IWA meeting on Friday 5 November for the talk on Bears in the Community.
May I suggest that you all meet at Mr Donuts by 6.50 p.m. and arrange so that 2 cars only will be travelling to my house. This will stop a lot of congestion in the street.
Hope many of you will attend this very unique opportunity to learn about bears. We are hearing a lot about them in the news these days. See you all soon.
28 Oct 2010
17 Oct 2010
Nara House and Taiheisan Brewery
12th Meeting for INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION in AKITA on Wednesday 6 October 2010 was yet again another successful day out.
Mrs. I/S/A/A/O/Q/M/M/I/N/Mr.N & C. Apologies: Mrs I/I
Setting off on time (thank you ladies) 9.35 a.m. arriving just after 10 a.m. at the Akita Prefectural Museum. Weather was kind. The museum was of great interest and a bonus being free entry! Highly recommended for a good day out. Another treat there was to visit the NARA HOUSE which is a little drive away along narrow paths between rice paddies with the surprised SAGI Japanese storks taking flight.
The Nara House dates back to Edo period (1600-1868), owned by a wealthy farmer and took 3 years to build. The house is designated as an Important Cultural Asset by the National Government in 1965.
Moving on then to lunch at the Blue Messe Akita Michi no Eki. This is a real beauty spot with lovely gardens and surroundings. We all enjoyed a delicious lunch and chatter together.
Running 15 minutes late (not bad really!) we arrived safely at the TAIHEISAN BREWERY and were cordially met by Mrs Kodama owner who got us organized to visit the BLUE HOLE art gallery exhibition of Ikuo Nakamura’s most fabulous underwater photos. This you have to see to believe. The Blue Hole was founded in November 2009 and was once an old brewery first built in 1922. Renovated most sympathetically with an all pine wood finish. Here, too, there will be special exhibitions throughout the year by well-known photographers in the world plus periodic gallery talks, seminars and concerts. WATCH OUT FOR THESE WONDERFUL EVENTS.
The day did not stop there…we were then taken around the Miso/Soya/Sake making facilities at the brewery by a relative of the brewery who has worked there for over 25 years. Mrs Kodama kindly translated the information into English for our visitors.
Taiheisan has been a trusted brand since 1870, the name coming from Mount Taihei.
It was so fascinating to see the huge vats used to process the soya and miso. The whole process follows the KIMOTO method, which is said to be the oldest/original method of sake brewing where lactic acid bacteria is utilized to grow the yeast. A labour intensive and time consuming process. However, this process is carried on as generations before have done.
The meeting closed with yet another surprise. Mrs Kodama very kindly invited the IWA to view the family’s estate a little walk from the brewery. Here we were welcomed inside the old traditional family house, which also has a wonderful Japanese landscaped garden with pond. This estate has recently been awarded as a National Treasure. We were all so happy and privileged to have this unique viewing. Thank you so much to the Kodama family.
The meeting closed and all returned home safely.
Thank you to all members for making the day so successful. Thank you for contributions for transport to drivers and looking after one another…that’s what it’s all about!
Regards of thanks to Mrs Kodama have been sent and kind replies received.
I’m pleased to announce that we have another member to IWA: Mrs Q.
Mrs. I/S/A/A/O/Q/M/M/I/N/Mr.N & C. Apologies: Mrs I/I
Setting off on time (thank you ladies) 9.35 a.m. arriving just after 10 a.m. at the Akita Prefectural Museum. Weather was kind. The museum was of great interest and a bonus being free entry! Highly recommended for a good day out. Another treat there was to visit the NARA HOUSE which is a little drive away along narrow paths between rice paddies with the surprised SAGI Japanese storks taking flight.
The Nara House dates back to Edo period (1600-1868), owned by a wealthy farmer and took 3 years to build. The house is designated as an Important Cultural Asset by the National Government in 1965.
Moving on then to lunch at the Blue Messe Akita Michi no Eki. This is a real beauty spot with lovely gardens and surroundings. We all enjoyed a delicious lunch and chatter together.
Running 15 minutes late (not bad really!) we arrived safely at the TAIHEISAN BREWERY and were cordially met by Mrs Kodama owner who got us organized to visit the BLUE HOLE art gallery exhibition of Ikuo Nakamura’s most fabulous underwater photos. This you have to see to believe. The Blue Hole was founded in November 2009 and was once an old brewery first built in 1922. Renovated most sympathetically with an all pine wood finish. Here, too, there will be special exhibitions throughout the year by well-known photographers in the world plus periodic gallery talks, seminars and concerts. WATCH OUT FOR THESE WONDERFUL EVENTS.
The day did not stop there…we were then taken around the Miso/Soya/Sake making facilities at the brewery by a relative of the brewery who has worked there for over 25 years. Mrs Kodama kindly translated the information into English for our visitors.
Taiheisan has been a trusted brand since 1870, the name coming from Mount Taihei.
It was so fascinating to see the huge vats used to process the soya and miso. The whole process follows the KIMOTO method, which is said to be the oldest/original method of sake brewing where lactic acid bacteria is utilized to grow the yeast. A labour intensive and time consuming process. However, this process is carried on as generations before have done.
The meeting closed with yet another surprise. Mrs Kodama very kindly invited the IWA to view the family’s estate a little walk from the brewery. Here we were welcomed inside the old traditional family house, which also has a wonderful Japanese landscaped garden with pond. This estate has recently been awarded as a National Treasure. We were all so happy and privileged to have this unique viewing. Thank you so much to the Kodama family.
The meeting closed and all returned home safely.
Thank you to all members for making the day so successful. Thank you for contributions for transport to drivers and looking after one another…that’s what it’s all about!
Regards of thanks to Mrs Kodama have been sent and kind replies received.
I’m pleased to announce that we have another member to IWA: Mrs Q.
29 Sept 2010
13th IWA MEETING
13th IWA MEETING on Friday 5 November 2010 from 7 p.m. will be held at 6-8-2 Motomachi, Goshono, Akita.
We are very pleased to welcome Professor Hiromi Maenaka who has very kindly agreed to talk to us on her knowledge of BEARS in AKITA. It will cover aspects of her studies, experiences and understanding of the problems concerning bears in the community.
Professor Maenaka is a Director of the Global Business Programme at AIU Akita.
Please don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn so much.
As usual, members are asked to bring a little something to share for a potluck supper after the talk. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions and relax together. Refreshments will be provided.
The meeting will close around 9 – 9.30 p.m.
Please reply to Mrs I as soon as possible (RSVP).
We are very pleased to welcome Professor Hiromi Maenaka who has very kindly agreed to talk to us on her knowledge of BEARS in AKITA. It will cover aspects of her studies, experiences and understanding of the problems concerning bears in the community.
Professor Maenaka is a Director of the Global Business Programme at AIU Akita.
Please don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn so much.
As usual, members are asked to bring a little something to share for a potluck supper after the talk. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions and relax together. Refreshments will be provided.
The meeting will close around 9 – 9.30 p.m.
Please reply to Mrs I as soon as possible (RSVP).
Taiheisan Brewery and Blue Hole Gallery Tour
VISIT TO TAIHEISAN BREWERY Wednesday 6th October 2010-09-29
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
We are very pleased to announce that our group will be shown the very private garden, which has been in the family for generations. This garden is very old and has been awarded a National Heritage Award. We are so lucky for this very wonderful opportunity and very thankful to the family for inviting us all for a viewing.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
We are very pleased to announce that our group will be shown the very private garden, which has been in the family for generations. This garden is very old and has been awarded a National Heritage Award. We are so lucky for this very wonderful opportunity and very thankful to the family for inviting us all for a viewing.
3 Sept 2010
Taiheisan Brewery and Blue Hole Gallery Tour No2
TAIHEISAN BREWERY OUTING: Further information for this IWA meeting on Wednesday 6 October…
We shall meet at Mr Donuts at 9.30 a.m. and drive to
AKITA PREFECTURAL MUSEUM by approximately 10 a.m. free entrance.
Tel: 018-873-4121
URL: http://homepage3.nifty.com/akitamus/
Those members wishing to meet the IWA there rather than joining the group at Mr Donuts please let me know.
After about 30 minutes and a coffee there we shall drive to Blume Messe Akita where we shall enjoy a delicious lunch together. Restaurant Tel: 018-855-5587. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Leaving there we shall visit the Blue Hole Gallery at the brewery and then attend the conducted tour with Mrs Kodoma of the sake, soya sauce and miso making processes. At approximately 1 p.m. Time will be given for sake tasting and buying!
I do hope as many members can join this exciting IWA event. Look forward to seeing you all then!
We shall meet at Mr Donuts at 9.30 a.m. and drive to
AKITA PREFECTURAL MUSEUM by approximately 10 a.m. free entrance.
Tel: 018-873-4121
URL: http://homepage3.nifty.com/akitamus/
Those members wishing to meet the IWA there rather than joining the group at Mr Donuts please let me know.
After about 30 minutes and a coffee there we shall drive to Blume Messe Akita where we shall enjoy a delicious lunch together. Restaurant Tel: 018-855-5587. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Leaving there we shall visit the Blue Hole Gallery at the brewery and then attend the conducted tour with Mrs Kodoma of the sake, soya sauce and miso making processes. At approximately 1 p.m. Time will be given for sake tasting and buying!
I do hope as many members can join this exciting IWA event. Look forward to seeing you all then!
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