This is a special travel package which combines “Sanriku International Arts Festival 2023 SHIFT ” and cultural exchange in Iwate Prefecture. We have focused to provide an opportunity to watch the Sanriku International Arts Festival in addition to participating in dance activities, hands-on fishery experience, and direct interaction with the locals to enjoy the charm of Sanriku, Ofunato.

About Sanriku International Arts Festival

The core objective of the Sanriku International Arts Festival,held every year since 2014,is to promote the appeal of Folk Performing Arts —Geinoh–. These arts, which have been passed down for generations, have taken root among the people and are actively performed in the region. Many groups and individuals will participate in the year’s festival programs,which included exchange through Geinoh with various Asian countries and the hybridization of Geinoh with contemporary arts.

The committee woks toward a creative recovery from the earthquake disaster through arts, culture and exchanges among diverse cultures, ultimately connecting Sanriku’s Geinoh with the world in the framework of an international arts festival.

Day-1 (Sat. Oct. 7 )

Sendai-Ofunato

Meet us at Sendai Station

＝＝＝Moving to Ofunato via Chartered Bus

〇 Sanriku International Arts Festival performance (reserved seat)
〇　Participate in dance activity

🍽　Meal tickets or app points available for dining at participating local restaurants upon arrival

＝＝＝Moving to Sanrikucho via chartered taxi

⌂Arrive at a guest house-style inn in Sanriku Town

Day-2 (Sun. Oct. 8 )

Ofunato-Rikuzentakata-Ofunato

🍽 Japanese style Breakfast at accommodation

Dapart accomodation by chartered taxi to the nearest station

＝＝＝ Sanriku Rail way to Sakari station

〇 Explore the local town around Sakari Station

＝＝＝ BRT (Bus) to Ofunato station

○　Ofunato City Industrial Festival（enjoy local and shop booth)

〇 Sanriku International Arts Festival performance(reserved seat)

🍽　Lunch at Kyassen Ofunato shopping mall ( meal tickets or app points available)

＝＝＝ Moving to Rikuzentakata via Chartered Bus

○ SANRIKU FIREWORKS COMPETITION 2023 (reserved seat)

🍽 Dinner: At the venue’s food corner (individually)

＝＝＝Moving to Sanriku-cho via Chartered Taxi

⌂ Arrive at a guest house-style inn in Sanriku Town

Day-3 (Mon. Oct. 9 )

Ofunato

🍽 Japanese style Breakfast at accommodation

○ Koishihama Mariage Cruise~Enjoy exquisite scallops and underwater storage wine while enjoying the pleasant ocean breeze of Sanriku

○ Koishihama Station ~making a wish on the wooden plaque, please ring the “Bell of Happiness” on the platform.

＝＝＝ Sanriku Railway to Sanriku station

🍽 Lunch (using meal tickets or app points)

○ Okirai Walking Tour (by walk and chartered taxi)

🍽 Dinner: Seafood BBQ at ”New Okirai”

○ Stargazing tour (via Chartered taxi)

⌂ Arrive at a guest house-style inn in Sanriku Town

Day-4 (Tue. Oct. 10)

Ofunato-Sendai

🍽 Japanese style Breakfast at accommodation

＝＝＝Moving to Goishi coast via Chartered Bus

○ Goishi Coast and Sappa Boat Ride experience

○ Fish preparation activity at Fresh Fish shop and making “Kaisen-don”

🍽  Lunch “Your Original Kaisen-don” (prepare your own seafood bowl)

○ Visit Anatoshiiso Rock

＝＝＝Moving to Sendai station by Chartered Bus

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Meet the TOHOKU CULTURE

©みんなのしるし合同会社 / ©三陸国際芸術推進委員会　

The Tohoku Sanriku coastal area is known as a treasure trove of folk performing arts unparalleled anywhere in the world. It has hundreds of folk performing arts and festivals that continue to be passed down today. Such performances include Kagura dances handed down by Shugendo practitioners and others, as well as a diverse range of performances such as Toramai (Tiger Dance), Kenbai (Buddhist Chant Sword Dance), Shishiodori(Deer Dance), and Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods)

The annual Sanriku International Arts Festival began in 2014 after an encounter between artists who visited the Sanriku coastal area following the Great East Japan Earthquake and folk performing arts, to showcase the wonderful folk performing arts of Sanriku to the world. This year, the festival will feature 14 folk performing arts from the Sanriku coastal area and a dance group from Indonesia, offering a special opportunity to enjoy these unique performances.

Meet the People Who Live With the Sea

The venue, Ofunato in Sanriku, is not only rich in folk performing arts but is also a treasure trove of seafood, located at a ria coast where warm and cold currents intersect to create a bountiful fishing ground. The region is particularly known for its pacific sauries, scallops and oyster aquaculture. In addition to providing an opportunity to watch Sanriku’s Geinoh (folk performing arts), this special tour includes various activities related to the sea, such as a chance to enjoy seafood and watch fireworks light up the night sky. This local tour will allow you to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience.

Meet the Gifts from the Sea

Surrounded on both the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, Tohoku offers a variety of seafood dishes throughout the year. In addition to fresh, simply cooked fish, the wide range of local seafood cuisine and Sushi options are scrumptious! Ofunato is famous not only for its fresh saury, but also as a treasure trove of abundant seafood such as scallops, oysters, and sea squirts. Most meals consist of fresh local seafood specialties. Please enjoy fresh seafood and delicious dishes in Ofunato.

Meet us in Ofunato!

This is a one-of-a-kind tour that the local communities of Ofunato proudly recommends. You can fully enjoy the history, culture, and cuisine brought by the unique geography of the ria coast with all your senses.

Full of Experiences

□ Sanriku Geinoh Discovery Summit

Fourteen performing arts groups from Sanriku will gather in Ofunato!
This year, they will be welcoming Miroto Dance Company from Indonesia.

This long-awaited event that will be inviting overseas guests will be the first true “International Arts Festival” since COVID-19.

On October 7th (Sat), there will be performances by several groups near a bonfire, and on October 8th (Sun), you can enjoy performances in addition to local specialties sold at the nearby Ofunato Industrial Festival.
This 2-day event will provide an opportunity to enjoy vibrant performing arts and food at the same time.

Performers:  　14 Sanriku groups, 1 Indonesian group

Folk Performing Arts Event (Performances) October 7th (Sat.) – 8th (Sun.)

Oct. 7th (Sat.) Opens@2:45PM Starts:@3:30PM Ends:@8:30PM･･･7 Sanriku groups, 1 Indonesian group,45 min Intermission in between
Oct. 8th (Sun.) Opens@10:00AM Starts@10:45AM Ends@3:30PM･･･ 7 Sanriku groups, 1 Indonesian group, 45min Intermission in between

Location: Kyassen Ofunato (Suzakigawa Shinsui Hiroba) In case of rain – Ofunato Community Center

□Exclusive Seats for the SANRIKU FIREWORKS COMPETITION 2023

Fireworks viewing plan with transportation to the venue on a charterd bus departing from Kyassen Ofunato.

As the only firework competition along the East Japan Pacific Coast, this event will once again welcome renowned fireworks companies from all over Japan to illuminate Sanriku’s night sky with over 15,000 powerful fireworks, including artistic ones (up to 10 shaku in size). Moreover, they will present the latest Sanriku fireworks in Japan’s greatest music synchronized fireworks show.

Ofunato is renowned for its saury. Experience the city’s major event featuring seasonal saury dishes, local soul food tents, shops, and food trucks. Local producers and food vendors also participate, providing a unique opportunity for local interactions. The venue, Kyassen Ofunato Area, is a new area that was redeveloped within the city after the Great East Japan Earthquake. It’s a vibrant location with various commercial and public facilities, hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants. You can also purchase locally exclusive sweets and bread at Kamome Terrace, operated by Saito Seika, which is famous for its confectionery products Kamome no Tamago (Seagull’s Egg).

□Koishihama Mariage Cruise

Embark on a cruise around Ryori Bay aboard the fishing boat of actual scallop fishermen, in which you will have the opportunity to visit a scallop aquaculture site and hear stories from the fishermen about how scallops are harvested. The cruise will also provide insights into how the ria coast was formed, along with sightings of capes, osprey nests, and more. After touring the cultivation site (which may vary depending on the season), you’ll enjoy a tasting of fresh scallop sashimi and grilled scallops on board. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to sample French wine that has been aged underwater using cultivation platforms. (In case of unfavorable sea conditions, a similar program will be conducted on land.)

□Okirai Walking Tour

Okirai, the gateway to Sanriku Town, is a small town facing the sea. It boasts numerous natural attractions, including Mt. Natsumushi, which offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, a tough poplar tree that survived the tsunami aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as the ancient Daiosugi tree said to be around 4,000 years old. Additionally, the town has community-centered attraction stemming from interactions with volunteers who visited following the tsunami and earthquake disasters. These include the Shiome community-operated private tsunami heritage center and the New Okirai community facility managed by local residents at Sanriku Station. Accompanied by local guides, you will explore Okirai’s highlights, including a visit to a strawberry greenhouse and other noteworthy spots in the area.

□Goishi Coast and Sappa Boat Cruise

This is a cruise that allows you to fully enjoy the breathtaking views of the Goishi Coast, a highlight of the Sanriku Geopark that Ofunato takes pride in, from the sea. Approximately a 40-minute cruise, you will ride on a small fishing boat called a Sappa Boat through the beautiful sea of Sanriku and Ofunato. The Sappa Boat is a small coastal boat commonly used by fishermen in the Sanriku region for activities such as harvesting seaweed, sea urchins, and abalones. Thanks to its compact size, it’s easily handled compared to the larger fishing vessels, allowing tourists to get a closer look at the rocky areas and cliffs. There’s a local legend that passing through the famous Anatoshiiso rock brings good fortune as well.

Enjoy a thrilling ride and the scenic beauty of the Sanriku coastline to the fullest. (In case of unfavorable weather conditions, an alternative program will be prepared.

□Fish Preparation Activity taught by a fish merchant

Located near the Kadonohama Beach fishing port, close to the Goishi Coast, is Fresh Fish Shitabo. The owner’s shop and home were damaged in the East Japan Earthquake, but after living in temporary housing, he relocated to higher ground where he currently operates a new establishment. The owner, an expert at selecting fish, and his wife will teach you how to clean and prepare fresh local fish pulled from the market. You will be able to enjoy the fish you prepare on the spot in an original seafood bowl.

□Fresh Seafood BBQ

You will enjoy a barbecue feast of fresh seafood caught by local fishermen at New Okirai, a community facility recently opened in May. Originally used as a station building, the venue has been developed into a spot for Michinoku Coast hikers and local residents to stop by and relax.

■Notes__Tour Participation Requirements

Please note that the order and content of the tour may change depending on the weather and transportation conditions. 　

Please participate upon reviewing the following information.

・During the tour, you will be accompanied by a Japanese-speaking guide (English assistance available), but the guide will not be present during transportation, meals, accommodation, free time, etc. If you are concerned about your ability to understand or follow the instructions given by the Japanese-speaking guide, you may want to bring an interpreter.

・Some locations on the tour are not accessible for individuals with disabilities. Many places also cannot accommodate the use of assistance animals (such as guide dogs) or medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs). Regardless of disability status, if you have trouble walking independently or are concerned about your ability to understand or follow the guide’s instructions on your own, you may want to bring an assisting companion.

・If bringing an interpreter, we request that you have one interpreter per five participants. If bringing an assisting companion, we request that the number of companions matches the number of participants needing assistance.

・Our organizers will not arrange for interpreters or companions.

・Please arrange your own tickets and transportation to the departure point at Sendai Station East Exit Tour Bus Stop. If you are late for the meeting time, please make your own way to the venue in Ofunato.

・Most meals consist of fresh local seafood specialties. Depending on the activity, it might not be possible to accommodate substitutions for meat, vegetarian, or vegan preferences. For more details, please feel free to inquire.

・The organizer reserves the right to refuse participation in any other cases in which participation is deemed difficult. (Intoxication, fever or illness, disruptive behavior, non-compliance with instructions, etc.)

■Handling of Bad Weather

・Some activities included in this tour may not be possible in unfavorable weather conditions. With your safety as a top priority, we have established certain criteria for implementation. Depending on weather and environmental conditions, activities may be moved indoors or replaced with alternative activities.

・Regarding the Sanriku International Arts Festival programs, in the event of rainy weather, an alternate venue will be arranged, and the organizers will provide free transportation.

・In the case of same-day disaster information, lightning alerts, or weather warnings being issued, there is a possibility of cancellation regardless of weather conditions.

■How to Apply:

Please apply from this page. By phone or fax are also available . (English support available)

SANRIKU TOURS＋＋https://sanrikutours.com

Held by: Iwate Kaihatsu Sangyo Co., Ltd. Sanriku Tours

8-19 Machi, Sakari-cho, Ofunato, Iwate Phone: +81(0)192-27-1114　FAX: +81(0)192-27-2231

■Sanriku International Arts Festival 2023
-JAPAN CULTURAL EXPO 2.0

Organized by｜Sanriku International Arts Committee, Japan Arts Council, and Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan

Co-organized by｜Hachinohe City, Hashikami Town, Hirono Town, Kuji City, Noda Village, Fudai Village, Tanohata Village, Iwaizumi Town, Miyako City, Yamada Town, Otsuchi Town, Kamaishi City, Ofunato City, Rikuzentakata City, Sumita Town, Sanriku Railway Co., Ltd., Japan Folk Performing Arts Association, NPO Iwate Arts Support Center, and NPO Japan Contemporary Dance Network

Cooperated by｜NPO Michinoku Trail Club, imajimu LLC, Tohoku Cultural Property Video Research Institute, Minna no Shirushi LLC

■See more details https://sanfes.com/en/event/sanfes__ofunto_full_tour

Details

Tour title	”FULL EXPERIENCE of SANRIKU-OFUNATO with SANRIKU INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL”
Destination	Ofunato, Iwate
Date	October 7, 2023 (Sat.) to October 10, 2023 (Tue.)
Pricing	170,000 yen (Including tax)
Meeting Place/Time	Sendai Station East Exit Tourist and Shuttle Bus Stop/ Oct.7 11:30 (Tokyo 9:36 = Connect in Sendai at 11:06)
Included in the Price	□Accommodation (single occupancy room with breakfast for 3 nights), lunch (day 4), dinner (day 3) □meal tickets or app points available for dining or shopping at participating local restaurants and shops upon arrival ¥10,000 □round-trip bus between Sendai Station and Ofunato City (charter) □transportation between venues and accommodations (by taxi) □activity fees □insurance fee □escort fees □English speaking guide(daytime) □travel agency handling fee
Facilities/Transportation Used	Bus (Goishi Kanko), Local Taxi Companies (Sanko Taxi, etc.), Iza Ofunato, Sanriku International Arts Festival Venues, Goishi Coast, Goishi Coast Sappa Boat, Fresh Fish Shitabo, New Okirai, Kyassen Ofunato
Min. No. of Registrants	2
Min. No. of Participants	10
Max. No. of Applicants	20
Closing Date	7 days prior
Required Info for Reservation	(1) Name (2) Gender (3) Date of Birth (4) Contact Phone Number (that you can use in Japan) (5) Address (6) E-mail Address (7) Copy of your Passport
Cancellation Fee	If you cancel your trip due to personal circumstances, cancellation fees based on accommodation regulations will be applied. Counting from the day before the start of the trip the following will be charged: 21 days before departure (free), 20 days before (20% of the travel cost), 7 days before (30% of the travel cost), the day before (40% of the travel cost), the day of departure (50% of the travel cost), after the trip has started (100% of the travel cost) *after 4:00 PM on the day of departure.
Planning and Hosting Company	Iwate Kaihatsu Sangyo Co., Ltd. Sanriku Tours TEL: 0192-27-1114　FAX : 0192-27-2231
Meals	Meals except for those marked with a ○ symbol are free choice. ◉ indicates you can use app points or coupon vouchers valid at Kyassen or participating local establishments. Day 1: Lunch × Dinner◉ Day 2: Breakfast○ Lunch◉ Dinner× Day 3: Breakfast○ Lunch◉ Dinner○ Day 4: Breakfast○ Lunch○
Accommodation:	You will stay at a guest house-style inn in Sanriku Town. (Single occupancy room; twin rooms available upon request) Facilities: Futon bedding (Tatami-type/bed-type also available), Bath, Toilet (Western-style) *Shared facility Washroom (Shared), Dining area, Beverage vending machines Amenities: Towels (bath, hand), Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash, Hairdryer, Refrigerator Please Bring: Personal amenities (toothbrush, razor, facial soap, etc.)
Inquiries	Iwate Kaihatsu Sangyo Co., Ltd. Sanriku Tours; Contact Persons: Nakamura Phone: +81(0)192-27-1114　FAX: +81(0)192-27-2231
Contact Point for Reservations	Contact Point for Reservations Sanriku International Art Committee Office　 mail: info※sanfes.com　(please change ※→@ when you send an e-mail)