I visited one of the 3 information centers, Kinare which is a regional communication center where you can get a map and guide for the event. There are shops that feature originally designed hats and cotton cloths which are very helpful items for visitors who need to walk around outside. The town here called Tokamachi is known for weaving. The exhibited works at Kinare introduces us to the history of weaving. For the Triennial, art students exhibited works made with cloth.

Deep in the Tokamachi area, there is a small village called the Nakahira district where you can find “Flowers of our minds – precious moments” by Ayumi Kikuchi. There were many pieces of beads-made flowers in full bloom. The work has been installed since 2006. Added the number of flowers, the work looks like a big cluster of flowers organically spread, but as you look closely piece by piece, you will notice each piece is made with great care. With the help with Nakahira residents, the beatiful work is created that gathers all hearts of the community. Walking around in the village, you will notice how close the distance between our lives and nature. There were summer vegetables waiting to be harvested. Imagine how delicious they were, I headed to my accommodation.

Sansho House is the place I choose to stay during my visit the Triennial. Opened in 2006, Sansho House is a renovated accommodation using the former Sansho Elementary School as one of the reuse project of closed schools. The place is also used as a base for festival volunteerz called Kohebitai. Taking advantage of the school building, the former class rooms are now used as a cafeteria and guest rooms with bunk beds. The best of all is a library, which still has the book stock from the school days. You can read them freely. Very attractive with retro books organized on the shelves.

[NEXT]