The 8th Bungo Buono Station Front Marche ❚ Held on August 22, 2026 Enjoy the "delicious" and "wonderful" offerings of Bungo-Ono to the fullest at this marche! The "8th Station Front Marche" will take place at Mie Town Station Square. The venue will feature food booths offering coffee, sweets, and light meals, as well as fun booths including a game corner, free ride experiences, and a light truck sauna. Stage events will include taiko drumming, kagura performances, hula, and kids' dance. At the end of the event, there will be a lottery and mochi throwing. Enjoy a delightful evening from summer dusk to night with food, sights, and fun at the venue. 【Date】Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, held rain or shine *The event may be canceled in case of severe weather. Please check the event's website after 3:00 PM the day before for confirmation of the event. 【Venue】Mie Town Station Square (2998-2 Akamine, Mie Town, Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture) ■Stage Events 5:00 PM – 5:10 PM Opening Ceremony & First Mochi Throwing 5:15 PM – 5:35 PM Saijō-ji Children's Taiko 5:40 PM – 6:00 PM ALOHA Ukulele 6:10 PM – 6:40 PM Itaizako Shinmeisha Shrine Kagura 6:50 PM – 7:10 PM Daishin Taiko 7:20 PM – 7:40 PM Ohana Hula 7:45 PM – 8:15 PM Kids Dance "ROⓂD" 8:20 PM – 8:30 PM Lottery & Closing Ceremony & Second Mochi Throwing ■Fun Booths Night Market Corner (Game Corner) Free Ride Experience Light Truck Sauna (No need to bring anything) ■Venue Booths Cafe Param Antiques Imo no Chikara-ya Vintage Clothing Disco Nikoniko Chiffon Gochisou Kumogakure Melissa Cafe Nagomi Coffee Toko's Kitchen Pizza Buono *Even if the stage is canceled due to rain, food booths may still operate at the venue. ■Other Please note that the content listed may change due to unavoidable circumstances. Parking is available at the Bungo-Ono City Chamber of Commerce, Oita Bank, and Bungo-Ono City Hall. Due to expected congestion and full parking, we encourage the use of public transportation or walking to the venue. For accessible parking, please speak to the staff at the venue. ■Contact Information Bungo-Ono City Tourism Association TEL: 0974-27-4215 ■■Access from Fukuoka and Kumamoto to the center of Bungo-Ono City■■■ Approximately 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Approximately 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourist attractions and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

The sales of the 2023 edition Saijo Festival posters have begun. Price: 400 yen (including tax) per piece Sales location: Saijo City Tourism Exchange Center

As the golden hour gently embraces Furano, waves of lavender bloom beneath a sky of fading light. A solitary red hut rests among the purple fields, with emerald meadows and layered mountains quietly unfolding beyond. In this brief summer glow, the landscape feels less like a place and more like a memory waiting to be kept.

The Tomakomai Port Festival has begun!✨ Today, August 8th (Saturday), is the second day! At the tourism association booth, we are waiting for you with cold drinks and the Tomachoppu lottery!✨ The Tomachoppu, the mascot of Tomakomai tourism, is also dressed in a stylish happi coat💕. We hope to see you there! (The fireworks festival has been rescheduled to October🎇)

It seems that the Tanabata Festival will be held at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine tonight at 7 PM. 🎋

The Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival has been held for about 600 years. Tens of thousands of red lanterns attached to bamboo sway gently, enveloping the streets in a magical light. What’s surprising is that all these countless lanterns are lit by real candle flames! Unlike electric lights, they flicker softly, illuminating the town gently. We warmly invite you to visit Yamaguchi! Location: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Photographed on July 26, 2014. This is the flower water basin at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. I enjoyed the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri.

【Summer Festival with Swaying Lanterns】 Many of you may have already seen it. The summer version display inside Komu! From the parking lot outside, you can see the lantern decorations swaying in the small window. Lanterns are also hanging from the ceiling inside the building, and fireworks are displayed on the walls. (Amidst them, Setoushi-kun was launched 🎆) You can enjoy games like ring toss, shooting, goldfish scooping, and watermelon catching, experiencing the fun of the festival. When I visited Komu, the kids were running the stalls while their fathers played customers. The quality of the handmade ice creams lined up at the ice cream shop is incredible, so I hope you take a good look at them...! The original fan featuring Setoushi-kun is also cute. Before summer ends, please come and visit us! - 【Forest Art Museum "Komu"】 Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Admission is accepted until 4:30 PM Closed: Every Tuesday Admission fee: High school students and above: 500 yen 4th grade elementary to middle school students: 300 yen Children aged 3 to 3rd grade: 100 yen Children under 3: Free Contact: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Komu #Summer Festival #Indoor Display #Yen Festival

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. Here is a performance of the festival music. The weather is starting to look ominous.⛈️

Kiyokawa Summer Festival – A Children’s Fair for Adults Too! ❚ Held on August 8, 2026 The Kiyokawa Summer Festival will take place in Kiyokawamachi, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The venue is the lawn area of Roadside Station Kiyokawa, featuring summer festival activities such as kick target, yo-yo fishing, ring toss, shooting gallery, lottery, cotton candy making experience, and a fireworks corner. There will also be food stalls offering yakitori, takoyaki, pizza, French fries, and drinks, making it a delightful experience to enjoy meals as well. Exciting events like the Garigari-kun eating contest and Kiyokawa Bayashi are also planned, promising a lively summer experience. 【Date】 August 8, 2026 (Saturday) 17:00 – 20:00 【Location】 Lawn area of Roadside Station Kiyokawa (1574-1 Sunada, Kiyokawamachi, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Additional Info】 Free game corner for junior high school students and below 【Parking】 Available ■Contact Information Kiyokawa Regional Promotion Council TEL: 0974-27-4686

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. This is a performance of the festival music. ☺️

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. A collaboration between Okame and Hyottoko.

Asaji HOT FES ❚ Scheduled for August 11, 2026 On Tuesday, August 11th, a public holiday, the "Asaji HOT FES" will be held at Yusaku Park in Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. On that day, 18 performers from both inside and outside the prefecture will gather, with live performances scheduled throughout the day. Food and drink will also be available for purchase at the venue, featuring meals such as curry, fried skewers, yakisoba, and loco moco, along with beer and shochu. It promises to be a day where you can leisurely enjoy music and food amidst the summer scenery. 【Date】 August 11, 2026 (Tuesday, public holiday) Doors open at 9:30 AM, starts at 10:00 AM 【Location】 Yusaku Park (3914 Ageozuka, Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Admission】 Free 【Parking】 Available ■ Contact Information Yusaku Base (Contact: Arimoto) TEL: 080-5285-0477

Photographed on July 26, 26. It's the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. I watched a performance of the festival music at Kajimachi Plaza.

Photographed on July 26, 2014. It’s the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. I cooled off at Koedo Kurari.

The "Kawayu Onsen Steam Beer Garden," which was held for the first time at Kawayu Onsen, along with the simultaneous experience project "AWAKE from KAWAYU" and four monitor tours, has successfully concluded✨ There were moments when the weather turned bad, but it seems that many people enjoyed themselves☺️🎶 So, I will post just a few photos here. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated🧚🏻‍♀️💫 https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2026kawayubeergarden/...

The 2nd Saturday Night Market 2026 ❚ Held on August 8, 2026 The 2nd Saturday Night Market 2026 will be held in Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. At the venue, you can enjoy classic night market attractions like shooting games and super ball scooping. Familiar food stalls will offer yakitori, yakisoba, and shaved ice, making it a great opportunity to casually enjoy the lively summer atmosphere. From 6 PM, there will be performances including baton twirling, choir, dance, and taiko drumming, perfect for those who want to relax on a summer night at the station. Those who come in yukata will receive a complimentary juice. Why not enjoy a slightly different night at Mie Town Station Front? 【Date】August 8, 2026 (Saturday) 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM 【Location】Mie Town Station Square (539 Mie Town Market, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Schedule】 6:00 PM – Baton Twirling 6:30 PM – Bungoono Rainbow Choir 7:00 PM – Dance Atelier ROⓂD 7:30 PM – Toyo Taiko 【Parking】None *Please use public transportation when visiting. We kindly ask that you do not park at nearby commercial facilities. 【Contact】 Bungoono City Chamber of Commerce Mie Branch TEL: 0974-22-1193

【Special Menu for the Beer Garden Day】 The "Forest Beer Garden" will be held on the evening of Friday, July 31st. On that day, a special takeout menu will be available from Hotel Rimu! Enjoy food from Hotel Rimu along with other vendors. ◇Pickup Date and Time Friday, July 31st, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM ◇Pickup Location Hotel Rimu, Restaurant "Green Leaf" ◇Reservations are also accepted Call 0158-87-2000 (Hotel Rimu) ◇Menu Lineup *Food photos are for illustration purposes only. *Sales will end when items run out. *Delivery is not available. ▶Stir-fried Liver and Beansprouts 800 yen (tax included) ▶Stir-fried Pork with Kimchi 800 yen (tax included) ▶Egg Omelette with Eel 800 yen (tax included) ▶Sukeroku Sushi 700 yen (tax included) ▶Salad 700 yen (tax included) ▶Spicy Cucumbers 400 yen (tax included) - 【Forest Beer Garden】 Friday, July 31st 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Last Order at 8:30 PM Hosted by: Nishiokoppe Village Chamber of Commerce Youth Division Contact: 0158-87-2974 #Nishiokoppe Village #Beer Garden #Chamber of Commerce Youth Division #Hotel Rimu #Special Menu

Photographed on July 26, 26. It is the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. This is the procession of the daimyo from the Kawagoe Domain. It seems that the students from Kawagoe High School are participating this year.

Photographed on July 26, 26. This is a demonstration of matchlock guns by the Kawagoe Domain matchlock gun squad.

Chitose Summer Festival ❚ Held on August 8, 2026 The "4th Chitose Summer Festival" will be held in Chitose-cho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. This year, active high school students from Chitose-cho will serve as hosts, energizing the venue with their enthusiasm. In addition to various stage events, there will be a display of "working vehicles" by the Bungo-Ono Police Station, and the summer tradition of a haunted house at the community center will also make an appearance. Please join us with your friends and family. 【Date and Time】Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 17:00 【Location】Bungoono City Chitose Branch Office and Chitose Community Center (706-1 Shinden, Chitose-cho, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Parking】Available (Bungoono City Chitose Branch Office and Chitose Elementary and Junior High School) 【Schedule】 17:00～ Opening 17:05～ Bungo-Ono Police Station Goto Theater Company 17:20～ Dance (Time Dance Studio Mie Class) 17:30～ Children's Corner 17:45～ Cola Drinking Contest 18:00～ Dance (Time Dance Studio Mie Class) 18:15～ Two-Person Wearing 18:30～ Koto Performance 19:00～ Karaoke 20:15～ Chitose Odori Song 【Others】 There will be food trucks (candy apples, curry, crepes, etc.), draft beer, and fried chicken available. 【Organizer and Event Inquiries】 Chitose Revitalization Team Takao Phone: 090-6899-9725

This is a floral water offering inspired by the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin. 🏮

Today and tomorrow is the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri.

【Forest Beer Garden】 On the evening of Friday, July 31st, a beer garden will be held at Hotel Moriyu! 🎉 *In case of rain, it will take place at Hotel Moriyu's Plum Hall. We will offer not only beer but also sake, shochu, sour drinks, and soft drinks. 🍺 The food pairs perfectly with the drinks, making it hard to choose what to eat. Come with an empty stomach! Additionally, Hotel Moriyu's restaurant is said to have a takeout menu available. Enjoy a fun night under the summer night sky with a beer in hand. - 【Forest Beer Garden】 July 31st (Friday) 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Last order at 8:30 PM Hosted by: Nishiokoppe Village Chamber of Commerce Youth Division Contact: 0158-87-2974 #Nishiokoppe Village #Beer Garden #Chamber of Commerce Youth Division #Hotel Moriyu #Summer

Asaji Summer Festival ❚ Held on August 15, 2026 The "54th Asaji Summer Festival 2026" will take place in Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Beloved during the Obon season, the "Asaji Summer Festival" is a summer tradition in Asaji Town, easily accessible for locals as well as families and friends visiting for the holidays. Enjoy food stalls while traditional Kagura performances and Asaji Ondo continue, culminating in fireworks that light up the summer night sky. The fireworks launched at Asaji Ground are one of the highlights, allowing for an up-close experience. 【Date and Time】August 15, 2026 (Saturday) 18:00 - 21:00 *In case of rain, fireworks will be postponed to August 17 (Monday) 【Location】Asaji Ground (Asaji Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Schedule】 18:00 - Food stalls 18:30 - Kagura 19:30 - Asaji Ondo 19:45 - Opening Declaration 20:00 - Fireworks Launch *Subject to change due to weather conditions 【Notes】 Traffic regulations will be in effect around the venue from 17:30. There may be dark areas between nearby parking lots and the venue, so having a flashlight is recommended. ■Contact Information Asaji Town Hometown Development Executive Committee Office (Bungoono City Asaji Branch) TEL: 0974-72-1111 ■■Access from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to the center of Bungoono City■■■ Approximately 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture Approximately 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourist attractions and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Nishiwaki in the center of Hyogo prefecture proudly proclaims itself "The Navel of Japan." Being a bellybutton seems a little unflattering, but it is actually a hotly disputed title, since Shibukawa in Gunma prefecture contests the title with its own Navel festival, complete with painted stomachs. Weird. Nishiwaki itself has a "navel park", complete with monument, but thankfully has a lot more to indicate than its name or its relative geographic remoteness would indicate. A nice science museum and observatory is available, and the staff are very kind with on-hand demonstrations and explanations. A multipurpose community center "Mirai-e" has a large children's play area stocked with a very unusual amount of wooden toys from Sweden. If you are looking for something more cultural, Nishiwaki is a center of the Banshu-ori textile tradition, making it one of the best places to get cotton products that are grown in Japan.

Kodai Fire Festival ❚ Held on August 14, 2026 The Kodai Fire Festival will take place in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The lights of the kodai (small torches) will emerge fantastically from the area around Harajiri Falls, illuminating the Ogata Plains. 【Event Date】Friday, August 14, 2026 ※Postponed by one day in case of bad weather 【Location】Around Harajiri Falls and the Ogata Plains ※Traffic regulations will be enforced from 18:30 on the 14th. Please follow the instructions of the staff. 【Ignition Time】19:30, simultaneous ignition 【Number of Lights】Approximately 10,000 【Flame Sculpture Exhibition】 Around the venue, local residents will create unique torii gates and stone bridges with torches, showcasing their beauty in a competition. 【Contact for Event Inquiries】 Ogata Branch, Bungoono City, Phone: 0974-42-2111 Harajiri Falls Roadside Station Co., Ltd., Phone: 0974-42-4140 ❚ What is the Kodai Fire Festival? A traditional event passed down since the Edo period. Its origins are unclear, but it is said to be related to the memorial for the Bon festival, the wish for a good rice harvest, and the memorial for victims of uprisings that occurred during the Edo period.

Summer in Kyoto Can Be Intense – Take a Break and Enjoy Traditional Japanese Play at AriHana Kyoto Kyoto’s rainy season has already ended, and the city is now experiencing very hot summer days. July is also the season of the famous Gion Festival, one of Kyoto’s most iconic summer events. As the festival begins and the Yoiyama evenings start from July 14, the city becomes even more lively and crowded with visitors. When families visit Kyoto in summer, we often hear comments like, “It’s much hotter than we expected,” or “Everywhere is crowded. Is there a quieter place where we can relax with children?” We truly understand how challenging summer sightseeing in Kyoto can be, especially for families traveling with young children. That is one of the reasons we opened AriHana Kyoto. AriHana Kyoto is an indoor family-friendly space where children and parents can relax and enjoy traditional Japanese play together. Families from many different countries have visited us and spent time playing freely, discovering Japanese culture through simple, nostalgic games. Here, you can enjoy traditional Japanese activities such as kendama, daruma otoshi, karuta, and more in a calm and comfortable tatami room. Children can play, parents can sit back and relax, and families can spend unhurried time together away from the summer heat and crowds. If you are looking for a quiet indoor place to rest and create special family memories during your Kyoto trip, we would be delighted to welcome you to AriHana Kyoto. Why not add a different kind of Kyoto memory to your journey this summer?

Today is Tanabata, a traditional Japanese festival that has its origin both in romance and the stars. Many people may already know the details of the (literally) star-crossed romance of Orihime and Hikoboshi, but the unique celebration of Tanabata can give you a rare chance for a look into the hearts and minds of the often quiet and reserved people of Japan. The main custom of Tanabata is writing wishes on a slip of paper called a Tanzaku and tying it to bamboo. The wishes, on paper of various colors, look lovely and festive as they hang in public places. It is fun to write your own wish and hang it to join the others, and since it is all anonymous, you can participate even if you are shy! For me, the most interesting part is seeing what other people wish for. It is a rare moment of vulnerability and openness, seeing wishes to find love, the success loved ones, health and happiness. (I once saw someone make wishes for stock trading, so it isn't all sentimental!) It can be a revealing look at the wishes and desires of people who would otherwise almost never voice these sentiments openly. All in all, it is heartwarming and makes me feel closer to my fellow man, which in its own way is its own vision of love to set alongside Orihime and Hikoboshi's tale. As a bonus, the Japanese of tanzaku wishes is usually short simple, making it good for study. If you are in Japan for Tanabata, you are sure to see Tanzaku somewhere. Why not try writing a wish of your own?

Notice: Iwanai Shrine Grand Festival This year, the Iwanai Shrine Grand Festival will be held for three days from July 7th to July 9th! Please be aware that there will be road closures during this period and take care when coming. We invite you to the Iwanai Festival! 😌 *The schedule is referenced from the Iwanai Shrine website.