Winter has arrived in Noboribetsu Onsen. There is no snow yet, but the cold wind tells us it will soon be here. It is starting to feel festive, but please dress warmly when you come to visit!

We are excited to announce that a rakugo performance held at Dai-ichi Takimotokan! Rakugo, a traditional form of Japanese storytelling, is a fascinating thing for everyone even if you don’t understand everything being said. Begun in the Edo Period (1603 – 1868) as a form of entertainment, it relies on a single actor to tell a story. No special sets or props are used except for a single fan and a hand towel and changes in their voice to illustrate the story. The stories are often funny and never fail to delight. We think it is a perfect way to pass a long winter’s night!

The Japan Onsen Caravan of Rakugo, Iki-na Kutsurogi Tei, came to Dai-ichi Takimotokan, and we organized a special banquet for our guests to watch the performances in their cozy yukata. We laughed and enjoyed ourselves very much.

Here are some of the performers.

Someza Hayashiya, a young rakugo performer from Western Japan, won Hyogo Prefecture’s Art Promotion Prize in 2014.

Bunji Katsura, a master storyteller from Eastern Japan, won the 2009 Cultural Affairs Art Festival New Artist Award.

The rakugo party and performances were free for our guests. While we could not take pictures during the show, we can give you a behind-the-scenes look at our preparations for the evening!

We covered the storyteller’s raised platform with a bright red cloth and surrounded it with gold screens to create an exciting atmosphere.

Our guests warmed up in the bath, and then came to enjoy the show. They surely had pleasant dreams that night. We hope you can join us next time and maybe try some skiing!