🫐【Notice: Kurohara Blueberry Farm Opening】🫐 The blueberry season has arrived ✨ Kurohara Blueberry Farm will be open for a limited time from July through August! Would you like to pick the forest’s blue jewels, blueberries, with your own hands? Inside the farm, freshly picked blueberries are available for you to eat as much as you like! Enjoy fruit grown above 600 meters in elevation, soaking up the sun’s generous blessings 🌞 【Opening Hours】 9:00–17:00 (advance reservation required) ※Please make a reservation by phone at least one week before your visit. 【Fees】 💰Admission: 500 yen per person for elementary school students and older (no time limit) 🧺Takeaway: 1,500 yen per kilogram ※For reservations and details, please see Morotsuka Navi.

Summer has arrived 🌻 Last week Gokasecho saw many rainy and cloudy days, but this week the weather has been pure summer ✨ with the sun dazzling every day 😎 I drove out to Shirataki to look for a bit of cool air 🚗 Just watching the water fall from a drop of about 20 meters felt refreshing 😊 Along the way there was a sunflower field in full bloom 🌻 It was a spot I’d never known about before, so I felt like I’d discovered a great treat 🎵 People often picture Miyazaki Prefecture as hot, but Gokasecho sits surrounded by high mountains ⛰ Because of that, average summer temperatures are a few degrees lower than other parts of the prefecture, and mornings and evenings can be chilly enough to need a light blanket. Many nights you can sleep soundly without air conditioning 😉 (Last night was actually quite cool and I slept under a blanket 😅) Escape the summer heat and come refresh your body and mind in Gokase this summer ✨

Reihoku Sunflower Project 🌻 Introducing the sunflower project as one of Reihoku Town’s summer scenes! Local volunteer farmers have planted a total of 150,000 sunflowers at various spots around Reihoku Town (near Reihoku Town Hall and along Route 324), and they are now in full bloom 👀 The photos were taken with the sunset—one of Reihoku Town’s charms—in the background 🌇 The sunflowers along the major highway that runs through the heart of town are now at their peak, forming an important part of daily life for locals passing through town, and creating a memorable sight for first-time visitors ✨ You can take in the vast sunflower fields even just by driving by, so be sure to see them while they’re in bloom now!!

Ramune found on the Return road in the summer Festival.

Kodai Torch Fire Festival ❚ Held on August 14, 2025 The Kodai Torch Fire Festival takes place on August 14, 2025, in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. From the area around Harajiri Falls across the rice fields of the Ogata basin, the glow of Kodai torches rises in a magical display. [Date] Thursday, August 14, 2025 ※Canceled in severe weather. No postponement. [Location] Around Harajiri Falls and across the Ogata plain ※Traffic restrictions will be in effect from 18:30 on the 14th. Please follow the directions of staff when passing through. [Ignition time] 19:30 simultaneous lighting [Number of lights] About 10,000 torches [Flame Sculpture Submission Project] Around the venue, local residents create torch sculptures unique to Ogata—such as torii gates and stone bridges—competing in a beautiful showcase. [Event Inquiries] Bungoono City Ogata Branch Office Phone 0974-42-2111 Roadside Station Harajiri Falls Co., Ltd. Phone 0974-42-4140 ❚ What the Kodai Torch Fire Festival Is A traditional event passed down since the Edo period. Its origins are unclear, but it is said to have included Bon memorial rites, insect-chasing prayers for a good rice harvest, and memorials for victims of uprisings that occurred in the Edo period. ■■■ Access to central Bungoono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250725event-ogata/...

A workshop to create a sightseeing walking route for “Amakusa Reihoku Literary Walk” was held🎊 and we are conducting a survey! Last week on July 23, a workshop was held to devise a sightseeing walking route that lets visitors enjoy “Reihoku’s Literary Treasures,” aiming to make the town’s literary spots and heritage into new tourism resources✨ Nine local and non-local participants who know the area well joined and engaged in lively discussions. Students, local residents, and travel industry professionals who attended offered ideas from their different perspectives, making it a very valuable time👏 The next workshop, the second session, is scheduled for Thursday, August 21 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, so please join us👀 *Recruitment for participants is planned to be announced on our website in early August* We are also collecting ideas and useful information for route planning from those who cannot attend the workshop. Please check the notice on our website from the profile of this account! Contact: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association), Ogata ☎0969-31-1136 *This workshop is being held as part of the 2025 Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Grant project.*

Commemorating the 70th anniversary of Reihoku Town’s municipal status, the 37th Reihoku Jatto Festival took place 🎊 Last weekend, the Reihoku Jatto Festival and the Dragon Boat (Peiron) Races were held successfully, drawing many visitors to Reihoku Town ✨ Spectacular fireworks launched right overhead 🎆, fiercely competitive Peiron races and hands-on Peiron experiences 🌊 energized the crowd, and the two days flew by in no time‼️ (By the way, this post’s author joined the festival for the first time this year, participating as both festival staff and a Peiron paddler. I was truly amazed by the close-up drama of the fireworks and the exhilarating rush of paddling a Peiron boat 👀) If you couldn’t make it this year, please come to the Reihoku Jatto Festival next year 🔥

Packraft experience Lodge Kiyokawa, located in Kiyokawa-cho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. At Lodge Kiyokawa, you can try a packraft experience. The Okudake River that flows right in front is an emerald-green clear stream. If you explore by boat, you may encounter waterfalls and astonishing rock walls that you can't see from the riverbank! The single-person rafting boat used is called a "packraft." It weighs about 3 kg, so it is excellent to maneuver. Enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace by boat with friends or family. For packraft use, please contact Lodge Kiyokawa. Satono Tabi Resort Lodge Kiyokawa [Location] 158 Udae, Kiyokawa-cho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture About a 45-minute drive from Oita Mera IC About a 3-minute drive from Roadside Station Kiyokawa [Parking] Available ■■■ Access to central Bungoono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250722spot-kiyokawa/...

＼Announcement: Original Morotsuka Village T-Shirts👕 Now on Sale／ Every year Morotsuka Village hosts the Morotsuka Cross-Country Race and the Kyushu Ball-Toss Championship. To commemorate these two events, a local designer living in the village has created a limited-edition original T-shirt collection! 👕 All designs are original They express the joy of sport and the lush nature of Morotsuka Village with playful, creative touches✨ 📌 T-Shirt Features ・Lightweight fabric with good breathability ・Back made with quick-dry mesh for comfort in hot weather ・Stretchy material and a relaxed fit around the shoulders and neck These shirts are perfect for everyday wear and recommended as activewear for walking or outdoor events♪ 🛒 Quantities are limited, so act quickly if you’re interested. Grab a special piece for this summer👕 ※ T-shirts are available from the Morotsuka Village Tourism Association and Morotsuka Store.

This is a summer recommendation from the Saikai City Tourism Association in Nagasaki Prefecture♪ This year’s rainy season ended early, and a string of extremely hot days has followed. Here are Saikai City spots to help you beat that heat. ◎ Tsugane-Otoshi Waterfall Address: Yukinoura Kadori, Oseto, Saikai City※After passing Shinko-ji in Yukinoura village, you will see a signboard. 〇 Free admission, restrooms available ♪ Tsugane refers to the mud crab; the name comes from the sight of crabs being swept down with the falling water. There is no plunge pool; water slams onto the rocks and creates a natural mist shower♪ ◎ Yukinoura Seaside Park Address: 615-14 Shimokamagō, Yukinoura, Oseto, Saikai City 〇 Open all day, free admission; restrooms and hot-water showers (100 yen per use) available. ※No open flames allowed ♪ The white sandy beach stretches about 400 m and is perfect for rockpooling and surfing♪ ◎ Yanaginohama Seaside Park Address: 2394 Taira Sotogō, Oseto, Saikai City 〇 Free admission; restrooms, hot-water showers (100 yen per use), and changing rooms available. ※No open flames allowed ♪ This seaside park borders a very shallow sea that reveals a vast mudflat at low tide. It’s ideal for summer beach fun and enjoyable for both young children and adults♪ ◎ Saiwomono River Park Address: Yukinoura Saiwomono, Oseto, Saikai City 〇 Free admission, restrooms available.※No open flames allowed ♪ Recommended for those who prefer rivers to the sea!※Please be careful of sudden deep spots and rising water levels. ◎ Nanatsugama Cave (Seven Cauldrons Limestone Cave) Address: 2541-1 Nakaura Kitagō, Saikai Town, Saikai City 〇 April–September 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30) October–March 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) Admission: Adults ¥800, Junior high ¥400, Elementary ¥200, Preschool ¥100 (group discounts for 20+ people) ♪ The cave maintains a temperature around 15°C year-round, making it especially cool in summer♪ We also recommend the “cooling platform” that uses the cave’s breeze and the “cold footbath” that uses chilled water♪ Saikai City is full of spectacular views, historic sites, and hidden gems♪ Come and enjoy Saikai City this summer♪

Playing in the River Activities for the first time in the Takekiri Valleys of Oita. I'm a little scared, but I take my mom's hand and put my feet in the cold river.

The 34th Shidahara Lake Surface Fire Festival will take place in Oonocho, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture. On the special stage, a variety of performances will be featured, including kagura, Raiden Soran, and dance. There will also be a prize raffle with luxurious gifts. The master of ceremonies will be Chuka Shuto, the Bungo-ono City Hometown Ambassador, who will liven up the festival. The aerial fireworks and underwater fireworks reflected on the lake surface create a truly magical sight. Date and Time: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 6:15 PM – Event proceeds in light rain; canceled in severe weather. Location: Shidarawaru Dam area Stage Events 5:30 PM – Prayer for a bountiful harvest 6:15 PM – Opening declaration 6:20 PM – Dance by Chikumatsu Mikaikai 6:30 PM – Mie Junior (Raiden Soran) 6:45 PM – Firefighting Squadron Kiko Ranger 7:00 PM – Jimmy Kikuchi 7:30 PM – Kagura (Asakusa Inuyama Kagura Company) 8:00 PM – Prize raffle 8:30 PM – Mie Swing Family (big band) Fireworks Launch Time Fireworks start at 8:40 PM — aerial and underwater fireworks. Traffic Restrictions and Shuttle Bus Service Around the Venue On the day of the event, roads near the venue will be closed to traffic (no vehicle access). Private cars cannot enter during event hours, so please use the shuttle bus. Shuttle buses operate from 6:00 PM. Wait times are about 5 to 10 minutes. Shuttle Bus Cooperation Fee: 200 yen round trip for elementary school students and older (please cooperate with this fee for shuttle bus operation). Children below elementary school age ride free. Shuttle Bus Boarding Location: Near Ohno Community Center, Bungo-ono City Parking: Around the Ono Branch Office of Bungo-Ono City Hall Other Information Visitors wearing yukata will receive a gift while supplies last. A sacred fire will depart from Asakusa Shrine and small torches around the venue will be lit in sequence. 5:30 PM – Sacred fire departs from Asakusa Shrine 6:00 PM – Small torches lit around Toji 6:15 PM – Small torches lit around the dam area 6:30 PM – Seven-color lanterns Organizer and Event Inquiries The 34th Shidahara Lake Surface Fire Festival Executive Committee Phone: 0974-34-2301 Access to Central Bungo-ono City Approximately 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture Approximately 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture Kyushu, Bungo-ono City, Oita Prefecture — Introducing tourism and recommended spots https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250718event-oono/...

Updated August 8, 2025 The night kagura has been canceled due to a rain forecast for the day. --------------------------------------------------------- Ontake-style Okuhata Kagura Night Kagura A night kagura organized by Okuhata Kagura will take place at Mie Town Station Square. Also joining will be Nakae Iwato Kagura, a tradition from the Hano district of Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and a meeting kagura performance is planned. Date and Time: Saturday, August 9, 2025 3:00 PM–9:00 PM *Canceled in case of rain* Location: Mie Town Station Square ❚ Okuhata Kagura Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Oita Prefecture An Ontake-style Iwato kagura handed down from Ontake Shrine (Kiyokawa Town) to the Okuhata district of Mie Town. The dances consist of 33 pieces. ■■■ Access to central Bungo-Ono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

🎨 Announcement: The Late Sukenori Miroku – Exhibition “Morotsuka Kagura, the Forest’s Gifts, and Its Spirits” 🌲✨ From Friday, July 18, the Library Corner at Shiitake no Yakata 21 will host an exhibition by the late Sukenori Miroku (Miroku Sukenori) titled “Morotsuka Kagura, the Forest’s Gifts, and Its Spirits.” This exhibition presents nine works in total, including two paintings depicting kagura that are planned to be donated to Morotsuka Village. Please take this rare chance to see these precious pieces that are not often on view 👀🍃 📅 Exhibition period: Friday, July 18 – Tuesday, July 29 🕙 Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 (※Last day closes at 15:00) 🏛 Venue: Shiitake no Yakata 21, Library Corner 🎟 Admission: Free ❗️Note: Closed on Wednesday, July 23. 📞 Inquiries: Morotsuka Village Office, Board of Education, Education Division TEL: 0982-65-0072 👤 About Sukenori Miroku Mr. Miroku was an artist who expressed local spiritual culture through motifs of kagura and nature-based faith. He continued to render the forest’s resident spirits and his respect for Morotsuka Village’s nature and kagura with a delicate touch. This exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to encounter his artistic legacy and spirit 🖌️🌿 👣 Spend a peaceful moment in a space where nature and art resonate together 🍀 We warmly look forward to your visit!

Local keychain 4th edition now on sale! The 4th edition features Arao’s local mascot, Majakki☆彡 You’ll find Majakki biting into an Arao pear and Majakki reenacting the Toten Festival, and many more designs! Each piece comes with a variety of stands, so they double as acrylic stands in a 2-way keychain(^O^)／ Nine designs in total On sale at Marugoto Arao Product Center! Please stop by ♪ Marugoto Arao Product Center Business hours 11:00–16:30 Closed every Monday (if a holiday, closed the following weekday)

Gion Shrine Summer Festival July 15 was the Gion Shrine’s summer festival⛩ We covered the Morimaki ritual held before the ceremony📷 They shaped the makaya grass gathered that morning into the form of Yamata no Orochi💪 Makaya is stiff, and twisting large amounts at once is a real challenge😅 Still, the Morimaki Ritual Preservation Society finished it with impressive skill✨ The amazake prepared overnight also turned out exceptionally tasty this year😆 There were many more visitors this year, which made us happy😁 The local community cherishes their “Gion-san” It will surely continue together with the community going forward🥰

The World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” Card Rally 2025 is now underway! July 1 (Tuesday)–September 30 (Tuesday) World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” Card Rally 2025: 38 cards in all Event period: July 1, 2025 (Tuesday)–September 30, 2025 (Tuesday) Celebrating the 10th anniversary of World Heritage registration! Set off on an adventure through eight prefectures and 11 cities! The industrial revolution that laid the foundations of modern Japan took place from the late Edo period through the Meiji era. The factories, mines, and shipyards that served as its stages remain across the country as the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution, now listed as a World Cultural Heritage. We are holding a special program to enjoy these history-rich industrial sites: the World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution” Card Rally 2025! At the designated component sites and related facilities, you can collect cards featuring illustrations of things and people closely connected to the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. Collect the normal cards available at each facility and get a rare card! Collect specific cards to receive limited-edition cards and premium card holders (quantities limited). From young children to history-loving adults, this event offers both learning and collecting fun. Plus, add the official LINE account as a friend, and a robot named Gear-kun will appear to help you collect cards via LINE! With Gear-kun you can check your digital card collection and easily make inquiries about the card rally via LINE, making it very convenient! This summer, enjoy exploring industrial heritage sites while encountering the passion and technology of the late Edo through the Meiji era. For details, please check the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution 10th Anniversary Special Site.” Inquiries about the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution World Heritage Council: 099-286-2363 Inquiries about the card rally (general) Organizing Office: 050-2030-7388 Normal card pickup locations — 8 prefectures, 11 cities nationwide Hagi Reverberatory Furnace Guide Hut [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Emisugahana Shipyard Guide Hut [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Obanayama Tatara Museum [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Shigetsuki Park Ticket Booth (Site of Hagi Castle) [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Shoin Shrine Treasure House Shiseikan [Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Shoko Shuseikan (Former Shuseikan Foundry Site) Slope [Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture] Former Kagoshima Spinning Mill Engineer’s House (Ijinkan) [Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture] Sekiyoshi Local Products Center [Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture] Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace Guidance Center Reception [Izunokuni, Shizuoka Prefecture] Hashino Iron Mining Information Center or Iron History Museum [Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture] Sano Tsunetami and the Miezu Naval Arsenal Site History Museum or Saga Castle Honmaru History Museum [Saga City, Saga Prefecture] Gunkanjima Museum or Kosuge Shu Shipyard Site [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Gunkanjima Digital Museum [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Nagasaki Port Terminal [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Takashima Coal Museum [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Takashima Kita-kei Mine nearest bus stop [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Gunkanjima Museum [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] World Heritage Visitor Center [Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture] Miyahara Pit [Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture] Manda Pit Station [Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture] — located inside Manda Pit Station. Coal mine train shelter [Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ※Installed inside the paid area of Manda Pit; on rainy days, after checking your mine entry ticket, staff at the Manda Pit entrance will hand it to you. Omuta City Coal Industry Science Museum [Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture] Ryujokan [Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture] Former Main Office Viewing Area, Imperial Ironworks, Yawata [Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture] Ongagawa Water Source Pump Room Information Center (inside Nakama City Community Exchange Center) [Nakama, Fukuoka Prefecture] Manda Pit Station 200-2 Haramanda, Arao City, Kumamoto 864-0001 Phone: 0968-57-9155 Closed: Every Monday (if a holiday, the following weekday), December 29–January 3 Manda Pit site tours: Adults 410 yen, high school students 310 yen, elementary/middle school students 210 yen Manda Pit Station exhibition room and DVD screening room tours: Free Parking: Free Bus-only parking [5 large, 3 medium] 72 standard car spaces A motorcycle-only parking area is also available https://diginal.co.jp/card_rally/...

Sunset Village Marche & KIDS Festa On Sunday, July 13th, Sunset Village Marche & KIDS Festa took place in the wine hall at Gokasecho Winery. Rain fell while we were setting up, and the weather caused some worry, but though there were occasional heavy showers, we also saw sunny spells. With many stalls and stage events, the place buzzed with families and visitors. The water play area was a huge hit with the children. Kids went wild with the full-scale water guns and pools. Huge numbers of soap bubbles floated out from the bubble booth, too. Seeing so many children smile made this a day that brought smiles to all of us.

The summer taste of Kiyokawa Town, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture: "Clean Peach." The season runs from late June through the end of July, and this rare "phantom peach" is a signature specialty of Kiyokawa Town. The 2025 declaration of the start of the Clean Peach season was made on July 10, 2025. Please try these proud peaches, each carefully and lovingly grown by local farmers. Many visitors come every day. For the latest information and details about Clean Peach sales times and the distribution status of numbered tickets, please check the Michi-no-Eki Kiyokawa website. ■ Michi-no-Eki Kiyokawa Michi-no-Eki Kiyokawa offers many peach-related products, so please stop by when you are driving through the area. Location: Michi-no-Eki Kiyokawa (Kiyokawa Furusato Product Center Yume Ichiba: 1574-1 Sunada, Kiyokawa Town, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture) About a 40-minute drive from Oita Mera IC Hours: March–November 7:30–18:00 / December–February 8:00–17:00 ■■■ Access to central Bungo-Ono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250714info-kiyokawa/...

While the weather was not stable, we aimed for one of the few sunny skies and stayed in a tent with a vine in early summer. Miyama Kirishima dyes the mountainside pink, and a refreshing breeze hits your cheeks. I'm glad I came!!　 Thank you Bogatsuru 😊!　 Thank you Ninefold 😊 Mountains! Location: Mt. Heiji

The third edition of our local keychains has been on sale to great acclaim since July! For this edition, none other than Kumamon has come to Arao City! Kumamon appears with Arao City’s attractions and local specialties! Each design includes a stand, so the keychain doubles as an acrylic stand — a 2-way keychain (^O^)／ Nine varieties in total Available at Marugoto Arao Local Products Center! Please stop by ♪ Marugoto Arao Local Products Center Business hours 11:00–16:30 Closed every Monday (if a public holiday, closed the following weekday)

Kikuchi Tourism Association offers bicycle rentals. Recently, more people have been using them. This time, we introduce the popular destination, Kiki Castle. Kiki Castle is a mountain fortress built by the Yamato government in the late 7th century, about 1,350 years ago. A prefectural excavation uncovered valuable remains, including the foundations of 72 buildings, a former reservoir, and earthwork embankments. You can also see reconstructed buildings on site. At Onko Soseikan, exhibitions and videos explain Kiki Castle’s history and structure in detail. Excavations have continued since fiscal 1967 to the present. In terms of area, the site is about 12 times the size of the Tokyo Dome. The grounds are very spacious, making them ideal for a walk. Our staff actually visited by electric-assist bicycles. We reached Kiki Castle from Kikuchi City Furusato Sosei Citizen Plaza in about 20 minutes. There are some slopes, but electric-assist bicycles make riding easy. On the site is a café called Kuri to Sora that sells sweets made with Japanese chestnuts. The Mont Blanc soft-serve is especially popular. Please stop by the café to relax during your trip. You can enjoy scenery you don’t usually see. When you visit Kikuchi City, please enjoy a bicycle journey.

Today (July 10) I covered a hop harvest 😆 It was my first time seeing this year’s hop field... and it was spectacular✨✨ Straight-reaching vines, healthy dark green leaves, and clusters of hops hanging like little bells…!! “It’s a shame this view will be gone after today!” I said as I gazed with the grower 👀 With preparations complete, it was time to harvest 💪 There were so many cones that even removing the supporting wires was a struggle 💦 We filled bags with the harvested hops, and I worried they might not all fit on the truck we were loading back with today 😂 These hops will be processed into beer with a fresh, lively aroma 🍺 I tasted last year’s brew too — it had a refreshing scent and went down easy 😆👍 I can’t wait to try this year’s beer 😍

Harajiri Falls Boat Tour Why not take a raft boat and cruise the plunge pool of Harajiri Falls in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture? You can experience Harajiri Falls with your whole body. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery that you can only see up close. Date and Time Saturday, July 19, 2025 – Monday, July 21, 2025 (national holiday) Daily from 10:00 to 16:00 (departures every 30 minutes) Location Harajiri Falls (410 Harajiri, Ogata, Bungo-Ono) ▶ Meeting time / Please arrive at the top of the stairs down to the falls 30 minutes before your reservation. Fee 3,500 yen per person Eligibility Ages 3 and up (preschool children must be accompanied by a guardian) What to Bring Shoes that can get wet, towel How to Apply Please check the link to apply. Other Information The tour may be canceled due to weather or rising river levels. If there is availability on the day, we can accommodate walk-ins without a reservation. We accept reservations outside the event as well (see the application form above for details). Event Inquiries Bebepu Co., Ltd., Bungo-Ono Office × South Wave (Contact: Ono) Phone 090-6896-5296 ■■■ Access to central Bungo-Ono ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250708event-ogata/...

The hot days continue, and there are few people for the purpose of walking around the Castle Town ... In the summer, Kitsuki enjoys marine sports, the campsite is crowded, and the Castle Town is a little Vacation. Meanwhile, I was also and curious about how hot it was, and in the morning ... Even though it was cool, I took a walk around the town at 33 degrees Celsius. Today, I'm posting with a slightly rough feeling. Tea shop to cool off, flower shop with flowers in the heat of the past few days ... And such? If you walk a little, you can stop by the ice cream shop of your grandmother, who is over 90 years old, and if you take a peek at the shared kitchen space with House guests, Shokudo if you look at it, the daily lunch is an omelet 💚. The heat was terrible, but it was good to see all kinds of people, and it was good to see good things such as a nostalgic mailbox that had been repainted beautifully before I knew it. I will post it separately to everyone. Please be careful of this heat.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

On July 5, 2025, hydrangea deadheading took place around Fukkoji Temple in Asaji Town, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture. About 50 people took part and removed spent hydrangea blooms from the temple grounds and nearby areas. In about two hours, the precincts were transformed into a sea of green. Thank you to everyone who participated. May beautiful hydrangeas bloom again next year. ❚ About Fukkoji Temple The bas-relief Buddhist statue carved into the rock on the temple grounds, including its pedestal, reaches roughly 11 meters in height and ranks among Japan’s largest rock-carved Buddhas. The enormous central figure is Fudo Myoo (the Immovable Wisdom King). Fudo Myoo typically appears in a wrathful form, but years of wind and rain have softened the features of this carving into a rounder, gentler expression. Though large in scale, the figure has a very approachable presence. Fukkoji is also known as “Hydrangea Temple” for the many hydrangeas planted there. During the rainy season, visitors can enjoy abundant hydrangea blooms alongside the rock-carved Buddha. The hydrangeas are cared for by the temple and local community. ■■■ Access to central Bungo-Ono City ■■■ About a three-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About a two-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About a one hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a one hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■