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The "2026 Artisan Summer Asparagus Fair" starts on Tuesday, July 21!

This year, 26 restaurants will participate!!

Using the summer bounty of Engaru Town, "Engaru Nyokki-zu Summer Asparagus," participating restaurants will offer original dishes created with creativity and ingenuity at the "Asparagus Fair." This year, 26 restaurants are participating. Be sure to enjoy the original dishes at many establishments.

When you order asparagus dishes, there will be special benefits at each restaurant, and you also have a chance to win "1 kg of Summer Asparagus" or "common meal vouchers for participating restaurants" for 30 lucky winners through a lottery!

The event will be held from Tuesday, July 21, to Thursday, August 13! 🎶

I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the first chocolate I ever knew was specifically Japanese, and I think it is definitely an iconic snack well-recognized around the world. It was fun to get a closer look at its production! The guided tours show the history of the company, from its early 20th century origins to the postwar expansion of products, with old commercials, toys that came included with snacks through the years, and a fun "digital cooking" game where you design and decorate your own sweets.

The assembly line itself is very advanced, and you can see pocky being made in great quantities. This time they were making a flavor that has yet to hit shelves, which made it even more interesting. The air near the production area has a warm, delicious scent, which is a bonus.

If you liked pocky a lot yourself growing up, or are travelling with kids, I think it is a great place to visit! Reservations are necessary, and I believe most of it is Japanese-language only, but looking at a chocolate factory is pretty universal regardless of language.

If you're exploring the Omuta and Arou area, Manda Pit is a must-visit spot.
By learning about the history of the Miike Coal Mine, you'll gain insight into the role this region played in Japan's industry.
It's also recommended as an entry point for a journey through industrial heritage. How about extending your trip to the World Heritage site in Arao City before or after your outing or festival in Omuta?

[Visiting Information] 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: 410 yen for adults and university students, 310 yen for high school students, 210 yen for elementary and junior high school students / Manda Pit Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales)

#Omuta #MiikeCoalMine #IndustrialHeritageTour #ModernIndustrialHeritage #HistoricalTravel #WeekendTrip #CoalMineRuins #MandaCoalMine #Omuta #AraoCity #KumamotoTravel #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #IndustrialHeritage #WorldHeritage

Visiting Ichinomiya-ji in Kagawa Prefecture during the summer, aside from the usual pilgrimage, what I look forward to the most is the traditional summer event, the "Cucumber Blessing."
As I step into the quaint temple, the first thing that catches my eye is the neatly arranged boxes of vibrant green cucumbers. Each cucumber is tied with a wish paper bearing the names and ailments of the devotees, creating a scene that is both novel and filled with a sense of sacred ritual. People firmly believe that through the master's spiritual power, they can temporarily entrust their internal pains and misfortunes to the cucumbers.
Standing in front of the master's hall, I watch the devotees earnestly writing their wishes, with the rising incense and the deep, resonant chanting filling the air, even the summer cicadas seem to quiet down in this moment. The serene energy makes one naturally calm, and I silently pray for health and peace for myself and my family with my hands together.
After the ceremony, these cucumbers, which carry the ailments of many, will remain at the temple, where they will be collectively buried in the Cucumber Mound. As the cucumbers naturally decay in the soil, the tormenting pains and misfortunes will also fade away into the earth. This seemingly simple tradition is wrapped in the most sincere and profound hopes of people for their health.
For me, the Cucumber Blessing at Ichinomiya-ji is not just a special travel experience; it is a summer memory intertwined with the warm humanity and ancient beliefs of Shikoku.

Taken on July 1, 2024.
These are the enmusubi wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🎐

In Memuro Town, at Memuro Shrine, during the summer, it is beautifully decorated with flower water offerings, wind chimes, and pinwheels. Recently, there was a fireworks festival, and it was said to be illuminated as well.

The Wombadals

Taken on July 1, 2014.
These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Grand Front Osaka
The Green Bear

This bear is named "Ted Ibel," with the nickname coool.
In fact, this is a work by the contemporary French artist Fabrice Hyber.
It sprays water from its mouth.

Depending on the weather, it feels like a different world.
The mist and cloudy skies brought about by the cool climate unique to the Kushiro region add a distinctive beauty to the wetlands.

On the wooden paths, you can encounter seasonal flowers, wild birds, and deer, while listening to the sound of the wind if you pay close attention.

With comfortable shoes, take your time.
From the city to the great outdoors.

Why not embark on a journey to the Kushiro Shitsugen from the Kushiro Prince Hotel?

You can make your reservation through the profile URL.
📍Kushiro Prince Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/

Enjoy the coolness of summer in the great outdoors! Here are some highland activities to try!

<Don't forget to tap the "save mark" if you want to look back later!>

1. SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) in Shinshu Shinmachi
If you want to fully experience the nature of Nagano City, SUP in Shinshu Shinmachi is highly recommended! Enjoy a leisurely walk on the water while taking in the beautiful seasonal scenery and refreshing atmosphere. With guided tours available, even beginners can feel at ease!


2. Forest Adventure Nagano
Let's soar into the sky over Nagano! A thrilling glide 150m above the lake!
Breathe in the refreshing winds of Nagano City and embrace the great outdoors!✨
With attentive support from instructors, everyone can enjoy themselves safely!


3. Togakushi Campground
A refreshing campground surrounded by white birch forests, adjacent to Togakushi Farm.
It's perfect for outdoor schools and family camping in the midst of nature. With over 350 auto camping sites (free sites), it's one of the largest in Japan!
Facilities include cooking areas, outdoor stoves, hot showers, flushing toilets, and a shop. You can also enjoy river play in the stream flowing through the site.
【Operating Hours】April 25, 2026 - November 4, 2026 (tentative)
From 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (for day camp use)
【Reservations】Available by phone or through the official website
【Closed】Winter break
【Parking】Available (free)


#Experience #Activities #Highland #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

Taken on July 1, 2014.
These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

On July 11, 2026, hydrangea flower picking took place around Fukoji in Asaji Town, Bungoono City.
About 50 participants carefully picked the hydrangea flowers blooming in the temple grounds and surrounding areas. Thank you very much to everyone who helped out.
This flower picking is an important task to ensure beautiful hydrangeas bloom next year. By properly maintaining them at this time, we can enjoy magnificent flowers again during the rainy season.

I am already looking forward to seeing even more beautiful hydrangeas blooming next year.

■■■Access to downtown Bungoono City■■■
Approximately 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture
Approximately 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture

■■■■■■■■■■■■
Introducing recommended spots for sightseeing in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu
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The former Satsuma Village chief's house – Shibuya Family Residence, a nationally registered tangible cultural property –

Located in Nakazatsuma 1-chome, Kamagaya City, the Shibuya Family Residence is the birthplace of Shibuya Sōji, an important figure of the Akahōtai during the late Edo period. The Shibuya family has served as village chiefs for generations since the mid-Edo period, and their residence is a grand building befitting of a chief.
The main house, built exactly 200 years ago in 1826 (Bunsei 9), is the oldest existing building in the city. Its large floor plan and tall roof make it a standout in the Satsuma District.

The roof features thatched roofing covered with iron plates shaped like tiles, and upon entering and looking up at the ceiling, one can still see the thatch from the Edo period.
A notable feature of the Shibuya Family Residence is that the main layout has remained unchanged since its construction.
The entrance hall for welcoming guests, along with the inner rooms known as Nakano-ma and Oku-no-ma, have hardly been altered and retain their original appearance.

The Tokonoma (alcove), display shelves, and attached writing alcove in Oku-no-ma have also not been remodeled, creating a space of high formality. The sturdy pillars, beams, and the kamidana (household shrine) in the living room still reflect the original construction, showcasing the traditional farmhouse layout that has continued since the Edo period.
The Shibuya family possesses a "house layout diagram" drawn in 1848 (Kaei 1).
This valuable document not only depicts the layout of the house but also includes images of the storehouse, shed, and household deity, conveying the conditions of the late Edo period. The fact that both the building and the diagram have been preserved together is extremely valuable.

Comparing the diagram with the current state reveals that the land divisions are accurately depicted, and the layout of the buildings remarkably matches the current floor plan.
The building has remained largely unchanged since its construction and has been continuously inhabited, evidencing the Shibuya family's dedication to preserving this home.
Furthermore, it retains the traditional landscape of a settlement built along the base of a plateau facing the highway. The depiction of the plateau in the diagram reflects the original scenery of the Satsuma settlement that still exists today.

Over the years, the Shibuya Family Residence has suffered some damage. Future plans include preservation and repair work, seismic reinforcement, and renovations for community use, aiming to develop it into a place of relaxation for the region.


For more details, please check the city’s website!


【Cultural and Sports Division】
https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/smph/kosodate-kyouiku/kyoikuindex/bunka_menu/sibuyakemaruya.html