Toyota City and Okazaki Tour

On August 23, the members of CEI explored various attractions in Okazaki. First, they visited the Toyota Kaikan Museum in Toyota City next to the city of Okazaki. The museum showcased Toyota's latest innovations that will be displayed at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as well as Toyota's contributions in the automobile industry. Next, the members toured Toyota's Motomachi Factory and observed how the cars were made. The tour featured robots welding pieces of metal together to make parts of the car as well as workers putting together car pieces to build the car.

CEI members and Kumiko-San gathered together at the Toyota Kaikan Museum.

Next, the group visited the Maruya Hatcho Miso. There, they received a tour around the company that creates hatcho miso. The members learned abot the process of creating miso with large wooden barrels, a traditional method that has been passed down from generations. After the tour, the members were given a sample of hatcho miso to try. Some members even tried the soft serve ice cream that was sprinkled with hatcho miso.

CEI members learning about the history of miso from the tour guide.

After touring the Maruya Hatcho Miso company, the group visited the nearby Okazaki Castle. Okazaki Castle consists of the castle itself, which is now a museum, and the surrounding park. The group explored the beautiful park, which even featured the castle's moat, on the way to the castle. At the castle, the museum displayed many pieces in honor of Tokugawa Ieyasu. For example, Ieyasu's armor and swords were displayed. Furthermore, statues, artifacts, and scrolls were on display to highlight Ieyasu's legacy. Finally, the group visited the top of the castle, which provided a great overview of the city of Okazaki.

Okazaki Castle is the birthplace of the creator of the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Now it serves as a museum in honor of his memory.

Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese automobile company located in the Aichi Prefecture. Toyota has greatly contributed to the world of automobiles and enriching society through its innovations by solving problems in the environment and safety while also enhancing the pleasure of driving. Toyota's vision to find harmony among people, cars, and the Earth is the driving force behind its innovations.

The Maruya Hatcho Miso is the oldest maker of hatcho miso, which is a variation of red miso that is traditionally made using only soybeans, water, and salt. The miso is made by steaming and mashing the soybeans in the large wooden barrels. Then, the barrels are sealed and stones are placed on top of the barrels to drain water out. This traditional method of making miso has been passed down for over 600 years.

A large wooden barrel where miso is created in the Maruya Hatcho Miso factory.

The Okazaki Castle is the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu the creater of the Edo Period and one of Japan's most influential rulers. Okazaki Castle features beautiful cherry blossoms during the spring and fireworks during the summer. The castle also features a shrine where visitors can pray as well as a shrine where visitors can write their wishes on ema and display them. In the park, the clock features a marionette, a performing puppet, that appears every hour to provide entertainment to visitors.

CEI members enjoying the performance of the clock marionette.