Volume 14, Number 4 |
By Danno Bookem
For twelve years I have watched the famous and not so famous eat on Japanese TV. I have watched them eat everything from abalone to whale and repeat it with the tedious regularity of the seasons. Watching other people eat has never satisfied me and I do not expect that it ever will. It just makes me hungry. In twelve years I have eaten in just about every kind of Japanese and ethnic restaurant the Tsuchiura/Tsukuba area has had to offer (I will not go to Tokyo risking death to dine). Nine times out of ten, I have been filled but not thrilled. I have narrowed down the myriad Izagaya/Aka Chochin to three that I REALLY like regardless of atmosphere or long legs and low tables.
I have narrowed down the myriad ramen shops to three that I REALLY like despite what they may do to my breath or my cholesterol count. I have narrowed down the ethnic restaurants to one, the one that reminds me of California. I object to the perceived need to alter a national cuisine to suit the Japanese taste. I will not eat in many restaurants, because I hate to have everyone eating virtually the same thing at different times.
Ali's Kebab is a different dining experience in Tsukuba. Many of you are familiar with Ali's Yellow Trucks and his Donner Kabab in pita bread. Ali has three trucks on the road and each serves the best sandwich meal west of San Francisco. All along, however, Ali has been planning to open and serve off the road. He has wanted to use his huge kitchen preparing for a more leisurely dining experience since the beginning. He has only recently completed his plans. Having the space, the place and the time, Ali has just recently opened his restaurant, Ali's Kebab on Science Odori.
The cuisine is and will be Iranian and as authentic as Ali himself. Iranians will want to eat there to remind them of home cooking. His spices, seasonings, even his specialized kitchen equipment are imported from Iran. He spent nearly two months at the end of last summer tracking down what he wanted and needed.
I won't detail the menu because Ali suggests it is a work in progress. When I visited, the menu offered as many as six pages of Iranian specialties. Each was described in Japanese and English and each had a photo as well. One can order ala carte or complete dinners. Many items can be ordered in a choice of beef, chicken or lamb. Ali is no small guy and the portions in his restaurant may reflect his own appetite, they are generous. In two visits, I have had shish-kebab, ground lamb charcoal roasted and beef Donner kebab, slow roasted sliced beef with vegetables. Both were excellent. The complete dinner was served with a delightful vegetable soup, light as a feather pita bread, salad with a choice of one of Ali's three dressings, long grain white rice and long grain saffron rice. Garnish was a unique pickle that I will have to ask Ali about the next time. This time I was taken with the beef kebab and the long grain rice, also authentically Iranian.
Ali put a lot of time and effort into making his restaurant comfortable. It is small without being close. The Middle Eastern music in the background added to the ambiance as does the art on the walls. Prices are reasonable, ranging from about 800 yen to about 1800 yen. There is a full bar so whether you are on the Japanese date course or the visiting gaikokujin family course, you will find Ali's appropriate. Ali tells me he is prepared for large, even very large parties as well. I will be suggesting that my office has the next enkai there.
Finding Ali's is easy, the second time. Ali's is located on Science Odori in the Tokodai neighborhood of Tsukuba. If you are going west on the Tsuchiura-Gakkuen sen you will want to turn right at the second set of huge steel columns on the side of the road. Go past the entrance to Banpaku Park, but if you pass Shuei High School you have gone too far. After you have made the correct turn on Science Odori you pass the big Tokodai Sports Park, Intel Japan, etc. Slow down a bit and start looking to the right. Ali's has a sign painted on the front and side of his yellow building. Look for the name of the restaurant, caricatures of Ali, a cow, a lamb and a chicken. You can not enter his parking lot from Science Odori, but have to turn onto the street running parallel to it.
Ali's Kebab is open from 6 PM until midnight nightly, except Monday. Bon appetite!
As part of its activities, the Tsukuba Information Center sponsors a bilingual discussion group the fourth Wednesday of every month from 2 to 4 pm, with invited guests giving a presentation from their area of expertise or experience.
This month, we are pleased to have Ms. Laura S. Flathau, who will be giving a program entitled Awkward English. Here is what she writes: In my experience, the following are some examples of awkward English. I have been asked, Can you eat sushi? This sentence is grammatically correct, but the meaning is different in English. Of course I CAN eat sushi, but the real question should be Do you like sushi? Another example of awkward English is the lack of using tag questions. On a beautiful morning, someone might turn to me and say, Is it a nice day? I would agree with her: yes, it is a nice day. Her question is grammatically correct, but it does not sound natural. Instead, she should ask me, It is a nice day, isn't it? These awkward sentences are compounded by a lack of intonation, gestures, and appropriate responses. However, these can be remedied by studying English movies and having conversation with foreigners. A variety of functional lessons with natural dialogues and role-plays would be beneficial to overcome these problems.
The Coffee Hour is meant to be an informal exchange of information and opinions. English and Japanese are both used with efforts made to make sure those who can not understand one or the other are able to at least get the gist of the conversation. Likewise, you don't need to commit yourself to the entire two hours and can come and go freely. So drop by, whether for a short time or for the entire two hours, and enjoy some free refreshments along with a stimulating discussion. Please let us here your opinions as well.
How would like to have an opportunity to have your picture taken wearing a Japanese traditional kimono? Your chance is coming up in May. All you have to do is call ahead of time and reserve your place. This is a great opportunity for the international community as a similar picture taken at a regular studio would involve costs of 30 to 40 thousand yen.
For this event, however, you will be provided with a furisode, the best formal kimono of the type used in the January coming of age ceremony. Putting on a kimono is no easy task and even Japanese need professional assistance. But never fear, for a professional kimono instructor will be on hand to help you put on the kimono. Please bring with your camera and anyone who you want to show off to in your beautiful kimono. It will be fun!
DATE: MAY 20th(Sat) 2000.
TIME: 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Place: Ninomiya Public Hall
Fee: 300 yen
Please bring your own camera and wear white socks and a T-shirt or some other top with a low neckline.
Kimono Instructor: H. Yotsuya
Supported by Tsukuba Professional Language Japanese Teachers Association
Please contact Suzuki by FAX/TEL 0298-53-8201 or email garden@intio.or.jp.
In May, one of the world's renowned yoga masters and teachers, Sushil Bhattacharya, will come to Tsukuba to offer yoga workshops. Yoga is an ancient system of physical and mental exercises aimed at bringing union to the body, mind and spirit. It has nothing to do with any religion or cult. If you have any interest in increasing your strength and flexibility, in balancing the spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of yourself, or in finding simple exercises that can make you happier and healthier, then you might enjoy meeting Sushil. We also hope that his program contributes to building and developing our healthy international community. Sushil has been teaching in Japan for many years, and he gave yoga workshops in Tsukuba in October 1999 for the first time. This short visit was very successful among Japanese and foreign participants. They invited Sushil to come back in May for a longer program. This two week program in May offers a variety of classes for participants at all yoga levels, including beginners. For further information, check out his web site at http://www.saptayoga.com. To register (space is limited), contact Svetlana or Paul at 56-0260 (tel/fax) or email at lambrozo@yahoo.com.
Schedule: Two intensive weekends, 4/29-30 and 5/13-14; Five-day intensive retreat near Mt. Tsukuba 5/3-7; Two week intensive teachers training 4/29-5/14; Workshops during weekdays 5/8-12. (Note: schedule changes might occur)
By Tim Boyle
A new theme park is opening in neighboring Ina-machi, just south of Tsukuba. The idea is that you will be time-warped from the present back into the Edo period and experience life as it was then through a variety of multimedia presentations. The entrance fee is a bit steep, being 1400 yen for adults and 700 yen for junior high and under. Likewise, this is just to get into the park. On top of that, you have to fork over an additional 300 yen for each of the 5 special exhibition halls (or get a set for all 5 at 1000 yen (800 yen)). They do, however, have several other exhibitions that are covered by the entrance fee. When asked if any of the exhibitions had English capability, I was told that only one had that capability at present.
It remains to be seen how foreigner-friendly this new park is going to be, but my impression from the publicity I've received does not sound very hopeful. If any of our readers who are brave enough to go check it out would be willing to share their impressions, we would be most appreciative. This, by the way, goes for all other facilities as well. Let us know what you liked and did not like about places others should know about.
To get to the park from Tsukuba, proceed past the Yatabe Interchange until the road dead-ends in Ina Machi. Turn left and go for about 500 meters past the Ina Post Office and turn right. It's about 1 km down that road on the left.
One interesting tidbit of information is that the popular NHK drama Taiga Dorama is being filmed at the park now. Whether that will continue after the park opens is not indicated in the flyers.
Throughout the year, Tsukuba University offers a variety of courses that are open to the public. These Kokai Koza are divided into three categories: general education courses in such things as gardening, literature, psychology and computers; sports courses in golf, archery, volleyball, etc.; and art courses in such things as painting and pottery. Those involving lectures would require a fairly high level of Japanese to really get your moneys worth, but as many of the courses are hands on type courses in sports and the arts, even rudimentary Japanese skills will get you by, and foreign residents of Tsukuba are welcomed.
The general process for joining a class is to first make an application by the deadline, which is approximately one month before the class is to begin. You can apply either by mail or in person at the office on the 7th floor of the main administration building. The address is Tsukuba University Gakumu Dainika Kyoiku Kokai Kakari, Honbuto 7F, 1-1-1Tenodai, Tsukuba 305-8577, tel. 53-2216. You will need to provide the name of the course, your name, sex and age, your address and tel. no., your occupation or school and contact number. You also need to provide them with a self-addressed, stamped (90 yen) envelope. If there are more applicants than space, then they choose by drawing. They will inform you either way by mail.
Several of the courses have already started or are beyond the application deadline, but many opportunities remain. Those coming up soon or later in the year include: beginning golf, 5/26, 29, 31, 6/5, 7, 8, 9, 8 to 11 am (except 6/8, which is 1 to 4 pm). Cost is 8500 yen. There is a similar course from Aug. 9 to 18. An intermediate golf comes up in October, from the 16 to 24, and an advanced course October 30 to November 10. Other sports include kendo from Oct. 14 to Dec. 2 and Kyudo (archery) from Oct. 7 to 29. There will also be a triathlon training course from Aug. 1 to 4, a scuba diving course on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weekends of September, a mini handball course for elementary school-age children from Nov. 18 to Dec. 17, and a volleyball course for women from Jan. 6 to Feb. 24. In the arts, there will be an oil painting course (beginning and intermediate) on Thursdays from 5 to 8 pm from Oct. 12 to Jan 21, as well as pottery classes the dates of which have not been determined. The costs vary from course to course, but are generally around 7000 - 10000 yen total. For more information, call 53-2216.
An English language interdenominational worship service is held once a month normally on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2 pm at the Tsukuba Gakuen Church near Daiei. Easter is very late this year, falling on the 4th Sunday, and so the April service is on Easter, April 23rd. It is followed by an informal fellowship time at the Tsukuba Christian Center next door. The Japanese language congregation meets every Sunday morning at 10:30 am, and the service is translated into English over headphones. There is also a Bible Study in English every Tuesday evening at 8:00 pm in the Christian Center. For more information or help with transportation, call Tim Boyle at 55-1907.
The Tsukuba Catholic Church has an English mass at 8:00 am every Sunday and the Japanese masses on Saturday night (6 pm) and Sunday morning (10 am) are accompanied by an summary of the message in English. There is even a Spanish mass on the 3rd Sundays at 3 pm. On the last Sunday of the month, there is a coffee social after the English mass. The Easter masses are at the regular times. For information, call the church at 36-1723.
The Tsuchiura Catholic Church offers an English mass on the last Sunday of each month at 3 pm (tel. 21-1501). There is also a Portuguese mass on the 3rd Saturday at 7 pm.
The Tsukuba Baptist Church offers an English language Bible study before the Japanese service every Sunday from 10 to 11 am. It is located in Inarimae just east of Nishi Odori on the street closest to the meteorological observation tower. Tel. 58-0655.
The Megumi Church in Tsuchiura (489-1 Kami Takatsu) also offers English translation of their 10:30 am Japanese service over ear phones. An English Bible class is held every Sunday morning at 9:00 am. There is also an International Fellowship group that holds a monthly pot luck dinner usually on the third Saturday. For information on that, call Melissa Ishio at 38-1374. For more information, call the church at 22-2244 or e-mail LDN03144@niftyserve.or.jp (Also see their Tsuchiura Megumi Church Web Page at http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ro/tmc/index.html).
The Tokyo International Church, Tsukuba Branch in Amakubo 3-3-5 (across from Tsukuba Univ.) offers a 10:30-noon Chinese (Mandarin) service interpreted into both English and Japanese. There is also an English language Bible study every Sunday evening at 7 pm. For information, call Rev. Huang at 52-6820.
The International Christian Assembly meets every Sunday at their new building just off of Tsuchiura-Gakuen Sen east of Tsukuba (just behind the restaraut with the dragon on the roof) from 10 am for Bible Study and 10:30 am for worship. For more information, call Richard Swan at 36-0993.
The Nozomi Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tsuchiura (23-27 Komatsu 3-chome) also offers programs in English, including a worship service Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and a Bible class on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. English Bible information courses are available any time. For more information, call Glen Hieb at 0298-21-3578.
The Tsuchiura Christian Church offers an English message translated into Japanese every Sunday morning at 10:30 am. For information, contact Paul Axton at 56-2167.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Tsukuba ward is located at Higashi 2-21-22 by Higashi Middle School between Doho Park and Tsuchiura Noda Sen. Services are translated into English over headphones. The Sacrament Meeting begins at 10 am followed by Sunday School at 11:10 am and Priesthood and Relief Society at noon. A Gospel Doctrine class in English is also offered. For more information, contact 52-6548.
The Jewish Community of Japan, invites anyone of the Jewish faith in the Tsukuba area to feel welcome at any of their programs in Tokyo. Sabbath services are each Friday at 6:30 pm followed by Sabbath dinner; Kosher Kitchen, Saturday morning, 9:30 am. Contact 3-8-8 Hiroo, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo 150; tel. 03-3400-2559, fax. 03-3400-1827.
Every year during the middle of April, the various research institutes in Tsukuba open up their facilities to public tours. This year, 41 institutes will be open to the public, some on all of the days and others on only specific days. Most of the institutes are divided up into three groupings determined by location in order to facilitate moving from one display to the next. These main groupings have their open days on the 19th, 20th, and 21st, with a free shuttle bus service from the Bus Center along a set route to the institutes for that day. If you are interested in seeing what kind of research is being done at the various laboratories, this is an excellent chance to have a look. The institutes are open to the public on the respective days from 10 am to 4 pm each day. The numbers accompanying the name of each institute correspond to those on the map in the Japanese pamphlet.
The week begins on Monday, April 17 with several institutes opening their doors to the public for all or most of the entire week. Open the entire week is the Center for Institutes (4), which has literature on all the institutes. The Tsukuba Botanical Gardens and National Science Museum (11), which is a good outing anytime but especially when the flowers are out is open the entire week except Monday, their normal day off. The same is true of the Tsukuba Expo Center (37), which is half price during Science Week (150 yen adults, 80 yen children). The Space Center (5) has open days on all but the final day and includes guided tours on each day beginning at 10:00 and 14:00. This is an excellent chance to wander through the numerous displays of satellites and rockets. Tours can be arranged at other times through the year, but in general, there is not the easy access to this institute that is available at most others.
Other institutes open Monday through Saturday include: the Geological Survey of Japan (28), which has a very nice geological museum open throughout the year and the Geographical Survey Institute (33). Open Monday through Friday are: the National Research Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (3); the Tsukuba Research Gallery (14); the Tsukuba Administration Office Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (26) and the Kurashi To JIS Center (22).
Open only on the 19th are 16 institutes to the southwest of central Tsukuba. They are as follows: the Tsukuba Life Science Center (6), the Tsukuba Medicinal Plant Research Station (12), the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council Secretariat (13), the National Agricultural Research Center (14), the National Institute for Agrobiological Resources (15), the National Institute of Agro-Environmental Sciences (16), the National Institute of Animal Industry (17), the Fruit Tree Research Station (18), the National Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering (19), the National Institute of Sericulture and Entomological Science (20), the National Institute of Animal Industry (21), the National Food Research Institute (22), International Research Center for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (23), Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (24), the National Center for Seeds and Seedlings (25), and the Tsukuba International Agricultural Training Center (JICA) (36). Free shuttle buses will be available to transport people to and from the institutes, leaving the Tsukuba Bus Center (stop 6) at 9:40, 10:10, 10:40, 11:10, 12:40, 13:10, 13:40, 14:10, 14:40, 15:10, 15:40, and 16:10 stopping at the Agricultural Center 20 minutes later, the Tsukuba Life Science Center 7 minutes after that, JICA 3 minutes later, and then back to the Tsukuba Center 50 minutes after it left.
On the 20th, 14 institutes located mainly in the Sengen, Namiki and Umezono areas will open their doors. They are: the National Research Institute for Metals (1), the National Research Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (3), the National Institute for Environmental Studies (7), the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (27), the Geological Survey of Japan (28), the Meteorological Instruments Plant (30), the Meteorological Research Institute (31), the Aerological Observatory (32), the Japan Automobile Research Institute (38), the Tsukuba Center, Inc. (40), the Tsukuba Institute of Construction Technology (Kumagai Gumi Co.) (42) and the Hazama Corporation (43). The two shuttle buses leave the Bus Center, with one bus leaving at 9:40 going one direction around the loop and another bus leaving at the same time going around the route in the opposite direction. The two buses will repeat the same courses at 10;20, 11:05, 12:30, 13:30, and 14:00, 14:55, stopping at 12 stops along the 70 minute route. You are free to get off and on at any point along the way.
The next grouping of institutes are all located on the north side of Tsukuba, and will be open on Friday, April 21st. This group is made up of 7 institutes including the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (2), the National Laboratory for High Energy Physics (10), the Geographical Survey Institute (33), the Public Works Research Institute (34), the Building Research Institute (35), the Tsukuba Building Test Laboratory, Center For Better Living (39) and the NTT Field System Research Center (41). As the route for this day is shorter, the two buses will be able to make 5 round trips each, going in opposite directions around the route. The starting times at the bus center are 9:50, 11:00, 13:00, 14:10 and 15:20, and if you miss a bus, you can always take the regular bus service for a fee.
On Saturday, April 22nd, 7 institutes will have special displays aimed at children. They are the National Research Institute for Metals (1) from 10 am to 4 pm, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (2) from 1 to 4 pm, the National Research Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials (3) from 1:30 to 5:30 pm, the Tsukuba Life Science Center (6) from 1 to 4 pm, the Tsukuba University Hydrology Laboratory (8) from 2 to 4 pm, Tsukuba College of Technology (9) from 10 am to 4 pm, and the Tsukuba Expo Center (37) from 10 am to 4 pm. The Tsukuba Expo Center, Tsukuba College of Technology (9) and the Tsukuba Space Center (5) will also have a special public opening on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Cherry blossoms in the Tsukuba area have ended their short existence and now in the latter part of April and early May it is time for the Azaleas. One variety of cherry tree, however, what is called Yaezakura, does bloom later in April, with the most spectacular displays being along the entrance to the Meteorological Research Institute (next to the 210 meter observation tower) and just off the southern entrance to Tsukuba University off of Higashi Odori. The azaleas are everywhere, with no obvious first choice of sites.
Japan is famous for its beautiful gardens, though the typical image of Japanese gardens is more centered on shape and form than raw color, as in western gardens. Nevertheless, Japanese love flowers, and now is the time to see some really spectacular displays in and around Tsukuba.
Flower Park in Yasato on the backside of Mt. Tsukuba is probably the most spectacular, as it has rows upon rows of various flowers blooming throughout the Spring months. Roses are its speciality, but they do not bloom until late May. Nevertheless, brightly colored tulips, azaleas, etc. abound from late April on. It costs 600 yen to get in, but is well worth it. To get there, drive along route 125 about half way between Tsuchiura and the northern boundary of Tsukuba until you come to the road that leads over the mountain ridge. You will be able to see the road leading over the mountain. The park is easy to find, being on the left side of that road a few km after you have crossed over the mountain.
Another much closer garden you will want to take a look at is the peony flower garden in Kukizaki. It specializes in botan (peony) flowers, which can be as big as 20 cm. across. They are at their peak during Golden Week in early May, but there are lots of other flowers as well. To get there, proceed down Science Odori towards the Yatabe Interchange, and turn left at the light just before Science Odori crosses over the expressway. There is a gas station on the left-hand corner. Proceed down this road over the expressway and straight on for about 2.2 km. (If you come to a fork in the road, you have gone a little too far). Turn right (signs on both sides of the road). The peony gardens are located a couple hundred meters ahead next to a cemetery. If you continue on the main road another couple of km, you will come to the Takasaki Shizen no Mori in Kukizaki. Its speciality is fields of poppies which bloom from early May. It is located just past a large hospital on the right.
Tulip displays can also be spectacular, with three separate parks on the south shores of Lake Kasumigaura featuring tulips that bloom from mid to late April. The nearest is the Kasumigaura Sogo Koen on the shores of Lake Kasumigaura just south of Tsuchiura Station. The entrance to the park, which also features a Dutch style windmill, is about 1 km from the junction of route 125 and the road leading south from the station. Though more distant, the displays in Miho and Sakuragawa are even bigger, with the latter boasting 230,000 tulips in bloom! The Miho display is in the Kihara Castle Park (just northwest of the Texas Instrument Plant), while the Sakuragawa display is in the Wada Park on a little peninsula jutting out into the lake on the east (far) side of the town. It is a bit off the beaten path, and so you will need a map to figure out which unmarked back road to take.
Spring Festivals
The Kasama Azalea Fair; held from late April to mid May, features 35,000 azalea bushes in bloom peaking around early Golden Week. It is located to the east of downtown Kasama (famous for its pottery). Ask for Tsutsuji Koen. The Kasama Pottery Festival will also be taking place from May 1 - 5, and so the two would be a nice combo during Golden Week (though beware, the traffic during certain periods of Golden Week will not make you feel very golden!). The city of Kasama is also developing Geijutsu no Mori Koen (Forest of Art Park), a 54-hectare park featuring art displays, hands on art, etc, in a nature preserve atmosphere. Much of it is complete and now open, and it promises to be quite an attraction. In fact, a new museum of pottery art is opening it doors on April 15. Like many such facilities, it is closed on Mondays (or if that is a holiday, then the following day). The entrance fee is 300 yen. In years past, numerous hillsides were planted with wild flowers that were at their peak in early May. Definitely worth exploring. It is located a few km due east of Kasama Station off of route 355.
The Ryujin Carp Streamer (Koi Nobori) Festival will be held 4/22 - 5/ 14. Along the longest suspension walking bridge in Japan (375 m.), there will be 300 giant koi nobori suspended above Ryujin Lake. It is located north of Mito, about a 2-hour drive from Tsukuba, not far from the famous Fukuroda Falls, one of the most spectacular in Japan. Both are well worth a visit during Golden Week. To get there, drive up the Joban to the Hitachi Minami Ota Exit and turn left onto Route 6. Then turn left again on Route 293 (a few hundred meters up Route 6). It is about 5 km from there to the junction with Route 349 (in Yamashita Town). Keep on 293 for another 2 km until it bends sharply to the left. Exit 293 at that point by going straight ahead for another km or so until you come to a main road. That is the road you want. It is called the Hitachi Ota Daigo Sen. Turn left and proceed about 20 km. The dam, lake and bridge are on the left. Fukuroda no Taki (waterfall) is located about 15 km farther to the north. Turn left at the first main road (about 12 km up) and go across the pass. On your way home, you might want to stop in at the new hot springs resort Santa no Yu. Totally unrelated to the fat man in the red suit, Santa refers to a brave giant of Japanese folklore, and this new resort takes its name from its giant size. Located in Yamagata Machi, just south of Daigo Machi and the Fukuroda Falls, it opens on April 19. It costs 700 yen on weekdays and 1000 yen on weekends and has numerous different baths to try out. Closed first and third Mondays. If you like hot springs, it looks like a winner. Tel. 0295-57-4126. Bon voyage!
New Spa in Kukizaki
Nosaku Mura, a new resort in neighoring Kukizaki, has just added a nice hot springs bath facility called Yuttari Kan (a play on words with the Yu written with the character for hot water, and yuttari meaning relax). For the bathing facilities only, it is 500 yen. The facilities also include rooms for lodging (4500 yen per night), eating facilities, etc. and focus on a farming atmosphere. In fact, you can even rent your own plot of land to grow vegetables on. They even provide you with all the tools you need. For information, call 0297-60-1720.