Katashina FUNtashina
How to get to Oze National Park Katashina-mura: [Doko desu ka? – Transportation] Car (Kuruma): if you come by car from Tokyo just follow Route 120 to Niigata. Nevertheless, I have heard that it is very difficult to get … Continued
Ozegahara is Japan’s largest highland marsh, located at 1,400-1,700 metres above sea level. It was apparently formed a very, very long time ago by the gushing lava of the nearby Mt. Hiuchigatake. The Oze National Park is so large … Continued
The Author & Traveler My name is Inga Marie and you are reading my personal guide on Katashina. This blog will inform you about the endless activities, sights and secrets that Katashina has to offer. I am working here in this … Continued
Nikko – the beautiful capital of the Tochigi prefecture, a UNESCO world heritage site famous for its many temples, is located only 50km away from Katashina! So I packed my camera & notebook and headed east. We followed route … Continued
Takashi Kanda, the famous Japanese landscape & garden designer, is an inspiring and eager man. He has big dreams and plans, which he is turning into reality. I went to interview him and to see his current project on a … Continued
Ichio Chigira, the owner of the Oze Tofu factory in Katashina, tells his story about how tofu changed his life. Nineteen years ago Ichio-san made a life-changing decision. He gave up his family’s milk farm and put all his time … Continued
Katashinaya is a very friendly restaurant & souvenir shop. It is located in the heart of Katashina village, namely in Kamata – directly opposite to my office and the Kamata bus stop. You will pass it if you are on … Continued
For people who are interested in organic farming in Katshina, Setoyama-san is the man you should turn to. He has gained experience in organic farming for the past 14 years, growing delicious and natural fruits and vegetables on the 7 … Continued
Katashina-mura hosts many festivals all year around. During the summer season the different parts of the village hold the ‘Mikoshi O-matsuri’ (o-matsuri = festival). Based on a religious Shinto tradition, the locals get together to parade around a miniature shrine … Continued
During the colder months Katashina is known as winter wonderland. However, when the temperature rises, the snow melts and the skis have been stored away, the Oze-Iwakura ski resort transforms into a lily paradise. DSC08945The Oze Iwakura Lily Garden opens … Continued