The only outdoor activity of its kind in Hiroshima Prefecture!?😲 Enjoy Shobara Satoyama Rafting amid fresh green foliage this Golden Week!!✊ Rafting is a thrilling activity where you ride a rubber boat down river rapids! It’s not an exaggeration to call this the only rafting experience in Hiroshima Prefecture (according to our survey), and you can try it here in Shobara City. Groups, families, friends, couples, and solo participants are all very welcome💕 While July and August are peak season, June is also recommended for higher water levels✨ We’re taking lots of reservations for May too!! Reservations for Golden Week are open✨ Search for "Shobara Satoyama Rafting" for details🔍 = Shobara Satoyama Rafting Information ========== [Experience Name] Shobara Satoyama Rafting [Overview] On the Saijo River in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, rafting experiences are held annually from mid-April through October. The eligible ages range from 7 to 70. An instructor rides along, so beginners can feel at ease. Using special paddles, participants paddle together to descend the river. The full course is about 3.5 km long, with thrilling stretches of rapids and rocky sections. Rafting lets you enjoy Shobara’s beautiful nature with all your senses and is a noteworthy water activity. [Meeting Point] Meet at the Ayu no Sato Park boathouse (1641-1 Nagata, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima 727-0114, Japan). [Dates and Times] April 26, 2025 (Saturday) – October 31, 2025 (Friday) Morning session: 9:30 AM Afternoon session: 1:30 PM [Fees] ◎ Individual Plan Adult per person: 6,000 yen (tax included) Child (junior high school students and under) per person: 4,000 yen 🌟Fees increase by 500 yen each during peak season! ◎ Private Charter Plan One group (up to 6 people — same fee) Participation fee: 30,000 yen (tax included) [What the fee includes] Guide fee, insurance, full equipment set, and entrance fee for Ayu-no-Sato Onsen [Conditions] ◎ Eligible ages: 7–70 years old ◎ Height: 110 cm or taller ◎ Minimum participants to run: 2 persons [Program Schedule] 1) Change clothes (10 minutes) 2) Safety briefing (10 minutes) 3) Transfer to the start point (15 minutes) 4) Boarding and paddling instruction (15 minutes) 5) Rafting experience starts (120 minutes) 6) Finish-line photos 7) Changing and dismissal (10 minutes) Afterward, soak and relax at the Ayu no Sato Park Takase no Yu hot spring to ease your muscles!♨ [Conditions for operation] The program may be canceled depending on weather or river conditions. [What to bring] Swimsuit, T-shirt, change of clothes, towel, water-friendly shoes (water shoes available for separate rental). Beach sandals are not allowed. Please be sure to check the travel terms, personal information handling, and cancellation fees before applying. ======================================== Make fun outdoor memories in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture!🎶 We hope you give it a try!

✨🍴Hiroshima Prefecture — New Restaurant News🍴✨ In spring 2025, a new cozy kominka café opened in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 😍 Its name is “Tsuchinoko-tei.” Owner Yuki Watanabe, together with her husband and local friends, spent a year renovating the old house, and it has finally opened. Built in Taisho 5 (1916), the 110-year-old kominka blends seamlessly into Shobara’s landscape. The recommended dish is Tsuchinoko-tei’s homemade ramen (750 yen à la carte / 900 yen with coffee). The soy-sauce–based broth offers a comforting richness that appeals to all ages. The handmade chashu is light and easy to eat. The husband, Ippei, is in charge of the cooking; his experience working in restaurants inspired this homemade ramen. Also popular is the daily set meal, limited to 10 servings per day (1,000 yen / +200 yen with coffee). Going forward, they plan to use locally grown Shobara green onions and eggs and vegetables from their home garden. They are also planning to add a bath and sauna on the property, plus accommodations, a BBQ area, and karaoke space — so stay tuned for future developments! 😍✨ For more details about Tsuchinoko-tei, please visit the Shobara Tourist Navi website, the official tourism site for Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture ✅

Go to Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture in May! 🏃 Have you already decided where to go for Golden Week? Here are five events currently taking place or planned in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. (In no particular order) Please join any events that catch your interest 😍 1. 31st Ancient Tatara Ironmaking: Recreating Japan’s Traditional Steelmaking Technique Since the opening of the National Bihoku Hillside Park in 1995, the community-led "Ancient Tatara Ironmaking" project has been held continuously; this year marks its 31st edition. We continue this work to pass down the tatara steelmaking technique, a symbol of the Chugoku Mountain region’s culture, to the next generation. Date: Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, 2025 Venue: Hiba-no-Sato Ancient Tatara Workshop, National Bihoku Hillside Park Details: We will recreate the full process of the ancient Japanese steelmaking technique tatara steelmaking, using the kera pressing method to extract kera—the raw material that becomes tamahagane, the high-quality steel used for Japanese swords and other premium blades. [Instructors] Holder of the Selected Preservation Technique 'Tamahagane Production (tatara blowing)' — Murashita Shoku (chief tatara operator) and Kaoru Horio (堀尾 薫; overall supervisor). Participants: Around 100 people (including general participants and partner organizations) Fee: Free to observe (park admission fee required separately) Note: Paid overnight two-day hands-on experience reservations have closed. Contact: National Bihoku Hillside Park, 4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021 TEL: 0824-72-7000 FAX: 0824-72-7828 2. Shobara Satoyama Open Garden 2025 Spring This annual event lets visitors tour gardens ranging from imaginative home plots to authentic Japanese gardens, where seasonal flowers are in bloom. Dates: Saturday, May 10–Sunday, June 15, 2025 Times: 10:00–12:00 / 13:00–16:00 Venue: Various locations in Shobara City Contact: Shobara Flower Conference Office, Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) (inside Satoyama Station Shobara Furari, 4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) TEL: 0824-75-0173 FAX: 0824-75-0172 For the latest information, check the official Shobara Flower Conference website or the Instagram account @satoyamaopengarden. 3. Shobara Satoyama Marche at Hiroshima Station From April 2025 this event will be held on the third Wednesday of every month! Operated by JR West Properties, Roadside Station Takano, and Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO), this market at Hiroshima Station’s north exit on the first floor offers fresh vegetables, processed goods, and seasonal ingredients from the popular Roadside Station Takano in Takano Town, Shobara City. Visitors come every month looking forward to this market—be sure to stop by at least once. Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Time: 11:00–15:00 Venue: Hiroshima Station North Exit, 1st floor, next to ekie Kitchen (1-2 Matsubara-cho, Minami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Contact: Roadside Station Takano TEL 0824-86-3131 4. Bihoku Flower Picnic (Now On) The Bihoku Flower Picnic is taking place at the National Bihoku Hillside Park in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. ✨ Spring flowers such as daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips, and nemophila will reach their best viewing times during the period. There are also many spring-themed workshops and local spring cooking events, offering plenty of ways to enjoy the season. Note: Flowering conditions may vary depending on weather and temperatures. Dates: Through Sunday, May 11, 2025 Time: 9:30–17:00 (park entry until 16:00) Venue: National Bihoku Hillside Park (4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Fees: Regular and light vehicles 400 yen, large vehicles 1,200 yen, motorcycles 200 yen Contact: National Bihoku Hillside Park (4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021) TEL: 0824-72-7000 FAX: 0824-72-7828 5. Sakura Shokudo Children’s Day Marche Sakura Shokudo, which opened new in December 2024, is a farm-run eatery inside the Shokusai-kan Shobara Yume Sakura Hall and is operated directly by Shigehara Farm. To celebrate Children’s Day on Monday, May 5, the marche will bring together delightful and delicious vendors from inside and outside Shobara and Miyoshi Cities. A kids’ space will also be available for children to enjoy. Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 (national holiday) Time: 10:00–16:00 Venue: Farm-Run Sakura Shokudo (291-1 Shinjo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Contact: Farm-Run Sakura Shokudo (291-1 Shinjo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) TEL: 0824-75-4516 Notes: ・Exhibitors may change, so please be aware in advance. ・Admission is free, but workshops, hands-on activities, and purchases are chargeable. ・Please take your trash home with you. That’s five recommended events for May! For more details, please see the Events list on the Shobara Tourist Navi, the official tourism information site for Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 😍

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! We are the Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) from Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Located in the northeastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, Shobara City is a sightseeing destination blessed with nature where you can enjoy the scenery of all four seasons. In spring, there are cherry blossoms; in summer, fireflies and fresh greenery; in autumn, colorful leaves and trekking; and in winter, snowfall. You can enjoy local food, agriculture, outdoor activities, and nature walks. Please follow and check us out as a travel reference! ✨ If you want to learn more about the nature-rich Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture, please see our basic profile and the Shobara Tourist Navi website. 😍

Daigo Sakura, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture I went to Daigo Sakura for the first time, which I had wanted to visit for a long time. I arrived at around 4 a.m. in the morning, and even though it was already a weekdays, there were about 40 photographers taking pictures, and it was difficult to take pictures because it was filled with tripods and it was a dark place, but I managed to take a picture, and above all, the Milky Way and starry sky cherry blossoms seen with the naked eye were pitch black and Impression even if I couldn't see them. The lights of the cars hit the cherry blossoms on the way

Daigo Sakura, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture I went to Daigo Sakura for the first time, which I had wanted to visit for a long time. I arrived at around 4 a.m. in the morning, and even though it was already a weekdays, there were about 40 photographers taking pictures, and it was difficult to take pictures because it was filled with tripods and it was a dark place, but I managed to take a picture, and above all, the Milky Way and starry sky cherry blossoms seen with the naked eye were pitch black and Impression even if I couldn't see them.

I went ❣️ to the Kurashiki Bikan area of Okayama Prefecture to see [Spring Night Light] Light up of Japanese umbrellas along the river was very cool and beautiful ❣️ It is 😃 a wonderful Events of [Spring evening light] in the Kurashiki Bikan district that shows a completely different face from the daytime In the daytime, the Bikan district was a very fun place with ❣️ many buildings that retain the faces of the Edo period, and there were many Souvenir shops and Restaurants in harmony with the Sea cucumber wall, historic cityscape, and rich nature I would definitely like to ❣️ go and play slowly again

I went ❣️ to the Kurashiki Bikan area of Okayama Prefecture to see [Spring Night Light] In the Kurashiki Bikan district, the historic cityscape and rich Nature are in perfect harmony, and the buildings that retain the face of the Edo period are lined up, and the scenery along the river is particularly beautiful Squid ❣️ Light up of Japanese umbrellas along the river was very cool and beautiful ❣️ The willow trees and small boats also gave me 😃 a strong sense of the faces of the Edo period

This is a photo of a cat's interior goods at a café in Sanrazaka-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Use the lights in the store, I expressed "a cat in the twilight of the sunset". According to the owner, it is a work made by an iron craftsman in Miyoshi City. "I like the view from behind, but I can't take a good picture," the owner said. Squid was able to take this photo ☺️ when I was trying to figure out how to capture it well The thinness of the limbs and neck, as well as the symmetrical ears, convey that the iron craftsmen are carefully and thoughtfully made. The skills of Japan craftsmen. I thought it was cool! ✨ It is also a wonderful memory ☺️ that I was able to share my impression with the owner in this photo

Also known as Katsura Kogoro, it is the former home of Kido Takayoshi, who was described as the "Three Greats of the Restoration". The pines in the garden are powerful and and overwhelming. Location: Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Last summer, I went to Onomichi in Hiroshima. The photo was taken while visiting a café attached to a guest House called Miharashi-tei and drinking mandarin orange juice. There are many books in the store, and I thought it was wonderful to see a picture of a customer reading a book in front of a beautiful view.

When I went to the Miyajima Kangen-sai Festival in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, I encountered a spectacular view of the sun setting over the Otorii Gate. It's so divine, it's cool Japan! Location: Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima

Taken with a mobile phone at Okayama Korakuen. Enlargement is recommended. Nature's colors were beautiful, and the moss on the stones and the color of the lawn over the pond were exactly the colors of winter. It is one of my favorite pieces where you can feel the sunset in the cold air as if illuminating your cheeks

White Rabbit Shrine　 603 White Rabbit, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture To the God of Medicine, Animal Medicine, and Marriage The White Rabbit Shrine is said to be the birthplace of medical care and animal medicine in Japan according to the ancient story of the myth "White Rabbit of Inaba", and since ancient times, it has been a shrine where new gods of skin diseases and wounds sit. Roadside Station of White Rabbit Shrine, 613 White Rabbit, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture

Autumn leaves picking at Ryuzoji Temple in Yamaguchi City. "Autumn leaves are past their prime!" I nodded my head and looked at my feet ・・・・・💖. I don't know whose work it is, but "GOOD JOB!"

Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima (Recommended Spots in Hiroshima) #Ono Nature Observation Forest 👈 Today is a piece 📸 of sockeye hazel from the forest of Nature Observation When I looked up at the sky, the sockeye hazel that was transparent to the 😊 sun was very colorful and beautiful Autumn leaves here are late, but the red hazel is in full bloom now. As always, thank you for 🙇 ♂️ watching

Under the autumn sky, trekking in Akiyoshidai. The pampas grass flutters in the wind and the clouds part. You can walk along this pampas grass alley as far as you want. Feeling good~.

Under the autumn sky, trekking in Akiyoshidai. The pampas grass flutters in the wind and the clouds part. Feeling good~.

Yamaguchi Prefecture Sanyo Onoda City Hanyu Hanyu Port One of the autumn fireworks that launches a prayer for health A fireworks festival where all the small fishing ports come out to pray for good health, and celebration dream fireworks. The purpose is interesting.

Sera Town, Hiroshima (Recommended Spots in Hiroshima) #Flower Station Sera 👈 @hananoekisera Autumn Flower Festival until 11/4!! Superb Cosmos Field 2024/10/12 One piece 📸 from the early morning opening of the Flower Station Sera Standard composition, but I posted 📸 what I took as a record of this year This year, the cosmos field with Unfolds was very good.

2024/10/19 at Tachi Taketa Kaikan Title: The Beauty of Tachi Taketa

Ginkgo tree in high school. Bouquet of Ginkgo biloba collected fallen leaves. Vacation with a light breeze. A dream that I swore to my best friend.

Yamaguchi Prefecture Sanyo Onoda City Hanyu Sea of Flowers One piece of yellow cosmos, one of the sunsets. Now it's time for the real cosmos.

Hiroshima Sera Town (Recommended Spots in Hiroshima) #Flower Station Sera 👈 @hananoekisera Autumn Flower Festival until 11/4!! Bridge of Happiness 2024/10/5 One piece 📸 from the early morning opening of the Flower Station Sera I went to the park a lot in the early morning, but I was finally able 😊 to meet the long-awaited white rainbow The place where the rainbow appeared was too great behind the spectacular cosmos field. Impression filled my heart.　

Autumn leaves of Sandankyo in Aki Ota Town, Yama-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture. Sandankyo is a large canyon located in the West China Mountains National Park, which is about 16 Kilometers long. Thereare many attractions in the canyon, such as "Kurobuchi", "Sarutobi", "Nidan Falls", and "Sandan Falls". Please come and visit us in Hiroshima.

Miyajima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima (Recommended fireworks in Hiroshima) Miyajima Fireworks Night 2024 Miyajima Fireworks Night 2024 ~ After all fireworks! After all, Miyajima!~ One piece 📸 from Miyajima's fireworks Although I struggled to find a place from early in the morning, I was able 😊 to enjoy the wonderful fireworks again this year　 The waiting time was long, but I was able to talk with many followers and it was a fun day. 😌🙏 For the time being, I developed only one, so let me 📸 post it little by little again We would 🙏✨✨ like to thank TSS, everyone involved in fireworks, and Miyajima volunteers for holding in the wonderful fireworks

Matsue Water Township fireworks festival 🎆 I went there for the first time and it was 😍✨ insanely beautiful It's a fireworks festival that I want to go to again!

Innoshima, Onomichi, Hiroshima (Hiroshima Recommendation festival Spot) #Water Army Festival #Island Fire Festival 👈 One piece 📸 at Awa Odori from the Island Fire Festival When the sun went down and I took a picture with the burnt sky, the atmosphere was quite good 😊

Innoshima, Onomichi, Hiroshima (Hiroshima Recommendation festival Spot) Water Army Festival Island Fire Festival One piece 📸 from the Island Fire Festival At the end, it became a Sengoku fireworks with a borrowed back. It was difficult to shoot while moving around, but it was 🤣📸 fun Innoshima is also the birthplace Township pornograffiti available and this August, a fireworks was launched to the tune of available pornographic songs at big Events such as the island-wide pornographic exhibition! Many fans also participated in the Events, making it a fun festival.

There were many summer wind chimes in Kotosaka Hachimangu, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. When I listen to the sound of wind chimes, I feel like it's summer in Japan and I'm excited!