Standing out among his animal peers is Niigata Prefecture Is a towering 270cm tall ski ambassador, Lerch-san (レルヒさん) ”Japan's original skier”. Lerch-san is a character from Niigata Prefecture that is modeled after a real Austrian military officer. The character is known to many people in the prefecture and can be seen at various events and facilities, but it was originally planned as the tourism campaign "100th Anniversary of Skiing in Japan" sponsored by Niigata Prefecture . This Nigel Thornberry-meets-Wes Anderson-looking humanoid character was in fact based off of Major Theodor Edler von Lerch, who introduced skiing to Japan in 1911 in Joetsu City. The economic impact was also significant, with merchandise sales alone reaching 700 million yen in a single year (2011). Thanks to the energetic PR activities of the person in charge, it has become popular in both the real and digital realms, including various events, blogs, and a collaboration with actor Seishiro Kato, wh...
Introduction Niigata Prefecture is located only 70 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen bullet train. The food culture of the snow country, centering on preserved foods, was fostered by the wisdom born from a life covered with snow for half a year in winter. Chefs who become hunters themselves and cook gibier. The tastiest rice in Japan, fish that has been nerve-tightened by fishermen, and superb sushi created by a chef who knows all about the characteristics of these ingredients. The marriage of food and sake. And the salmon culture of Murakami, where 100 different salmon dishes are still alive today… Please enjoy Niigata’s climate, ingredients, traditions, and history, and enjoy a trip to Niigata to experience its food culture. Yukiguni is Snow Country, the spirit of the snow which has been deeply rooted beneath the frosted white powder in the soil that is connected to the hearts of the people. The history of the people are those who have lived with the snow and people continue livi...
A Temple with a 1,300-Year Legacy: Nestled in the heart of Niigata Prefecture's Tsubame City, Kokujoji Temple stands as a testament to Japan's enduring spiritual traditions. Originally constructed over 1,300 years ago, Kokujoji has long been a place of prayer for family well-being, marital harmony, safe childbirth, recovery from illness, and protection in both daily life and the workplace. Throughout the centuries, its role has evolved alongside the community, adapting to the needs of both locals and pilgrims alike. The artwork displayed at Kokujoji Temple, notably 2019-current (last checked 2023), was created by contemporary Japanese artist Ryoko Kimura. Kimura is known for her provocative interpretations of classical Japanese art, often incorporating themes of erotica and challenging traditional artistic conventions, which made many blogs cover the amazing temple artwork. "I was impressed by the chief priest's passion to "do something about the trend of young ...
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