Thank you for spending your precious time on TFWT’s tour in Asakusa on November 27th. We welcomed 9 people from USA and Indonesia. It was unusually warm and clear weather at the end of autumn. We hope you had a nice time in Asakusa with us. As promised, the photos we took during the tour are posted.
Antenna shops are stores which specialize in local products such as food, drinks and traditional crafts representing 47 prefectures. These shops spread the beauty of those regional products, tourism and culture to other citizens including foreign visitors in big cities like Tokyo.
An antenna shop is principally managed by the local governments and has been popular as a place to easily experience local things in recent years. You may experience the atmosphere of those regions while staying in Tokyo. In our trial tour on November 30th, we will visit three antenna shops.
Japanese islands are long from north to south with differentclimate and the country is blessed with nature.Fukushima Midette, Toyama and Nagasaki shops represent northern, central and southern regions respectively. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to get to know not only local products but also gather travel information. Three shops are conveniently located nearby in the Nihonbashi area.
Fukushima is the third largest prefecture in terms of size and located in the northern part with the mountains and the sea. Fukushima Midette boasts a variety of Japanese sake(rice wine), seafoods and traditional crafts such as ‘Aizu lacquerware’. In particular, Fukushima’s local sake is of high quality and is top class in Japan. You may test different kinds of local sake and taste regional cuisines at the on-site restautant. By the way, Midette means ‘Come and see’ in Fukushima dialect.
Toyama prefecture is centrally located on the Sea of Japan side and has the benefit of the sea and mountains. They have an abundant of products such as food and crafts including superb Takaoka copperware on the shop floor. Takaoka metal works have the top market share for copper-alloy castings including Buddhist altar items. You may taste various local sake brands at the lounge bar and fresh seafoods directly from the local market at the restaurant.
Nagasaki prefecture is located on the southern island, Kyushu with the sea. Nagasaki and Nihonbashi are historically connected. They have a wide range of products and traditional crafts such as pottery ‘Hasami ware’. The classic souvenir is castella, a confectionery of sponge cake made from sugar, flour and eggs. Castella is said to have originally been brought from Portugal to Nagasaki. Nagasaki sweets are available at the café.
While staying in Tokyo, antenna shops make visitors feel as if they have visited those regions. You may know culture through their products and dining at the on-site restaurant. Travel information is also available.
The trial tour of three antenna shops of Fukushima, Toyama and Nagasaki in Nihonbashi will be held on Saturday. November 30th at 10am. The meeting place is at Tokyo Station Nihonbashi Exit. The tour is expected to finish around noon and you may be able to continue to join TFWT’s tour to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace at 1pm. Please check your schedule and book at Tokyo Free Walking Tour® Schedule. We look forward to meeting you.
(Yoshi)