Introducing Tokamachi, Niigata! This is a video to promote outdoor tourism in Tokamachi, a city located in the southern part of Niigata prefecture. Here, we will introduce you to some of the nature-rich sightseeing spots in the Shinanogawa area of Niigata Prefecture. The video introduces a variety of outdoor activities in various spots and seasons, including rivers, plateaus, and snowy mountains. There's sure to be something for everyone! Outdoor Locations in Tokamachi, Niigata Photo：glamping If you want to go camping in Tokamachi city, we recommend the beautiful Daigonji Kogen Camping Ground or the Fushikurojoseki Camping Ground. You can see the scenery at each campground at 0:29 in the video. Besides that, there are also facilities where you can enjoy the popular activity "glamping" around Tokamachi. There are various outdoor activities to enjoy in Tokamachi city, such as cycling along the Shinanogawa river, SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boarding) at the Shinanogawa river, canoeing, and rafting down the amazing Shinanogawa river. These can be seen at 0:39 in the footage. Known as one of the areas of Japan that has extremely heavy snowfall, there are many famous tourist spots where you can enjoy winter activities in Tokamachi city. It's been designated a special heavy snowfall area, so you know the snow will be great! You can also try cross-country skiing in the scenery of the great outdoors, or airboarding and snow biking at the Matsunoyama Onsen Ski Resort. These winter activities are shown from 1:24 in the video. Appealing Tourist Spots in Tokamachi City ©Koichi_Hayakawa Modifying In addition to Chotokuji Temple, which is famous for Senju Kannon (the thousand-armed Goddess of Mercy), the stone Buddha of Hachi, where approximately 200 stone Buddhas are enshrined, Suwa Shrine and Matsuo Shrine, Saieiji Temple, and Jinguji Temple, a nationally renowned sight and national monument, and Tashiro no Nanatsugama, are all must-see tourist spots that show the history of Tokamachi city. You can also visit the ruins of Oida Castle, which was home to a local wealthy family during the Kamakura period. At the Tokamachi Museum, you can see the flame-shaped earthenware that was found in the area. Kiyotsu Gorge, the Hoshitoge rice terrace fields, and the beech forest, given the name Bijinbayashi, are all secret tourist spots overflowing with natural beauty. The Art Festival of the Earth - Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, one of the world's largest art festivals, attracts many visitors as well. When you visit Tokamachi city of Niigata prefecture, be sure to try the local cuisine. The Kashiwazaki Tai Chazuke (sea bream rice with tea), Soba inari, and Hegi soba are famous local specialties. Traditions of Tokamachi City In Tokamachi, Shinbo Kodaiji Bushi, which is said to be the root of Japanese folk music, has been passed down since ancient times. Akakura Kagura, which has been passed down from one generation to the next in Akakura Village, is a Shinto ritual within which you can feel the traditions of Japan. Tokamachi Kouta, which was made for the commercial of the traditional "Akashi Chijimi," is performed at the Tokamachi Summer Festival. In the city, the Tokamachi Snow Festival is held in the winter season and it's always a lively event. There are places where you can experience making Tsumariyaki, a traditional craft of Tokamachi, using soil from the area. Tokamachi city is also the second largest producer of silk fabrics after Kyoto, and is even called “Kimono town” for having many kimono and fabric shops. Accommodations in and Around Tokamachi If you're traveling to Tokamachi, we recommend staying at Hikari no Yakata, a hotel built by James Turrell in the image of Junichiro Tanizaki’s book “In the Praise of Shadows.” There are also many appealing hot spring inns in the city, so choose the one that suits you best. Summary of Tokamachi, Niigata Source :YouTube screenshot In this article, we introduced the outdoor activities in Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture as well as tourist attractions and traditional performing arts that are featured in the video. We hope you enjoyed reading about some of the attractions of Tokamachi, as it has a lot to offer. As you can see in the video, Tokamachi city, where the magnificent Shinanogawa river flows, is a great place to visit for those looking to actively experience nature. This video introduces many outdoor activities, such as skiing and SUP. Find anything you're interested in? It might be difficult deciding what to do when there's so many options! 【Official Website】Tokamachi, Niigata Prefecture Town Hall Website http://www.city.tokamachi.lg.jp/english/index.html

十日町明石ちぢみ紹介動画について こちらの動画は「伝統工芸 青山スクエア」が公開した「手技TEWAZA「十日町明石ちぢみ」Tokamachi Akashi Chijimi Weaving／伝統工芸青山スクエア Japan traditional crafts Aoyama Square」です。 動画で紹介されている十日町明石ちぢみは新潟県十日町市の伝統工芸文化の一つで、八丁撚糸機という特別な機械を使用して1ｍに4000回もの撚り（より）をかけます。 十日町明石ちぢみの特徴として、織物の表面に「しぼ」と呼ばれる凹凸があり、それによって夏でも涼しく着心地のいい素材の着物になっています。 十日町明石ちぢみの制作工程 製作の工程は以下の5手順になっています。 1, 設計 2, 染色 3, 手延べ 4, 絣巻 5, 製織 十日町明石ちぢみが伝統工芸文化と言われる特徴としては、やはり絣巻の工程で使われる八丁撚糸機です。 絣巻（かすりいと）とは、万力を使って縦絣模様をあわせながら巻き取る技法です。 この工程をスムーズにすすめるためにしっかりとした糊付けが必要ですが、手技によって行われ、職人でなければできない匠の技があります。 ここにも十日町明石ちぢみが日本の伝統工芸文化とよばれる所以があるといえます。 製織においても手作業のよる技法が多く含まれています。 平ゴムとくびりによってほぐしをおこなった経糸を柄合わせをしながら巻き取ります。 その後、湯もみをすると細い糸にかけられた強い撚りによって織物の表面が凸凹になります。これが伝統工芸文化である十日町明石ちぢみ独特の着心地を生みます。 十日町明石ちぢみの爽やかなデザインにも職人の技法がふんだんに使われており、その一つとして摺り込みという技法が挙げられます。 これは絣糸を染める技法で染料をヘラで部分的に摺り込むというものです。 何度も揉みながら繰り返し摺り込みを行い、十日町明石ちぢみ独特のデザインを生んでいます。 夏に合わせた明るいコーディネートがしやすいことや季節に合わせて着物を着ることができるので、伝統工芸文化である着物自体をもっと身近に感じてほしいという十日町明石ちぢみ職人の思いを感じます。 十日町明石ちぢみの歴史 日本で伝統工芸文化の十日町明石ちぢみが生まれたのは400年前、播州明石だったと言われています。 その後、新潟の越後縮問屋の州崎栄助に、西陣織りの業者によって研究されていた十日町明石ちぢみを西陣織りより湿度の高い十日町市で開発することが進められました。 そうして多くの過程を踏み、八丁撚糸機を利用することで伝統工芸としての十日町明石ちぢみは文化的な産業になりました。 伝統工芸文化としての課題は、十日町明石ちぢみを受け継ぐ人材は非常に少なく、多様なニーズに答えるデザインが求められています。 十日町明石ちぢみ紹介まとめ 最高級の強撚糸に伝統工芸の撚糸技術、さらには文化を受け継ぐ職人たちの様々な技法を経て最高級の着心地と最高級のデザインが生み出されています。 この素晴らしい日本の伝統工芸文化を後世へと伝えていくために、夏を涼む着物「十日町明石ちぢみ」を体験してみてください。