Chisato ShizumeA new complex facility ‘SEIKAIHA’ is expected to open next month in Awaji Island, Hyogo prefecture. Facilities on the site are; a theater called ‘Naminoritei,’ a Japanese food restaurant ‘Aonoya’ and another restaurant named ‘Uminoya’ that serves Western cuisine.
Naminoritei can accommodate approximately 170, and will perform various plays produced by well-known directors, or performances based on Awaji island adopting Japanese music ‘Waraku’ and animations. Audiences can enjoy the shows performed against the backdrop of Harimanada sea, which is chosen as one of the best 100 sunset views in Japan. The theater is anticipated to give young rakugoka (storyteller of Japanese traditional style comedy ‘rakugo’) and actors a chance to perform and also to find great talent who shall promote Japanese culture to the next generation.
The general producer of the two restaurants are Hal Yamashita, a representative of Japanese master chef at World Gourmet Summit. Both restaurants will provide authentic cuisine cooked with seasonal food from Awaji island. The Japanese food restaurant ‘Aonoya’ will serve dishes using red sea bream and octopus caught in the straits of Awaji island, sushi made with seafood from the Port of Yura, and traditional Japanese food like tempura also cooked with fresh produce from Awaji island. At ‘Uminoya,’ western dishes will be cooked in Japanese style. Hamburger steak, rice omelette, beef stew cooked with food produced in Awaji island are examples of dishes that are to be served at the restaurant, reminiscent of the early Meiji era.
Since ancient times, Awaji island is regarded as an exchequer of food. The island is called ‘Miketsukuni,’ meaning a country that presents food to the Imperial Court and the Imperial family. It is presumed that food from Awaji island, mainly seafood, were sent to Ancient Kyoto by ship from ancient times up until the Heian period. In Japanese mythology, Awaji island is also said to be the first land formed by the two gods who created Japan, Izanagi and Izanami, meaning the island is the beginning of the nation. Such mythology and history are bound to attract domestic and inbound tourists; however, perhaps they hadn’t been recognized enough up till today. This could become an impetus to attract more people to the region.
Pasona Group Inc., a Japanese corporation that manages SEIKAIHA, hopes to appeal the beauty of Awaji island both internally and externally. The company also wishes to contribute to job creation and regional revitalization through transmission of Japanese culture in Awaji island. Facilities like SEIKAIHA that promotes the attractions of Japanese culture as well as the local area internally and externally, are much awaited across the nation for regional revitalization in Japan.
[Website] SEIKAIHA Homepage (in Japanese)
