Sitemap Contact JAPANESE Top > The Japan-America Grassroots Summit > Past summit> The 19th Japan-America Grassroots Summit-Miyagi 2009 > Local Session (Homestay Program) Areas The best part of the grassroots summit is the "local sessions (homestay program) ". In Miyagi, the local sessions will start on July 30th, for 4 days and 3 nights. The participants will experience person-to-person exchange and the unique culture of the local area with their host families. There are 15 local session areas in Miyagi, and participants are able to choose one of them. (Participants can choose 2 preferred areas on their application form, however, we cannot guarantee that they will be placed in one of these areas.) Back to preceding page　 Back to top Kasennuma is a city of sightseeing, a rugged coastline and ocean produce. Kesennuma Port is one of Japan's best places for high quality fishing. The port festival held on August 1st is very lively and high spirited festival. We hope you will attend it! Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Akihiko Sugawara I am the president of a sake (Japanese liquor) company and the Chairman of “Slow Food Kesennuma”, revitalizing the abundant produce of the region, offering children the chance to taste “truly delicious food” and trying to create a town spirit through good food and ingredients. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Tome city is popular with many tourists due to the beautiful Kitakami River which flows through the city, as well as the rare and historic architecture that still stands from the Meiji era (19th century). We hope you will enjoy the beautiful Japanese woods and forests, as well as Japanese culture! Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Seiko Sasaki I used to work as an English teacher at a senior high school, and have also worked for the Tome City International Board. I am currently working as a volunteer Japanese teacher, helping people from Korea, China and other countries who have moved to the area. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Kurikoma mountain is frequently visited by climbers due to its treasures of various plants and vegetation. The Uchinuma and Izu lakes, recognized under the Ramsar convention, are stunning at the end of July as the lotus flowers on their surface burst into bloom. Key Persons (Local session coordinators) ・Yasumi Kawashima I manage marriage ceremonial halls and restaurants. My hobbies include taking pictures, and I have taken numerous photos of the beautiful Kurikoma nature. ・Hiroshi Sato I am Chairperson of the Kurihara Junior Chamber Inc., a group of young businesspeople. Alongside my colleague Mr Kawashima, I look forward to welcoming you to our beloved Kurihara City. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Minamisanriku is a port town with a sawtooth coastline. The beauty of the rugged coastline, as well as the azure sea, coupled with the stunning green of the mountain, takes away the breath of visitors. Please enjoy boat fishing, coast fishing, sea bathing, fisherman experience and silk weaving! Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Kyuichiro Sato Alongside managing the woods of Minamisanriku, I am also the director of the Masamune Date History Museum. Since participating in a homestay in Texas as a university student, I have held an interest in international exchanges and am currently working on an international exchange project. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Of the 11 types of hot spring that exist in Japan, there are 8 of them in Naruko area, with over 400 individual springs in total. It has long been well known as a health resort in northeastern Japan. Also please look forward to experiencing the beautiful Buna (beech tree) forest, as well as kokeshi-traditional wooden Japanese dolls that you will even have the chance to create! Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Koju Itagaki I was born in Naruko, and was raised bathing in the Naruko hot springs. I manage my family's hot spring resort and farm which produces rice and vegetables for the guests at the resort. I also work as the Chairperson of the Naruko Tourism Association. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Furukawa is blessed with beautiful nature and very distinct seasons. Sasanishiki, one of the most famous brands of Japanese rice, was born right here in Furukawa area. In the castle town of Iwadeyama, there is the oldest existing place of learning, Yubikan. Also, make sure you try on the traditional armor of Samurai! Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Kiyoshi Minakawa Volunteer work is at the heart of my life; I work in kindergarten management, Corporate Tax Payers Association, and international exchange, and am also past-governor of the Rotary Club. Back to preceding page　 Back to top You can experience traditional Japanese craftsmanship when viewing the swords made by Saburo Hokke, a swordsmith. Also, the famous Ichinokura brand of sake (Japanese liquor) originates from Matsuyama. You will be greeted with a performance of a local traditional lion dance by elementary school students. Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Ryutaro Oikawa When I was younger, I participated on a two month long boat trip sponsored by the government, aimed at youth exchange. Since then, I have been involved in numerous international exchanges. Recently, I have also been working with projects handing down traditional arts and crafts to children. Back to preceding page　 Back to top One of the delights of summer in Ishinomaki is the River Opening Festival of Aug.1st and 2nd. Please join our parades and dancing! The highlight of the festival is the fireworks display. The restored ship, St John the Baptist(Sant Juan Bautista), that crossed the Pacific over 400 years ago is also a symbol of the town. Do not forget to visit the spaceship shaped Manga (comics) Museum! Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Emiko Kuga I have a passion for volunteer work, and at the moment I am Chairperson of the Ishinomaki International Friendship Association. My hobbies include chanson, and in April 2009 I will hold a charity concert, and the proceeds will go towards the construction of a museum. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Matsushima Bay, which is dotted with around 260 picturesque pine-tree covered islands, has taken away the breath of many visitors.　Neighbouring Shiogama is a town with a long history, centered around the Shiogama Shrine, and it offers the chance to try truly delicious sushi. Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Taeko Aizawa I was born and raised in Shiogama, next to Matsushima. I want to teach international visitors about the many splendors of Matsushima, and so I created the Matsushima Goodwill Guide Association, which has been providing volunteer tour guides and interpreters for 23 years. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region. As its catchphrase "a capital of greenery" says, the streets are beautifully lined with Zelkova trees. Alongside learning about the history of the world famous samurai Masamume Date, we hope you can also join us for a "Suzume Dance" workshop. Key Persons (Local session coordinators) ・Heiichi Suzuki I am a project manager at a company that publishes free papers, where I am currently preparing a booklet entitled "Hello Sendai, Miyagi" to welcome our American visitors in 2009. ・Eiko Yokoyama I am president of an architectural design office, but also working for various areas such as art, environment, etc., hoping that Sendai-city will become more vital. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Due to its warm climate and beautiful scenery, Iwanuma has abundant stunning nature. It was voted as the easiest place to live in Miyagi prefecture. Please look forward to experiencing the beautiful Teizan canals that were a great feat of Masamune Date's, and the coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Key Persons (Local session coordinators) ・Hiroaki Ono I manage a precision engineering business and am President of the Iwanuma City Society of Commerce and Industry, working towards economic development in the region. ・Isao Ajima I retired from my job at Iwanuma City Hall 4 years ago, and am now Secretariat Director at the Iwanuma International Exchange Association. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Zao is a sight-seeing and agricultural town, with beautiful scenery in every season. The Zao plane is dotted with hotels, holiday retreats and hot spring resorts and there are many wild birds and animals in the mountains. The crater lake on the top of Mount Zao attracts visitors from Japan all year round and is a symbol of the town. Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Hiroyuki Toyohara I opened the Manpu Pottery Kiln 21 years ago at the Tohgatta hot springs in Zao. Using natural resources from the Zao region, I make ceramics for everyday use. For several years I have participated in international exchanges with potters from China and South Korea. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Research and development facilities for rocket engines are located in Kakuda, and there is a model replica of the H-II rocket. The fertile grounds near the Abukuma River enable us to grow delicious rice and we also brew our own German-style beer. Kakuda has placed great emphasis on English learning in schools, and there is a great enthusiasm for cultural exchange. Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Yoshiaki Omokawa As part of my job as a farmer, I grow rice, wheat and soybeans. Along with other agricultural workers in the region, I formed the "Kakuda City and Asian Farmers Friendship Group" to improve our own rice growing methods by exchanging ideas with the agriculturists from the Asia monsoon region. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Shiroishi is a beautiful castle town blessed with hot springs and the beautiful nature of the Zao mountain. Not only you will have the chance to make your own Japanese paper and kokeshi (a traditional Japanese wooden doll), but also you will have the opportunity to taste and make U-men noodles, which in recent years have become famous due to their health benefits. Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Nahomi Aso After working in various internationally focused jobs, such as the Olympics, I returned to my hometown 6 years ago. I am working as a marketing consultant in Tokyo, and also teaching traditional Japanese dance in Shiroishi. Back to preceding page　 Back to top Natori City is located in central Miyagi, and is a city of history, nature and industry. It is the location of "The Horaguchi Family House", a farmer's house from the Edo period which has been designated an important cultural property, and its proximity to the sea provides fresh delicious seafood. It is also proudly the only site of carnation growing in the whole of north eastern Japan! Key Person (Local session coordinator) ・Kiyoshi Aizawa I produce "Sakamai", rice to make local Sake (Japanese rice wine). I am also the President of an international volunteer group, "Friends in Natori". We support foreign nationals living in Natori and hold many events to further understanding between Japan and other countries. Back to preceding page　 Back to top l Top l Latest information l The America-Japan Grassroots Summit l About the Center for International Exchange l Sponsors l Copyright (C) Center for International Exchange All rights reserved.