Yukie Ueda and Mari Mizukami, a professional snowboarder woman traveling together.This series, which is very popular, is an adult trip where they search for the astringent snowy mountains of Japan and emphasize food and hot springs.
The destination they chose this year is the Tohoku area, which has been secretly attracting attention in recent years.In the first half of the trip, I visited Minowa Ski Resort and Washikura Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture, spent the best time with the locals in the area, and left Fukushima.The two went north by car and headed for Matsushima in Miyagi prefecture.This area is not a mountainous area but a coastal area. It is a place that was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 311.The two said that it was a meaningful place to visit on a trip to Tohoku as a Japanese snowboarder.This time, as a special edition, we will ask each person to spell out their feelings for this place.
Text: Yukie Ueda
Special Thanks: K2 SNOWBOARDING,Gnu snowboarding
To Tohoku XNUMX years later
It has been seven years since the XNUMX earthquake, the nuclear power plant, and the new memories.
Immediately after that, my child was born, and I was just afraid of the damage I saw and heard in the news and rumors.The year before I went there because I wanted to see it with my own eyes someday.Instead of looking away from reality, I wanted to convey what I saw and felt in this land.I think that is one of the things we can do now that we have been active in Japan and overseas as Japanese snowboarders for many years.
On the way north from Fukushima prefecture, I wanted to stop by the sea somewhere.I wanted to see what the seaside of Tohoku looks like now.The names of representative disaster areas were also listed as candidates, but in the end we did not decide in particular and decided to leave ourselves to the flow of the trip.I went to the place I wanted to go, saw what I wanted to see, and tried to eat what I wanted to eat.The destination that was swept away was Miyagi / Matsushima.
Matsushima, oh Matsushima, Matsushima,
What beautiful islands existed here!The more I travel, the more I realize that beauty that I didn't know exists in this world, and the desire to go to a different place is aroused.
Matsushima was a place with enough charm to make us feel that way when we flew around the world.
Two adult females who park their cars and walk while frolicking.I often see older women traveling with friends, but I can understand their feelings.I'm sure my feelings will not change no matter how many trips I make with my friends. There are trips that I enjoyed because I was in my teens and twenties, and there are trips that I can enjoy now.
I admired the scenery of Matsushima, which is called "the three most scenic spots in Japan".The islands and terrain were intricate in Matsushima Bay, and a mysterious and beautiful scene spread out.The word rias coast, which I learned a long time ago, crosses my head for the first time in a while.And in that beauty, I could feel that there was damage from the tsunami during the earthquake.
It was cold with rain, but the snowboarders are strong at such times.If I was in the city wearing beautiful shoes and clothes, I would immediately run into the room, but we wore winter boots that wouldn't slip on the snow, and I had a beanie and hood jacket, and for Mari, a snowboard wear jacket. I'm walking dashingly.Let me tell you, it's a decent "city".Since our travel preparation is centered on snowboard gear, we have been devising for many years to make our travel baggage, which is the minimum necessary, look like "fashion that can be used in the city" with a little item.
Anxious about the messy hairstyle of the girl on a date, we walked around next to him hiding behind him in high shoes, with a light gait that would make us skip anything.It is also the wisdom of a woman who continues her journey that shoes are important for her journey.
I was hungry when I walked around.Walk while looking at candidates that look delicious, such as Matsushima's famous seafood grilled on the beach.
As soon as we saw the sign that says beef tongue, our hearts were decided.After all it is carnivorous (laughs).The shop I entered was like an izakaya and I wanted to order beer, but I was in the middle of a trip, so I put up with it.I was impressed by the thick and soft beef tongue and the tail soup, and my heart and stomach became warm.Then, worrying about the clock, I hurriedly headed to the beach again.
Before going on a trip, I found Matsushima in the map at my parents' house.When I casually asked my mother, who was next to me, "Hey, have you ever been to Matsushima?", He said he had been there when he was young.He told me that he had visited many small islands by boat.
Suddenly, the voice of the uncle who called in the local sightseeing boat and the information from my mother matched. "Hey Mari, let's get on the boat!" I asked him impulsively, and he said "I like it".
The beef tongue and the rainy walk were good, but above all, I realized later that this tour boat was the best way to get to know the area.Matsushima couldn't talk without seeing these beautiful islands.
The view from the ship surprised us, who hadn't done much research.The islands that appear one after another beyond the sea.A rock with a mysterious shape.Excitedly pointing around, how much we were on the deck in the cold sea breeze.
And there were also scars from the earthquake.A rock that collapsed due to the tsunami.I wondered how destructive it was.And even so, I felt an immeasurable force in the beautiful scenery that remained.There are still people living here.
As a snowboarder, as a Japanese
"We are snowboarders. It wouldn't be possible without Tohoku to meet friends through snowboarding, slippery mountains, and their history.
The reason why I wanted to go to Tohoku again this time was that there was a snowy mountain with my friends.
Tohoku snow, Tohoku accent friends.There are beautiful scenes here and snowy mountains that are proud of the world.I can't understand the feelings of people who have lived by feeling various things here in the same way, but the feelings of stepping on this land are certain, and I feel that I can not finish it as another person's affairs. ..
What can we do?I don't know how big it can be, but by visiting here, I can convey the wonderfulness I felt with my own eyes.
We are Japanese.Before being a snowboarder, a human being.Even if you jump out into the world outside the sea, Japan will still be your hometown.I want to cherish our hometown and Japan with friends and family.I want to see and feel for myself and convey it to as many people as possible with my own voice. " Yukie Ueda
"It was the first land I visited. Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, which has 260 large and small islands, was a beautiful place that became one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. The reason why the damage was minor in the Great East Japan Earthquake was because of the" rias coast ". It seems that it was one of them. Seeing is believing. I thought that it was enough to actually see it. The islands were scattered a lot and the islands prevented and weakened the momentum of the tsunami.
It was only a few minutes ago that I decided to stop by Matsushima.
"Hey, why don't you get off? "Yeah, I want to do that! I decided to park my car and go sightseeing in Matsushima.
I want to see beautiful scenery and new scenery, and enjoy the local culture and food.Originally, we, who like traveling alone, are traveling together, so we can decide everything promptly.It is also the real pleasure of traveling with Yukie-chan to actively act and push forward.
"I feel like Mari and I can survive in any country," Yukie-chan said on this trip, and I think so too.Sometimes both of us say and do things that make us think that they are boys, not girls, but that is also the point of our laughter.
I can't talk about before and after the earthquake because I haven't seen Matsushima before the earthquake, but in my opinion, Matsushima is busy seven years later, and it was a place where good air and energy were flowing.
I strongly hope that it will continue to develop as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan that will give a deep impression to those who visit Matsushima. " Mari Mizukami
Tohoku / Female Two Trips-Miyagi / Matsushima Edition-MOVIE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=154&v=NpnAWcyWpvw
After finishing sightseeing in Matsushima, the trip to the next destination, "Geto Kogen Ski Resort".
Continue.
Next time, I will upload "~ Iwate / Geto River Edition ~" one week later.looking forward to!
"Travel between Yukie Ueda and Mari Mizukami" Past Articles
Vol.1 Fukushima Minowa editionplease use this form.
Vol.2 Fukushima / Washikura Onsen / Mobile & Snowboard Editionplease use this form.
★ PROFILE
Yukie Ueda (left)
Born January 1973, 1.He started snowboarding in Whistler, Canada, and after 22 years of competitions such as halfpipe and big air, he fell in love with the backcountry.Currently, while moving to the United States and raising a 23-year-old son while continuing his professional activities, he runs a project for kids and mothers (LILKIDS & MAMA) and a camp for young Japanese people to experience in the United States (CALI LIFE CAMP). ..
SPONSOR: K2 SNOWBOARDING, Billabong, MORISPO SPAZIO, NEFF, RONIN, ZOOT, CORAZON SHIBUYA, LALALATV
Mari Mizukami (right)
Born July 1976, 7.I met snowboarding at NEW ZEALAND, which I went to as an exchange student in high school.After going through pipes, street rails and slopestyle, he now skis mainly in the backcountry.We are holding parties (PARTY BUNNYS) and events (SHREDDING GIRLS) where snowboarders can enjoy themselves in Tokyo and in the snowy mountains after being unable to slip for several years due to injury.
SPONSOR: GNU, NORTHWAVE, DRAKE, WESTBEACH, SPY, BLACKDIAMOND, SBN FREERUN, SHREDDING GIRLS, PARTY BUNNYS Event, Akabane First Dental
