“URESHINO DESIGN WEEK 2017” was held on November 10-12, 2017, at Hot Spring Park in Ureshino city, Saga Prefecture, western Japan. JAPAN DESIGN WEEK is an original DESIGN WEEK with the theme of regional revitalization targeting 1,800 municipalities in Japan. The 2nd URESHINO DESIGN WEEK was co-hosted by Ureshino and Design Association NPO.

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(Image2: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/img/201711218209-O2-G01k7KhJ)

(Logo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/img/201711218209-O3-701gN87u)

Day 1: The Ureshino Conference and “One Tea One Sweet,” a meal session of Ureshino tea and confectionery were held. Participants exchanged views on the Ureshino hot spring resort, one of Japan’s three most famous skin-beautifying hot spring resorts, while having Ureshino Tea, Japan’s first steaming coiled green tea.

Day 2: In collaboration with Hirosaki city, Aomori Prefecture, related artists from both cities showed remarkable performances at the music and talk event “Onwasai.” The first artist was Hanawa, who was catapulted into fame after his first single “Saga Prefecture” released in 2003. The audience was moved to tears after he performed “Father-in-law,” a song he composed as a present for his wife.

Next, local idol groups Pinky Sky and Ringo Musume (from Aomori), and national idol group AKB48 Team 8 jointly performed the famous song “Heavy Rotation.” The fans who had prepared cheering goods just for this day and the loud cheering voice from local people enlivened the event.

Finally, Tsugaru shamisen players, Motoki Morinaga and Kazuo Shibutani, performed with Tsugaru flute players, Kazuya Sato and Bunta Sato. Morinaga and Sato, both from Saga Prefecture, led the powerful shamisen and flute performance. After “Onwasai,” a music parade “Pihyara” which is another usual content of DESIGN WEEK was held, and the artists as well as local people walked together through Ureshino. While walking, they sang the world-famous “Sukiyaki” song to the tune of a local students’ band.

Don’t Miss Next DESIGN WEEK

In addition to “Onwasai” in the next FUJISAWA DESIGN WEEK 2017 that will be held in Fujisawa city, Kanagawa Prefecture, there will be an exhibition of Akihiro Nishino’s representative work, “Poupelle of Chimney Town.” Each page illuminated with LED light for you to enjoy the unique worldview creation by Nishino.

FUJISAWA DESIGN WEEK 2017

Time: December 2 (Saturday), 2017

*Poupelle Exhibition: Dec 2 (Sat.)-Dec 10 (Sun.)

Venue: Terrace Mall Shonan, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Pref.