In this class, you’ll learn some of the sword techniques patented by Tetsuro Shimaguchi, the founder of the ‘Kengido’ blend of combat and performance. He’s also known for his work as a choreographer in the action sequences of Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL, VOL.1.
This workshop takes place in the historic dojo of the Ookawaso onsen hotel, nestled in the crook of the Okawa river south of Aizu-Wakamatsu City. The hotel is also well-known for its resemblance to Infinity Castle from the Demon Slayer anime series.
The typical class schedule is as follows:
Class 1: 10:15 - 11:00
Class 2: 11:15 - 12:00
Those looking to apply, please send an email to kengido@k2c.jp with the following information:
As currently planned, dates for classes at Ookawaso are as follows:
June 22
July 13
August 11
Please direct any enquiries to kengido@k2c.jp. (English or Japanese)
| Website | http://www.samurai-kengido.com/(Japanese) |
|---|---|
| Related info | Adults: 3,000 yen for one lesson, 5,000 yen for two lessons Children: 2,000 yen for one lesson, 3,000 yen for two lessons |
| Access | 969-5147 Fukushima, Aizuwakamatsu, Otomachi Oaza Ashinomaki, 字下平９８４ View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | 2nd Floor Dojo, Aizu Ashinomaki Hot Spring Resort Ookawaso (Guests arriving by car, please use parking lot No. 7) 30 min drive from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 52 min bus from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station |
Experience canoeing at Lake Hibara, one of Urabandai’s largest lakes! Outdoor Sports Club Bacss offers a range of fun tours and activities centred around Lake Hibara that you can join with family and friends, including trekking, canoeing and fishing.
Be swept off your feet by the amazing scenery at the Oguninuma Wetlands. These wetlands are located in Urabandai area, and are just one part of the stunning Oze National Park. Lots of people hike here every year at the start of summer to enjoy views of the seasonal yellow flowers, called Nikko Kisuge.
Tsukimigaoka Chomin Center (a town hall-turned-hotel which is only a 20-minute walk from Aizu Yanaizu Station) is known for their famous sauce katsudon lunch. This dish contains fried pork cutlet and a simple egg omelet on rice which is covered with a savory sauce that simply melts in your mouth. There are other places in Yanaizu that serve the katsudon dish as well, but according to local opinion, the katsudon at Yanaizu Chomin Center is hard to beat. Why not stop by and fill your stomach before taking in the other local sights? There are even some great shared hot spring baths, which can be enjoyed as day visit onsen. There are plenty of nearby attractions. Enjoy your time hiking or fishing or at the nearby Kiyoshi Saito Museum of Art or the beautiful and serene Enzoji Temple. Kiyoshi Saito Museum of Art houses works by esteemed woodblock artist Kiyoshi Saito and the beautiful works he created throughout his lifetime. At the Enzoji Temple experience tranquility and nature, also learn about the origin legend of the akabeko, the nodding red cow famous in the area. And only a 15-minute drive away you can look at the No. 1 Tadami River Bridge View Spot; this bridge offers a spectacular sight of the Tadami River and the surrounding nature.
Mitsutaya is a speciality restaurant with roots dating back to the end of the Edo Period (around 1835). The restaurant is situated in a renovated miso storehouse. It is therefore fitting that the restaurant is famous for a local Aizu meal called 'miso dengaku'. Miso dengaku refers to skewered vegetables and meat which are topped with a miso paste before being cooked over an open flame. The skewers are cooked one by one. Skewer ingredients include konjac, deep-fried tofu, sticky, savory rice balls called 'shingoro mochi', and more. Each small dish is coated in miso for an unforgettable and savory flavor.
Nakayama Setsugekka Snow Festival is held every year on the third Saturday of February. The contrast between the snow, moon and candlelight, which becomes greater as the dark of the night deepens, creates a radiant and magical atmosphere. The views to be enjoyed at Nakayama during festival time are so special that Nakayama has been designated as one of Japan's Night View Heritage Sites.
Every year on January 7, the Naked Man Festival (Nanokado Hadaka Mairi) is held at Enzoji Temple, Yanaizu Town. During this traditional event - which draws many tourists every year - local men clad in loincloths make the challenging climb of 113 steps to Enzoji Temple, where they climb to the top of the temple via a long rope. Members of the public can participate, although registration in advance is required.The festival traces its roots back to an ancient legend, telling of a princess who received a wish-granting jewel from a river dragon to tide against crop failures and illness, and a community who banded together on the night of the 7th to prevent the dragon spirit from taking it back. To this day the festival is a rowdy display of hope and community.
2025 dates: The festival was held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th February, 2025.Snow sculptures big and small take center stage at this exciting, local snow festival. Try out local cuisine and browse traditional locally-made crafts at the Tadami Furusato Snow Festival. As night closes in, the snow sculptures are dramatically lit up. They look even more fantastic when surrounded with the light of the fireworks display that is held on Saturday and Sunday evening.
Urabandai Night Fantasy Snow Festival is held in the mid-February every year at the very scenic Renge Pond. Come to Urabandai next February to enjoy firework displays and picturesque sights of this beautiful area lit up with candles.