Hello, my name is Chin Go and I am from Shanghai, China. I am currently a student at the Graduate School of Management, the University of Kyoto. Here I am reporting on my weekend trip to Shima Spain Village in Ise-Shima, Mie Prefecture, which I took with my two friends who are also exchange students. From Kyoto to Ise-Shima, we took the Kintetsu express train and enjoyed beautiful views of nature from the window. Since it was our first time to visit the Spain Village, we did some research on it before our trip. The Shima Spain Village is a resort complex that is built in harmony with the nature of Ise-Shima. The resort is known for the beautiful reproduction of scenic views and streetscapes of Spain, in which visitors can enjoy the feeling of Spain's cheerful sunshine and refreshing ocean breeze. The resort is surrounded by a number of famous tourist destinations, including the sparkling ocean (on which you can sail the Kashikojima España Cruise), Shima Marineland (aquarium), golf courses, and Ise Jingu Shrine. Parque España is a theme park located in the Shima Spain Village. At the Parque España, visitors may enjoy passionate performances of Spanish flamenco dancers, popular "España Carnival" parades, and many other fun attractions. The resort is a great place for the entire family and has been attracting guests both from Japan and overseas.

Authentic flamenco shows are a must-see.

If you have a chance to visit the Parque España, I highly recommend that you watch one of their flamenco shows. I always wanted to see an authentic performance of this traditional Spanish dance. At the Carmen Hall of the park, you can watch the show while you are seated at the table with a drink. As I waited anxiously, the show finally began with rhythmical music. I soon became so fascinated by the dancers' performance of soulful, passionate, and emotional song and dance. I got so excited that I felt goose bumps on my skin. I was especially inspired by the fact that the dancers were performing not to appeal to the audience but to share their feelings with them by freely and uniquely expressing their emotions in a form of performing art. I was also captivated by their voices and steps. Especially, the movement of their feet looked almost miraculous to me. I was so impressed and excited by their gorgeous presentations. I felt myself and other audiences becoming part of the stage. I even thought about learning how to dance flamenco.

We absolutely loved a scary roller coaster!

Another attraction I really enjoyed was "Pyrenees," one of the exciting roller coasters at the park. We rarely find rides like this in China, and I was so thrilled to try it. Once the ride was launched, my body was immediately thrown into the air, swinging in every direction. It was so much fun! I enjoyed every thrill of the falls, swings, and twists. It was a suspended coaster and our legs were hanging in the air throughout the ride. So after we got out of the ride, we got a funny feeling on our legs and felt like we were still floating. We just couldn't stop laughing!

Don't forget to taste paella, the flavor of Spain.

For lunch, we went to a restaurant called "El Patio" to try Spanish dishes I had never had before. I ordered seafood paella, which was of course loaded with seafood! The rice was nicely flavored as well. It tasted lighter compared to Chinese fried rice. My Korean friend also had paella but with Tabasco sauce...I think it tastes better without any sauce. I love to eat, and it was another interesting dish that I really enjoyed. I want to go back and eat that again!

The Castle Museum is a great place to learn about Spain.

Hi, my name is Lee Jang Hee and I am from Korea. Among many interesting attractions we visited at the Parque España, my most favorite place was the Xavier Castle Museum. As we entered the museum, we were greeted by real Gigantes dolls, which were about 3 meters tall. I was interested to learn that the dolls were used for festivals in Spain. I was most impressed by a real-size replica of the wall painting of Cueva de Altamira, or Altamira Cave. You can appreciate the paintings of bison, horses, and deer in detail, whose originals were created during the late stone age. The museum also introduces you to various ethnic costumes, handicrafts, and other traditional culture and lifestyles of Spain. The exhibitions also include Spain's distinguished architectural techniques and the biography of Columbus.

Another highlight of the trip--
A hot spring resort next to the park.

If you are in Japan, you have to try an onsen, or hot spring! Next to the Shima Spain Village is Himawari-no-yu, a natural hot spring resort. I visited the resort with my Czech friend, Patrick. It had a large lobby, and the changing room was quiet and relaxing. From the bath, we enjoyed the view of the beautiful ocean while relaxing in warm water. My skin became smooth too. The Himawari-no-yu is a simple alkaline hot spring and is believed to be effective in promoting good health, improving blood circulation, and easing nerve pains and more. We Korean people love onsen, and I really enjoyed the place. You can play at the Parque Espana and then relax in a natural hot spring and at the Himawari-no-yu. This would make a perfect combination for many Koreans.

Among many theme parks in Japan, the Parque España is a great place where you can have fun and experience foreign cultures at the same time. Once you enter the park, you will feel as if you were traveling an exotic country and become inspired to visit and see many things that you have not encountered yet. The Hotel Shima Spain Mura is located next to the park and features a beautiful Spanish-style building. And of course, taking a hot spring bath at the Himawari-no-yu provides another unique opportunity to experience part of Japanese traditional culture. If you are planning to visit Japan, I hope you will include the Shima Spain Village on your itinerary.

It was very inspiring to experience Spanish culture in Japan.

Hello, my name is Patrick and I am from the Czech Republic. I am just becoming familiar with Kyoto, so I felt a bit nervous at first about traveling a different part of the country. But I had good Asian friends I could depend on, so I was comfortable during the trip and was able to enjoy it as well. Although I had never been to Spain, I felt like I was right in the country when we visited the Shima Spain Village. It was a great place for me to learn about Spain and its culture. While the Xavier Castle Museum was very educational, I was most impressed by the streetscape in the Parque España, which was just like a real copy of streets in Spain. The Mayor Plaza and the Cibeles Plaza were among the reproductions of famous plazas and buildings in Spain. Along the Santa Cruz Street, guests can enjoy shopping in the atmosphere of South Spain. The Columbus Plaza had a look of Spanish port town. I thought the bright sun of Ise perfectly matched the Spanish-style cityscape of the park.

Experience the unexpected--enjoying rides in foreign atmosphere.

The park's attractions were so much fun, and among the three of us, I was probably the one who got most excited. While my Chinese friend was so fascinated with the thrills of the Pyrenees, a suspended coaster, I found that there were also lots of fun and interesting attractions available at the park. The Gaudí Carrousel is designed in the style of the famous Spanish artist and reminded me of a traveling carnival in Europe. I also enjoyed the actions of miniature character dolls featured at some attractions, for which I believe a number of technologies were used to operate. I definitely recommend that you try the Adventure Lagoon. Being on a small boat, you set sail from the Columbus Plaza but soon encounter attacks by cannons. I wish I could tell you what would happen next in the enemy's castle, but I should keep my mouth closed so that you can have fun on your own.

At the Shima Spain Village, people were all friendly.

What impressed me also was the friendliness of the park's cast members and staff employees. They kindly helped us foreign tourists understand the park, took pictures together for us, and showed us great hospitality. The performers of the España Carnival parade were people from Spain, who were so cheerful and entertaining and made sure that all the guests were having a good time. At the souvenir shop "¡Hasta La Vista! " I met a shop clerk who I think was probably Spanish, spoke excellent Japanese, and kindly explained to us about the park's popular souvenirs and a variety of imported products from Spain. I enjoyed the taste of a sweet snack called Polvorón, which is believed to bring you happiness when you eat it. Polvorón is sold at the park's confectionary, also named Polvorón. It was very good, so please try it if you have a chance to visit the park.