Introduction of Fuchikashira from Wakeido Title: Sakana zukushi zu Fuchikashira Signature: Katsura Sorin (kao) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Fuchikashira: Height 38.8mm, Width 22.6mm, Thickness 13mm Head: Height 35mm, Width 17mm Period: Late Edo Period School: Katsura school Explanation Toshimasa Egawa was born in Mito in the third year of the Ansei era. He studied under Eisei Yokotani and became an adopted son of Katsura Eiju. He succeeded the Katsura family's duties and became the official metalworker for the Kurume Domain Arima family, taking the name Katsura Sorin. He excelled in high-relief color painting on red-copper fish skin, carving lions, tigers, horses, fish, and figures. This work also features his trademark high-relief color painting on red-copper fish skin, beautifully depicting lobsters and flatfish.

Nemophila Festa 2026 (May 2) A fun and delicious event awaits you! The Nemophila Festa 2026 will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, at Horticulture LABO Hill. Tomato harvesting experience Sedum planting experience Strawberry daifuku making Mini craft experience Quiz rally around the park Tomohiro Furuya live performance Serikawa concert Myony Brass Ensemble concert featuring Tsuruga Technical High School Wind Orchestra Fukuizer show Balloon art Bingo tournament Food trucks Super ball scooping Candy fishing Gem scooping Dried fish by Mr. Morishita Coffee sales by Herb Time Sweets by Sachi Hana and many other exciting activities are planned. We hope to see you there! Nemophila Festa 2026 Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Location: Fukui Prefecture Horticultural Experience Facility, Horticulture LABO Hill 35-32-1 Hisakko, Mihama Town (inside the Horticulture Research Center) Phone: 0770-47-6162

The cherry blossoms at Ariakesan Shrine in Azumino have started to fall🌸 The carvings on the shrine's mountain gate, Yumeimon, are impressive❗️ It is said to be modeled after the Yōmeimon of Nikkō Tōshō-gū.

Events around GW (April 29 - May 11) Part 3 Mimi Shrine's King Dance (May 4) This dance is performed during the annual grand festival of Mimi Shrine in May, dedicated to praying for a bountiful harvest. The performance lasts about an hour. Dancers wear colorful costumes, showcasing a graceful and powerful display. It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukui Prefecture. Starting from the 7th year of Reiwa, the grand festival of Mimi Shrine will be divided into two parts: May 1 (only the ceremony) and May 4 (offering of meals, welcoming rituals, pressing of the sacred offering, King Dance, lion dance, and other ceremonial events). Mimi Shrine Grand Festival Date: May 4, 2026 (Monday) Time: Around 8 AM - King Dance starts in the afternoon Location: Mimi Shrine, 10-25-1 Miyashiro, Mihama Town Please note that the Mimi Shrine Grand Festival, which used to be held on May 1, will now only have the ceremony on that date starting from the 7th year of Reiwa, while the offering of meals, welcoming rituals, pressing of the sacred offering, King Dance, lion dance, and other ceremonial events will take place on May 4. The schedule has changed, so please be aware. Please note that the schedules for events such as the King Dance and lion dance are posted on the Mimi Shrine website, but the timing may vary due to the nature of the ceremonies. Even if you only wish to see the King Dance, it is recommended to wait at Mimi Shrine from the early afternoon and keep your schedule open until late in the evening.

Events around GW (April 29 - May 11) Part 2 Children's Kabuki in Hayase (May 3) In Hayase, Mihama Town, Fukui Prefecture, there is a tradition of "Children's Kabuki" performed by elementary school boys that has been passed down for about 150 years. It is said to have originated during the Edo period when cholera spread in Hayase, leading to the offering of Children's Kabuki at local temples and shrines to calm the disease. The head priest of Zuirinji at that time received a divine message stating, "The epidemic is a curse from gods and buddhas; therefore, offer Children's Kabuki to the temples and shrines." The villagers promptly constructed a float for the offering and on May 8 of the following year, they paraded the float to Hiyoshi Shrine, Zuirinji, and Jomoji, offering Children's Kabuki. As the epidemic subsided, this day became the grand festival of Hiyoshi Shrine, and the tradition of Children's Kabuki has been preserved and offered ever since (it is currently held on May 3). Children's Kabuki in Hayase Date: May 3, 2026 (Sunday) Time: Starting around 8 AM. Location: Hayase, Mihama Town Offered in front of Hiyoshi Shrine and Zuirinji *After offering Children's Kabuki in front of Hiyoshi Shrine, the float will be moved to Zuirinji for another performance. The exact timing will depend on the situation, so we cannot provide a fixed time. If you wish to see Children's Kabuki, please keep your schedule open throughout the morning. https://www.view-wakasamihama.jp/trip-03-02...

Events around Golden Week (April 29 - May 11) Kōdōdantsutsuji Festival (May 3 - 5) At the "Mori to Kurasu Donguri Club" in Shinjo, Mihama Town, we cultivate the native "Kōdōdantsutsuji" (red azalea) that grows in the mountains of Mihama. During Golden Week, we will hold our annual sales event, the "Kōdōdantsutsuji Festival." Kōdōdantsutsuji Festival Date: May 3 (Sunday) - 5 (Tuesday), 2026 Location: Mori to Kurasu Donguri Club 182-1-1 Shinjo, Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture Phone: 0770-32-3330

Around the Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum, the white iris flowers are in full bloom. They have started to bloom a bit earlier than usual. Typically, we mention that the best viewing time is during Golden Week, but it’s a bit uncertain until the Kuniyoshi Castle Festival on May 5th. This weekend (April 25-26), the weather is nice, so it’s a great time to see them. Location: Wakasa Kuniyoshi Castle History Museum Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM (until the end of March) 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (from April) Closed: Every Monday (the following day if it's a holiday) Address: 25-2 Sagaki, Mihama Town, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture Phone: 0770-32-0050 Admission fee: 100 yen for adults, 50 yen for children (junior high school students and below) *Group discount for 20 or more people.

Introduction of Tsuba from Wakeido Title: Takanoha Mon Chirashi Zu Tsuba Signature: Koyama Motohiro made this, Touryusai Kiyotoshi carved it Bunsei 13th year, Oborotsuki, requested by Arakawa Kougyo Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 86.5mm Width 83mm Thickness 4.5mm Period: AD 1830 School: Touryusai school Description This is a tsuba crafted by Koyama Motohiro, the official swordsmith of the Nihonmatsu Domain, with engraving done by Touryusai Kiyotoshi. Koyama Motohiro was the finest swordsmith of the Nihonmatsu Domain, having trained under Kunisada in Sendai and further honing his skills in Edo under Suishinshi Masahide. The Touryusai school traces its origins to Kiyotoshi Tanaka, who was born in Aizu in the first year of the Bunka era and is said to have trained in the Aizu Shōami school during his youth. He honed his skills under Kōno Shunmei when the latter visited Tōhoku, completing a clever style known as the Touryusai school that became popular during the late Edo period. This tsuba is a collaboration between a swordsmith and a metalworker, making it a rare piece.

Hello! Welcome to Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Branch. 😆 This Golden Week, why not take a deep breath and visit us? 🌿 Experience Japan's most beautiful gorge, Shosenkyo. Indulge in the luxury of walking through a tunnel of fresh greenery, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The approximately 5km promenade features the stunning Senga Falls and a landscape of bizarre rocks and formations that resemble art. ✨ Let's reset both mind and body while enjoying the soothing sounds of water and the negative ions all around us. 😊 Now, at Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Branch, we are excited to introduce a perfect wine made from Shine Muscat, just in time for the season. 🍇 We have unique wines like a cloudy Petillant and sparkling wines, as well as our original still wines, all offering the refreshing taste of Shine Muscat. ✨ After being healed by nature, treat yourself to something special. 🍷 If you visit Shosenkyo, be sure to stop by Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Sengataki Branch. We look forward to welcoming you!

Introduction of the Tsuba from Wakeido Title: Kamewari Onkou Tsuba Signature: Gagetsusai Hamano Naochika (Seal) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Tokubetsu Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 72.5mm, Width 68.5mm, Thickness 4mm Period: Late Edo period, around Bunka and Bunsei School: Hamano school Explanation The Hamano school is a prestigious lineage founded by Masazumi, producing notable artisans such as Kizuzui, Naochika, Horie Kousei, and Iwama Masaru. Naochika, known as Seibei, studied under Kizuzui to hone his skills, leaving behind collaborative works with his master. He resided in Kofu, Kai. This work features high relief carving and inlaid color painting on a quarter-inch surface, depicting the scene of Kamewari Onkou. Kamewari Onkou refers to the story of Sima Guang, a politician from the Northern Song dynasty in China, who cleverly saved a friend who had fallen into a water jar during childhood. This tale teaches that a person's life is more precious than a valuable jar, symbolizing the importance of life in temple carvings and festival floats. It is also known as "Sima Onkou's Jar Breaking" or "Breaking the Jar to Save a Child." https://wakeidou.com/pages/705/...

Introduction of Kozuka from Wakedō Title: Akikusamushi zu Kozuka Signature: Made by Nakagawa Isshō Certification: N.B.T.H.K. Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Length 97.5mm, Width 14.5mm Period: Last of Edo School: Goto Ichijō school Description Nakagawa Isshō is a distinguished craftsman from the Goto Ichijō school. He was initially called Naojirō and later Gohei, born as the second son of Nakagawa Katsusuke in 1829 in Tsuyama, Mimasaka. The Nakagawa family has served the Matsudaira clan of Tsuyama for generations and he first studied under his father, taking the name Katsumi and becoming a clan craftsman. Later, on command, he went to Kyoto and became a disciple of Goto Ichijō. In 1851, he went to Edo with his master and was permitted to take the name Ikki in 1857. After Ichijō returned to Kyoto in 1862, he remained in Edo, serving the Tsuyama clan there, and changed his name to Isshō around this time. His work is similar to that of his master Ichijō. This piece is also of excellent quality, resembling Ichijō's work, and the short verse on the back is a poem by Ichijō.

Introduction of Menuki from Wakeido Title: Nihiki Shirauo zu Menuki Signature: Kibatamei Masa Kage Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Left: Height 52mm, Width 14mm Right: Height 51.5mm, Width 14mm Period: Last of Edo School: Toryusai School Explanation The Toryusai School was founded by Tanaka Kiyotoshi, who was born in the first year of the Bunka era and is known to have been related to Haruaki Hōgen. The Toryusai style, characterized by its cleverness, was completed by Kiyotoshi, who trained many disciples, including Jurō, Jumatsu, and Masakage. Masakage was one of them, known for his high skill, and this Menuki is finely crafted with great attention to detail.

Introducing Kozuka from Wakedo Title: Mouko zu Kozuka Signature: Katsuryuken (Iwama Masayoshi) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu Size: Length 97.5mm, Width 15mm Period: Late of Edo (AD1764 to 1837) School: Iwama school Description Iwami Masayoshi is the founder of the Iwama school. He was a disciple of Hamano Naosuke and was allowed to use the character 'Nao' at the age of twenty, taking the name Naoyasu. After training at the main house, he signed as Katsuryuken Masayoshi, and in his later years, he adopted the name Juboku in pursuit of the ideal techniques of Riju and Mizume Masazui. He excelled in high carving in the Seizui style, and his skills were praised as exceptional. This work is a kozuka depicting a fierce tiger, notable for its interesting composition. The tiger looks up at the sky with a vivid expression, and the high relief technique used in the background creates a three-dimensional representation of the fierce tiger, which is impressive.

Introduction of the Fuchikashira from Wakeido Title: Botan shishi zu Fuchikashira Signature: Hidenaga (kao) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Fuchi - Height 38mm, Width 22.5mm, Thickness 13.4mm Head - Height 33.8mm, Width 13mm Period: Middle Edo Period School: Oomori School Description The Oomori School is a prestigious lineage alongside the Ishiguro-ha and Yanagawa-ha within the Okutani School, founded by Hidehisa, who trained under Yokoya Somin, and flourished under the second generation, Hidenaga. Hidehisa Omori, the eldest son of Hidehisa, initially took the name Hanjitsu and later assumed the name Shirobe. After passing away earlier than his father, the family estate was inherited by his younger brother, Fusami. Consequently, the number of his works is limited. This piece showcases the high skill of the Oomori School, featuring a high relief color painting of a peony lion on a red-copper fish scale ground in the Yokoya style.

On April 12th, the Takeda diamond, signaling the arrival of spring, was clearly visible on Mt. Goryu in Hakuba. Cherry blossoms and snow-capped mountains! And a clear blue sky. I received the best hospitality from Hakuba!

Hello, this is Ryusuidō. Shosenkyo Gorge is enveloped in soft new greenery, welcoming a pleasant season🌿 The weeping cherry blossoms at Shōgyokudō in the Takigami area are gradually turning into leaf blossoms, but they are doing their best to greet everyone😊 The mountain rose (yamabuki) blooming close to the rocky surface also reminds us of the season!❗️ Shosenkyo is also famous as the birthplace of the April birthstone, crystal. It can be used for everything from accessories to interior decor and is said to be a "universal stone" that brings good fortune, purification, and protection, making it suitable for anyone✨ In the Takigami area, there are many spots where you can forget your daily routine and have fun, such as the Hachushuike, where you can toss in eight balls for wishes, so please come visit Shosenkyo‼ All of our staff are looking forward to the day we can see your wonderful smiles😊

"Hotaru Matsuri in Doshi Village" will be held for the first time in 10 years. On June 20th (Saturday) from 14:00 At Doshi Village Kanko Farm Campground There will be stalls for children and food trucks Activities like fish catching and crafts are planned. Starting around 19:30, there will be "firefly viewing". We will inform you again once the details are finalized.

【Cherry Blossom Tour in Southern Shinshu🌸】Tenryū Gorge and Yae-zakura Kaidō are nearing their peak bloom! Currently at "50% bloom" & night illuminations are underway✨ The overlapping petals create an irresistible volume, reminiscent of peony flowers...! The contrast of pink gradients and the newly sprouted leaves offers a breathtaking view unique to this season✨" On Sunday, April 19th, the "Tenryū Gorge Yaezakura Street Sakura Festival" will also be held! ✅ About 2km (approximately 200 cherry trees of 10 varieties) along the cherry blossom path🌸 ✅ Illuminations are ongoing. A night stroll among the cherry blossoms is also recommended🌙 ✅ On April 19th (Sunday), the "Yae-zakura Kaidō Sakura Festival" will take place🌸

April 14th This morning, Azumino is beautifully clear According to the forecast, the weather seems to deteriorate in the evening, so if you want to enjoy the cherry blossoms, today is the day Have fun in the countryside of Azumino!!

On April 13th the cherry blossom trees along the Hotaka River, where the early spring song monument is located, have started to shed their petals... You can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Azumino, featuring cherry blossoms, wasabi fields, and the Northern Alps.

April 13 Azumino Cherry Blossom Blooming Information The cherry blossoms at the famous spot in Azumino, Mount Hikarujo, are in full bloom!! This year, they reached the summit in no time. The cherry blossoms on Mount Hikarujo are planted along the hiking trail, blooming like a "rising dragon" from the trailhead to the summit♪ Please be careful as parking is limited for those driving!

Around 3 PM on April 12th The Northern Alps and cherry blossoms from the Roo Observation Deck in Ogawamura, Nagano Prefecture🌸 I've never seen such a view before! It's breathtaking! I'm moved by the scenery that can only be seen at this time of year! I'm captivated by the nature of Shinshu♪

Located in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Arakurayama Sengen Park💁 The five-story pagoda and cherry blossoms standing in the morning mist, along with Mount Fuji, truly represent Japan's original landscape. (୨୧❛ᴗ❛)📷🌸🗻

April 12 Cherry blossoms blooming in Azumino In the background, the Northern Alps The vibrant spring of Azumi Plain

April 12 Azumino Cherry Blossom Blooming Information The cherry blossom trees along Kurosawagawa are in full bloom!! The cherry blossom path extends for about 1 km Although the riverbank is a bit rough, it's a pleasant stroll along the trees.

On April 12th The warmth lately has made the flowering peach bloom... Usually, it happens after the cherry blossoms... Right now, Azumino is truly a riot of flowers This area is near Daio Wasabi Farm.

April 12th Azumino Cherry Blossom Blooming Information Weeping cherry trees along the foothills of Azumino Single cherry trees in Kitakokura, Tadai, and Minami-Kokura All have passed their peak and are beginning to fall...

Cherry blossoms can be seen all over the country, but... wasabi flowers can be enjoyed in Azumino! You can encounter the delicate white flowers in the wasabi fields of Azumino!

Toyama Castle Park is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most picturesque locations for enjoying cherry blossoms, blending natural beauty with deep historical significance. The park surrounds Toyama Castle, whose origins date back to the Sengoku period, when it functioned as a strategic stronghold under regional rulers. Although the original castle was lost to time, the present structure symbolizes Toyama’s feudal heritage and now serves as a cultural landmark within the city. The cherry‑blossom experience becomes especially memorable when viewed from a quiet, slow‑moving boat gliding along the castle moat. From this serene vantage point, visitors can fully appreciate the delicate fragrance of the blossoms, while petals occasionally drift down and gently settle around them. This harmony of history, landscape, and sensory richness creates a tranquil atmosphere that offers a timeless and deeply rewarding hanami experience.

This is an introduction to the fuchikashira from Wakedo. Title: Bairyu Taketora zu Fuchikashira Signature: Yanagawa Naomasa (kao) Certification: [N.B.T.H.K.] Hozon Tousougu Dimensions: Fuchikashira - Height 38.4mm, Width 22.2mm, Thickness 12mm Head - Height 35mm, Width 16.3mm Period: Middle Edo Period, AD 1692 - AD 1757 School: Yanagawa School Description The Yanagawa School, founded by Naomasa, is a prestigious school of town carving with disciples such as Naomitsu and Naoharu. Naomasa was born in the fifth year of Genroku as the son of Masatsugu, with the childhood name Heijiro, later changed to Sanzaemon. He entered the school of Yoshioka Inabanosuke during his youth and later learned under Yokoya Somin at his father's instruction. He passed away at the age of sixty-six in the seventh year of Hōreki. The Yanagawa School is known for its high-relief color painting on red-copper fish skin, and works signed by Naomasa can be seen as imitations of Somin's style. This work, Bairyu Taketora zu, also features Yokoya-style dragons and tigers delicately applied to the red-copper fish skin, showcasing Naomasa's exceptional skill.