Three days to feel the future “Otosori River Festa 2018” vol.2

vol.2 Gathering at "Night" and Tasting at "Bridge

Otosore River Festa 2018, an event where various restaurants and workshops gathered for three days from September 15 (Sat.) to 17 (Mon.), was held in Nagato Yumoto Onsen, where tourism town development is underway. The three-part event report will look back on the topics of "River," "Road," and "Night," the themes of the social experiment.

The Grand Prix was awarded to the winning entry in a photo contest held in conjunction with the event, which captured a "nighttime" scene of strolling around. Here is a report on the three days of the event, during which visitors experienced the future of hot spring resorts that can be enjoyed at night as well.

Event Report for Otosori River Festa 2018

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

Lights come on in the hot spring resort

After 5:00 p.m., the hot spring resort gradually changes to a nighttime atmosphere.

The "Yumoto lanterns" hanging from the eaves of stores and private homes also provide a faint glow.

Stalls lining the road are illuminated by light bulbs, inviting passersby.

The "Chiyobashi" bridge leading to Onyu (the former site) and Reiyu was also lit, and the special counter where food and drink can also be enjoyed was decorated with candles. The Onyu is currently being planned to open in November 2019.

Nagato Yumoto Onsen Onyu Website

Looking down from here, you will see "kawadoko" (riverbeds) that seem to float on the Onshin River.

The sparkling hot spring resort town was so different from the daytime that I felt like I had stepped into a fantastic space.

On the bridge is a restaurant.

At the Seseragi Bridge, which connects to the Otoshin River River Park, three restaurants opened daily.

The first day was Cuisine on the Bridge, a collaboration between "La Tierra" and "tumugu".

A succession of visually pleasing and colorful dishes are created one after another.

On the second day, vegetarian food on the bridge.

The vegetarian dishes arranged by "Lotus" were all delicate and flavorful.

On the third day, Emimori, a kushikatsu healing sake shop, prepared a special course.

Despite the unfamiliar environment, the young and energetic staff worked together to cook and serve the food. The skewers served on the bridge must have tasted exceptional.

Specialties served at the Kirakira Bridge

Kirakira Bridge, a wooden bridge that blends in with nature deep in the hot spring resort area.

Here was a restaurant with a long line of customers.

Each piece was carefully grilled to perfection, a specialty of Nagato City, where poultry farming is thriving.

The vendor is Tomarigi, which has a store on the street in front of Nagato Station.

The smoke that envelops the bridge does not disappear even after dark.

Chikuzen, a well-known name at events in the city, continues to bake without stopping.

Sake is the best accompaniment to yakitori.

Matsumura Sake-ten" in Yumoto will be open on the first and second days, and "Kaneda Sake-ten", also in Yumoto, on the third day, supporting a blissful moment that will make you smile.

Wine to be enjoyed with a murmuring stream

A bar like a hideaway has sprung up under Akebono Bridge.

The wine was served with a menu of grilled vegetables, fresh fruit and charcuterie.

You will savor each bite while being soothed by the murmur of the Onshin River flowing by and the cool breeze blowing through the air.

On the second night, "cafe&pottery sound" also became a wine bar for one night only.

A glass of wine is raised with a smile, "Cheers. It's the start of a fun evening.

The "oriza," which juts out into the river, was also filled with the sound of happy laughter.

Walking through the night in a hot spring resort

Yumoto lanterns hanging from the eaves of the roofs accompany visitors as they stroll through the town.

Japanese candles made from the natural material "haze" emit a pale light inside the lanterns.

This "Chochin Stroll" was organized by "Photon," who held workshops on soap and candle making using haze for three days at the venue. With heartwarming and gentle light in their hands, parents and children can be seen enjoying a nighttime stroll.

The grand prize winner of the photo contest was also a scene from this "Chochin Stroll.

This was one photo spotlighting a family crossing the sunken bridge with Yumoto lanterns in their hands.

And now, a new "Autumn Leaves Staircase" has been created on the downstream side of Akebonobashi Bridge.

The trees illuminated by the light are an impressive sight as they float above the hot spring resort at night.

At the time of the Otosori River Festa, the leaves were still green.

In November, the best time to see and enjoy the reddish autumn leaves.

It is the staircase that makes you want to walk around at night and take pictures, and you can feel the autumn in the air.

Riverside Screening

Visitors gather at the Wild Geese Plaza on the evening of the second day.

The day was capped off with a screening on a large screen that appeared by the river.

The two films screened that day were "Daruma-chan to Tengu-chan (Ekura Animal)," a heartwarming animation with cute characters, and "Hagi ware artist Masahiro Sakakura | The Door to Tomorrow (At Home)," which shows the tradition and charm of the Fukagawa kiln of Hagi ware.

The children sitting in the Wild Goose Plaza are enthralled in front of the amusing story.

A night spent with parents and children at Nagato Yumoto Onsen.

It was quiet and peaceful, something I could not have imagined during the day when I was happily playing around the stepping stones.

Three days of experiencing the exciting future of the "river," the "road," and the "night," and a sense of anticipation grew.

During the period, an event was also held for everyone to think about the future of Nagato Yumoto in order to realize a more attractive hot spring resort.

We will introduce the final part of this series in Vol. 3, "Talking about the Future".

Related Links

• Otosore River Fest Event Report vol.1 Resting by the "river" and meeting by the "road
• Otosore River Fest Event Report vol.3 "The Future
• Nagato Yumoto Mirai Project