Spring Bliss That Awaits in Aichi

Known to locals as the ‘heart’ of Japan, Aichi Prefecture boasts a colourful past as a crucial point for traffic between east and west Japan. It is highly diverse and is a melting pot where were rustic Japanese charm meets innovation and technology.

Aichi Prefecture remains relatively unknown to overseas travellers – one of the most attractive appeals for future travel. This off-the-radar destination is well worth a stop-over is you are visiting Japan in the spring for the first or fifth time. Here’s four reasons why.

Nature which boasts the best blooms in the Prefecture

Recognized as a National Treasure, Inuyama Castle sits on a hilltop overlooking the Kiso River and is one of the oldest castles in Japan. In April, from the castle’s grounds, you can see the 400 cherry blossom trees in bloom along the riverbank. It is also worth a ride on a sightseeing boat which will allow you to enjoy the view of the cherry blossoms and the Inuyama Castle from the waters. During the cherry blossom season, the Inuyama Festival is held in the city with its origins going as far back as 1635 and has become a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. During the festival, spectators can see thirteen splendid floats covered in lanterns, karakuri puppet performances to the sound of the flute and the Japanese taiko drums. After the sun sets the floats are lead through avenues of the blooming cherry blossom trees in a parade through the town.

Visitors in late spring might have missed out on the cherry blossoms, but Aichi has another spectacular flora hidden up its sleeve. From June to early July, the peaceful hot spring village Katahara Onsen located on the foothills of Mt. Sangane becomes painted in pastels as the Hydrangeas come into bloom. With around 50,000 bushes in bloom, it has been dubbed the ‘Home place of Hydrangeas’. Each year a Hydrangea Festival is held, with the hydrangeas lit-up from dusk, and a lucky few will also be able to see fireflies which thrive in the pristine greenery. If you are planning to rent a car while you are in Aichi, the Mt. Sangane Skyline Road leading to Katahara Onsen runs for 5 km with somewhat 70,000 Hydrangeas lining the mountain road overlooking the nearby Mikawa Bay.

Take a step back in time at Meiji Mura

Meiji-mura (Meiji Village), is an open-air architectural theme park and museum in Aichi’s Inuyama City. It was opened in 1965 to preserve and showcase historic buildings from Japan's Meiji era (1868–1912). The goal of the museum was to preserve historic early examples of western architecture paired with Japanese construction methods and materials. Many of the buildings were saved from demolition during the post World War II period, and now the park is home to over 60 historical buildings which were relocated from all over Japan. 11 of the park's buildings are recognised as national important cultural property, while others have been repurposed as displays of Japanese life at the time, as well as some being made into cafes and restaurants, many selling traditional Meiji period foods such as beef croquettes and Japanese curry rice. The park itself is
home to around 1000 cherry blossom trees, making exploring the park in the springtime even more enjoyable as you can see the historic buildings surrounded by pastel pink blossoms.

Taste spring in the freshest green tea

Aichi Prefecture’s Nishio City is one of Japan’s most prominent production areas of matcha green tea. Somewhat overshadowed by other more well-known regions, Nishio is responsible for approximately 20% of matcha sold within Japan. Springtime is when the tea buds begin to grow and are soon harvested and prepared. Throughout the town, there are many cafes and sweets stores where a traveller can satisfy their sweet tooth, some selling the freshly made sencha (green tea leaves), matcha powder and even delicious matcha green tea desserts. The sweets range from parfaits to more traditional Japanese sweets such as matcha oban-yaki (a matcha sponge cake filled with matcha cream) and matcha mochi rice cakes. For the traveller who wants to have a hands-on experience in the harvest season, some factories in Nishio have tea leaf picking experiences. If you are not able to make it in time for the harvest, many factories also offer year-round factory tours. During the guided tours, visitors can try their hand at grinding the green tea leaves with a stone mill, brewing and tasting the fresh matcha.

Within the Nishio City History Park, you can find a tearoom in the Former Konoe House which belonged to a powerful noble family dating back to the Heian Period (794-1185). The Konoe House’s tearoom was restored to its original state and for a small fee, travellers can enjoy matcha green tea with Japanese sweets while overlooking the Japanese gardens, Nishio Castle ruins and the park’s many cherry blossoms.

Proud leaders in Japan’s production industry

Aichi Prefecture is Japan’s leader in the manufacturing industry by being the biggest producer of transport machinery, raw materials, textiles and fine ceramics. It is home to automobile giant Toyota’s main headquarters, and lovers of Toyota can revel in the carmaker’s history at the Toyota Automobile Museum which showcases the evolution of automobiles from around the World. The museum systematically presents an array of historic automobiles (not only Toyota made), from the world’s first gasoline-powered car to modern electric vehicles. Aside from the cars on show, there is a culture showroom showcasing a collection of 4000 historic and cultural car-related items.

Lovers of Japanese ceramics are sure to be familiar with Noritake, a leader in Japan’s ceramics industry. The company was originally established in 1904 by two Japanese brothers as a trading company specialising in imported chinaware and antiques, but later began manufacturing their own ceramicware in Japan, creating products that were functional, affordable and anyone could own. While in Aichi you can visit the original factory grounds, Noritake Garden which has been converted into a museum and park. Here visitors can learn the company’s history and see historical pieces from antique collections. Watch the creation process as some of the world's finest ceramics artists demonstrate, from the production of moulds to freehand chinaware painting. The park next to the museum has sculptures and artwork scattered throughout it, and with its own cherry blossom trees to boast – is another wonderful place to celebrate the coming of spring in Aichi.

Where to Stay

Enjoy ocean views from your accommodation in the Minami-chita Onsen Village. This hot spring village is comprised of the Utsumi, Yamami and Toyohama hot springs regions along the southern coast of the Chita Peninsula. Travellers can relax in the chloride-rich waters effective in alleviating fatigue while you bask in the light of the setting sun. Be sure to enjoy some of the local seafood caught fresh and served in restaurants and within accommodation facilities.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au

Tags: #japan, #Travel, #Aichi, #Nagoya, #sakura, #CherryBlossomFestival, #Spring, #Hanami, #GreenTea