After the JARL Ham Fair 2024 was over, JC E20NKB and Champ E21EIC continued on their journey to Tohoku to experience the tradition and culture of the JA7 area as well as to visit HAM friends. It was truly a wonderful trip.

Figure 1. Kuny 7L1FPU, JC E20NKB, and Champ E21EIC taking the Shinkansen train to Tohoku

The journey began on Monday 26th August 2024 with Kuny san 7L1FPU taking the group on Shinkansen (E6 model) from Tokyo and reaching Sendai in the evening. Once there, Harry san JG7PSJ (JD1BMH) organize a little amateur radio gathering at a famous Kuranosho restaurant with friends from JA7ZFN Club including Bear JA7RHJ, Ken JN7FAH and Sam JP7DKQ. This was the second time that Champ met his friend Bear JA7RHJ again after 20 years!

Figure 2. JA7 Dinner with JG7PSJ, JA7RHJ, JN7FAH, JP7DKQ, E20NKB, E21EIC, 7L1FPU, (Top right, L-R) Champ E21EIC with JA7RHJ holding a WRTC1996 booklet

Kuranosho Sohonten is an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) that has already been in business for 30 years. As soon as the guests enter the restaurant, they will be greeted by a large traditional Japanese fireplace, also called “irori”, that is over 2 meters wide! Surrounding the irori is the highly sought after counter seats for guests to watch the chef cook seafood, meat and vegetables right in front of them. Local sake from Miyagi and Tohoku regions are available. Some of the menu highlights include irori-yaki (charcoal-grilled foods), motsuni (offal stew) cooked with Sendai miso, and dashimaki tamago (rolled omelette). Both Champ and JC were truly impressed and would like to thank Harry san JG7PSJ for inviting them.

Figure 3. (Top Left) A statue of Professor Yagi. Pictures are taken at Tohoku University, Katahira Campus Club Station (JA7YAA) where Professor Yagi-Uda Antenna was born in 1925

On Tuesday 27th August, Harry san JG7PSJ acted as the group’s guide and took everybody to the Katahira Campus of Tohoku University where Professor Yagi and Professor Uda did their pioneering research on YAGI-UDA antenna. It is one of the must-visit places for amateur radio enthusiasts. The group also visited the antennas of JA7YAA and sincerely hoped that the station will become active once more.

Everyone then carried on to Zao mountains (POTA JP-0110) which is located between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. Zao mountains are a complex cluster of stratovolcanoes that stretch over 40km long. The central volcano includes several lava domes, and a tuff cone which contains the breathtaking “Okama” Lake. Famous for its changes in colours, the water-filled crater is 60m deep, 360m in diameter, and is the main attraction site of the Zao mountains.

Figure 4. JG7PSJ,7L1FPU, E20NKB and E21EIC at ZAO Quasi National Park, POTA (JP-0110)

The group then continued on to Hōjusan Risshaku-ji which is also called “Yamadera”, a scenic temple located in the mountains near Yamagata City. Yamadera Temple is one of the most sacred mountain temples in the Tohoku region. It was founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin in 860AC. In order to reach the sanctuary at the top called Oku-no-in, the group had to clamber up over 1,000 steps. Though the hike took some effort, the tranquil nature of the trek together with the dramatic views from the top made everything well worth it.

Figure 5. Hōjusan Risshakuji Temple

The group spent the night at Midoriya Ryokan, a local traditional Japanese inn that features a communal onsen, and serves beautiful food made from local ingredients. Midoriya Ryokan is a family-run business and is now in the hands of the 3rd generation. They only have 2 rooms for guests which gave the group a perfect way to relax and rejuvenate privately after a long day.

Figure 6. Midoriya Ryokan

The group checked out of the Ryokan on Wednesday 28th August and travelled on to Genbikei, a 2km long ravine on the Iwai River in Ichinoseki city. It has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument since 1927. The highlight of this morning visit is the flying dango. Kakko-ya is a sweets store that sells dango, however when it is served, instead of being brought to you via a waiter, the dango actually “fly” over the Genbikei Gorge in a basket together with the hot tea! It is so famous that there is a saying that if one has not eaten at Kakko-ya, then one has not reached Genbikei yet.

Figure 7. Gembikei Gorge and famous flying Dango.

Afterwards, the group visited Chusonji Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in the early 12th century, Chusonji is a temple complex based in Hiraizumi on the mountaintop. The highlight is the Konjikido, or the Golden Hall, which is covered in gold leaf and inlaid with mother-of-pearl – an extraordinary craftsmanship of the time. An interesting point about Konjikido history is that 100 lotus seeds were found inside a container during the process to examine the mummified remains in Chusonji Temple in 1950. In an attempt to re-connect with the past, Toshiko Nagashima, a lotus expert, was able to successfully germinate the seeds in 1995 so visitors can now see these Chusonji Lotus flowers bloom as they did 800 years ago!

Figure 8. Chusonji Temple

Before returning to Tokyo, the group visited JA7ZFN, one of the super stations in Tohoku region of Japan. The location is on the hill top in Shibata Gun, Miyagi Prefecture. Right now, there are a total of 5 towers with antennas that cover all bands. Champ E21EIC was honored to QRV from the station with the callsign JH1TEQ/7 for a short period of time and made a total of 4 QSOs with E25KAE, HS0GWL, HS8NKB, and BG7QEI.

Figure 9. Fubo Ham Club JA7ZFN

Harry san JG7PSJ came to say goodbye to the group including 7L1FPU, E20NKB and E21EIC at Shiroishi-Zao station where they took the Shinkansen train back to Tokyo.

Many thanks to Harry san JG7PSJ for taking everyone around. Even though the time was short, everybody had a great time seeing the highlights of Tohoku. It was truly a memorable visit. Arigato gozaimasu!