Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media About NEFT

NEFT (Neft), a trivia media outlet for the six Tohoku prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima, introduces a wide range of information from various angles.

From tourist destinations and local cuisine to history, railways, festivals, traditional culture, folk beliefs, and ancient customs and mysterious stories that remain in the region, we delve into a wide range of topics related to Tohoku, using "trivia" as our entry point

I remember hearing a story like that when I was little..
Apparently, that festival actually has a long history..
I know the name, but I don't know the details..

Even such everyday questions and memories are important sources of article ideas for NEFT

We document and share the charm of Tohoku, focusing not only on nationally known tourist destinations, but also on things that are taken for granted and overlooked in the region, as well as events that are gradually being forgotten

Culture and knowledge enrich travel

NEFT's core concept is that "culture and knowledge enrich travel."

Even in a place you've never visited before, you gradually develop a sense of familiarity by learning about its history, culture, language, and food

A hot spring town deep in the mountains (image)

Even seemingly ordinary mountains, rivers, old buildings, train stations, and town names may hold hidden stories unique to that region. Knowing the background beforehand can greatly change the information and feelings you receive from the same scenery

NEFT aims to do more than just help people plan their trips; it also hopes that reading our articles will spark their interest in towns and cultures they've never known before

Famous tourist spots aren't the only attractions of Tohoku

The Tohoku region boasts numerous nationally renowned landmarks, festivals, and local cuisines

On the other hand

Dishes that have been passed down in the family
Customs that remain only in specific regions
Place names with unexpected origins
Historical sites that have not been commercialized for tourism
Local traditions known only to the people of the land

And so on... there are many topics that are not yet widely known

Even seemingly minor topics can, upon closer examination, be connected to the history of the region, the unique characteristics of the land, and the lives and values of the people who live there

NEFT is a media outlet that covers a wide range of information related to Tohoku, without being bound by the distinction between famous and unknown sources, making it a kind of "Tohoku region hodgepodge."

I believe that even the smallest things, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can be memories of someone's hometown or an entry point to understanding Tohoku for someone else

Various themes to cover

NEFT features a wide range of topics related to the six prefectures of Tohoku

Tourist attractions and scenic spots

This guide introduces the highlights of Tohoku, including breathtaking natural landscapes, historic townscapes, hot springs, temples and shrines, and historical sites. It focuses not only on well-known tourist destinations but also on smaller, hidden gems within the region

food culture

We will feature traditional local dishes passed down through generations, regionally exclusive products, and ingredients and seasonings beloved by locals. We will delve not only into their flavors but also into their origins and their relationship to the local way of life

history

This series introduces events and figures who were involved in the Tohoku region from ancient times to the modern era. We will unravel its history while being mindful of how it connects to current place names, culture, and townscapes

Traditions and Customs

This program introduces festivals, folk performing arts, traditional events, beliefs, and annual events that have been passed down in various regions. It focuses not only on the glamorous aspects, but also on their origins and the background behind their preservation in each community

When it comes to folk toys such as kokeshi dolls, crafts, and products that utilize local materials, we look not only at the shape and design, but also at the history of the makers and the places where they are produced

Traditions and beliefs

This series explores various narratives remaining in Tohoku, including stories about yokai (supernatural beings), demons, gods, the origins of place names, and mysterious legends. By distinguishing between what has been passed down as tradition and facts that can be confirmed from historical documents, we will investigate the reasons why these stories have survived in that region

Railways, Roads, and Local Transportation

This section introduces transportation that has connected the Tohoku region and its people, including not only bullet trains and main railway lines, but also local lines, abandoned lines, trains that once ran, roads, and mountain passes

Things I value in interviewing and writing

In articles about history, folklore, and local culture, you may find that similar stories are told in other regions, or that the content has changed over time

Therefore, NEFT strives to convey information as accurately as possible by checking information and various materials published by public institutions, local governments, tourism associations, facilities, and preservation groups

We will distinguish between historically confirmed facts, local traditions, and various theories, and describe them as necessary, without confusing them

Furthermore, even festivals, dishes, and customs with the same name may differ in origin and content depending on the region. We believe it is important to respect regional differences rather than applying a single explanation to the entire Tohoku region

If new information is discovered after publication, or if the situation regarding facilities, transportation, etc., changes, we will review and update the article as necessary

This book is for people like you

NEFT is not just a media outlet for people planning a trip to Tohoku

For those who want to learn more about the tourist attractions and food culture of Tohoku
For those who want to learn more about their hometown
People who like history, folklore, railways, local cuisine, etc
For those looking for a different side of Tohoku than the well-known tourist destinations
For those who are curious about the origins of place names and customs
Those who are interested in places they have never visited before

I hope that reading my articles will spark your interest in other towns, different eras, and different cultures

Passing on the memories of Tohoku to the future

Even stories that are well-known in a region can gradually be forgotten as time passes if they are not recorded

Appreciation of local performing arts (image)

Festivals that have been held for generations, dishes that have been made in homes, trains that once ran on the line, the origins of unusual place names, legends that have been passed down by local people—each of these is a precious memory that has shaped the land

NEFT will find, research, and record various kinds of information remaining in Tohoku, and deliver it to as many people as possible

I hope that reading this article will serve as an opportunity for you to learn about Tohoku and give you a reason to visit the region someday. I will continue to share all the charms of the six prefectures of Tohoku