Date & Time: Sunday, February 16, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Spots: Nihon Minka-en Park (Conserving Valuable 25 Japan Open-Air Folk Houses), Traditional Work Shop House (Trying Indigo-dyeing), Ikuta Ryokuchi Park Visitor Center
Visitors: Egyptian and Indian students studying at Tokyo Institute of Technology
Attendants: 4 KSGG Members
Language: English
It was a chilly and rainy day. Only 2 students participated in the tour, because the rest of the group cancelled. We planned to show them around Open-Air Folk Houses at Nihon Minka-en and experience indigo-dyeing. Before proceeding to visit Nihon Minka-en , we dropped in at the supermarket to buy our lunch boxes. On the way there, we were chatting. The students were more enthusiastic than we expected, not only did they actively ask many questions but they also took many photos. At the Open-Air Folk Houses area, due to the weather condition and the time-schedule of indigo-dyeing, we hurriedly showed them around and highlighted to them what was worth seeing. They enjoyed viewing the scenery and taking group photos in front of the traditional thatched houses. We had lunch sitting around the hearth in the Gassho Style House. We were thankful for the warm hearth, and we enjoyed our lunch in comfort, feeling the Japanese lifestyle of the period between the 17th and 19th century. Towards the end of Minka-en tour, they tried making indigo-dyeing bandana handkerchiefs at a Traditional Workshop House with the help of instructors. The atmosphere there was very friendly. That was an extremely valuable experience. Finally, at the Ikuta Ryokuchi Park Visitor Center, they admired the works created by the staff . The students enthusiastically took part in the tour with smiles on their faces and completed the tour.