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- 11 days in Nagato, the camp site] “Thank you” to the Canadian national team (Part 1)
11 days in Nagato, the camp site] “Thank you” to the Canadian national team (Part 1)
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Last updated:
Oct 18, 2019
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About the writer:
Nagato Tourism Convention Association
Thank you for visiting!
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, the Canadian national team spent 11 days from Thursday, September 12 to Sunday, September 22 in Nagato City, which served as their pre- and official camp site.
After their final match in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, was cancelled due to Typhoon No. 19 and the team was eliminated from the qualifying round, the team remained in Kamaishi City, which still bears the scars of the typhoon, to participate in volunteer activities to remove sediment and mud. Their compassionate actions made headlines and garnered great praise.
The Canadian team practiced hard in Nagato City, the first camp site after their arrival in Japan, and on Sunday the 15th and Friday the 20th, which were rest days, they enjoyed seven hands-on tours in the city. Many people said they became fans of the team because of their friendly attitude and enjoyment of interacting with local residents through their experiences, making it an unforgettable 11 days for the citizens.
Photo exhibition at the entrance lobby of Nagato City Hall from October 15 (Tue.)
In this report, part one and part two, we look back with gratitude on the days spent with the Canadian national team from the perspective of the "Nanavi" staff who were involved in the planning and filming of the experience tour.
Qinghai Island Cruise and Sports Day Surprise
On Sunday, September 15, the first rest day, the Canadian team visited the Senzaki district of Nagato City.
First, a surprise appearance was made at the local Senzaki Elementary School Sports Day, which was being held that day. About 20 players and staff members got off the bus and lined up one after another on the ground, exchanging high-fives.
After a welcome speech in English by a representative of the children was met with applause, the players were asked to compete against the children in a tug-of-war.
In the middle of the game, the players move and pull the rope with the children.
The children and their parents cheered loudly, making the event the most exciting of the day.
The Canadian national team, which stayed for only about 20 minutes, captured the children's hearts and minds.
At the end of the day, everyone took a commemorative photo and left the school.
Next, we strolled around the direct sales area of Senza Kitchen, a roadside station.
In front of a special area with Canadian wines and craft beers, players stopped one after another to take photos and pick up products.
We had set up this corner with the hope of bringing people closer to Canada, even if just a little. The staff and customers seemed surprised at the sudden visit.
Finally, take a cruise on a sightseeing boat from Qinghai Island Tourist Steamship.
Board the Pink Citrus, a lovely sightseeing boat shaped like a whale.
The day was blue-skied but somewhat windy.
When the staff tried to ask the players if they were okay with the ups and downs of the boat due to the waves, the players shouted "exciting. It seems that the slight rocking of the boat was one of the attractions of the tour.
Qinghai Island is a place where you can see strange rocks of various colors and shapes and caves.
As the photo spot approached, the deck was packed as nearly 20 players came outside. Everyone enjoyed the cruise with a smile on their faces, and the tour ended with a photo with the "Pink Citrus" after returning to port.
Diving experience on Qinghai Island
The day was divided into four groups.
The group headed directly to Qinghai Island by bus, where they donned their equipment and tried their hand at diving.
Everyone enjoys their time in the ocean while learning from the instructor.
The smiles on their faces were so bright that even the staff members could not help but smile through the camera.
Experience the "food" of Nagato
Yakitori is a well-known specialty of Nagato City.
Since there is an agricultural cooperative specializing in poultry farming in the city, the style of tasting fresh chicken with salt has taken root, and the city is now counted as one of the "seven major yakitori towns" in Japan. On this day, visitors enjoyed a "craftsman experience" at a yakitori restaurant in the city.
The first step is to skewer the chicken.
Large hands dexterously cut the chicken and carefully thread it onto skewers.
Next, the participants tried their hand at "grilling" in front of the actual grill used in the store, while learning from the artisans.
Their eyes are serious as they assess how well the skewers are cooked.
Everyone then tastes the freshly grilled skewers.
The yakitori at Nagato was so well received that some people said, "We'll have yakitori again on the next rest day.
Some groups also took on the challenge of "rice harvesting" as a unique autumn experience.
Everyone was curious to try mowing by hand and operating the machine while being taught how to operate it.
At the end of the day, we received onigiri (rice balls) and took a commemorative photo with the locals.
Looking back at the photos of the four groups of hands-on exchanges that took place that day, the smiles on the faces of both the Canadian national team and the people in the city were very distinctive. Although each experience was not a long one, I believe that we were able to share a memorable time that will surely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Now, the second part of the report will report on Friday, September 20, when the second hands-on tour took place.
The day was full of activities, including a visit to Tawarayama Onsen (hot springs), where the participants in yukata were the talk of the town, a seine netting trip, and a zazen experience.
