Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Photographed on July 3, 25. It is a Tanabata decoration of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. 🎋

Peach picking for 2025 has begun! We offer the following two plans. ■Set plan: Pick two peaches + all-you-can-eat peaches (20 minutes) 2,500 yen per person ■All-you-can-eat only plan (20 minutes) 1,500 yen per person *All plans above have a flat rate for ages 4 and up. Children aged 3 and under cannot pick peaches, but they may enjoy the all-you-can-eat option free of charge. Reservations are still being accepted! For details, please see the following page. https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/tourism/experience/mikaku-02/9784/...

Mountain climbing information *The two photos show a panoramic view of Minami Numa Camping Area and the snowfield conditions at Komadorizawa. Information received from nicoro trek. For detailed mountain-climbing information, contact: 070-9157-8818 *This number may be unreachable while you are on the mountain. [Mt. Tomuraushi] ・Vehicles can reach the shortened trailhead (8 km, 30 minutes by car from Tomuraushi Onsen Higashi Daisetsuso) ・Snowfields on the trail are melting and thinning; take care to avoid injuries from breaking through them. ・Grass mowing and maintenance are usually carried out in early July. ・The snowfield at the Minami Numa Camping Area tent site has almost disappeared. △Water source information△ Water sources at the designated camping areas throughout Daisetsuzan to the Tokachi range are available for use. ! Caution! Bring a portable toilet to Mt. Tomuraushi. Two portable-toilet booths are installed at Minami Numa Camping Area and one at the Komadorizawa junction. Portable toilets are sold at the shortened trailhead, Higashi Daisetsuso, Seven-Eleven Shintoku store, Seicomart Kuttari store, and other locations. [Tokachi-dake Shintoku Course] ・The forest road to the trailhead is now passable, but road conditions are poor and there is no cellular coverage. We recommend carrying equipment to handle trouble such as punctures. ・The trail has not been maintained for several years and requires route-finding and bushwhacking, so it is suitable for experienced climbers only. [Mt. Sahoro] ・Access is possible from the Karikachi Pass trailhead; parking is available. ・Residual snow on the trail has disappeared. ・Trail mowing has been completed, but sections where sasa bamboo overhangs remain; beware of ticks. ・A mountain hut is available at the summit without reservation. There is no toilet, so bring a portable toilet. [Mt. Odasshu] ・Due to four-lane highway construction, the usual parking area is unavailable (available on Sundays). Please use the open space beside the trailhead located beyond the overpass. ・Grass along the trail has grown, increasing the risk of ticks; take insect-repellent measures. Plan your climb based on the weather, your physical condition, and fitness so you can enjoy a safe ascent. Mountain climbing information *The two photos are a panoramic view of Minami Numa Camping Area and the snowfield conditions at Komadorizawa. Information received from nicoro trek. For more information on mountain climbing, please contact us at ↓↓↓ 070-9157-8818 *Please note that the number may not be available during mountain climbing. [Mt. Tomuraushi] ・Vehicles can access the shortened mountain trail (8km, 30 minutes by car from Tomuratushi Onsen Higashi Daisetsuso) ・The snowfield on the mountain trail is melting and thinning, so be careful not to get hurt by stepping on it. ・We usually mow and maintain the grass in early July. ・The snowfield at Minami Numa Camping Area tent site has almost disappeared. △Water source information△ You can use the water sources at each camping area in the Daisetsuzan to Tokachi Mountain Range. ! Caution! Please bring a portable toilet to Mt. Tomuraushi. There are two portable toilet booths at Minami Numa Camping Site and one at Komadorizawa Deai. Portable toilets are sold at the shortened trailhead, Higashi Daisetsuso, Seven-Eleven Shintoku Branch #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku #Mountain climbing information #Mt. Tomuraushi #Tokachi-dake Shintoku Course #Mt. Odasshu #Mt. Sahoro #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku Station #Tokutoku complex in front of the station #tuktuk #Tokutoku #Hokkaido #HokkaidoTrip #HokkaidoTourism #Tourism #Tokachi #Shintoku #MountainClimbing #WelcomeShintoku #DiscoverShintoku

On July 5, 2025, hydrangea deadheading took place around Fukkoji Temple in Asaji Town, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture. About 50 people took part and removed spent hydrangea blooms from the temple grounds and nearby areas. In about two hours, the precincts were transformed into a sea of green. Thank you to everyone who participated. May beautiful hydrangeas bloom again next year. ❚ About Fukkoji Temple The bas-relief Buddhist statue carved into the rock on the temple grounds, including its pedestal, reaches roughly 11 meters in height and ranks among Japan’s largest rock-carved Buddhas. The enormous central figure is Fudo Myoo (the Immovable Wisdom King). Fudo Myoo typically appears in a wrathful form, but years of wind and rain have softened the features of this carving into a rounder, gentler expression. Though large in scale, the figure has a very approachable presence. Fukkoji is also known as “Hydrangea Temple” for the many hydrangeas planted there. During the rainy season, visitors can enjoy abundant hydrangea blooms alongside the rock-carved Buddha. The hydrangeas are cared for by the temple and local community. ■■■ Access to central Bungo-Ono City ■■■ About a three-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About a two-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About a one hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a one hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Nishinikarishite Returns Summer 2023 Nishinikarishite took place at GA.KOPPER guesthouse in Nishiokoppe Village. A day of live-noise bon odori echoed through the whole village of Nishiokoppe. For its second edition this year, the festivities span two days. Alongside music, food, and the noise bon odori, the program is packed with ghost stories and shadow puppetry, deer butchering, silk-screen printing and bookbinding workshops, and much more. On day one the venue is the old school building of the closed Kamiokoppe Elementary School, and on day two the event moves to guesthouse GA.KOPPER. Both days open at 10:30 AM, start at 11:00 AM, and finish around 9:00 PM. Admission is free on day one; day two costs 5,000 yen (free for junior high school students and younger). After 7:00 PM on day two, entry is free for everyone. Tickets can be purchased online in advance. You may also pay at the reception on the day of the event. (The price is the same either way.) The gymnasium of the former Kamiokoppe Elementary School will be open as a rest area at night. If you want to attend both days but need a place to stay, please bring a sleeping bag or tent and use the campsite. For details, check the Nishiokoppe Gakkai account. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Nishinikarishite #Nishiokoppe Gakkai #Former Kamiokoppe Elementary School #GA.KOPPER #Bon odori #Noise bon odori #Feast #100th anniversary of the village opening

It's like an Okinawa resort! Pool diving experience 🌴 in Kanagawa Hello! This is ⛱️ Hokule'a Shonan The other day, we held in a divemaster training at a resort-like pool in Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture! The clear blue sky and the sparkling water surface of the pool will keep you 🤿🌞 excited from the morning The biggest attraction of this pool is the bright and open atmosphere like the white sand of Okinawa. Sunlight shines into the water, Unfolding a curtain of shimmering light. It's like a vacation even before diving! It is the best environment where you can enjoy the "extraordinary". In the course, participants aiming to become divemasters confirmed their basic skills and practiced how to respond to emergencies. A pool with no waves or streams is an environment where you can calm down and concentrate, so it is perfect for establishing skills. This resort pool is also a great place to practice skin diving. Ideal for preparing before going to the sea, such as finwork, ear removal, and checking your posture in water. The transparency is also high, making it perfect for taking photos in the water or practicing semi-water shots 📸 "I don't want to go to the sea today, but I want to dive in the pool." Please feel free to contact us. With the comfort and security unique to the pool, even beginners can easily enjoy it. Those who want to start diving and skin diving in Kanagawa, Those who want to improve their skills in a resort feeling, This summer, go to pool training where both "healing and learning" come true! 🌺 Make your diving life freer and more enjoyable. We look forward to your participation! 🩵 Insta Account @hokulea_divejapan #DiveMasterTraining #PoolDiving #SkinDivingPractice #ResortVibes #TropicalFeeling #SparklingWater #ScubaJapan #HokuleaShonan #DiveWithUs #JapanDivingExperience #ScubaNearTokyo #SummerDiving

Photographed on July 3, 25. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, Tanabata "Sparkling Hanachozu in the Sky". Until July 8th. Light up until 9 o'clock at night.

Squid eaten on the veranda in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture is the best. This is summer in Japan

Photographed on July 3, 25. This is the Suzu Araragi wind chime of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

Roadside Station Kobe Fruit & Flower Park Osawa Hyogo, Kobe, Kita-ku, Osawa-cho, Kami-Osawa 2150 It is one of the largest Roadside Stations in western Japan. I go there 🌽 every year for sweet corn in the summer

Arima Hot spring Arima Hot spring is located in Kita-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, The Hot spring resort is located in a mountain gorge at the foothills of Autumn Leaves Valley on the north side of Mt. Rokko. Arima was originally written as Arima, meaning between mountains. As you can see, it is surrounded by mountains. It's not that far from the downtown of Kobe, Because of these geographical features, You can feel isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city, It has been loved by Many people as the "inner courtyard of Kansai". Sightseeing spots "to go" in Arima Hot spring 【Sightseeing】Gold and Silver Hot Springs 【Sightseeing】Nene Bridge (Nene Statue) 【Sightseeing】Carbonic acid spring Minamoto Park (Carbonic acid spring Minamoto) 【Sightseeing】Yusen Shrine 【Sightseeing】Arima Toy Museums 【Sightseeing】Zuihoji Temple Park / Momiji Chaya 【Sightseeing】Arima Masuike / Trout Koikoi Shrine 【Gourmet】Arigamameshi Relaxation House "Relaxation Kamahan"

Event announcement📣 July has arrived, and summer is here in earnest — a season full of festivals and events. If you’re free this weekend, why not drop by one of the events taking place? 🤗 📌Saturday, July 5 — Shirohebi-hime Festival at the shore of Lake Shikaribetsu in Shikaoicho. This theatrical folk performance, created from Ainu traditions, features a 13-meter white snake and a princess dancing in a dreamlike spectacle. ■Time: 17:30–21:15 ■Free shuttle bus to the venue: A free shuttle will operate from Kanda Nissho Memorial Museum in Shikaoicho to the lakeside venue using the regular bus route. 📌Sunday, July 6 — The 52nd Pyotan Falls Yamabe Release Festival at Satsunai River Park in Nakasatsunai Village. The day starts with the release of yamabe (a local trout), followed by a Poroshiri drum performance, hands-on workshops, food trucks, and ends with a stage-side edamame toss featuring the village’s specialty edamame. ■Time: 10:00–14:00 ■Access: About a 60-minute drive from Obihiro Station Find other summer events on the Tokachi HARE website under “Events.” Please check the homepage at the URL below 😊 It’s been hot every day, so please take care to avoid heatstroke and enjoy a pleasant weekend 🎵 https://tokachibare.jp/event/...

Hello, this is En'emon Folklore Museum. July has arrived and the hot days continue, but Shosenkyo Gorge still feels a little cool. While the sea’s chill is nice for summer vacation, it’s also a great season to soothe yourself in the mountains with a forest bath, listening to birdsong and relaxing among the green. Yamanashi has no sea, but the museum holds stones as beautiful as the ocean. Larimar is one of the three major healing stones, symbolizing love and peace, and it’s perfect for anyone seeking comfort and healing. Also, Shosenkyo is famous for its quartz, which used to be called a fossil of ice because it feels cool to the touch. It looks refreshing too, so come and touch it~♪ #Shosenkyo Gorge #Ontake Shosenkyo #Yamanashi Prefecture #Yamanashi #Kofu City #Kofu #Kai City #Kai #scenic spot #Japan’s scenic spots #scenic view #sightseeing #tourist spot #travel #Yamanashi trip #Yamanashi tourism #En'emon Folklore Museum #Shosenkyo Story En'emon Folklore Museum

Notice: Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival This year too, the Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival will take place over three days from July 7th to July 9th. Please be aware that some roads will be closed during the festival, so take care when coming to the area. Come and join the “Iwanai Festival.”😌 *The schedule was referenced from the Iwanai Shrine website.

The poster for the 20th National High School Invitational Ice Hockey Tournament, held from July 28 to August 3, is complete! 🏒 Admission is free✨ Also, from August 1 to 3 the “Tomakomai Port Festival” will take place beside the venue, nepia Ice Arena. The port festival is Tomakomai’s biggest summer celebration. Please come and enjoy both events.

~Komugibatake~ About a 10-minute walk from Tokachigawa Onsen town Adjacent to Tokachigaoka Park⭐ Surrounded by fields, this is a farm restaurant where you can enjoy scenery typical of Tokachi! The shop’s direct-sales corner sells seasonal vegetables and Otofuke Town specialties such as soybeans and azuki beans👏 Come and taste the blessings of nature!

Photographed on July 3, 25. I had an And at Iidabashi, and before that, I Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. The Tanabata decorations were stunning. 🎋 Precincts around half past seven in the morning.

🍄 July 7 is "Dried Shiitake Day" 🍄 To celebrate, we will hold the "Dried Shiitake Fair" on Saturday, July 5! 📍Venue: Morokko House parking lot 🕘Time: 9:00–16:00 ✨Event highlights✨ - Freshly grilled! Complimentary dried shiitake - All-you-can-stuff dried shiitake and wood ear mushrooms! - Tasting of Morotsuka Village oolong tea "Seikomasucha" 🍵 - Local specialties and summer vegetables will also be on sale 🍅🥬 This is an event everyone from children to adults can enjoy! Come with your family and friends and join us 😊

Photographed on July 1, 25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. Chillax soda yuzu citrus and cinnamon roll.

Kyonan Town Tourism Association held a sea prayer festival at Katsuyama Beach on July 3. Twenty-one people attended, including association officers, Mayor Harukazu Shiraishi, the assembly chair, school officials, police, and fire department personnel. After a Shinto prayer offered by kannushi Yasuyuki Kanaoka, participants prayed for safety at sea. This year, Kyonan Town will open bathing beaches at five coasts: Hota, Katsuyama, Ookuzure, Kisugahama, and Motona. The season runs from July 26 to August 17. Lifeguards will be posted at each bathing beach during that period, so please take all necessary safety precautions and enjoy swimming. Notice: Barbecues on the beaches are prohibited. #Kyonan Town#Sea Prayer Festival#Bathing Beaches Open#Hota Beach#Katsuyama Beach#Ookuzure Beach#Kisugahama Beach#Motona Beach

Photographed on July 1, 25. This is the Ai sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

“Hanakku and Hana Road” started on June 28! Beautiful flowers are in full bloom in front of the Guide Center, at Hanakku, and at the Garden Spa Roadside Station 🌷 Come by and enjoy the colorful flowers 🌸 Event period: Saturday, June 28 – Sunday, July 27

Rokka no Mori About a 40-minute drive from Tokachigawa Onsen. A large silo marks the spot ⭐ This is a beautiful forest where the wildflowers depicted on Rokkatei's wrapping paper bloom. Surrounded by seasonal blossoms, you can enjoy a graceful moment here 🍃 A shop is also on site! A windbreak forest lines the route, giving a full Hokkaido feel 💯 Please do visit 😊

Hydrangea in Asawahara Highlands (photo taken on July 3) The color has come in a nice way. You can enjoy it until about mid-July. https://www.kankouotaki.com/mamembara.html...

"AEON's Hokkaido Fair" is Held in at "AEON Lake Town MORI" in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture from July 1 (Tue) ~ 6 (Sun), and Engaru Town will Stalls for two days on July 5 (Sat) and 6 (Sun). At the Engaru Town booth, we will sell the Workshop "Obsidian Accessory Making Experience (Paid 500 yen)" and the Specialty "Tenuki no Rice Source" series. If you are in the vicinity, please come and visit us ♪ Dates: July 5 (Sat), 6 (Sun) * "AEON's Hokkaido Fair" is held in from July 1 (Tue). Time: July 5 (Sat) 10:00~19:00 July 6 (Sun) 10:00~18:00 * "Obsidian accessory making experience" will be until 17:00 on both days. Location: AEON Lake Town mori "Water Square etc" Saitama Prefecture Koshigaya City Lake Town 3-1-1

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! We are the Minamiechizen Town Tourism Federation. Minamiechizen Town in Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture, sits almost at the geographic center of Fukui Prefecture. The town blends sea, mountains, and countryside, and its history and culture are still alive. Formed in 2005 by the merger of the former Nanjo Town, Imajo Town, and Kono Village, the area preserves many distinctive local charms. Along the coast you can enjoy sweeping views of the Sea of Japan, while inland the satoyama landscape unfolds with mountains and clear streams. Minamiechizen Town is also known for preserving a picture of traditional Japan, where seasonal nature and everyday life live in harmony. In the peaceful rice fields visitors can try agricultural experiences such as rice planting and harvesting, which are popular with many tourists. Access to Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture By car it takes about five minutes from the Hokuriku Expressway’s Nanjo Smart Interchange, making access from the highway extremely convenient. You can also use the JR Hokuriku Main Line at Imajo Station and Nanjou Station, making rail travel from the Kansai and Chukyo regions comfortable. From Nagoya or Osaka it takes about two to three hours by car or train, so a day trip is ideal. At Roadside Station Minamiechizen Sankairi you can rent electric bicycles, making a relaxed cycling tour of Minamiechizen Town a popular option. About Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture Minamiechizen Town belongs to Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture. Its area is about 344 square kilometers and its population is around 9,000 (as of May 2025), offering rich nature and a tranquil lifestyle. Stretching north to south, the town ranges from coastal settlements to mountain farming villages, each with distinct cultures and customs. Local residents actively engage in tourism, agriculture, and crafts, drawing attention from many visitors. Historical background of Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture From ancient through medieval and early modern times, Minamiechizen Town developed as an important hub for transportation and logistics. The Imajo area prospered as a post town on the Hokkokukaido during the Edo period, welcoming many travelers and merchants. Stone-paved streets and latticed houses remain, recalling the bustle of those days. The Kono area flourished as a port for Kitamae ships plying the Sea of Japan, and buildings that reflect the wealthy merchants’ lifestyles still stand. These historical assets are preserved today as the town’s cultural properties. Popular sightseeing spots in Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture Hanahasu Park In summer about 130 varieties of lotus bloom, creating a serene and elegant scene. The park features walking paths, an observation deck, and rest areas, and the annual Hasu Festival draws many visitors. You can also enjoy lotus-themed gourmet items and local specialties. Imajo-shuku Post Town This post town preserves the atmosphere of the Edo period. Stone-paved streets and white-walled houses evoke history and offer a peaceful ambiance. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, it has high cultural value. Hands-on experiences like soba noodle making and guided town walks are available. Nearby you will find museums, cafés, and accommodations in renovated traditional houses where you can enjoy a refined stay soaked in history. Kitamae Ship Owner's House Ukonke The Ukonke residence, once home to a wealthy Kitamae ship merchant in the Edo period, is open to the public. Inside, exhibits recreate merchant life and present materials about historic trade routes, creating a must-see space for history enthusiasts. Yashaga-ike This mountain lake carries a mysterious legend and sits at the end of a nature-rich trekking route. Located at about 1,100 meters elevation, the lake is clear and the trail is designed so even beginner hikers can enjoy it. Fresh spring greenery and autumn foliage are beautiful, offering different scenery each season. The trail is well maintained, and lookout spots along the way offer panoramic views of Echizen’s mountain ranges. Roadside station in Minamiechizen Town Roadside Station Minamiechizen Sankairi represents the town and is a large complex combining a tourist information center, local product shops, restaurants, and rest areas. Conveniently accessible from both the expressway and local roads, the station includes an indoor kids’ area, a dog run, and EV charging stations, and is popular with many visitors. Fresh vegetables and fruits from local farms and Minamiechizen-specific souvenirs are also on sale. Local specialties and gourmet foods of Minamiechizen Town Imajo Soba (oroshi soba) A classic Fukui specialty. Served with grated daikon and broth, its light, refreshing flavor is perfect for hot seasons. Beni-sashi Ume A specialty plum grown in the Kono area, it balances sweet and tart flavors and is popular as umeboshi or plum wine and other processed products. Harvest experiences and plum-based cooking classes are held, and these activities are valued as food education. Events and festivals in Minamiechizen Town Kono Ume Festival Held every June, this local festival celebrates the plum harvest. You can enjoy plum-picking experiences and purchases of local processed goods, and food trucks also set up, creating a family-friendly atmosphere. Imajo Soba Festival A celebration of soba where soba shops from inside and outside the town serve their dishes so visitors can compare Imajo Soba’s variety of flavors. Soba-making demonstrations and workshops introduce and promote the town’s food culture. Kono Summer Festival Typically held in late July at Korakujo Beach, this festival is a summer highlight for Minamiechizen Town. The finale lights up the night sky and sea with around 5,600 fireworks, drawing many visitors. Stalls and festival games line the area, making it a perfect event for summer memories. Tourist information for Minamiechizen Town, Fukui Prefecture Minamiechizen Town charms visitors with its historic streets and abundant nature. We will continue to share plenty of information that brings the town’s seasonal landscapes, rooted food culture, and warm local hospitality to life, so you can carry Minamiechizen Town with you into tomorrow! Thank you very much!!

Mokoto Pass Mokoto Pass runs along the north side of Lake Kussharo. It is a prefectural road connecting Kawayu Onsen to Higashi-Mokoto Village. Not well known as a tourist route, the road nevertheless offers unique, beautiful views from two observation points. Do visit — you are likely to encounter wonderful scenery. https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/mokototoge/...

[Notice of Natsu-mode — Flower Market] Natsu-mode — Flower Market will be held at Isehara Daijingu. In addition to the summer staple morning glories and seasonal potted flowers for sale, food stalls and kitchen trucks will line the grounds. Dances and musical performances will appear on stage. Bring the whole family and enjoy. 🌸Date and Time Saturday, July 5 — 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM Sunday, July 6 — 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM 🌸Venue Isehara Daijingu The shrine grounds, bright with flowers, make a perfect setting for an evening stroll. Feel the start of summer amid night breezes, swaying blooms, and soft lights. For details and the stage schedule, please check the official website. https://www.daijingu.net/2025/06/15/1287/...