【Fujiya Ryokan】 Fujiya Ryokan Healing many inn guests in a clean Inside the Museum with delicious meals. Restrooms available and Aso Park on the back side, and the one with a good view is also a recommended point. Address 〒061-0223 2385 Yayoi, Tobetsu Towns, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido Phone 0133-23-2007 Check-in / Check-out Check-in 15:00 Check-out 10:00 Fee 6,000 yen 2 meals included

【Hokkaiya Ryokan】 With a homely atmosphere, you will feel relieved when you return to this quaint Hokkai inn that has been in business for 70 years. In fact, it is a famous travel inn that has been interviewed on TV. There seems to be a discount for long-term stays, so please contact us for reservations and other details. Address 〒061-0223 117 Yayoi, Tobetsu Towns, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido Phone 0133-22-3777 Check-in / Check-out Negotiable Fee 5,500 yen with 2 meals

【Villa Rek Mr./Ms.】 Swedish House Hotel-style cottage Villa Rek Ms.. You can spend a relaxing time relaxing in the beautiful Sunset over the sea while enjoying the view of Ishikari Bay from the window and the majestic mountains such as the Teine Mountains towering behind it. Other, there are also plenty of pro shops, etc., and it is gaining popularity as a place for recreation where you can fully enjoy your leisure time in the great Nature. Address: Tobetsu Towns, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido Sweden Hills Phone 0133-26-2321

Photographed 6/4/24. It is a wind chime of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Restrooms available not only mauve and light mauve, but also white wind chimes. 🎐

Peach Picking [2024] Saturday, July 6, 2024 – Monday, August 12, 2024 Reservations open on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 10:00. Please apply via the Toyooka Travel Time website. We offer a value-packed Peach Feast plan that combines peaches to take home with an all-you-can-eat peach option, and a plan for all-you-can-eat only. Peach picking is a perennial favorite! Come with family or friends to create summer memories this year. Reservations are required during the period. Please book at least three days before your chosen experience date. Be sure to read the Details carefully before proceeding to the web reservation page. For group reservations (via travel agencies), please contact Roadside Station Minami Shinshu Toyooka Marche at 0265-48-8061. ※If you do not book through a travel agency, groups arriving by bus will be treated as individual visitors. [ Details ] Period Saturday, July 6, 2024 – Monday, August 12, 2024 ※Reservations may not be possible depending on weather and peach growing conditions. Reception times 13 sessions per day (7 in the morning / 6 in the afternoon) 9:00 / 9:30 / 10:00 / 10:30 / 11:00 / 11:30 12:00 / 12:30 / 13:00 / 13:30 / 14:00 / 14:30 = Notes = Bookings and guidance are generally not accepted for reservations at or after 14:30. Please reserve with time to spare. Please arrive at the reception location (Toyooka Travel Time) so you are not late for your reserved time. If you are late for your reservation, you may not be able to participate, so please take care. Prices (tax included) [Peach Picking + All-You-Can-Eat Set Plan] Please reserve at least three days in advance in principle. = Individual Plans = Pick 2 peaches + All-you-can-eat 2,100 yen Pick 3 peaches + All-you-can-eat 2,300 yen = Family Plans = Up to 4 people: Pick 6 peaches + All-you-can-eat 7,000 yen Up to 6 people: Pick 10 peaches + All-you-can-eat 10,500 yen [All-You-Can-Eat Only Plan] No reservation required. 20 minutes all-you-can-eat 1,500 yen Reception hours 9:00–15:00 ※Peach picking includes admission to the orchard and the experience fee. ※Customers who choose the all-you-can-eat only plan may not enter the orchard. ※All plans above charge the same rate for ages 4 and older. Children age 3 and under cannot pick peaches, but they may join the all-you-can-eat for free. Flow of the day (approximate duration: about 1 hour) [Peach Picking + All-You-Can-Eat Set Plan] 1. Reception and payment (Toyooka Travel Time) ↓ 2. Peach picking experience (move to the orchard) ※Please travel by private car. ↓ 3. All-you-can-eat 20 minutes (Roadside Station Toyooka Marche all-you-can-eat area) = Notes = ◎All transfers are by private car. A map of the orchard will be given at reception. ◎Depending on congestion, steps 2 and 3 may be reversed. ◎After reception, you will proceed immediately to the orchard or the all-you-can-eat area. (※Please refrain from traveling to other sightseeing spots after reception.) ◎Depending on weather and orchard conditions, picking may be replaced by a take-home arrangement (the orchard owner will pre-pick peaches and provide them) — please understand in advance. ◎From the picking experience to the end of the all-you-can-eat, please allow about 60 minutes. [All-You-Can-Eat Only Plan] ※No reservation required. 1. Reception and payment (Roadside Station Toyooka Marche tourist information desk, or Toyooka Travel Time, Toyooka Village Tourism Association) ↓ 2. All-you-can-eat 20 minutes (Roadside Station Toyooka Marche all-you-can-eat area) = Notes = ◎Customers who choose the all-you-can-eat only plan cannot enter the peach picking orchard. ◎The all-you-can-eat only plan does not require reservations. Please complete reception and payment at the Toyooka Marche tourist information desk. ◎The all-you-can-eat ends when the peaches for that day run out. Request Peaches are delicate. Whether on the tree or for all-you-can-eat, please do not press them hard. Meeting place & contact Toyooka Travel Time (Toyooka Village Tourism Association, general incorporated association) Business hours: 9:00–18:00 12407 Kamine, Toyooka Village, Shimoina District, Nagano 399-3202 TEL: 0265-49-3395 Email: toyotabi@vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp If you use car navigation, the address above may direct you to a different location because this is a new facility. For car navigation, set your destination to Toyooka Village Central Nursery School or Roadside Station Minami Shinshu Toyooka Marche. On Google Maps, search for Toyooka Travel Time. How to reserve Same-day guidance is possible, but reservations take priority. We recommend booking in advance as same-day service may be unavailable. Phone reservations 0265-49-3395 (reception hours 9:00–18:00) Web reservations ※Reservations start at 10:00 on Saturday, June 22, 2024※ Peach Picking web reservation page [About cancellations] No cancellation fee will be charged on the day, but please be sure to contact us if you cancel.

Nice to meet Mr./Ms. everyone! This is the Fujikawa Development Corporation. Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture is a town of about 14,000 people located in Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Located in the southwestern part of the Kofu Basin, it is a Rich in nature area where one of the Two Hundred Famous Mountains of Japan Mt. Kushigatayama on the west side and the Fuji River, one of the three major rapids Japan, stream on the east side. Fujikawa Town flourished as a post town for Fuji River boat transportation during the Edo period, and many travelers visited this area. In addition, many old shrines and temples Restrooms available in the Fujikawa Town, and Kongozan Myouji Temple is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. These historic buildings convey the long history and culture of Fujikawa Town to the present day. ==Introduction to Sightseeing spots in Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture== ・Oboshi Park It is a famous place for cherry blossoms that has been selected as a "Japan 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots". 2,000 cherry trees bloom in Springs. Oyanagawa Valleys Promenade You can enjoy the beautiful nature of the four seasons, such as fresh greenery and autumn leaves. ・Himuro Shrine Elevation is a shrine located in 1000 meters, and you have to climb 575 long stairs to Prayer to the main hall. ・Mt.Hoda Nanmyoji Temple It is a historic temple built in 1480. ・Myohoji Temple It is also known as "Hydrangea Temple" or "Haiku Temple", and from the end of June to the beginning of July, 20,000 hydrangeas bloom all over the Precincts. ==Specialty products of Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture== Fujikawa Town's Specialty Products include yuzu and La France, Restrooms available. These Specialty Products are nurtured by the rich nature of Fujikawa Town, and you can enjoy their Fresh taste. Roadside Station Fujikawa is lined with these fresh agricultural products and specialty products, so it is also recommended as a souvenir. ==Recommendations for Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi == The Linear Central Shinkansen Line tunnel Penetration memorial "Penetration stone" in the thank-you gift of the Fujikawa Town Furusato Nozei has become a popular item. Fujikawa Town is a Town where people who visit it can truly enjoy peace and Impression thanks to its beautiful nature, rich history, and delicious Specialty Products. Enjoy a journey of nature, history, and gastronomy in Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture. Fun will be sending out Recommendations for Fujikawa Town at COOL JAPAN VIDEOS!

Photographed 6/4/24. This is the love water of Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

Fresh greenery of Metasequoia trees 2024.06.16 About 500 metasequoia trees are planted on the prefectural road Koaraji Makinozawa Line, which runs through the agricultural park Makinopic Land, for a length of about 2.4 km, forming a landscape typical of the Highlands as an approach road to the Makino Highlands. The beautiful scenery of the four seasons, such as the budding and fresh greenery of Spring, the deep green of summer, the Autumn leaves of autumn, and the bare trees and Snow Flower in winter, harmonizes with the mountains of the Nosaka Mountains, which are in the distance, and fascinates people who visit. In 1994 Heisei 6, it was selected as one of the Yomiuri Shimbun's "New 100 Views of Japan Street Trees" and has attracted public attention.

【Scandinavian Wind Roadside Station】 It's not so much a place to stop by, it's a place you'll want to go all the way to. It is a Roadside Station filled with truly Mr./Ms. "deliciousness", such as "Cafe Terzina" produced by a chef who Representative Hokkaido, a popular take-out shop in Tobetsu In the town that makes use of ingredients from Tobetsu Town, a sweets corner where original bread and sweets carefully selected from Tobetsu In the town are lined up, and Agricultural products direct sales shop with Fresh vegetables, Rice, and cut flowers harvested that day. Tobetsu, the closest Roadside Station to Sapporo, is the 119th Roadside Station in Hokkaido, but we aim to be the best in fun and deliciousness. Address 774-11 Tobetsuta, Tobetsu Towns, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido Business hours 9:00~17:00 TEL　0133-27-5260

【Hokkaido Futomi Meisen Manyo no Yu】 Adjacent to Sapporo City, Taimi Towns is a Bed Town surrounded by abundant nature. This town is abundantly springed up by the Natural hot spring "Futomi Meisen Manyo no Yu". The weakly alkaline Spring quality is so moisturizing and enveloping the skin that it is called "Hot water for beautiful skin". The feeling of openness, clear air, and high-quality Hot Spring refresh the five senses lively. From Sapporo Station, it takes 30 minutes by JR or car. You can enjoy the feeling of a Hot Spring trip so close to the city. Address: 1695 Taimi Towns, Tobetsu Towns, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido Business hours: 10:00 a.m. ~ 9:00 a.m. Business days open all year

【Royce' Cacao & Chocolate Town】 It is a facility where you can enjoy the "Farm to Bar" journey from cacao cultivation to chocolate production through various exhibitions and experiences, so please spend a day immersed in chocolate with your family, friends, couples, etc. ■1F Entrance [Free Area] pic1 Restrooms available at the back of the spacious entrance hall where you can Visiting the site of the molding chocolate production line. In addition to more than 200 kinds of chocolates and baked goods, the shop and Royce' Town factory direct sales store next door have a wide variety of original goods that are perfect for Souvenirs, such as Our store-limited "Farm to Bar" chocolates, bread, pizza, soft serve ice cream, and Royce' Town station-related products. There is also an eat-in space. ■ 3F Kaka Farm Zone pic2 In a space that reproductions the Royce Cacao Farm in Colombia, southern Rice, you can learn about Royce's cultivation of cacao and trivia about cacao while experiencing it. ■ 2~3F Factory Experience Zone pic3 An area where you can watch and learn about how cacao beans that arrive at the factory become chocolate. Visiting the site of an actual cacao bean processing factory, there is also an area where you can experience chocolate making with various games, Restrooms available Adult and children alike are enthralled You can enjoy it. ■ 2F Chocolate Workshop pic4 If you freely top a big-sized chocolate bar with dry fruit or nuts, you can create your own original chocolate! Put it in a special package and make a one-of-a-kind Souvenir. * Limited to customers who enter the facility, an experience fee will be charged separately from the admission fee. ■Facility Details 【Address】640-15 Bitoe, Tobetsu Towns, Ishikari-gun Restrooms available 224 cars 【Phone】0570-055-612 【Business hours】10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission until 15 o'clock, Restrooms available depending on the situation 【Regular holiday】Not opens * The shop on the 1st floor is open from 9 a.m. ~ 6 p.m. Regular holiday Restrooms available depending on the situation 【Admission Fee】 Adult high school students and older 1,200 yen Children 4 years old ~ junior high school students 500 yen Children under 3 years old free of charge Those with a Persons with disabilities certificate: 500 yen 500 yen for one person * Advance reservation and ticket purchase are required to enter the facility. For details, please visit the facility's official website. * Implementation of admission restrictions may be implemented according to the reservation situation. 【Chocolate Workshop】 ■Held in time: 10:30~16:30 Last reception until 4 p.m., time required about 30 minutes ■ Experience fee for Adult and children one person 1,500 yen 【Other】 ・Please check the official website for business hours of Royce' Cacao & Chocolate Town.

Opened on 6/15/24. Starbucks Bell Ring Street was relaxed. Hojicha Classic Tea Latte and Banana Rice Flour Swiss Roll.

【Royce' Town Factory Direct Sales Store】 Surrounded by rich nature surrounded by rural scenery, this directly managed store is attached to Royce's production base "Royce's Town Factory". It was reopened in March 2022. In addition to chocolates and baked goods, there is also a bakery. We also sell original products only here, such as limited edition bread, soft serve ice cream made with Jersey milk, goods from JR Royce's Town Station, and chocolates from Royce Farm to Bar. Be sure to stop by during your drive. address 640-15 Bitoe, Tobetsu Towns, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido telephone number 0570-015-612 business hours 9:00~18:00 Closed Open open all year *Please check during the year-end and New Year holidays parking lot Restrooms available approx. 224 cars access 7 minutes walk from JR Gakuentoshi Line "Royce' Town Station" Restrooms available with free shuttle bus

NICE TO MEET EVERYONE WHO WATCHES COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! This is Town Tourist Association for the time being. Tobetsucho, Hokkaido Tobe Town tsucho is located in the northern part of Sapporo City, the capital of Hokkaido, and is about 40 minutes by car or JR from the center of Sapporo City, boasting outstanding transportation access among the Town/Village cities in Hokkaido. Although the area is almost the same as that of Yokohama City, nearly half of it is occupied by Hokkaido-like Nature, and the delicious gourmet food, mainly agricultural products and processing products, is all first-class, and it is a Town with a population of 15,220 people as of June 2024 Reiwa 6 woven by warm people. The climate of Tobetsu Towns is refreshing and comfortable in summer, and the snowy landscape Unfolds in winter, but the cold is mild due to the large amount of snowfall. Access to Tobetsu Towns is very convenient, about 1 hour by car from New Chitose Airport. 30 minutes by car from Sapporo Okadama Airport. Also, from JR Sapporo Station, you can visit the Sapporo Line in about 40 minutes Use. There are many attractive tourist spots in Tobetsu Towns. We will guide you to some of the sightseeing spots in Tobetsu Towns, Hokkaido! The "Royce' Town Factory Direct Sales Store" attached to the factory of Royce's, a chocolate brand Representative of Hokkaido, has undergone a major renovation and opened in March 2022! In addition, on August 4, 2023, the experience-based facility "Royce' Cacao & Chocolate Town" will open. Visiting the site and shopping together can be fun. At the Chocolate Workshop experience fee is charged, you can experience making original chocolate! You can add your favorite toppings to a large chocolate bar and take it home in a special package. There are many other attractions in the Inside the facility, such as the cacao bean processing plant and the Royce Museum. Gastronomical delicacies such as limited soft serve ice cream and pizza made with Jersey milk that you can taste at the direct sales store are also recommended! The Scandinavian Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu, a Roadside Station that is perfect for procuring meals and Souvenirs, is Restrooms available about 5 minutes by car from Royce' Town. Since it has a sister city in the city of Lek Mr./Ms. in the Kingdom of Sweden, it is a roadside station characterized by a Scandinavian-style building with a Bengala color and a triangular roof. Fresh vegetables and Hokkaido Specialty Products are available in abundance. Inside the museum, there are many restaurants that use ingredients from Tobetsu, such as Cafe Terzina, a restaurant produced by a popular Italian restaurant chef in Hokkaido, and Takajin CUP STORE, a soup curry restaurant made by a vegetable sommelier. Come and stop by for lunch or a break from sightseeing! The Mr./Ms. Memorial Park, which was Maintenance to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the partnership with the sister city of Lek Mr./Ms. Sweden, is an observation park where you can enjoy a spectacular view. You can overlook the Ishikari Plain, and the open park is perfect for walks and picnics! There is also a Dalecarlian horse horse that calls happiness donated by the city of Lek Mr./Ms., commonly known as a lek. Domin no Mori, located in the northern part of Tobetsu Towns, is one of the largest natural parks in Japan, boasting an area of about 12,000 hectares. You can enjoy camping and barbecue in the great Nature. In addition, Accommodations and walking paths are equipped, and you can Implementation nature experiences where you can learn about the forest. In the town is dotted with comfortable hotels, inns and hot spring facilities, where you can relax while surrounded by beautiful nature. While looking at the scenery of the four seasons, please spend a moment of healing both physically and mentally. Held in seasonal festivals in Tobetsu Towns, where you can experience the Local culture and traditions. We will deliver the festival Information of Tobetsu Town, which is also recommended for sightseeing! The "Flax Festival Flax Festival" is in full bloom Held in in early July. It is a flax-themed festivals centered on flax-related exhibits, such as a singing contest for "Flaxen-haired Maiden", which is also a famous song in Japan. The Famous Summer Midsummer Festival in Scandinavia is Held in around mid~late June. The main event, where participants dressed in national costumes launch a large pole called "Maypole", is a must see! It is also a testament to our exchange with our sister city, Mr./Ms. in Sweden, and has a history of more than 35 years. Held in in winter, the big event "Aso Snow Plaza" is crowded with many people every year. Held in every year in early February, it is full of attractions such as a large snow slide, various stage events, and a snow mobile experience test drive of the Air Self-Defense Force! The fireworks festival in the winter sky is one of the highlights. Tobetsu Towns uses the Furusato Nozei system to send Local Specialty Products to those who support Tobetsu Towns. Among them, Royce's sweets and pork shumai from Asano Farm Smile Pork, which won the Hokkaido Pork Carcass Grand Prize and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, are popular dishes. Tobetsu Towns is also popular as a starting point for a new life as a settlement area. Maintenance of the environment for child-rearing, such as the residential area "Sweden Hills" reminiscent of the Scandinavian cityscape and the opening of the "Integrated Compulsory Education School Tobetsu Gakuen" in April 2022, are attracting attention for their warm community and rich in nature environment suitable for immigration. In Tobetsu Town, Hokkaido, where nature occupies about half of the Town, you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons and the culture of the Local, and you can spend a wonderful time filled with refreshment and wonderful memories. In the future, this Account will continue to deliver the charm of Tobetsu Towns! Best regards for your continued support!

Photographed 6/3/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine Sando.

Baekje Temple 2024.06.15 Baekje-ji Temple is one of the oldest Temple in Omi Province, founded by Prince Shotoku in the 14th year of Suko, more than 1400 years ago. A long time ago, when Prince Shotoku took inn at the foot of Mt. Tarobo in Yokkaichi, he saw Zuiko Myoko in the eastern mountains every evening. The next morning, the prince was mystified, and when he entered the mountains, he found a large tree with the upper half of its trunk cut off in the place of the light spring. Around this large tree, Mr./Ms.'s mountain monkey worships with fruit offerings. When the prince saw this scene, he felt that this great cedar tree was a sacred tree, and he was instructed to build a statue of the Bodhisattva Kanzenon with this large tree growing, and he put his first sword into it. This Kanzenon is called "Ueki Kannon" because it is a large tree with roots, and the trunk of the upper half becomes the "eleven-sided Kannon" enshrinement facing east at Yongunsa Temple in Baekje, and the west-facing "Ueki Kannon" faces each other to become "two Kannon-sama of the same tree".　From HP

Photographed on June 15, 24. It is a wind chime of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This one is light mauve.

Photographed on June 15, 24. It is a wind chime of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Our Village Beautification Project Saturday, June 8 was a sunny day with hot sunlight beating down. Local businesses, elementary school students, the nursery parents’ association and others took part, planting flower seedlings along the roadside ❀ We planted marigolds. They’re the same color as Setoushi-kun! After the opening ceremony, as with past years’ activities, each team quickly dispersed to their assigned spots. Work progressed with efficient movements as if everyone had already discussed the plan. Some people dug the soil with shovels, others placed the seedlings on the soil, and others covered the seedlings with soil… The planting was finished in less than an hour. It’s a small thing, but seeing flowers along the road really does make you happy. Thank you to the organizing committee members who prepared everything from early morning and to all participants for your hard work! #Nishiokoppe Village #Our Village Beautification Project #Seedling planting #Pansies #Marigolds #Thank you for your hard work in the heat

It is a hydrangea on the approach to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 💙Are.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. It is a limited time kazaguruma.

"Sawajiri's Terraced Rice Fields" in Marumori Towns, Miyagi Prefecture Masonry, which is rare in Tohoku, is a historic terraced rice field that was developed from the Edo period to the Showa period. It has been selected as one of the "100 Best Terraced Rice Fields in Japan" and was certified as a "Tsunagu Terraced Rice Heritage" by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the 4th year of Reiwa. I hope that we will always be able to see the original scenery of Japan, which has such a long history.

Kankōchi Suwa!!! Introducing the Takashima Castle Festival! May 26, 2024 — held every year on the fourth Sunday of May. We held the 55th Takashima Castle Festival. This year, 19 acts performed on stage. There were hip-hop dance routines, traditional Japanese dance, taiko drumming, singers, cheerleading, and the Matsumoto Castle matchlock gun corps. The matchlock team left a powerful impression. Even in Japan, this is something you rarely see. The matchlock firearms date back about 430 years, and few groups still maintain and use functioning examples. The Matsumoto Castle matchlock gun corps preserves these guns and passes on the tradition. As a result, you can see matchlock demonstrations at events like those at Matsumoto Castle. The team brought several types of matchlocks. To an amateur eye, I saw two kinds: first a bantsutsu infantry gun, then a chūtutsu medium cannon. They fired blank shots in several formations. The blast was tremendous! At the end, a shooter from Suwa fired the chūtutsu. The sound ripped through the space where we stood. It was truly loud and spectacular!! There were taiko performances and children’s hip-hop dances, with families coming to watch. At the festival you could also buy food stalls and specialties from sister and friendship cities, and try tree climbing!!! Blessed with good weather, many citizens attended. If you have the chance to come to the Takashima Castle Festival, be sure to come and enjoy it!

Isehara Delicious Selections and Local Products Sale Announcement June 19 (Wednesday) and 20 (Thursday), 2024, 10:00–14:00 Location: City Hall Main Entrance Hall Seasonal vegetables, selected delicious items, Kururin goods and more We will hold a local products sale. Featured items this time… * Oyama specialty by Suzuki Peppers: Original Shichimi Togarashi (seven-flavor chili) * Freshly harvested seasonal tomatoes from Katano Horticulture Facility * Friedn’s hamburgers, sausages and more 3 assorted packs for a great price of 1,100 yen (tax included) * Fresh wood ear mushrooms from Takei Mushroom Farm * Otsuya’s seasonal limited “New Karabuki” * Thank you for waiting! Popular Kururin goods restocked: Kururin Magnet Sheet ※Sale ends when items are sold out. Isehara is full of delicious treats and original products!! We look forward to seeing you♪

◆Myojin Stone◆ The Myojin Stone is a giant boulder shaped like an ellipsoid, about 2.5 meters in its long axis, 1.8 meters in its short axis, and 1.2 meters tall. No one knows exactly how long it has rested here, but it is thought to have come from the Ina Mountain Range during an ancient flood of the Mibuzawa River. This rock has long been revered by local people as a mysterious stone that, while easily moved by a child’s strength, does not budge even in major floods. At some unknown point in time it became enclosed by a tamagaki fence and has been regarded as a sacred spot serving as a place for worship of Suwa Taisha from a distance. The origin of the name is unclear, but it is said to have begun when the deity Suwa Daimyojin was invited from Suwa Taisha and, until the shrine building (Mibuzawa Suwa Shrine) was completed, the sacred object was enshrined on this rock and rituals were performed. Since then, whenever the shrine has been rebuilt or renovated, it has become customary to use this rock as a temporary resting place for the sacred object. ●Details of Myojin Stone ・A request to visitors Local residents cherish this stone. When entering among the stones and pushing them, please take care not to break the shimenawa ropes or sakaki decorations. ・Facilities There are stairs with handrails. ・Toilet None. ・Parking None (please use the parking lot in front of nearby Mibuzawa Suwa Shrine). ・Contact Toyooka Tabijikan (0265-49-3395)

Light Census Experience On a weeknight, 17 elementary school students gathered at the community center. It wasn’t a secret meeting for the kids but a gathering to take part in the first session of this year’s Wildlife Classroom *'▽' There was a reason we met at night. This mission was to experience a “light census”! The light census, one method for counting animal numbers, was conducted together with the Hunting Area Management Association that carries it out in practice, and we searched for and observed wild animals, including deer. After a short lecture about deer characteristics and other topics, we boarded the bus and set off into the forest 🚌 Some participants looked a little frightened as the forest grew darker, but whenever they spotted an animal they shouted loudly, “There it is!” to report the sighting. Everyone diligently recorded the numbers in their own booklets. Many first graders joined, and some could not yet write tally marks correctly, but they noted their sightings in ways that worked for them. Unexpectedly, we even saw that other animal, but everyone returned safely together ○ Back indoors, we compared the numbers we had found, and the first Wildlife Classroom session came to an end. Although it was within the village, traveling by bus through the night forest was an exciting time! The second session is planned as a camp during the summer break. Look forward to the next report! #Wildlife Classroom #Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps #Hunting Area Management Association #Nishiokoppe Village #Elementary School Students #Wild Animals #Deer #Population Count #Light Census #We even encountered a bear

Introducing recommended sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town, a beautiful town surrounded by the nature of the sea and mountains! The tourist Spot we will introduce this time is "Toyosen's Footbath Place". ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Toyosen's Footbath 【Address】517-1 Mine, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, Mine, Kamo-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-0290 Kawazu Tourism Association 【Business hours】9:00~16:00 【Regular holiday】Open all year suspended due to Souce-of-spring cleaning 【Parking lot】3 regular cars

Nice to meet you! Shinshu Shinano Town Tourist Association. Shinanomachi, Kamisuunai-gun, Nagano Prefecture is a town in northern Nagano Prefecture that borders Niigata Prefecture. Its population is about 7,000. Surrounded by mountains such as Myoko, Kurohime, Togakushi, Iizuna, and Madarao, the town also boasts many popular attractions like Lake Nojiri and Kurohime Plateau. On Cool Japan Video, we will share recommended sightseeing information for Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, known as the hometown of Kobayashi Issa. Thank you for your support. ◆What is Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture? ◆ In winter, Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture welcomes visitors with superb powder snow. Popular ski areas such as Kurohime Kogen Ski Resort, Myoko, and Madarao Kogen make this region ideal for winter sports. It is also popular with international visitors from countries including Australia and Taiwan. Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture is broadly divided into four areas. ◎ Kurohime Highland area ◎ Tangram Madarao Area ◎ Kashiwabara and Fujisato area ◎ Lake Nojiri area ◆Recommended sightseeing spots in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, by area◆ ~~~ Kurohime Highland area ~~~ Kurohime Highland lets you fully enjoy nature typical of Nagano Prefecture: dahlias and cosmos in summer, and powder-snow skiing in winter. ◎ Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum & Fairy Tale Forest Gallery The Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum blends literature, art, and nature. It houses and exhibits valuable materials by Michael Ende and Miyoko Matsutani, beloved across generations, as well as fairy tales and picture books from around the world and local folktales. ◎ Kurohime Highland Dog Run This expansive all-grass dog run covers about 3,000 square meters. Built to take advantage of the natural hills, it is enjoyable for dogs from small to large breeds. ◎ Kurohime Highland Cosmos Garden The Kurohime Highland Cosmos Garden is filled with beautiful cosmos flowers from summer into autumn. The colorful fields of cosmos spread across the vast plateau like a painting. The garden offers an observation deck and walking paths, so you can relax and enjoy the flowers at your own pace. ◎ MtKurohime MtKurohime is a symbolic mountain of Shinanomachi, with an elevation of 2,053 meters. Trails are well maintained, offering enjoyment for beginners through advanced hikers. From the summit, a 360-degree panorama opens up, and on clear days you can see distant mountain ranges. MtKurohime showcases seasonal nature and is an attractive spot for hikers and mountain enthusiasts. ◎ Naena Falls Naena Falls is one of Shinanomachi’s representative scenic spots. With a dramatic drop of 55 meters, the waterfall’s majestic scenery captivates visitors. Walking paths are developed around the area, allowing you to stroll while listening to the roar of the falls. In particular, the autumn foliage season creates a spectacular contrast between colorful leaves and the waterfall. ~~~ Tangram Madarao Area ~~~ This area is popular as a resort area. It offers many amenities such as golf courses and hot spring facilities. ◎ Mt. Madarao (Madarao-yama / Madarao-san) A volcano with an elevation of 1,382 meters, it is one of the Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu (MtMyoko, Mt. Madarao, MtKurohime, MtTogakushi, Mt. Iizuna). At the summit there is a shrine housing 13 statues of Nyorai. ~~~ Kashiwabara and Fujisato area ~~~ This is the hometown of haiku poet Kobayashi Issa. Within the area are the Issa Memorial Hall and Issa’s former residence, where you can learn about his life and history. ◎ Issa Memorial Hall A museum built to commemorate the haiku poet Kobayashi Issa, who was born in Kashiwabara, Shinanomachi. It presents many of his works and portrays Issa’s life and the Kashiwabara of his era. ◎ Michi-no-Eki Shinano Furusato Tenboukan Michi-no-Eki Shinano Furusato Tenboukan provides tourist information and local products from Shinanomachi. In addition to local specialties and souvenirs from Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, you can enjoy fresh local produce and handmade goods. ~~~ Lake Nojiri area ~~~ In summer on Lake Nojiri you can enjoy activities such as kayaking, SUP, and cruises. ◎ Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum This museum showcases fossils of Naumann elephants discovered at Lake Nojiri and life-size models, offering many attractions. Centered on the results of the more than 40-year-long Lake Nojiri excavations, it researches and exhibits the natural environment around the lake from about 50,000 years ago to the present. ◎ Lake Nojiri At the lakeside you can enjoy boating, fishing, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. In summer, swimming and camping are popular, making it a recommended spot for families and couples. The lake is also historically significant for the Naumann elephant fossils recovered from its bed, allowing visitors to enjoy nature and history together. ◎ Shomyoji Temple Located quietly in the mountain valley, its precincts are surrounded by seasonal nature. In spring, the weeping cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, attracting many visitors. ◆Recommended activities in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ ◎ Rental bicycles in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture During the green season when the ski resorts are closed, sightseeing by relaxed cycling while feeling the breeze of Shinanomachi is recommended. The town offers rental bicycles at three locations: the information center in front of Kurohime Station (Shinano Town Tourist Association), LAMP Lake Nojiri, and Nojiri Lake Resort. ◎ Minpaku and farm stays in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture About 3,000 elementary and junior high school students visit annually to experience farm and rural life through homestays and farm stays. The local government and residents have established a solid reception system. ◆Local specialties of Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ Crops such as corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and soba are local specialties of Shinanomachi. Shinanomachi is one of the leading paddy monoculture areas in the northern Nagano region, and locally grown Akita Komachi and Koshihikari rice are also popular. ◆Festivals and events in Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ ◎ Lake Nojiri Fireworks Festival About 2,000 fireworks are launched from Lake Nojiri. In 2024 this beloved local event will celebrate its landmark 100th edition. ◆Tourist information for Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture◆ Shinanomachi is a town blessed with rich nature, history, and warm people. With seasonal landscapes and outdoor activities, Shinanomachi is an ideal destination for families and couples. We will continue to share recommended sightseeing information for Shinanomachi, Nagano Prefecture, so we appreciate your support.

Photographed 6/3/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine Sando. Hydrangeas are in Best time to visit.

Enjoy the best breakfast on a highland in Shinshu. Would you like to experience breakfast on a breezy plateau at 1,600 meters above sea level? Relax and savor a luxurious moment while gazing at the vast grasslands before you. ●Period July 1, 2024 (Monday) – September 30, 2024 (Monday) (Excluded dates / closed days: July: 4, 13–15 ｜ August: 10–18, 29 ｜ September: 5, 12, 14–16, 19, 21–23, 26 (as of June 13, 2024)) Limited to 20 people per day Reservation required ●Price 1,800 JPY (tax included) ●Hours 9:00 – 11:00 Booking & Venue Korobokkuru Hutte – A stylish café attached to a mountain hut – ●Address Nagano Prefecture, Suwa City, Kirigamine, Kurumayama-Kata TEL 0266-58-0573 ※ Please make reservations by phone directly. ※ Calls may be difficult to get through between 11:00 and 14:00. “Breakfast at Kirigamine: My Car Plan” Enjoy an elegant breakfast on the mountain hut terrace while looking out over the sweeping grasslands. This individual plan includes benefits such as a Kirigamine summer lift ticket and an original pin badge. ●How to Apply Korobokkuru Hutte TEL 0266-58-0573 ※ Please reserve by phone. ●Access ‣ About 30 minutes by car from Suwa lakeside, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture ‣ About 40 minutes by car from Chuo Expressway Suwa Interchange via Prefectural Route 40 (Kirigamine–Shirakabako Line) ※ Parking spaces are limited and you may not be able to park. Please note weekends and the season are very busy. ●Other ▷ Reservations accepted until noon the day before ▷ Same-day cancellations will be charged 1,800 JPY per person. ▷ Limited to 20 people per day ▷ Weekends and the season are very busy; reservations may fill up relatively early. ▷ Parking and breakfast service are on a first-come, first-served basis. ▷ Operations may be suspended due to severe weather. Special perks included! ★Perk 1: Round-trip Kirigamine summer lift ticket Perk period: July 13, 2024 – August 25, 2024 Lift operating hours: 9:00 – 16:00 ※ Lift may not operate in severe weather. Address: 13338-41 Kamisuwa, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture Parking available (Kirigamine Ski Area parking, approx. 200 spaces) Access: About 5 minutes by car from Kurumayama-Kata, about 2 minutes by car from the Kirigamine Nature Conservation Center parking lot ★Perk 2: Kirigamine Plateau “Original Pin Badge” gift! Perk period: July 1, 2024 – July 12, 2024 and August 26, 2024 – September 30, 2024 ※ The badge shown in the photo is from 2022.