About Daisen
Daisen is a granary region covered in lush mountains and rice fields situated in the south of Akita. The surrounding mountainous landscape changes dramatically season to season and the area supports a long history of local events, traditions and festivals. Known as Hanabi Town and famous for the annual national fireworks competition, Omagari Hanabi, Daisen boasts a display for every month of the year.
This page features a collection of articles written by current and previous members of the Daisen City Board of Education team, sharing some of their favourite places around town. Hopefully their stories provide some insight into what life is like in rural Northern Japan.
Life in Daisen
Life in Daisen — Manjyot Virdie
2018-09-01
My name is manjyot Virdie and I've been in Daisen since August 2017. Being the last ALT to start work in 2017, I've still only experienced two seasons here; Autumn and Winter.
As a Canadian, I am very used to seeing four distinct seasons and the beauty of nature. Daisen has all the things that I can find at home and yet, it is so different. I love that about this city! There are rice fields everywhere and they look beautiful, pretty much all year round. The natural beauty is my absolute favourite, however. There are beautiful mountains - and a couple of volcanoes, which I think is SO cool - surrounding the city and watching their impressive bulk change day after day is kind of an indescribable feeling. It's peaceful and exhilarating at the same time.
I love taking pictures and I love painting. I haven't been able to do the latter, but I have tried numerous times to capture the beauty of this place and it never works. Maybe part of the reason is that it is difficult to capture the feeling it elicits through a camera. Pictures are one dimensional in many ways and they only capture the kind of beauty one can see. However, there is beauty in every single interaction I've had with the people here and thus, it constantly leaves my pictures a bit lacking.
Daisen is a city with a real small-town feel and as such, people are kind and they look out for each other. They genuinely care! During a difficult time, pretty much every person I know will make sure I'm alright. Being vegetarian, I face challenges, but if food is involved, people will go above and beyond to make sure I'm well-fed. In fact, I think they worry more because of it and constantly supply me fresh food, fruits and vegetables; it is a farming town after all.
I know the Omagari fireworks are amazing and they - among other things - make Daisen a great tourist destination. However, it is also a great place to live. I love Canada, but I rarely get the opportunity to miss it. I have the many amazing aspects of Daisen and its people to thank for that!
Life in Daisen — Richard Derksen
2017-09-01
Hello, nice to meet you. My name is richard Derksen and I am from Vancouver, Canada. I have lived in Daisen for about a year and a half. I have loved my life in Japan and I am very happy to be living in Omagari. My favourite place in Daisen is Ikeda Family Garden. I have been there a few times with my friends and my parents. I was lucky enough to have an English tour every time I went to the garden. It has a very peaceful atmosphere and the history about the garden is very impressive. I especially like the 3-legged stone lantern. I would love to go again!
There is a lot of character and a strong sense of community in Daisen. Everyone I have met has been very friendly to me and it has made living in Japan very easy. The fireworks festival in summer and the festivals in winter like the tug-of-war in Kariwano and Bonden on the Omonogawa River bring the town the life. I really value my time here in Daisen and I am always happy to meet new people!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Life in Daisen — Misa Yasuda
2017-09-01
My favorite place in Daisen is Daisen. This answer may be a bit confusing, so let me explain. My favorite place isn’t just one spot, but the natural beauty that surrounds us every day. I have never lived in a place quite like this where the seasons are so distinct. Living here for four years means that I sometimes forget how amazing this place is. I may be distracted by work or other things happening in my life, and I fail to realize what is in front of me. My favorite moments are those that happen when I just stop and notice my surroundings.
These moments are…
These moments are…
Flurries of cherry blossom petals.
The warm months when I can ride my bike around Omagari and observe the various stages of the rice fields.
The way the clouds glide around the gorgeous blue sky.
The beautiful sunsets in fall.
The first heavy snow in winter when everything goes quiet.
