Gokoichi Bus now in service! Operating as a way to travel from the station to tourist sites, the Gokoichi Bus departs from Tsuruga Station or mihama station and runs a loop around the Mikata Five Lakes. [Service period] Saturday, March 16, 2024–Sunday, November 24, 2024 Service runs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only (daily service from Saturday, April 27 to Monday, May 6). [Route] Departing from Tsuruga Station or mihama station, the bus returns to Tsuruga Station or mihama station after calling at tourist spots such as Mihama Town Lake Center, Rainbow Line Summit Park, Kumagawa-juku Jomon Roman Park, and stops including Mikata Station. See the leaflet or the official website for details. Note: Seats cannot be reserved. Note: Service may be altered or suspended depending on the COVID-19 situation. Please check service status in advance. (Phone inquiries) Fukui Railway Reihoku Sales Office TEL 0778-21-0712

[Bicycle Diary] This morning, just as we opened the counter, two inbound guests came to rent bicycles. They wanted to ride around the Mikata Five Lakes, so we added them to the cycling tour originally planned for tourism association members. Everyone cycled slowly together, enjoying the nature. Partway through, there was a fuss about a tire losing air, and a nearby person kindly lent us a pump, which was a big help. They had already been staying in Japan for several nights and visiting many places, and they were very pleased with the Mikata Five Lakes, so it likely became a wonderful memory for them.

Did you know Shiojiri is one of Japan’s top wine regions? Japan has about 400 to 500 wineries, and roughly 80 of them are in Nagano Prefecture. Shiojiri City has the most wineries in the prefecture, with 15 operating producers. Some of these wineries have operated for more than a century since the Meiji era, while others are brand new, founded in the Reiwa era; each of the 15 crafts wines with its own distinct character. There is even a high school in Shiojiri that makes wine, giving students the chance to learn winemaking while still in school. What makes the wine industry so vibrant here is the ideal growing environment: at about 700 meters elevation the large day–night temperature swings and long hours of sunlight, combined with gravelly and volcanic-ash soils, create perfect conditions for growing grapes. High-quality grapes from this land produce high-quality wines. Among the wines made in Shiojiri, merlot earns especially high praise. In 1989 a merlot from the area won a major gold award at a prestigious international competition. The annual Shiojiri Winery Festa draws visitors from across Japan who sample wines from all over Shiojiri, often drinking to their heart’s content. Please try Shiojiri wine.

Sagaki Kuniyoshi Castle 1. A formidable fortress that held back the seemingly impregnable Asakura forces 2. A “stone-walled castle” revealed by archaeological excavation 3. Seasonal colors of the castle ruins and the stunning views of Wakasa visible from the site Kuniyoshi Castle was a mountain fortress located in Sagaki in the eastern part of Mihama Town. During the Sengoku period it served as a border castle protecting Wakasa Province and Tsuruga Province. It is said that Awaya Ecchu‑no‑Kami Katsuhisa, a senior retainer of the Takeda family who governed Wakasa, rebuilt the old castle in Koji 2 (1556). The castle’s fame was made by the “Siege of Kuniyoshi,” which began in Eiroku 6 (1563) when the Asakura clan from Echizen attacked and were repelled. From that year until the fall of the Asakura in Tensho 1 (1573), Asakura forces launched attacks almost annually, but the Awaya-led defenders held inside Kuniyoshi Castle and never lost it. An old tale by the local samurai Tanabe Handaifu Yasutsugu, who took part in the defense, spread as the war chronicle Kuniyoshi Siege Record. Incidentally, the castle had been called Sakaki Castle at the time, but the popularity of the Kuniyoshi Siege Record fixed the name Kuniyoshi Castle. In Genki 1 (1570), the castle welcomed Oda Nobunaga and his 30,000-strong army on the march to attack the Asakura. According to the Kuniyoshi Siege Record, Nobunaga entered Kuniyoshi Castle with Kinoshita Tokichiro Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Akechi Mitsuhide—the subject of this year’s historical drama—and met with Katsuhisa and the local samurai who had endured the siege, praising their efforts. Later, in Tensho 11 (1583), Kimura Hitachi no suke, a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, became castellan and developed a castle town. This marked the origin of the current Sakaki Settlement, which prospered in the Edo period as a post station on the Tango Highway. The townscape still preserves strong traces of that era. The castle was abolished in Kan’ei 11 (1635) early in the Edo period when Sakai Tadakatsu replaced the Kyogoku clan as lord of Obama Domain, and the Sakaki Town Magistrate Office was built on the south side of the ruins. On that site the Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum opened in Heisei 21 (2009). Designated a town historic site in Showa 58 (1983), Kuniyoshi Castle’s ruins are a local historical asset. Excavations that began in fiscal 2000 aimed to preserve and utilize the Sengoku‑period mountain fortress that had seemingly survived the fierce Asakura assaults. The investigations, however, overturned the existing image of the castle when they uncovered large groups of foundation stones for buildings, stone walls showing traces of deliberate collapse in which the upper halves had been systematically removed and the lower halves buried, giant foundation and facing stones at the northwest gate of the hilltop main bailey, and building remains on the southern corner mound of the main bailey that may have been a keep. These features appear to reflect major renovations by Kimura Hitachi no suke to assert the new lord’s power, although no documentary records described them. The excavations thus revealed the “truth” for the first time. In Heisei 29 (2017) the castle was selected as one of the Continued Top 100 Castles of Japan by the Japan Castle Foundation. In spring the castle town of Sagaki and the ruins are brightened by cherry blossoms and blooming shaga irises; in summer by masses of hangesho (plants whose leaves turn pale); in autumn by the maple leaves at Shourenji and Tokusho‑ji Temple; and in winter by a blanket of white, welcoming many visitors through the seasons. A promenade leads to the main bailey, but the winding switchback slope seems endless, giving a real sense of the castle’s former impregnability. Yet once you finally reach the main bailey, the majestic nature of Wakasa and the beautiful scenery greet you and make you forget the effort it took to get there. Sagaki Kuniyoshi Castle Sagaki, Mihama Town, Mikata‑gun, Fukui Prefecture Contact Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum (Tel. 0770-32-0050)

Goryokaku. It's ⭐️ really a great shape It's a 🌸 view I've always wanted to see This year, it was also staged in 👓⌚️🎀👟⚽️ a popular anime movie

Goryokaku ruins. Period, the cherry blossoms were 🌸 in bloom It was very nice to take a walk because it was ☺️ large

Hakodate Meijikan is a facility that uses the Hakodate Post Office, which was built in 1911 Meiji 44. Souvenirs were fun 😆

Photographed 6/10/24. This is Hanachozu from Hara Florist Mr./Ms..

The daylilies on Mt. Meshimori are at their best♪ On a clear break in the rainy season, I wondered how the daylilies on Mt. Meshimori were doing and went to take a look🤔 — they were almost in full bloom✨🙌 From past years it looks like the next two weeks will be the peak viewing period😚 Today was lively with a school hiking group as well🦉 #Minamimaki Village #Nobeyama Highlands #Mt. Meshimori #daylilies (nikko-kisuge) #alpine plants #spectacular views #flower fields #hiking

The photo shows Rinnoji Temple located in Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is a historic temple that was founded in 1441 by the 11th generation of the Date clan in Yangkawa, Date County Date City, Fukushima Prefecture, and moved to its current location in the 7th year of Keicho 1602 after the opening of Sendai by Date Masamune in the Edo period.

This is a set of Mr./Ms.'s pita bread 🥙 and soup. It is said that bamboo charcoal is kneaded into the dough of pita bread. Pita bread contains eggs, bacon and vegetables. The soup is vichyssoise cold potato soup. It's very tasty. Tomorrow 6/28 from 9:00, At 168 Mr./Ms., they sell a set of pita bread and soup.

Photographed 6/10/24. This is Hanachozu from Hara Florist Mr./Ms..

Seiryoso - Nishi-Izu's Hidden Village Please spend a relaxing time soaking in the hidden village of Nishi-Izu, Ukishima Hot Spring. ■Address 2204 Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka ■ Phone 0558-53-0193

Four Seasons Village Makiba It is a natural hot spring inn that boasts seasonal local fish dishes and local cuisine of Nishi-Izu. We also Restrooms available Ise Shrimp plans, business plans, and more. Other, please refer to the Home page of the hotel for details Restrooms available various special plans. We look forward to your reservation. ■Address 245-1 Ukusu, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka ■ Phone 0558-55-0622

Yamatomaru - Isaribi no Inn It is a fisherman's inn that reopened in March 2008 Heisei 20. ■Address 202-97 Ukusu, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka ■ Phone 0558-55-0100

Hello, this is Jewelry Town. This year has seen many days hotter than 30 degrees. Amid that heat, the hottest power stone right now is rutile quartz! Rutile quartz is the ultimate power stone for boosting wealth and financial luck. Try wearing it You might feel the difference Rutile quartz is thoroughly cleansed in top-grade crystal clusters, so you can wear it with confidence. After a walk outdoors, the shop is cool and comfortable inside, so please come and visit us😄

Shimonoso We are waiting for you with the hospitality unique to a guesthouse without hesitation. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 1867-10 ■ Phone 0558-52-0852

Ichikawaso We will welcome you with sincerity and warmth. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 1931-1 ■ Phone 0558-52-1437

Mayuko - Ama's guesthouse Fresh Fresh fish dishes are served. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 1935-2 ■ Phone 0558-52-0692

Ryukaimaru - Amimoto's inn An inn owned by a fishing boat. Fee is a low-cost inn and you can enjoy fresh beach cuisine. Use the fishing boat "Ryukai Maru" offers a great inn accommodation "Fishing Pack". ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka 1963-5 ■ Phone 0558-52-0814

Tsutsumi-so - Heartwarming hospitality inn You can relax while looking at the sea from the window of your room. In the evening, we offer a meal full of seafood. I recommend "Ama guesthouse Course". Haliotis Dance Grill and Ise Shrimp Onigara Grill are also recommended for an extra fee. ■Address 1813 Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka ■ Phone 0558-52-0192

Guesthouse Marui In front of you is Nishina Fishing Port. Fresh local fish will serve you. We hope you leave satisfied. ■Address 1812-1 Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka ■ Phone 0558-52-1196

Inabaso - Ama's inn The food is hospitable with seafood. You can see the magnificent scenery of Dogashima. You can spend a relaxing time in the rock bath Hot Spring. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 2013 ■ Phone 0558-52-0341

Sanyoso Due to its location near Nishina Fishing Port, it serves Freshly caught Fresh fish dishes. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 1935-3 ■ Phone 0558-52-0295

Kaoriso It is an old-fashioned small guesthouse. Use by one person or without meals is also welcome. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 1998 ■ Phone 0558-52-0287

Yasumiso Fresh local fish from Suruga Bay is a guesthouse. 1 minute and 36 seconds walk to the beach where you can Bathing in the sea! Families, couples, everyone! ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 1969-1 ■ Phone 0558-52-0285

Sakae Shimaru - The signature dish is Boiled fish with Kinmedai Beaches is a 2-minute walk away. You can eat in your room or bring your own! Customers who Use for work-related purposes will also be able to meet your budget, so please feel free to Use us. Wi-Fi is also available. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 1931-2 ■ Phone 0558-52-0322

Norihamaso-Norihama Beaches is right in front of you [Open only in summer] It is an inn in front of the sea, 3 seconds from the sea. The rooftop open-air bath boasts a spectacular view of the Sunset. Shokudo and Bathing in the sea are sold on the 1st floor. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, there is no increase in Obon Fees. ■Address 2819-1 Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka ■ Phone 0558-52-0254

Tabino inn Fukai You can see the islands of Dogashima, and the blue sea and sandy beach Unfolds in front of you. Fresh local fish dishes are the main focus. You can also fish on a recreational fishing boat, and rowing boats can be rented free of charge for guests staying at the inn. ■Address 2819-1 Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka ■ Phone 0558-52-0188

Chikara-Hot Spring guesthouse It is an inn that boasts reasonable and luxurious meals both in the morning and evening. ■Address Nishina, Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka 1949-2 ■ Phone 0558-52-0556