As announced in our previous blog post, Nakamachi is holding a fun Japanese culture event at the Kurassic-kan on Sep. 6 (Wed) and Sep 23 (Sat). Here you can try all kinds of Japanese arts, crafts, activities, and other cultural experiences, not to mention everything is hands-on and mostly free! Besides the main event at the Kurassic-kan, several of the shops and restaurants around Nakamachi will also be offering cultural activities like traditional games or food/drink tastings. See below for a list of activities and where you can get the official details, event flyer, or see the event on Facebook!

There will also be volunteers providing translation/interpretation to help with communication, including local high school students and local guides. So not only is this a great opportunity to experience Japanese culture, but also a nice chance to communicate with the locals!

Event Details

Place: Kurassic-kan in Nakamachi, Matsumoto
Date & Time: Sep. 6 and Sep. 23, 10 am – 4 pm (times for activities at the shops differ. Check the event flyer or webpage)
Event webpage: http://nakamachi-street.com/en/experiencedays/
Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1607791399271217/

Get the official PDF flyer here which includes a map and all activity details:

List of main activities at the Kurassic-kan:

• Origami folding
• Japanese calligraphy
• Japanese Tea Ceremony (traditional way of making matcha green tea)
• Japanese folding fan decorating
• Play with old-fashioned and traditional Japanese toys
• Sake tasting with Nakamachi’s original-brand sake
• Kimono (yukata) and ninja costume rental (paid activity)
• Rickshaw rides around Nakamachi (paid activity, discount with kimono rental)
• Ninja blowgun activity (paid activity, free with ninja costume rental)

List of shops offering activities around Nakamachi:

• Geiyukan: Try plaing the shamisen, a traditional Japanese music instrument.
• Kuriya: Make fresh wasabi from real wasabi root.
• Senri: Japanese wine, sake, amazake, and juice tasting
• Yamahei: Introduction of some Japanese local foods
• Yaguchi: Try wearing geta, a traditional form of Japanese footwear.
• Ihara: Chopsticks and beans game
• Itoya: Play the konpira fune-fune game, a traditional game played at geisha banquets, and other activities.
• Okinado Kura Branch: Try playing the Japanese taiko drum. Also, exhibit of traditional tools used for making Japanese confections/sweets
• Temariya: Free Japanese tea