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🍺【Wagyūri Night BAR】🍻 📅 Date: August 28 (Friday) and 29 (Saturday), 2026 🕒 Time: 18:00 – 21:00 📍 Venue: South Plaza of Tokachigawa Onsen Guide Center Next year, from August 26 to 30, 2027, the 13th National Wagyū Ability Competition will be held in Otofuke and Obihiro City, featuring the highly popular mascot character "Wagyūri"💓🐃 Let's enjoy the illuminated Tokachigawa Onsen with "Wagyūri" at the night BAR!✨ 【Highlights↓】 🔸 Gourmet food using the local beef brand "Otofuke Town Suzuran Wagyū" will be available!✨ 🔸 Alcoholic and soft drinks will be on sale! 🔸 Bamboo art installation Let's relax and enjoy the night at Tokachigawa Onsen with delicious Wagyū gourmet and drinks! ✅ For more details, check the image! We will keep you updated! We look forward to seeing many of you!😊

The beautiful seas and mountains of Amakusa await you at the cycling event "Amakusa Loop! Amaichi Gran Fondo 2026," which will take place over two days on December 12 (Saturday) and 13 (Sunday), 2026! This year marks the 70th anniversary of Unzen-Amakusa National Park's designation, and it is a special event celebrating the recognition of "Amaichi" as the first national cycle route in Kyushu. Come and enjoy the bounties of the sea and mountains at this cycling event! ■Event Overview ・Event Name: 70th Anniversary Event of Unzen-Amakusa National Park's Designation - Amakusa Loop! Amaichi Gran Fondo 2026 ・Date: December 12 (Saturday) and 13 (Sunday), 2026 ・Location: Amakusa City, Kamiamakusa City, and surrounding areas of Reihokumachi ■Schedule and Course Details 【DAY 1】 December 12 (Saturday) Amakusa Islands, Shimoshima Area Event 1: 140km (Capacity: 150 participants) / Entry Fee: 13,000 yen Event 2: 80km (Capacity: 200 participants) / Entry Fee: 10,000 yen Event 3: 40km (Capacity: 50 participants) / Entry Fee: 5,000 yen 【DAY 2】 December 13 (Sunday) Amakusa Islands, Kamijima Area Event 4: 140km (Capacity: 150 participants) / Entry Fee: 13,000 yen Event 5: 80km (Capacity: 200 participants) / Entry Fee: 10,000 yen Event 6: 40km (Capacity: 50 participants) / Entry Fee: 5,000 yen *A discount of 2,000 yen will be applied for consecutive entries over two days. *A discount of 2,000 yen will be applied for elementary and junior high school students. ■Participation Qualifications ・Participants must comply with event regulations and traffic safety rules. ・Participants must be in elementary school or older (one guardian per elementary school student must accompany them). ・Participants must be confident in completing the entire course within the time limit without getting lost. ・Participants must be able to adhere to the etiquette of using the national park. ・Participants must have a love for nature. ■Application and Details For more details and entry methods, please check the official event website. (Search for "Amaichi Gran Fondo!") We sincerely look forward to your participation!

Shomyo Falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan at 350 meters, flows with melted snow from the Tateyama Mountain Range even in August. This deep valley allows you to experience the refreshing coolness of summer through your senses—skin, ears, and eyes.

Taken on August 27, 2014. I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. These are the matchmaking wind chimes. I prayed for good luck on my exam. 🙏

At CAFE ANDON, the limited-time Chinese morning featuring five-grain rice balls is recommended with Taiwanese oolong tea until Saturday, the 29th.

🏆 Teshikagacho has won the Green Destinations GOLD AWARD for sustainable tourism! Teshikagacho received the "Gold Award" in the "Green Destinations Awards," an awards program conducted by the international certification organization "Green Destinations" that promotes sustainable tourism. The Green Destinations Awards evaluate the sustainability of tourist destinations based on a wide range of international criteria, including environmental protection, local culture, tourism management, regional economy, and social sustainability. The evaluation is conducted through a document review of 84 items and an on-site assessment. This award recognizes Teshikagacho's long-standing efforts to create a sustainable community, which have been highly praised internationally, involving residents, businesses, and local government working together. Additionally, this marks the second Gold Award in Japan, following Kamaishi City, making it the highest domestic recognition at this time. Notably, this is the first instance in Japan where a location has received a Gold Award on its first attempt, marking a significant achievement. While this Gold Award is a major milestone for Teshikagacho, it is not the end goal. Moving forward, residents, businesses, and local government will continue to collaborate in efforts to achieve both environmental conservation and regional revitalization. We will also sincerely consider the recommendations made during this assessment and work towards further improvements, advancing the development of a sustainable tourism destination that we can proudly present to the world. For more details about the award and related information, please visit Teshikagacho Navi.

On August 23, 2026, the 33rd Sugaoi Stone Buddha Fire Festival was held in Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. During the festival's signature event, the "Chicken Crowing Contest," participants donned creative costumes and showcased their unique crowing sounds. The venue was filled with warm smiles and applause throughout the event. Additionally, the stage featured powerful performances of traditional Japanese taiko drums by the "Toyokai" and dances from "Okubata Kagura," captivating the audience with a series of impressive acts. In the latter half of the festival, the "Torch Throwing" event took place, where lit torches were thrown at a pillar approximately 3 meters high, with many children eagerly participating. ■■Access to the center of Bungoono City from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ About 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

This is a Chinese morning set featuring Gomoku Okowa rice balls from CAFE ANDON. It is available exclusively until Saturday, the 29th, from 8:00 to 10:00. The set includes Gomoku Okowa, chicken soup, lightly pickled celery, Kyoto-style pickled daikon, boiled eggs topped with chili oil, and lemongrass jelly. It was a great success. 😊

🚢 Notice of Cruise Ship Arrival 🚢 The cruise ship "Asuka II" is coming to Kushiro! Passengers will disembark and enjoy sightseeing in Kushiro. We hope the local residents will warmly welcome them with a friendly atmosphere 😊 As the ship departs, there will be a farewell performance featuring Ainu musical instruments and traditional dance by the Harutori Ainu Ancient Dance Kushiro Rimse Preservation Society 👋 We look forward to your participation! ✨ *General visitor parking available Date: Thursday, August 27, Year R8 Arrival 8:00 Departure 17:00 Location: Kushiro Port West No.4 Pier Local product stalls from around 9:00 to 14:00 (including food trucks and miscellaneous goods for sale 🥪🥤) *Some stalls will open from 8:00 Farewell around 16:40 #Kushiro City #Cruise Ship #Eastern Hokkaido #Hokkaido #Asuka

The "Goldfish Lantern" lights up on Shirakabe Street in Yanai. This summer, the goldfish that gently illuminated the old street corners during the "Goldfish Lantern Festival" will soon be taking a break. They look a little lonely. Thank you for this summer. See you again next year. Location: Yanai City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Photographed on August 6, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Hikawa Kaikan.

Taken on August 6, 26. Kawagoe Hikawa Kaikan, featuring red and white wind chimes tied with a decorative cord.

Silent Authority in the Summer Rain On a rain-soaked summer afternoon in Wakayama, a conductor walks alone along the tracks of the Kishigawa Line. Ahead, the colourful Tama and Umeboshi trains wait beneath the old wooden depot. Seen only from behind, his straight posture, white gloves, and measured steps carry a quiet authority. Under the words “Safety First,” even this whimsical local railway takes on an almost ceremonial dignity. Xi Lun

An Island Summer, Passed On On the morning of July 19, 2026, the Ieshima Tenjin Festival brought music, colour, and tradition to the sea off Himeji. A young performer danced in ceremonial dress aboard a richly decorated danjiri boat, framed by the blue Seto Inland Sea. In this focused gesture, I saw the heart of a Japanese summer festival: an island passing its traditions from one generation to the next. Xi Lun

A Different Kind of Japanese Summer Fire Japanese summers are often remembered for fireworks. At 7:00 p.m. on July 25, 2026, I encountered another kind of summer flame at Tanukidani-san Fudoin in Kyoto. During the Hiwatari Matsuri, or Fire-Walking Festival, a yamabushi tended the sacred goma fire as sparks rose into the humid night air. In that instant, the heat of summer, the energy of a matsuri, and an old Japanese tradition burned together. Xi Lun