Masuda
| Masuda Town | |
|---|---|
| 増田町 | |
| Masuda in Akita | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Akita |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Area | 74.21 km² |
| Population | 6,039 (as of October, 2020) |
| Symbols | |
| Tree | Apple (リンゴ) |
| Flower | Cherry Blossom (さくら・桜) |
| Bird | Hawk (タカ・鷹) |
.svg) | |
| Town Hall | |
| Address | 〒019-0701 秋田県平鹿郡増田町増田字土肥館173番地 |
| Telephone | ☎ 0182-45-3401 |
| Website | Homepage |
Masuda (増田) is a town located in the southeastern part of Yokote City in Akita Prefecture.
History
- April 1st, 1889, the old Masuda Village, Kameda Village, and the Yagi Village all merged into the new Masuda Village.
- In 1895, Masuda Village became Masuda Town.
- October 1st, 2005, along with, Hiraka Town, Omonogawa Town, Omori Town, Jumonji Town, Sannai Village, and Taiyū Village, Masuda Town merged with the old Yokote to form the new Yokote City.
Sightseeing
Masuda is the hometown of Takao Yaguchi, creator of 'Sanpei.' In his honor, there stands the Masuda Manga Museum which displays an outstanding array of Sanpei imagery in addition to works by many key artists in the manga world, including the creator of Anpanman!
Masuda is also known for its apples. If you've ever wanted to experience harvesting apples, show up here in the fall and you are sure to land a place to volunteer.
Moreover, Masuda is also a once-leading commercial center where merchants resided.
Events in Masuda
- Masuda Morning Market (朝市) | Held on dates ending in 2, 5, and 9
- The Masuda Morning Market has been running for more than 360 years. It was said to provide the daily supplies of the samurai who lived in Masuda Castle. The produce they sell differs by season. Opens from 7:00 AM ~ 12:00 PM.
- Masuda Bon Dance (盆おどり) | Mid August
- The Masuda Bon Dance tells the tragic story of the building of Masuda Castle 640 years ago. See here for details.
- Masuda Firework (花火) | Mid September
- Originating in the Taisho era, the Masuda Firework is the oldest and one of the most popular firework events in Akita.
- Masuda Bonden Festival (梵天) | Mid Feburary
- Bonden are big bamboo poles that are beautifully decorated. During the Masuda Bonden Festival, the local students will carry the bonden while going around the town of Masuda.
Hidden Storehouses (内蔵) | map
Located around the shopping street of Masuda, the Hidden Storehouses, or kura, are buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. These storehouses represent the town's once-thriving merchant economy and culture. They are built directly into the living spaces of merchants who resided in the town of Masuda. These historical structures are still actively used in daily life, providing a living glimpse into the past. Visitors to Masuda can experience the enduring spirit of the merchants who once thrived here, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in Japan's architectural and cultural heritage.
Some storehouses require an entrance fee and some are free
- Kura Day (蔵の日) | Early October
- Hours: 9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM
- Fee : ￥500
- With a small entrance fee of ￥500, you can enjoy all the storehouses in the town of Masuda. It is usually held on the first Sunday of October. On that day, the local Junior High School students will be guides and introduce the different storehouses to the tourists. There will also be brass band, taiko, and bon-odori performances by the JHS kids around noontime.
- Hours: 9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM
Masuda Manga Museum (増田まんが美術館) | map
Opened in 1995, the Masuda Manga Museum is Japan's first manga-original-drawing-themed museum. The museum offers an exciting experience with exhibits, original artwork displays by manga artists from all over the world, a comprehensive library of manga books, various workshops, as well as a cafe that introduces collaboration menus from time to time.
Admission is free
Exhibitions are usually around ￥1000
- Hours: 10:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM (Last entry 5:30 PM)
- Cafe : 10:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM (Last order 3:30 PM)
- Closed on the third Tuesday of every month
Chosen as one of the 100 Famous Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan in 1990, Mato Park is a beautiful destination for nature lovers. In spring, the park is filled with a variety of flowers including the famous cherry blossom, iris flowers, plum blossoms, and much more!
Events in Mato Park:
- Cherry Blossom Festival (さくらまつり) | Late April ~ Early May
- During springtime, you can see the beautiful pine trees on Mato Mountain that surrounds Mato Park. The 2000 cherry blossom trees are the stars of the season. The first taraikogi boat race of the year is also held during this time.
- Taraikogi Boat Racing (たらいこぎ競争・選手権) | Late April & Mid August
- Taraikogi is a barrel rowing competition. These barrels are 90cm x 40cm, and were used to brew sake during the Meiji and Taisho era. The contestants row with their hands while trying to keep their balance and not fall into the water. The whole race is 42.159m long.
- Apple Festival (りんごまつり) | Mid October
- The Apple Festival celebrates the fruit of Masuda: the apple. During the event, the local students will perform taiko. You can also enjoy a quiz about apples, an apple peeling contest, the Apple Song (リンゴの唄) contest, and even a 'Miss Apple' contest! And of course, you can buy apple-related products there!
Tengamori Ski Area (天下森スキー場) | map
The Tengamori Ski Area offers 2 slopes suitable for beginners and intermediate athletes. :Many local kids will enjoy their winter here with their friends and families when the resort opens for the season.
Restaurants
Koryu (紅龍, lit. The Red Dragon) | map
Koryu is a Chinese Restaurant that specializes in ramen. The most well-known dish there is the Mapo Ramen, a hybrid dish made with spicy mapo tofu and ramen.
Open 11:00 AM ~ 2:00 PM ; 5:00 PM ~ 8:00 PM
Closes on Sundays
As the name states, NS. coffee stand specializes in coffee, but that doesn't mean their food isn't just as good. They have a weekly set menu that is definitely worth more than you pay for. Check it out if you're a coffee lover or just enjoys good food in general.
Open 10:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM
Closes on Tuedays
Sasahei (佐々平商店, lit. Sasahei's Store) | map
Opened in 1919, Sasahei is definitely a local favourite. Their soft cream in the summer is what made them famous but their croissant taiyaki will warm your body as well as your heart in the harsh winter of Masuda.
※A lot of times the owner will not be at the counter so you'll have to ring a bell.
Open 11:00 AM ~ 2:00 PM
Closes irregularly
SheShe (シェーシェー, lit. Thank you) | map
Across from Sasahei, SheShe is another local favourite with their famous Yokote yakisoba and their shaved ice. The name シェーシェー may be the Mandarin word for "Thank you" (謝謝) as the restaurant does seem to specialize in Chinese food.
Open 11:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM
Closes irregularly
Hayashi Ryokan (林旅館, lit. Hayashi Japanese Inn) | map
Hayashi Ryokan, also known as そば処 はやし, is where you can get delicious soba noodles in the town of Masuda. If you work at Masuda as an ALT, you'll for sure eat at Hayashi Ryokan at least once for school parties.
Open 11:00 AM ~ 2:00 PM
Closes irregularly
Education
Masuda is a small town with a less than 10,000 population. According to the 2020 census, the population of Masuda Town was 6,309. This means that there aren't many classes in schools and you'll probably have a lot of downtime if you work there as an ALT.
- Masuda Nusery School (ますだ保育園)
- Masuda Elementary School (増田小学校)
- Masuda Junior High School (増田中学校)
- Masuda High School (増田高等学校)
Getting There
By Car
- Go down Route 13 to Jumonji and turn left at the crossroad after you see Pachinko 22.
- Keep going until you cross the bridge to the Town of Masuda.
- Fruits Line
- Go from Yokote at the Sunkus near AQA. (If you don't know AQA, I suggest you make finding the greatest karaoke station your goal right now). The Family Mart should be on your right as you enter the road.
- If you see a giant apple on your way that means you're close!
- Turn right at the intersection with the large gym in Masuda.
※This may be known as the apple road but its official name is actually the Fruits Line.
※The Fruits Line has had many accidents during the wintertime due to the heavy snowfall, please be extra careful when using it.
※The sacred Japanese serow (カモシカ) has also been spotted on the Fruits Line multiple times, another reason to be careful!
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By Transit
Interesting Stories
Masuda Elementary School was built on where the Masuda Castle used to stand. During the construction of Masuda Castle, it is said that the castellan, Yoshifuyu Ogasawara (小笠原義冬), buried his daughter along with a cow alive, praying for good luck and to strengthen the castle. To console their spirits, it is said that two cedar trees were planted.
There may or may not be a little girl's spirit in Masuda ES👀
See also
- See Wikimedia Commons for all images.
| Yokote City |
|---|
| Hiraka • Jūmonji • Masuda • Omonogawa • Ōmori • Sannai • Taiyū • Central Yokote |
