Latest news with #TheShikokuShimbun
Kyodo News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
International culinary experts discover the flavors of Kagawa
The Shikoku Shimbun - 8 hours ago - 14:16 | All, Japan A group of international food experts recently toured Higashikagawa and Miki to experience the rich food culture of Kagawa Prefecture. The chefs, who are active around the world, immersed themselves in local traditions through visits to a soy sauce brewery and participation in a traditional tea ceremony on June 4. The tour was organized in conjunction with the June 7-8 national conference for promoting food education in Tokushima. Thirteen chefs and food education professionals from Europe, Asia, and other regions joined the tour ahead of the conference. The group began the day at Kamebishi, a long-established soy sauce brewery in the Hikida area of Higashikagawa, then visited Masagoya, a "somen" noodle shop in Takamatsu's Higashiueda, where they tried making noodles by hand. Next up was a trip to Watanabe Tei, a traditional home with six tea rooms in the Shimotakaoka area of Miki. There, the group participated in a tea ceremony and enjoyed a performance of "gagaku," Japan's classical court music. During the tea ceremony, participants learned to make matcha using a bamboo whisk, under the guidance of Watanabe Tei owner Ayami Kobashi. Many remarked on the rich flavor of the tea, with one comparing it to a cappuccino. The musical performance, presented by the prefectural shrine association gagaku club, featured the elegant sounds of "sho" and "hichiriki" wind instruments reverberating through the historic tea room. Miki Mayor Yoshiharu Ito also attended the event and presented guests with a traditional tenugui hand towel. The towel featured designs by Yoshitaro Kamakura, a local artist and designated living national treasure for stencil dyeing. Chef Luciano Tona, a former culinary school director from Italy, shared his impressions of the tour: "The emphasis on simple cooking that highlights local ingredients is something Japan and Italy have in common." "Experiencing matcha in such a historic setting was truly memorable," he said. The Shikoku Shimbun More Shikoku Shimbun stories: Marugame Castle festival delights with lively performances Setouchi Triennale art festival opens in western Japan Kids at island in Kagawa learns to make sushi from former sushi chef
Kyodo News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
International culinary experts discover the flavors of Kagawa
The Shikoku Shimbun - 5 minutes ago - 14:16 | All, Japan A group of international food experts recently toured Higashikagawa and Miki to experience the rich food culture of Kagawa Prefecture. The chefs, who are active around the world, immersed themselves in local traditions through visits to a soy sauce brewery and participation in a traditional tea ceremony on June 4. The tour was organized in conjunction with the June 7-8 national conference for promoting food education in Tokushima. Thirteen chefs and food education professionals from Europe, Asia, and other regions joined the tour ahead of the conference. The group began the day at Kamebishi, a long-established soy sauce brewery in the Hikida area of Higashikagawa, then visited Masagoya, a "somen" noodle shop in Takamatsu's Higashiueda, where they tried making noodles by hand. Next up was a trip to Watanabe Tei, a traditional home with six tea rooms in the Shimotakaoka area of Miki. There, the group participated in a tea ceremony and enjoyed a performance of "gagaku," Japan's classical court music. During the tea ceremony, participants learned to make matcha using a bamboo whisk, under the guidance of Watanabe Tei owner Ayami Kobashi. Many remarked on the rich flavor of the tea, with one comparing it to a cappuccino. The musical performance, presented by the prefectural shrine association gagaku club, featured the elegant sounds of "sho" and "hichiriki" wind instruments reverberating through the historic tea room. Miki Mayor Yoshiharu Ito also attended the event and presented guests with a traditional tenugui hand towel. The towel featured designs by Yoshitaro Kamakura, a local artist and designated living national treasure for stencil dyeing. Chef Luciano Tona, a former culinary school director from Italy, shared his impressions of the tour: "The emphasis on simple cooking that highlights local ingredients is something Japan and Italy have in common." "Experiencing matcha in such a historic setting was truly memorable," he said. The Shikoku Shimbun More Shikoku Shimbun stories: Marugame Castle festival delights with lively performances Setouchi Triennale art festival opens in western Japan Kids at island in Kagawa learns to make sushi from former sushi chef
Kyodo News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Marugame Castle festival delights with lively performances
The Shikoku Shimbun - May 27, 2025 - 15:04 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism, Arts The 76th Marugame Castle Festival took place earlier this month, bringing vibrant energy to the historic city of Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture. Blessed with fine weather, many families attended the last day of the two-day festival on May 4 and enjoyed a wide variety of events, including traditional lion dancing, impersonations and a comedy performance by comedians from the Yoshimoto Kogyo Group. The lion dance was performed by 24 groups from inside and outside the city, beginning at 10 a.m. simultaneously on the moat-side stage and civic square. Performers dressed in striking lion costumes, ranging from black and white fur to vividly patterned fabrics, moved majestically to the sound of bells and the rhythm of drums. Children wearing traditional Japanese "happi" jackets and beating drums were also seen at the venue. "It was fun to get rowdy and raise our voices together," said Niko Mori, a member of a youth lion dance troupe from the nearby city of Mitoyo. "I want to keep my local tradition alive," the 11-year-old added with a smile. On a stage set up in Marugame Castle, impersonator Seiko Maneda passionately sang songs by famous Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda. She stepped off stage to shake hands with the crowd, prompting many to clap and sing along, while some teared up. Street performances and action hero shows took place at various locations, while a comedy show by five groups of Yoshimoto comedians, including Moody Katsuyama and the Biscuit Brothers, whose member Kin-san hails from Marugame, brought laughter to the venue as the festival came to a joyous close. The Shikoku Shimbun Related coverage: Setouchi Triennale art festival opens in western Japan Kids at island in Kagawa learns to make sushi from former sushi chef Dog lovers gather at canine-friendly shrine event in Kagawa
Kyodo News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Marugame Castle festival delights with lively performances
The Shikoku Shimbun - less than a minute ago - 15:04 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism, Arts The 76th Marugame Castle Festival took place earlier this month, bringing vibrant energy to the historic city of Marugame in Kagawa Prefecture. Blessed with fine weather, many families attended the last day of the two-day festival on May 4 and enjoyed a wide variety of events, including traditional lion dancing, impersonations and a comedy performance by comedians from the Yoshimoto Kogyo Group. The lion dance was performed by 24 groups from inside and outside the city, beginning at 10 a.m. simultaneously on the moat-side stage and civic square. Performers dressed in striking lion costumes, ranging from black and white fur to vividly patterned fabrics, moved majestically to the sound of bells and the rhythm of drums. Children wearing traditional Japanese "happi" jackets and beating drums were also seen at the venue. "It was fun to get rowdy and raise our voices together," said Niko Mori, a member of a youth lion dance troupe from the nearby city of Mitoyo. "I want to keep my local tradition alive," the 11-year-old added with a smile. On a stage set up in Marugame Castle, impersonator Seiko Maneda passionately sang songs by famous Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda. She stepped off stage to shake hands with the crowd, prompting many to clap and sing along, while some teared up. Street performances and action hero shows took place at various locations, while a comedy show by five groups of Yoshimoto comedians, including Moody Katsuyama and the Biscuit Brothers, whose member Kin-san hails from Marugame, brought laughter to the venue as the festival came to a joyous close. The Shikoku Shimbun Related coverage: Setouchi Triennale art festival opens in western Japan Kids at island in Kagawa learns to make sushi from former sushi chef Dog lovers gather at canine-friendly shrine event in Kagawa
Kyodo News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
Setouchi Triennale art festival opens in western Japan
The Shikoku Shimbun - 2 hours ago - 12:48 | All, Japan, Arts, Travel/Tourism The spring session of the Setouchi Triennale, a contemporary art festival held every three years on the islands and other areas of Kagawa and Okayama prefectures, opened on April 18. This year's event, with venues expanded to include some coastal areas in Kagawa, features about 190 artworks in the spring session, in which domestic and overseas artists delved into local history and culture. Blessed with a blue sky and fine weather, art fans gathered at the various venues on the opening day to enjoy the island-hopping journey in the Seto Inland Sea. During the opening ceremony at Anabuki Arena Kagawa in Takamatsu, attended by about 600 participants, Kagawa Gov. Toyohito Ikeda said, "The power of art goes beyond just a single event and is connected to the creation of a sustainable future. I hope you will immerse in the charms of Kagawa and the Seto Inland Sea, and enjoy the journey of encounters and excitement." This was followed by the festival's General Director Fram Kitagawa introducing participating artists by venue. Three trumpet players who hail from Kagawa then played a fanfare, and then a giant balloon performance was put on. At Takamatsu Port, visitors boarded vessels bound for Naoshima and Oshima islands as the festival's staff members and volunteers saw them off. At the various venues, festival participants, with the guidebook in hand, were seen poring over the artworks, each at their own pace. The 107-day art festival, held for a sixth time, takes place in three periods through the year -- the spring session lasting through May 25, the summer session to be held Aug. 1 to Aug. 31, and the fall session Oct. 3 to Nov. 9. It comprises of 17 venues in total, including the Seto Ohashi Bridge area in spring, the Shido-Tsuda and Hiketa areas in summer, and the Utazu area in autumn, in addition to the various Seto Inland Sea islands. A record total of 256 artworks will come from 218 artists and projects from 37 countries and regions. In particular, organizers have put extra effort into showcasing exhibits from Asia, as the event aims to become a major festival in Asian culture and art. Welcoming events and opening ceremonies were also held on Naoshima and in the Seicho district in Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture, the following day. The Shikoku Shimbun More Shikoku Shimbun stories: Kids at island in Kagawa learns to make sushi from former sushi chef Dog lovers gather at canine-friendly shrine event in Kagawa Chilled noodles shimmer in Shikoku winter sun as production peaks
