Introducing a Video on Japanese Yokai This video, titled "Yokai - The Monsters That Ward off Plagues With the Wishes of the People" (妖怪 〜疫病退散 ! 人々の願いを込めて〜), was uploaded by "Japan Video Topics - Japanese" (Japan Video Topics - 日本語). In Japan, there is a culture of yokai, Japanese folklore which believes in the existence of numerous supernatural monsters and ghosts. The yokai introduced from 0:19 are the ones that most Japanese people are familiar with. The first one is the Tengu. Tengu, who roam the mountains, are probably the most well-known yokai. Next, there's Hitotsume kozo, a monster that appears out of thin air to scare and play with people. The third yokai is Zashiki warashi, a monster that appears in the form of a child and is known as a yokai that brings prosperity to one's home. Yokai Depicted in the Past and Present Photo：An image of yokai The International Research Center for Japanese Studies has been conducting research on yokai, and one of the documents, the Hyakki Yagyo Emaki, depicts many yokai and appeared in the 16th century. As time passed, these once feared monsters became a part of Japanese people's daily life. You can see the Hyakki Yagyo Emaki at 0:48 in the video. Even today, yokai are seen in a number of different works. Gegege no Kitaro, which can be seen from 1:04 in the video, is a famous manga featuring yokai, and has also been made into an anime. In addition, there are many other popular works in which yokai appear, such as "Natsume's Book of Friends." Fukusaki, Hyogo - Revitalizing a Town Through Yokai Photo：A statue of a kappa emerging from the water, Fukusaki, Fukushima In Fukusaki, Hyogo, the birthplace of the folklorist Kunio Yanagita, author of "Yokai Story" (妖怪談義), the town is being revitalized with the help of yokai. When a statue of a kappa jumping out of a pond was installed, it attracted attention from all across Japan. On the benches of the town, visitors will find fascinating yokai sculptures, including kappa, oni, and many others. There are also some unusual and humorous yokai sculptures on display, such as a yokai relaxing on a convenience store bench, an oni taking a selfie with a smartphone, and a tengu working in a suit. Since then, the town has held the "National Yokai Modeling Contest" and sold plastic models of kappa and other yokai, leading to an increase in the number of tourists. The Many Yokai Towns of Japan Fukusai is not the only town in Japan with yokai. The town of Yamashiro in Tokushima Prefecture is known as Oboke Yokai Village, where yokai folklore is still passed down to this day. In addition, yokai have appeared in various places such as Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato, Yokai Street in Kyoto, and in Yokaichi , Shiga, yokai are being used to revitalize towns. Amabie - A Yokai as a Symbol to Ward off Plagues Photo：An Amabie Amabie, introduced from 2:30 in the video, are yokai that are said to have appeared in the sea in Higo Province, present-day Kumamoto Prefecture, during the Edo Period (1603-1868 AD) in Japan. They are said to have predicted good harvests and warded off epidemics, saying, "If an epidemic should appear, show the people my image, that their plagues shall spread unto me," before disappearing into the sea. Amidst the difficult situation caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus, information about Amabie began to spread. The cute Amabie, a half-human, half-fish, but not in a ghost story kind of way, triggered the Amabie boom. The boom, known as the "Amabie Festival," is just as Amabie once said it would be, and people have been posting pictures and illustrations of Amabie on social networking sites. Using the hashtag "#アマビエチャレンジ" (#AmabieChallenge) it has become an internet phenomenon. Many amabie goods have also appeared, including figurines, Japanese sweets, cafe items, origami, and even coloring books. The mascot craze has become so popular that it has even made the news outside of Japan. Summary of Japan's Yokai Culture With the Amabie boom, shrines around Japan, including Gokoku Shrine in Himeji, began to hand out charms depicting Amabie to worshippers. In addition to Amabie, there are also Amabiko and Arie, yokai that are very similar to Amabie. In the past, when there was an epidemic of cholera in the late Edo Period, Amabie was also popular as a way to ward off cholera. Japan's yokai culture has been around for hundreds of years. From the distant past to the present, they continue to be a part of Japanese people's lives.

Video Introduction: San'in Kaigan Geopark - A Bird's Eye View of Kami This video, titled "Kami, Hyogo - Drone PR Video (Sea Edit)" (香美町ドローンPR映像（海編）), was uploaded by "Kami, Hyogo - Tourism, Commerce, and Industry Bureau [Official]" (兵庫県香美町 観光商工課). More About the San'in Kaigan Geopark The San'in Kaigan Geopark is recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. It refers to a large area of more than 100 km east to west, consisting of San'in Kaigan National Park and the surrounding area, which spans six cities and towns, including Kami, Hyogo in Japan's Kansai Region, Kyotango, Kyoto; Toyooko and Shinonsen in Hyogo, and Tottori City and Iwami in Tottori Prefecture. San'in Kaigan Geopark Trail - Spectacular Views of Precipitous Cliffs Photo：San'in Kaigan Geopark The main feature of the San'in Kaigan Geopark Trail is the sheer cliffs and various landforms along the coastline, as well as the scenery of the Sea of Japan, all of which can be enjoyed via the 27 courses available. ・Yoshioka Onsen - Tottori Station Course: Walk along the banks of lagoons enclosed by sand dunes ・Aotani Station - Tottori City Shikano Socializing and Exchange Hall 'Dream' Course: Walk and feel the eruption of volcanoes and the erosive power of the sea ・Roadside Station Amarube - Yoroi Station Course: Walk in Satoyama with a view of the 41.5-meter-tall Amarube Viaduct Kami, a Small Town in Hyogo, Japan Photo：San'in Kaigan Geopark, Kami, Hyogo In addition to the San'in Kaigan Geopark, Kami, Hyogo, which is located in the San'in Kaigan Geopark, features a variety of other places to visit. For example, Sazu Beach, Imagoura, Okami Park, and the Obikinohana Observatory are all worth seeing. The sunset from Imagoura and the Obikinohana Observatory is truly spectacular! It is also a popular Instagram spot, attracting the attention of a wide range of people, young and old alike. The video shows the beautiful sunset from the Obikinohana Observatory. [Video] 2:22 - The Obikinohana Observatory at sunset Summary of the San'in Kaigan Geopark Photo：San'in Kaigan Geopark The San'in Kaigan Geopark, consisting of six municipalities (Kami, Shinonsen, and Toyooko in Hyogo; Kyotango, Kyoto; Tottori City and Iwami, Tottori), offers a variety of sites and attracts many tourists. Visitors can also observe creatures living on the San'in Coast at the San'in Kaigan Geopark Museum of the Earth and Sea in Tottori Prefecture and the Kami Town Geopark & Marine Cultural Center in Hyogo Prefecture. There's also a sightseeing boat tour in Iwami, Tottori, where visitors can tour the islands of the Uradome Coast and admire the rich natural scenery from a boat. There are many Instagrammable spots where you can take great photos. The San'in Kaigan Geopark is one of the largest geoparks in Japan, spanning Kyoto, Hyogo and Tottori prefectures. There are a total of 27 courses! They are unique coastal trails with both mountain paths and coastlines. There are varying degrees of difficulty as well, so you can choose and plan the course that best suits your individual preferences. 【Official Website】San'in Kaigan Geopark https://sanin-geo.jp/know/en/ 【TripAdvisor】San'in Kaigan Geopark https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022822-d10813685-Reviews-San_in_Kaigan_UNESCO_Global_Geopark-Toyooka_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html

Introducing Kobe Animal Kingdom, a Facility Where You Can Interact With Cute Animals up Close This video, titled "Kobe Animal Kingdom" (神戸どうぶつ王国), was uploaded by "Kobe Animal Kingdom" (神戸どうぶつ王国 Kobe Animal Kingdom). Kobe Animal Kingdom, located on Port Island, an artificial island in Kobe, Hyogo, in Japan's Kansai region, is a facility with a theme of "symbiosis between flowers, animals, and people." The 25,000-square-meter site is filled with 10,000 plants and flowers of around 1,000 different species, as well as 600 animals of approximately 110 different species. The biggest attraction of Kobe Animal Kingdom is that many of the animals in the park are free-range, so visitors can enjoy interacting with cute animals up close. There are also many shows, performances, and attractions that help visitors feel closer to the animals. The official video of Kobe Animal Kingdom, introduced here, is a short, two-minute video that introduces all the attractions of the facility. We hope you enjoy it! Meet Cute Animals at an Indoor Park Photo：Parakeets at Kobe Animal Kingdom Kobe Animal Kingdom is divided into two areas: the Inside Park and the Outside Park. The Inside Park, shown at 0:19 in the video, is an all-weather facility that allows visitors to walk around in the rain without getting wet. At "Contact Animals," visitors can interact with small animals, such as rabbits, dogs, cats, macaws, parrots, and more. There are also wild cats and sand cats on exhibit. At "Tropical Forest," animals living in the tropics spend their free time in their natural habitat. Here, visitors can interact with capybaras, tropical birds, sloths, etc. In addition, at "Wind Stadium," where bird shows are held, visitors can take pictures with owls. "Water Lilies" is a huge pool with approximately 100 species of water lilies in bloom and small tropical fish that can be fed. A Full-Fledged Zoo in an Indoor Park Photo：A shoebill at Kobe Animal Kingdom Kobe Animal Kingdom has a large indoor area with a full-fledged zoo inside the indoor park. Kobe Animal Kingdom is divided into the various regions found around the world, including Asian Forest, African Wetlands, Tropical Wetlands, Tropical Forest, and Rocky Valley, and is home to a wide variety of animals, including reptiles, hippopotamuses, wolves, bears, red pandas, manuls, ring-tailed lemurs, lesser anteaters, and Tam Tam, a pygmy hippopotamus that moved in in July 2020 from NIFREL in Suita, Osaka. There is also an ecological garden for the "shoebill," an unmoving pelican that lives in Africa. This opened in April 2021, and the facility currently trying to breed them for the first time in Japan. In addition, you can have lunch at a location popular on social media for its panorama of flowers hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant and cafe. AlpaCafé also sells original animal-themed food, such as Shoebill Coffee. There is also a souvenir store, selling many goods featuring the park's animals. These goods can also be purchased at the official online store. Experience Kobe Animal Kingdom's Outside Park Photo：A red kangaroo at Kobe Animal Kingdom Kobe Animal Kingdom also has a great outside park. The Outside Park, which can be seen from 1:35, is an open area where visitors can see kangaroos, alpacas, and giant tortoises. You can also ride camels and horses, and dog shows are held daily. At Aqua Valley, visitors can meet cute penguins and seals. The admission fee to Kobe Animal Kingdom is 1,800 yen for adults (junior high school students and older). You can get a discount on the admission fee by purchasing advance tickets or by using the hotel's accommodation package plan. Kobe Animal Kingdom is easily accessible from Kobe Airport and Sannomiya Station. There is also a large parking lot, so you can also go by car. ※On weekends and holidays, the park can get crowded, so it's best to use public transportation. Interact With Cute Animals! Summary of Kobe Animal Kingdom Kobe Animal Kingdom is a place where flowers, animals, and people come into contact with each other. Kobe Animal Kingdom is constantly changing, with new areas popping up constantly. The park is currently implementing initiatives for "biodiversity conservation" and "environmental conservation" so that the animals can live comfortably. They also conduct crowd-funding to further develop their efforts. If you're looking to experience the animals of the world, consider checking out Kobe Animal Kingdom! ◆Kobe Animal Kingdom Facility Information◆ 【Address】7 Chome-1-9 Minatojima Minamimachi, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047 【Telephone】+81 078-302-8899 【Hours】Please inquire directly as hours can vary by season. 【Closures】Closed every Thursday (※Excluding national holidays) 【Admission Fee】 Adults (junior high and older): ¥1,800 Elementary Schoolers: 1,000 Children (ages 4 & 5): ¥300 Seniors (65 and older): ¥1,300 【Official Website】Kobe Animal Kingdom https://en.kobe-oukoku.com/ 【Trip Advisor】Kobe Animal Kingdom https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298562-d1493150-Reviews-Kobe_Animal_Kingdom-Kobe_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html

Rape Blossoms at Awaji Hanasajiki, Awaji Island: Video Introduction This video, titled "Rape Blossoms in Full Bloom, 'Awaji Hanasajiki,' Awaji Island Hyogo (2022/3)" (『淡路島「あわじ花さじき」満開の菜の花 Rape blossoms in full bloom, Awaji Hanasajiki, Awaji Island Hyogo　(2022.3)』), was uploaded by "chuchikomo." Located on Awaji Island (淡路島, Awaji-shima), Hyogo Prefectural Park's Awaji Hanasajiki is a famed flower spot, befitting of the island of flowers. Hyogo Prefecture has been running the park since April, 1998. You can see the rape blossom meadow in full bloom in the video. Rape blossoms herald the arrival of spring in Japan, and the sight of them swaying in the wind makes it almost reminiscent of a friendly face saying hello. Take a visit with your special someone or family, and take some memorable photos together. It's a great spot for taking Instagram photos as well! Attractions of Awaji Hanasajiki, a Flower Park on Awaji Island Photo：Rape blossom fields at Awaji Hanasajiki, Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture Awaji Hanasajiki is known as a great place to see flowers, and is located at the highest point of Awaji Island's hilly north, at an elevation of between 235 and 298 meters. The plateau, which slopes gently toward the sea covers around 37 acres, or around the same area as four Koshien Stadiums (Japan's most famous baseball ground). Gaze out over Osaka Bay (大阪湾, osaka-wan) and the Akashi Strait (明石海峡, akashi kaikyo) with beautiful views of flower meadows. Awaji Hanasajiki has been christened as the ultimate place to enjoy gorgeous carpets of flowers. Experience relaxation and healing from the comfort of your own home with these beautiful blue skies and fields of flowers. The fact that there's no entry fee is another plus. There's even a parking lot with space for 200 cars, at the price of 200 yen for a full-sized vehicle. We recommend the vast observation desk; a wooden deck from which you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. What's more, you can see how far along the flowers have bloomed on the official website via a camera set up in Awaji Hanasajiki's café/restaurant "Galleri." Be sure to check it out before you visit! [Video] 2:18 - A Carpet of Yellow Rape Blossoms March: The Best Time to See Rape Blossoms at Awaji Hanasajiki Photo：Rape blossom fields at Awaji Hanasajiki, Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture The rape blossoms at Awaji Hanasajiki. a famous flower spot in Hyogo, Japan, can be enjoyed for a long period from winter to spring, between mid-January and late April. The reason behind this is a staggered planting regimen, which results in flowers appearing in turn, from early bloomers to late. When in season, the hilly flower meadows cover the area in a sea of yellow below the blue skies on a clear day. In 2023, the "Early Spring Rape Blossom Festival" (早春菜の花まつり, soshun nanohana matsuri) is being held from mid-January to early March, and boasts around 200,000 early-blooming rape blossoms. Furthermore, between mid-March and late April, the "Rape Blossom Festival" (菜の花まつり, nanohana matsuri) takes place, playing host to around 600,000 blooming rape blossoms. Spring at Awaji Hanasajiki – May is the Month for Poppies! Photo：Poppy fields at Awaji Hanasajiki, Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture May at Awaji Hanasajiki sees approximately 50,000 Iceland poppies in bloom. Colored in red, yellow, and orange, the beautiful, colorful flowers create a wonderful scene. The view of Awaji Island's blue skies, blue sea and verdant mountains visible from the vast poppy meadows will make you feel as though you're dreaming. Be sure not to miss the poppies, which can be enjoyed between late April and mid-May! Flowers to Enjoy in Each Season at Awaji Hanasajiki Photo：Cosmos at Awaji Hanasajiki, Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture Here, we'll list up what flowers bloom in each season. Take notes if you're planning a trip! 【Spring】 Between March and mid-April, visitors can enjoy the vast flower meadows filled with toadflax, Chinese violet cress, and rape blossoms. The chorus of bright yellows and purples heralds the coming of spring, and is sure to put you in a cheery mood. Additionally, from late April the Iceland poppies come into bloom, giving spring one extra layer of beauty. [Video] 2:27 - Cows Relaxing Behind the Rape Blossoms 【Summer】 From July to mid-August, sunflowers and spider flowers beautify the summer scenery. We hear that the spider flower meadows are a rare sight in western Japan. The spider flower looks almost like butterflies dancing in the wind, and are a big hit with visitors. Also, from August until the end of fall, mealy sage and scarlet sage bloom in profusion in a lustrous mix of blues and reds. 【Fall】 Between October and early November, the huge cosmos meadows create a melancholic mood. The cosmos come in pale and deep shades of pink, as well as yellow. You can get your fill off the fanciful sage flower meadows too, blooming in blue and red. 【Winter】 From mid-November to February, around 14,000 purple, red, and pink stocks bloom, announcing the arrival of winter. Winter's lucid air means that on a clear day, you can enjoy excellent views of the Hanshin area, too. Summary of Awaji Hanasajiki Awaji Hanasajiki, one of Awaji Island's best known free tourist attractions, is made up of flower meadows spreading across a vast plateau. If you're looking for other things to do on Awaji Island, you can check out Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park (兵庫県立淡路島公園, hyogo kenritsu awaji-shima koen), featuring an observatory allowing for a boundless view of Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Awaji Island Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park (淡路島国営明石海峡公園, awaji-shima kokuei akashi kayo koen), with its tulip fields which rank among the best in Japan's Kansai region. We recommend visiting after 4 p.m. on holidays and during busy periods. Stay the night nearby with your family and get your fill of Awaji Island. We think you'll be able to make some great memories as a family and get some wonderful photos of the sky, sea, and flower meadows. 【Official Website】Hyogo Prefectural Park, Awaji Hanasajiki 【TripAdvisor】Awaji Hanasajiki

Takarazuka Is a World Famous Entertainment City! The Takarazuka International Tourism Association created the video “A Video to Guide Tourism in Takarazuka.” The video introduces attractive sightseeing places around Takarazuka, Hyogo, in Japan's Kansai region. This article will introduce recommended sightseeing places in the city of entertainment. Be sure to follow along with the video! Entertainment Spots in Takarazuka! Photo：Takarazuka Grand Theater The most famous sightseeing location in Takarazuka is Takarazuka Revue. The performance at the Takarazuka Grand Theatre is a high quality show that we recommend seeing at least once. This is one of the few all-female troupes in the world, and their well-honed performances, which have been performed for over 100 years, are a must-see. Fans of the Takarazuka School of Music won't want to miss the Sumire Museum, where you can see photos of the Takarazuka School of Music, exhibits of teaching materials used in classes, actual classroom scenes and extracurricular activities that are not usually available to the public. We also recommend stopping by Horai Bridge, which spans the Muko River (武庫川, Mukogawa) and is known as a view point for the Takarazuka Grand Theater. Source :YouTube screenshot Osamu Tezuka, a pioneer of Japanese manga and anime, was born in Takarazuka, and the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum is located there in his honor. It has an entrance reminiscent to that of the palace from Princess Knight. Enjoy the world of Japanese manga here! Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Takarazuka Photo：Kiyoshikojin Seichoji There are historical shrines and temples, such as, Kiyoshikojin Seichoji, Nakayamadera, Hachiman Shrine (波豆八幡神社, Hachimanjinjya), Iwashizu Shrine (伊和志津神社 Iwashizujinjya), and Mefu Shrine (売布神社, Mefujinjya). Be sure to check out theKitsugidayu Stele Monument as well. There are also places where you can enjoy golfing and horse racing. Tourist Attractions to Enjoy the Natural Scenery There's a hiking trail at Takedao Haisenjiki's Mukogawa valley as well, and it gets quite busy during fall. After hiking, bathing at Takedao Hot Springs (武田尾温泉, Takedaoonsen) is a great way to relax and unwind. Photo：Hananomichi Takarazuka is called the "City of Gardening," and there's a beautiful dahlia garden called Aiaipark, where you can buy gardening tools, and the well-kept-secret Hana no Michi where you can enjoy seasonal flowers. We also recommend strawberry picking at Ai-farm and buying local vegetables at Nishitani Community Center Fureai Yume Plaza. Sightseeing in Takarazuka Staying at the luxury Takarazuka Washington Hotel or Takarazuka Hotel where you can enjoy Taisho Roman, is a great idea for lodging. Relaxing at Nature Spa Takarazuka and Hotel Wakamizu and enjoying the pure hot springs while dining on Japanese cuisine will make for an experience you won't soon forget. We recommend the local specialty tansan-senbei as a souvenir. Summary of Takarazuka As you can see from the video, Takarazuka is easily accessed from Osaka and Kobe. There are a lot of entertainment and natural tourist attractions in the area as well. There's more information about Takarazuka in the video, so be sure to check it out to learn about the attractions of Takarazuka! Visit popular tourist attractions in Takarazuka! 【Official Website】Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture City Hall Website http://www.city.takarazuka.hyogo.jp.e.pc.hp.transer.com/