Matsushima TourSocial Program
Matsushima Tour
Date: Aug. 19 (Thur.) Hour: 09:30 - 16:00 Price: \2,000/person (Inc. lunch and bus fee) Course: Sendai international center -> Shiogama shrine -> Shiogama port -> (by excursion boat) -> Matsushima port -> Godaidou -> Zuiganji temple -> Sensinan -> Sendai international center Remarks: 35 persons (max.) Matsushima is known as one of the "Three best scenic places in Japan", where more than 260 isles are seen in the bay. One anecdote about the illustrious haiku poet Matsuo Basho relates that, when he visited Matsushima during his travels, he was unable to compose a haiku about the place because he was so awed by its beauty that he could not find words to adequately describe it. Participants will ride an excursion boat and enjoy the view of uniquely shaped isles which were formed as the result of erosive actions of waves and wind. Zuiganji temple, which was built in the year 828, is the family temple of the Dates. It still flourishes as the most famous Zen temple in the Tohoku region.
Technical
Tour
(1) Sendai Shinkansen Rolling Stock Base
(2) Kakuda Space Propulsion Center
Date: Aug. 20 (Fri.) Hour: 09:30 - 16:00 Price: \2,000/person (Inc. lunch and bus fee) Course: Sendai international center -> Sendai Shinkansen Rolling Stock Base -> Kakuda Space Propulsion Center -> Sendai international center Remarks: 40 persons (max.) Sendai Shinkansen Rolling Stock Base, East Japan Railway Company, supports all levels of inspections of Shinkansen, super express train in Japan. To give safety is the top priority of this base. This base is open 24 hours a day to do general overhauls, vehicle development and remodeling, and day-to-day operations and transportation, with over 650 people on staff. Participants will be able to see several steps of overhauls process and so on.
Kakuda Space Propulsion Center (KSPC), JAXA (The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), leads research and development in rocket engines, which are the hearts of the vehicles that carry satellites into outer space. The main mission of the KSPC is the development and testing of liquid-fuel rocket engines to be installed in rockets such as the H-IIA. Construction of the High Altitude Test Stand, for test firing in a quasi-space environment, is currently in progress. The KSPC is also developing reusable rocket engines for reusable space-transportation systems of the future, and an air-breathing combined-cycle engine which will be used during atmospheric flights. The research is being conducted by simulation in the High Enthalpy Shock Tunnel.
Experience
of Japanese Culture for Women
(1) Ikebana (Flower arrangement in Japanese style)
(2) Kimono dressing
Date: Aug. 18(Wed.) Hour: 13:30 - 16:00 Price: Free Place: Japanese style room & meeting room, 1st floor, Sendai international center Remarks: 20 Women (max.) "Experience of Japanese Culture for Women" is planed for visitors from overseas to want to experience Japanese traditional cultures and life styles. Some volunteers will help participants to enjoy them.
Ikebana is the art of beautifully arranging cut stems, leaves, and flowers in vases and other containers that evolved in Japan over seven centuries. To arrange the stems and flowers exactly as one's wishes, a familiarity with many different ways of fastening and positioning them is necessary. Usually, three to five years are required to acquire these technical and expressive skills. But, all participants will easily arrange their own Ikebana by helps of voluntary experts in a few hours. Also, participants will enjoy them after this event, because arranged Ikebanas will be decorated in lobbies or halls at Sendai international center.
Kimono is the traditional clothing of Japan. Kimono styles have changed significantly from one period of Japan's history to another, and today there are many different types of kimono worn by men, women, and children. The cut, color, fabric, and decorations of a kimono may vary according to the sex, age, and marital status of the wearer, the season of the year, and the occasion for which the kimono is worn. Of modern kimono, women's kimonos are the most elaborate and varied in style and design. Fabric, color, sleeve length, and the details of the obi and how it is tied vary according to the wearer's age, social status, marital status and season. In this event, each participant can select a favorite Kimono and wear it in Japanese style room (Tatami room). If any participants want, they can walk around with Kimono dressing at Sendai international center.
Japanese style room
(Tatami room)
Welcome Reception
Date: Evening, Aug. 17 (Tues.) Price: Free (Inc. in registration fee) Place: Reception hall "Sakura", 2nd floor, Sendai international center
Buffet Party
Date: Evening, Aug. 19 (Thus.) Price: A ticket is included in a full registration. Additional tickets are available for \3,000/person. Place: Reception hall "Sai-un", 4th floor, Shozankan Remarks: Shuttle buses are prepared from Sendai international center to Shozankan Buffet party will be held at “Shozankan”. Shozankan is the family enterprise of Katsuyama brewery which is located next to Shozankan. Katsuyama brewery began to make sake (Japanese alcohol drink) about three hundred years ago. About one hundred fifty years ago, Katsuyama was nominated as a sake brewery by Sendai clan. Now, Katsuyama is the best sake brewery in Sendai. All participants can see processes and techniques to make sake in the brewery before the party.
