Three days to feel the future “Otosori River Festa 2018” vol.1

vol.1Rest at the "river" and meet at the "road

From September 15 (Sat.) to 17 (Mon.), Otosore River Festa 2018, an event that brought together various restaurants and workshops, was held in Nagato Yumoto Onsen, where tourism town development is underway.

Since September of this year, three "social experiments" have been conducted in the hot spring resort area. The following three initiatives have been implemented: (1) "Enjoying the river" by using kawadoko (riverbeds) and oriza, (2) "Enjoying the road" by using part of the road for booths and rest areas, and (3) "Enjoying the night" by using Yumoto lanterns and lighting up the road, creating a stage for visitors to experience the future of Nagato Yumoto.

In this three-part event report, we look back on three days filled with excitement, focusing on the topics of "river," "road," and "night," which are the themes of the social experiment.

Event Report for Otosori River Festa 2018

vol.1 Resting by the "River" and Meeting on the "Road" [this article]
vol.2 Gathering at "Night" and Tasting at "Bridge"
vol.3 Talking about the "Future

Geese square and stepping stones for parents and children

The second year of the "Otosori River Festa" began with a light rain.

The stores that were supposed to be lined up at the "Wild Geese Plaza" along the river were moved to a space along the road nearby. Even so, a line formed in front of the booth of "petit lab bakery" as soon as the event started at 11:00.

As noon approaches, the weather improves and blue skies become visible.

Enjoy lunch while listening to the murmuring of the river.

From the second day, booths will be lined up in the Wild Geese Plaza, and the stairs will also become a place for relaxation.

The children, their bellies full, are engrossed in the stepping stones in front of them.

At dusk, the sounds of the "lute," an ancient musical instrument played by Chikako Inoue, decorated the "Wild Goose Square," and the stairs became an audience area.

Footbath and relax by the river

Footbaths along the promenade also provide a relaxing space for families.

Relax after a long day of walking with a drink or snack in hand, or enjoy "swan scooping".

The children start playing in the river as they are.

I saw a fish! and some children went into the river with a net.

Even though it is September, the temperature is high, and during the sunlit hours, it is recommended to savor a cool drink or shaved ice by the river. Just walking down from the road to the boardwalk will bring a cool breeze.

The more breezy hammock top was such a comfortable place that I almost fell asleep.

Tea time on the riverbed

The "Kawadoko," a new feature installed last year, allows visitors to feel the murmuring of the river up close.

The "Chahinazuki" held a tea party to taste Chinese and Taiwanese teas on this riverbed.

Relieved by the aroma of freshly roasted coffee, we savor each cup. It is a luxurious healing time.

Let's create a walkable hot spring resort

The road on the left bank of the Onshin River lined with inns and stores, where people and cars come and go.

In this social experiment, a portion of the street was reserved for pedestrians while maintaining a width wide enough for vehicular traffic.

Parsley, basil, watercress, and other delicious-looking planters line the space.

The space along the road thus created was lined with a variety of booths.

Sit on a bench and take a break. Having a place to stop and rest makes the hot spring resort more pleasant to walk around.

Local stores also get a new look

Three stores in the hot spring resort area also devised their exteriors to match the event.

Arakawa Foods" selling fresh vegetables and fruits, "R Shop Kawamoto" offering draft beer and seafood to go with the drinks, and "Toraya Shoten" cutting and serving fruits on the spot set up special booths in a relaxed atmosphere in front of their stores.

All the booths were decorated with blackboard-style signs with soft handwritten designs. With a little ingenuity, a familiar product can be transformed into a stylish item.

A fresh experience for parents and children together

Various workshops will be held within each booth utilizing the road space.

Visitors can try their hand at making food samples of sweets, paper glasses, and Japanese candles made from wax extracted from the fruit of the "Haze" tree, which used to be a major producer in the Misumi district of Nagato City.

Mr. Nakano, a member of the Nagato City Regional Development Cooperation Team (in charge of the Tawarayama area), who is working hard to promote gibier, answered children's questions and conducted tastings of dishes using venison. One after another, curious children raised their hands.

Shingo Ozaki, an illustrator who lives in the city, sits in the portrait corner. His drawings, done while smiling and conversing with visitors from time to time, will surely become a memory for a lifetime.

At the silk printing workshop by Oil Mount Printers, participants tried their hand at making tenugui hand towels and tote bags with three-color ink reproductions of hot spring resort areas. The participants carefully applied the ink to the bags with nervous anticipation of what the finished product would look like.

Children met with many booths and workshops.

Where do we go next? What's next?"

As if in response to such expectations, the "Otosori River Festa" continues into the evening.

The rest of this article will be introduced in vol.2 "Gathering at Night" and "Tasting at the Bridge".

Related Links

• Otosore River Festival Event Report vol.2 Gathering at "Night" and Tasting at "Bridge
• Otosore River Fest Event Report vol.3 "The Future
• Nagato Yumoto Mirai Project