Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video!! This is the Saikai City Tourism Association. Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, sits in the northern part of the Nishisonogi Peninsula, roughly halfway between Nagasaki City and Sasebo City. It’s a place where you can feel rich nature and history. The city is bordered on three sides by the Goto-nada Sea, Sasebo Bay, and Omura Bay, and most of the area consists of complex ria coastlines. Saikai City is surrounded by a beautiful coastline and abundant nature, making it an attractive destination for visitors. We will introduce recommended information about Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Cool Japan Video, so please enjoy. ◇◇◇ Access to Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture There is no train network in Saikai City, so you can reach it by car or bus. ◇ Access by car from Nagasaki city center It takes about one hour to drive from Nagasaki city to Saikai City. Use the Nagasaki Expressway and follow the Saikai Pearl Line to reach the city. This route offers a scenic drive along the beautiful coastline. ◇ Bus access from Nagasaki Station From Nagasaki Station, take Nagasaki Bus or Saikai Kotsu to Saikai City Hall; the trip takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. ◇ Bus access from Sasebo Station Take Saihi Bus to Saikai Bridge West Exit; the ride takes about 50 minutes. ◇◇◇ About Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture The population is about 25,000 people (as of 2024), and the area is characterized by a rich lifestyle lived in harmony with nature. Agriculture and fishing thrive here, and you can enjoy fresh local produce. Saikai City is especially known as a mandarin orange producing area, harvesting many crops thanks to its warm climate and fertile soil. ◇◇◇ History of Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture The western part of the Nishisonogi Peninsula and nearby islands prospered as whaling bases from the 1630s. From the Meiji era onward, coal mining began and the area enjoyed great prosperity. Later, in 2005, the five towns of Seihi, Ooshimacho, Saikai, Oseto, and Sakito merged to form the present Saikai City. ◇◇◇ Popular sightseeing spots in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture Saikai City has many popular attractions. Here are some of them. ◇ Nagao Castle Ruins Observatory From the observation deck you can take in the islands of the Goto-nada Sea, and the fiery red sunset sinking into the sea is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s a popular spot for spectacular photos. ◇ Hachiningatake Park This park sits on the central ridge of the Nishisonogi Peninsula, and the lookout at the summit offers panoramic views of Omura Bay. The distant sea and mountains show different faces each season. ◇ The smallest park in Japan On Matsushima, floating off the west side of the Nishisonogi Peninsula in the Goto-nada Sea, there is “the smallest park in Japan,” with a natural wooden bench and a single palm-like shuro tree. From the park you can gaze across the open ocean. ◇ Sakito Seaside Park Sakito Seaside Park features clear waters and white sandy beaches. With toilets and showers available, it’s a recommended spot for summer visitors. ◇ Nanatsugama Cave Nanatsugama Cave is a limestone cave that rose from the seabed about 30 million years ago. Part of the cave is open to visitors. Admission: Adults 800 yen per person, Junior high students 400 yen per person, Elementary students 200 yen per person Infants (age 4 and over) 100 yen per person So far 35 cave sites have been discovered, but this vast cave system still has many aspects that remain unexplored. ◇ Roadside Station Saikai Roadside Station Saikai is a popular spot where you can buy local specialties and souvenirs. The original gelato and soft serve ice cream are especially recommended. The facility features a large semi-spherical dome shaped like a mandarin orange, offering visitors a fun experience. ◇◇◇ Experiences you can enjoy in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture In Saikai City you can enjoy a variety of experiences broadly categorized as sea experiences, mountain experiences, and craft-making experiences. Here are some examples. ◇ Mandarin-picking experience Saikai City is known as one of the prefecture’s leading mandarin producing regions, and during the harvest season (typically November) you can enjoy mandarin picking. Picking fresh mandarins yourself is popular with families, and you can savor their juicy flavor right away. ◇◇◇ Local specialties of Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture ◇ Unshu mandarins (Satsuma mandarins) Saikai City’s Unshu mandarins enjoy a high reputation nationwide. There are early varieties such as Haraguchi early mandarin orange (late October to early December) and extra-early varieties such as Iwasaki early mandarin orange (late September to October). Grown in a warm climate and fertile soil, these mandarins are sweet and juicy and signal the arrival of winter. ◇ Oshima Tomatoes Saikai City’s Oshima Tomatoes are known for intense sweetness and acidity and are a popular local specialty (season: February to early May). Their high sugar content makes them taste almost like fruit. These specialties are also popular as hometown tax return gifts. ◇◇◇ Tourist information for Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture Surrounded by rich natural environments with a variety of attractions and experiences, Saikai City offers new discoveries each time you visit. We will continue to share more recommended information about Saikai City on Cool Japan Video, so please look forward to it!!

Residual heat. The end of summer, and the beginning of autumn. Mr. Sairinji in Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. The contrast between the summer sunlight and the forest, and the shadows of young Autumn leaves on the lanterns, seemed to tell us the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Held in the popular "Engaru Eat" again this year! Held in for two days, Thursday, September 12 and Friday, September 20. You can enjoy the taste of restaurants in the In the town for takeout. This year, it is not a reservation system, and sales start at 11:30 and end as soon as they are gone. This time, the maximum number of 7 stores since the Held in will participate each day. Each lunch box costs 1,000 yen (tax included). If you purchase 2 or more, you will receive an "original picnic sheet". Appreciation of the cosmos in full bloom, spread out a picnic sheet and enjoy ♪ a delicious lunch Limited quantities are bound to sell out! Please purchase as soon as possible!

A typhoon has passed. In Tsukigase, Nara, there is Tsukigase Plum Valley, which was designated as Japan’s first nationally recognized Scenic Spot 100 years ago. During the Plum Festival, held from mid-February through the end of March, many photographers gather from early morning to capture the breathtaking views where the plum groves, the valley, and the sea of clouds meet. However the best time to see Tsukigase Plum Valley is not only in spring. Its fresh green in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy winter landscapes charm visitors through every season. This submission is not of the verdant summer valley but of the sunrise after a typhoon. At first the valley was shrouded in thick river mist, but the fog gradually lifted and the sun began to break through. The way sunlight pierces the shifting mist is truly dramatic. Photo: Yasunori Okamoto

KAMU music performers introduction Koto performance and picture-book reading The two artists are based in Okoppe Town and also active in Monbetsu and Nishiokoppe Village. Because the koto should be heard live, they will perform not on the stage but beside the mechanical organ inside the Roadside Station building. Children and adults alike, come together! Please note that the venue may change in case of rain.

Noto Peninsula Mitsuke Island Morning 2023.08.12 Mitsuke Island before the earthquake It is a view that I want to keep. We pray for a speedy recovery.

Noto Peninsula Mitsuke Island Morning 2023.08.12 Mitsuke Island before the earthquake It is a view that I want to keep. We pray for a speedy recovery.

Photographed 8/10/24. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a wind chime with a red thread.

Photographed 7/17/24. It is a kazaguruma in front of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Otorii Gate.

The fresh greenery of the Torii (shrine gate) in the sky is beautiful This is Takaya Shrine in Kagawa Prefecture! It is also known as [Torii (shrine gate) in the sky]. The view of the Seto Inland Sea from here is truly spectacular 🤤

At "Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park Rainbow Plaza", the cosmos is now in Best time to visit. By the end of this week, it is expected to be almost in full bloom. On Sunday, September 8, "Taiyo no Oka Cosmos Festa 2024" will be held in. Please come to Engaru Town!

Ogatsu District, Akita Prefecture Ugo Town "Nishimonai Bon Dancing" Nishimonai no Bon Odori is a Bon Dancing that has been passed down to Ugo Town Nishimonai Ogatsu District, Akita Prefecture. Nationally designated Important Intangible folk cultural assets and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Photographed 7/25/24. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture "Tanabata Picture Festival" It is said that it began when a princess who was "initiated" by the Takashi family of Kyoto, the seventh generation of the Satake Minamike family of Akita Domain, entrusted her Township and unrequited feelings for Kyoto to a five-colored strip of paper and decorated it with green bamboo.

The city's facilities opened last fall. I couldn't wait to finish it and was excited. A very splendid building "Onikuru" was built. With the arrival of summer, I feel that it is becoming even brighter.

The garland bayashi is dedication as a festival bayashi of Koinari Shrine, the god of the soil where the garland is produced. It is an event where 10 gorgeous stalls parade through the towns all night on the enthusiastic music of young people! The wreath palm is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property. (This will be the second piece of the wreath palm)

Photographed 7/9/24. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

In search of coolness deep in the mountains This is Saitama prefecture Mt. Moro Town Located in Kuroyama Three Waterfalls. I went there 🤤 in search of coolness in the hot summer

It is a Roadside station Shiomizaka in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. There is a a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, and Shirasu bowl, eel bowl, and raw rice bowl are Famous. Outsides available the Footbath will Healing your tired legs.

At this year's Taiyo no Oka Cosmos Festa 2024, dance teams from inside and outside the In the town will perform on a special stage with the cosmos in full bloom in the background. In addition, there are a lot of various events such as "Anpan Man Show", "Working Car Gathering", and "Street Performer Performance"! Please enjoy the autumn of Engaru. We look ♪ forward to seeing you

Tokachigawa Onsen is home to a rare peat-based hot spring in Japan known as a moor spring. A moor spring is an alkaline hot spring that contains humic substances derived from lignite (sub-bituminous coal), so named because its effects are similar to those of moor baths. Compared with ordinary mineral springs, this type of spring is unusually rare worldwide, making it a precious resource with limited supply. An authentic sample of lignite is on display at the Tokachigawa Onsen Association, so please come and see it! - The spring water at Tokachigawa Onsen is an uncommon peat-based (moor) spring originating from lignite (sub-bituminous coal). It is classified as a mineral spring and is believed to be beneficial for neuralgia, joint pain, and general weakness. A rare sample of lignite is displayed at the Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Information Center—visitors to Tokachigawa Onsen should definitely check it out!

Please note that the lights in this cave turn on at 8:30 AM and go out at 5:00 PM. Once the lights go out, the cave becomes completely dark, so for safety reasons please do not enter after 4:30 PM. If a power outage or other event causes the lights to go out unexpectedly, remain calm and proceed out slowly.

Photographed 7/9/24. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Most of the rice fields in Kamitomita Towns, Wakayama Prefecture, are harvested before the typhoon season. The rice shortage has been resolved, and it seems that we will soon have delicious new rice.

Photographed 9/1/24. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Hot summer day. Rainbow in the mist. The view of Kobe Port Island South Park, a summer time when the fountain turned into mist and a rainbow could be seen.

The garland bayashi is dedication as a festival bayashi of Koinari Shrine, the god of the soil where the garland is produced. It is an event where 10 gorgeous stalls parade through the towns all night on the enthusiastic music of young people! The wreath palm is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property.

Three-city joint fireworks festival 🎆 This year, the event was 🤤 held jointly by the three municipalities I was able 🤤 to see some nice fireworks at the end of summer

(3/3) I went to "Maruike spring water" in the spring water Town of Kagoshima Prefecture! I had been to Maruike spring water before, but this harvest was a small path that continued from the back of the pond. There was a waterway that I liked, so I went on, and at first it was a beautiful road with a bamboo fence and stylish electric lights, but as I went deeper, I was able to pass by a few private houses, and I was able to take a quiet and absent-minded walk. From the next time I went, I was satisfied that this path was also a set, and it was Maruike spring water in the summer of 2024.

(2/3) I went to "Maruike spring water" in the spring water Town of Kagoshima Prefecture! On this day, there were few ripples, and the bottom of the water was very visible. You can feel the underlying power of Maruike spring water where the dead leaves submerged in the water do not interfere with the scenery. Also, there is a staircase in the water that feels a little algae. If you concentrate only on this area, you can enjoy a submerged sense of the city (maybe). Then there was the moss thriving at a level that you would never see in the water. There were many of them growing as vigorously as broccoli, and it was a forest. of moss.