Festival and Itoigawa Fireworks Festival:

July 28 (Sat) Oumi Festival
・No Changes to Schedule

July 29 (Sun) Special Comedy Performance
・Moved to Kirara Oumi Culture Hall
・16:00 Free tickets given away
・17:00 Doors Open
・18:00 Performance Starts

July 29 (Sun) Itoigawa Fireworks Festival
・Rescheduled for July 30 (Mon)
・No Vendors or Food Stalls

We apologize for any inconvenience which may result from these changes and appreciate your understanding.
   
Posted:2018/07/26

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Shiroike Pond Restroom Closed for Repairs

Due to damage sustained over the winter season, the restroom facilities at Shiroike Pond in the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line & Salt Trail (South) Geosite are closed until further notice.

When visiting the area, whether to walk the historic Salt Trail, enjoy the beauty of Shiroike Pond, or climb Mt. Tokurayama, please use the restroom located at "Hara no Yakata," near the entrance to Shiroike-no-Mori Forest Park.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
   
Posted:2018/05/02

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【5/1~5/20】Wisteria Festival

The Aramachi District in the Tsukimizu-no-Ike Geosite will host its annual Wisteria Festival from May 1 until May 20. Local residents will line the main street of historic community of Aramachi with their prized wisteria plants, creating a beautiful show of purple, pink and white blossoms.

On May 20 (Sun), the festival will culminate in an event at Tsukimizu-no-Ike Pond. From 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. enjoy wild wisteria flowers, wisteria seedling sales, as well as local produce and cuisine!
https://discover-itoigawa.com/see-do/places-activities/aramachi-wisteria-festival/
   
Posted:2018/05/01

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【5/2】 Itoigawa Geopark Salt Trail Starting Point Festival

Walk the Itoigawa Geopark's historic Salt Trail from its starting point to Nechi Station. Participants are encouraged to dress in period clothing!

◇Time: May 2 (Wed) 8:00 a.m. (Sign-up) 9:00 a.m. (Start)
◇Sign-up: Jade Kingdom Center (Itoigawa Station North Exit)
◇Participation is Free
◇For more information, contact the Itoigawa Geopark Promotion Office
 [email protected]
Posted:2018/04/16

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【4/29】22nd Salt Trail Opening Hike

Enjoy the Salt Trail surrounded by new greenery and melting snow.
Walk a section of the Salt Trail to Nechi's Shiroike Pond where you can enjoy seasonal mountain vegetable tempura, an ocarina concert, folk tale performances and more.

◇Time: April 29, 2018 (Sun)
 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
◇Meetup: Salt Trail Museum
◇Participation Fee: Adults 1,000 yen, Children 500 yen
◇Mountain vegetable tempura will be provided, but bring your own lunch and drinks.
◇Sign-up: Contact the Itoigawa Geopark Promotion Office by Apr 24
 [email protected]
   
Posted:2018/04/16

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【2/1-3/31】Special Exhibit "10 Years of Itoigawa Geopark"

To mark Itoigawa Geopark's 10th year as a Japanese Geopark, we have prepared a special exhibit at the Fossa Magna Museum. Included are photographs and materials that have previously been unavailable to the public. Admission is free.

Place: Fossa Magna Museum Lobby
Admission: Free
Contact the Fossa Magna Museum for details at 025-553-1880

※The museum is closed on Feb 5,13,19 and 26.
   
Posted:2018/01/25

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Celebrating Our 2nd Revalidation as a UNESCO Global Geopark!

Today, we received a notice from UNESCO that we have been revalidated as a UNESCO Global Geopark! To celebrate the event, we will be holding a ceremony and giving away Geopark Merchandise.

【Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark - Revalidation Ceremony】
Anyone is free to join. We hope to see you as we celebrate our 2nd revalidation as a UNESCO Global Geopark!
◇Time: Feb 2, 2018 (Fri) 4:30 p.m.
◇Place: Itoigawa City Office 1st Floor Citizen's Hall

【Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark Revalidation Commemorative Giveaway】
100 Geopark Badges will be given away at the following locations.
※Only one badge per person. Supplies are limited.
◇Time: Feb 3, 2018 (Sat) 9:00 a.m. 
◇Place: Fossa Magna Museum (1313 Ichinomiya, Itoigawa)
     Tanimura Art Museum & Gyokusuien Garden(2-1-13 Kyogamine, Itoigawa)

For more information, contact the Itoigawa Geopark Promotion Office at 025-552-1511 or through Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ItoigawaGeopark/
   
Posted:2018/02/02

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【2/21】Jade Coast and Benizuwai Crab Gourmet Day Tour

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Oito Line, the Itoigawa Seafood Shuttle Bus is hosting a special day tour on Wednesday, February 21!

Visit the Itoigawa Jade Coast, where the stormy winter sea bring jade and countless other stones up to the shore. Take a tour of the Fossa Magna Museum, Itoigawa's award-winning natural history museum dedicated to Itoigawa's jade and the formation of the Japanese Islands. Finally, cap off the night with a massive seafood feast, featuring Itoigawa's best seafood, including Itoigawa Benizuwai Crab!

You aren't going to want to miss this opportunity. Check the flyer for details!

Deadline to reserve is Feb 20!
Posted:2018/02/16

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【1/21・1/28・2/4】 Itoigawa Monkfish Festival

The Itoigawa Monkfish Festival is happening again this year! Come to one of the three different festival locations to enjoy a monkfish tsurushigiri cleaning demonstration, monkfish soup, grilled seafood, games and more! The festival will be held in front of Itoigawa Station on Jan 21, at Marine Dream Nou on Jan 28 and at Oyashirazu Pier Park on Feb 4. Check the attached PDF for details!

Monkfish, also known as goosefish, frog-fish or sea-devils, are a type of anglerfish belonging to the genus Lophius. Flat and broad, they live their lives on the sea floor which they 'walk' on using their highly modified fins. They mostly wait in ambush for their prey, buried in the sand. Their sedentary life makes their flesh particularly rich and tender. Long a winter favorite in Itoigawa, almost every part of the monkfish is edible and is locally enjoyed in a variety of ways. The fatty liver is especially prized as the "foie gras of the sea."

Once caught, monkfish flesh spoils quite easily, so it is only possible to enjoy this delicacy locally. Don't miss your chance!
Posted:2018/01/17

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