Urakawa is off the beaten track for tourists. However, as part of the Jenesys programme, I had the rare opportunity to visit this quiet and peaceful place, to gain a better understanding of social welfare services over there. In Urakawa, the population is small and old, as many members of the younger generation have migrated to the cities to seek higher socio-economic status, living behind many lone elderly. Nonetheless, I found the people there exceptionally warm, accepting and friendly. And this is definitely a place I would want to live in if I ever need to seek asylum from the erratic pace of city life.
Arriving in Hokkaido, outside Chitose Airport. It was the first time seeing snow for many of us :D
Our first dinner in a humble restaurant. Hot ramen goes well with cold beer in the chilly climate.
The cook behind the yummy dinner.
The streets of Urakawa, on a cold morning.
On the second day here, we visited the Association for the Ainu tribe, who are the indigenous people in the country.
A very very adorable old lady.
That's her singing!
From my understanding, more than half a century ago, the Japanese people started to invade the land of Hokkaido, taking away many young ladies from the Ainu tribe. Many of them were badly treated, sexually assaulted and tortured by their captors. As the presence of the Japanese people grew, the Ainu people also began to face discrimination in schools, in work and in their homeland. The song that this granny was singing carried the voice of a young lady who was taken to a foreign land, cut off from her family and loved ones. The song was slow and painful, filled with grief and longing for a past and a future lost.
Ainu people playing their traditional musical instrument.
We bade them farewells with the a warm but heavy heart.
The third morning, after some light snow.
The outskirts, however, were covered with plenty of snow.
It was freezingly cold!
The workshop of Koyeon Institution, where people with intellectual disability worked. The clients were able to make very beautiful wooden crafts and handicrafts. (To protect the privacy of the clients, I am unable to post pictures of some of the other workshops) It was the perfect place to buy omiyages!
At Warashibe horse riding therapy centre*, we were given the chance to ride on a horse! This is yours truly, with Expresso, the black beauty.(*This centre provides rehabilitation service to persons with physical disabilities through horse riding therapy. Horse riding has been shown to be helpful in correcting the posture and enhancing the balance of the clients. The therapy session was some thing that many clients looked forward to very much!)
Cafe Bura Bura, run by the Bethel House*. Many of the items displayed here are made by the Bethel House members. All of us liked the cafe so much that we kept going back there. Their pumpkin cakes were the best I've ever had!
(*Bethel House is a group home, community home facility for people with mental condition. What makes Bethel House so unique is the "patient-led research", where clients redefine their illnesses as weaknesses, and support each other in finding ways to cope and live with their own weaknesses. In my opinion, Carl Roger's person-centred approach is at the heart of their practice. People there were very supportive, accepting and nonjudgmental. They live together in groups, depending on each other for practical assistance and emotional support. The people at Bethel house also find ways to engage in economically productive activities. Some of the social enterprise they run include the cafe mentioned above, and various businesses selling packed seaweed, handicrafts, and publishing books on the Bethel House and its practices. Over the years, Bethel house has become quite well-known in Japan as people come from all corners of Japan to seek respite, if not a new home.)
This boy (I can't remember his name) was an awesome singer! He wrote his own songs and did several performances during our time at the cafe.
On our last night in Urakawa, the local party threw a party for us! We were strongly encouraged to wear our traditional costumes so this is yours truly in a cheongsam (and thermal wear to keep warm, haha!).
The opening performance.
The residents put up a couple of booths for us to experience traditional Japanese art/skills, such as tea ceremony...
flower arrangement
and kimono-wearing! Apparently to put on a Kimono is a skill that girls had to learnt too.
There were many steps, many layers, and many moments when we had to breathe in and suck our tummies in!
The beautiful ladies who helped to dress us in Kimonos. Yikes, I looked incredibly FAT! Hmm Japanese food must have been too good to resist! )):
A parting shot with the residents of the town. I always find it amazing when people who do not share a common language are still able to connect with each other.
Goodbye Urakawa, and goodbye to thick winter wear.
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