Life in Japan

News from Japan:  Tokyo erupted in celebration at the start of September with the announcement that the city has been chosen to host the 2020 Olympic Games.  "TV presenters struggled to rein in their emotions while newspapers rushed out special editions. Olympians yelled "Banzai!" and a rainbow emerged through the drizzle as Tokyo greeted the news that it had been chosen to host the 2020 Olympics." Justin McCurry, The Guardian, September 8, 2013. 

Amost 200 miles northwest of Tokyo, Akira's home in Japan is on the coast.  There are mountains both on land and under the Japan Sea as the small topographical inset map shows.
Travel from Itoiwaga to Tokyo is possible either by highway or the Japan Rail system and takes about four hours.




Great snowboarding, skiing and hiking is available in the mountains surrounding Itoigawa and jade can be found washed up on local beaches.

There is an ancient tradition tied to the "Salt Road," which ran from Itoigawa to the interior of Japan, supplying salt from the Japan Sea to markets inland.  Visit the Japanese Mythology and Folklore website for more information on this part of Japan's culture and history.
Itoigawa is also well known for its unique bugaku, a variety of traditional Japanese performance art. Itoigawa Bugaku can be seen at festivals taking place at Hakusan Shrine and Amatsu Shrine. (Wikipedia)