【Announcement】Taramaru Square 2026 will be held♪ From May 2nd (Saturday) to May 6th (Wednesday) at the Michi-no-Eki-mae Event Plaza "Taramaru Square 2026" will take place!! ☆About the Vendors ○Little Kingdom Tapioca drinks, churros, shaved ice, and alcohol ○Uosansakaba ○RmiRmi Ground meat curry, Hideko's Sanpei soup, beef tongue skewers, grilled chicken ○Shiokaze Restaurant by Raiden Resort & Spa Cocktail mojitos, champagne Hot chocolate, coffee (hot and iced) Coffee will be hand-dripped ○8"achi (debut) Various grilled chicken, tonjiru (pork soup), cotton candy, fried mochi frank, QQ balls ○Shunsai Salt ramen, okonomiyaki, pizza, various alcohol Handmade crafts ○Xingfu Korean fried chicken, long potatoes, fried takoyaki ○Honma Seika Taramaru-yaki, yakisoba, french fries, various wagashi (Japanese sweets) ○Kisui (debut) Various takoyaki (green onion, cheese, plum salt kelp, mentaiko) *The items for sale may change We look forward to seeing everyone♪

GW is packed with events! Here are five recommended GW events✨ 1. 'NAGANO Zenkoji Yosakoi' 【Date】May 4th, R8 (Monday, holiday) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM 【Venue】Zenkoji Omotesando (from Suehirocho Intersection to Shindencho Intersection), Nagano Station Zenkoji Entrance Plaza 2. 'Zenkoji Hanakairo' 【Date】May 3rd (Sunday, holiday) - May 5th (Tuesday, holiday) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Pedestrian Paradise) 【Venue】Zenkoji Omotesando, Central Square, TOiGO Square, etc. 3. 'Nagano Collection 2026' 【Date】May 5th, R8 (Tuesday, holiday) 【Details】 ・Live Hair Performance 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM at Zenkoji Omotesando (in front of TOiGO) ・Nagako Stage 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM at Central Square 4. 'Nagano Shishimai Festival' 【Date】May 3rd, R8 (Sunday, holiday) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (held in light rain) 【Venue】Nagano Station Zenkoji Entrance Plaza, TOiGO Square, Central Square, Zenkoji Omotesando 【Stamp Rally】 Collect stamps in the performance areas at each venue, and the first 500 participants will receive an original hand towel designed by students from Oka Design Academy. 5. 'Zenkoji Omotesando Arts and Music Festival' 【Date】May 4th, R8 (Monday, holiday) - May 6th (Wednesday, holiday) 【Time】May 4th and 6th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM May 5th 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM *Cancelled in case of rain 【Venue】Central Square #GW #event #nagano #Nagano City #Nagano tourism

Today I love to recommend a place in Tokyo which is Yushima Tenjin Shrine. Spring in Japan isn't just about enjoying the cherry blossoms, spring begins with the beautiful fragrance of plum blossoms, and you can witness the ume matsuri, or plum festival at Yushima Tenjin Shrine. It is near the Ueno park area and this festival usually held in 1st week of March every year. Ume lasts much longer than sakura, so its beauty can be enjoyed for a long time. Around 300 plum blossom trees are spread over the temple premises which are visited by many visitors every day. Besides, during this festival, various cultural events are held on the temple ground during the holidays.

【Teppen Kagura Festival👹】 Today (April 26th), the "Teppen Kagura Festival" was held at the Gokase Winery-style hall✨ Despite the unfortunate rainy weather, the venue was filled with people and excitement that blew away the rain and cold🔥 This festival features not only Kagura from Gokasecho but also Kagura from the neighboring Yamatocho in Kumamoto Prefecture💡 It seems there were some first-time Kagura fans in attendance, and I was delighted to see that events in Gokasecho are becoming more widely known🥰 Gokasecho has plenty of events lined up for the Golden Week🙌 Be sure to check out the tourism association's website and social media!😊

We will distribute beetle larvae! At the KamaSta Golden Week event "C・B and the Smiling Faces - Let's Smile Together! KamaSta☆Kids Ballpark," we will hold a larvae distribution event! Come dig out the larvae from the soil yourself! 🌟 Date: May 5th (Tuesday, Public Holiday) 🌟 Time: From 12 PM to 3 PM (Ticket distribution from 11 AM to 11:50 AM) 🌟 Venue: Fighters Kamagaya Stadium, Outfield Grass Area on the Third Base Side 🌟 Game: Against Yokohama DeNA BayStars 🌟 Number of larvae: 200 🌟 Target: Children under elementary school age 🌟 Other Information: ・In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to May 6th (Wednesday, Public Holiday). ・Public transportation is recommended. If you come by car, a parking fee of 1,500 yen will be charged. ・From May 4th (Monday, Public Holiday) to May 6th (Wednesday, Public Holiday), the KamaSta☆Kids Ballpark will hold daily events including uniform giveaways and interactions with professional baseball players! 【Commercial and Tourism Division】 https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/kanko-bunka-sports/kanko/kabutomushiproject/kabutomushi-event/r8kabutomushi.html...

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

Today I love to recommend a place in Tokyo which is Yushima Tenjin Shrine. Spring in Japan isn't just about enjoying the cherry blossoms, spring begins with the beautiful fragrance of plum blossoms, and you can witness the ume matsuri, or plum festival at Yushima Tenjin Shrine. It is near the Ueno park area and this festival usually held in 1st week of March. Ume lasts much longer than sakura, so its beauty can be enjoyed for a long time. Around 300 plum blossom trees are spread over the temple premises which are visited by many visitors every day. Besides, during this festival, various cultural events are held on the temple ground during the holidays.

The 36th Rekifune River Clear Stream Carp Streamers has begun! This springtime tradition in Taiki Town features around 550 carp streamers swimming above the Rekifune River! This year, we have also installed handmade carp streamers created by children during a workshop held in March. On May 5th, we will host the annual "Children's Day Mini Event"! More details will be announced later. Stay tuned! 🎏 The 36th Rekifune River Clear Stream Carp Streamers 【Period】April 17 (Friday) - May 6 (Wednesday) 【Location】Rekifune River Taiki Bridge Upstream Riverbed

Taken on April 12, 2014 (Heisei 26). This is the Reitaisai (annual festival) held at the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine and Gokoku Shrine.

Taken on April 12, 2014 (Heisei 26). This is the annual festival of Gokoku Shrine at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I have received permission from the individual to post this photo.

Today, I explored Kawagoe. When I visited Shusse Inari Shrine, they were performing a traditional music demonstration. It seemed quite auspicious.

Date and Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026 *Cancelled in case of rain (no backup date) Venue: Mitsuke-juku Street The "Enshu Daimyo Procession" will faithfully recreate the scene where the feudal lords participating in the Sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) stay at the 28th station of the Tokaido, Mitsuke-juku, welcomed by the inn staff, the main inn, and townspeople on Mitsuke Main Street. The "Mai-guruma (Dance Cart) Pulling and Fire Dance" will reenact the story of the Mitsuke Gion Festival. In addition, various performances will be showcased throughout Mitsuke Main Street as a stage. Iwata City tourism ambassadors will also participate in the procession wearing kimonos! *Traffic regulations will be in effect from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM on the day.

Spring arrives quietly in Toyama… not with noise, but with fresh breath. In the blue hour, when day surrenders to night, the cherry blossom avenue awakens in soft golden light. Lanterns glow gently beneath blooming canopies, and people walk slowly, as if afraid to disturb the moment. Behind it all, the snow-capped Tateyama Range stands in silent majesty — timeless, unmoving, watching spring unfold below. The mountains hold the last light of the evening, their white peaks glowing softly against the deepening sky. In the foreground, the lake refuses stillness. Wind brushes across its surface, rippling reflections of blossoms and lights into fleeting fragments. The air turns colder after sunset, and yet the warmth of spring lingers in every step, every breath, every quiet glance. This photograph captures the delicate balance of spring — warmth and chill, movement and stillness, fleeting beauty and eternal mountains. A moment where nature whispers, and time gently pauses.

Would you like to visit Komu during Golden Week? At the Forest Museum Komu, we are holding the Golden Week Festival again this year🎉 The festival runs for three days from Sunday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 5. Activities change each day! - May 3 (Sun) Naruko (wooden clapper) workshop 🪚 These are the naruko used by dancers in the Yosakoi Festival. You will use a coping saw and hammer to make them, so please participate with a guardian. ① 11:00 AM / ② 1:30 PM Duration: about 30 minutes Capacity: 4 groups per session Fee: 500 yen; register on the day Location: Komu woodwork room - May 4 (Mon) 11:00 AM – Kihako Live♪ Location: Kim no Shima Kihako, who visited Komu in December 2024, returns! They plan to perform children’s songs and original pieces. You’re sure to be enchanted by Kihako’s gentle tones. - May 5 (Tue) Setoushi-kun coloring experience 🖍️ We offer several coloring sheets featuring Nishiokoppe Village’s character Setoushi-kun. The first 100 children (ages 3 to elementary school) will receive an original Setoushi-kun crayon as a gift! ① 10:00 AM–12:00 PM / ② 1:00 PM–2:00 PM A coloring area will be set up somewhere inside the Komu building. Entry and exit are free, so feel free to join anytime. - We look forward to your visit. - Forest Museum Komu Opening hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Closed: every Tuesday *During Golden Week the museum is open through Wednesday, May 6. It will be closed on Thursday, May 7. Admission fees: High school and older: 500 yen 4th grade to middle school: 300 yen Ages 3 to 3rd grade: 100 yen Under 3: free Inquiries: 0158-87-2600 #Forest Museum Komu #GW Festival #Komu

🌈A music event at Daisen Park will take place 🎤 Many food trucks and more will be on site✨ 〈World Heritage Mozu Tombs DAISEN MUSIC FESTIVAL〉 Saturday, April 18, 2026 — DANCE & LIVE lineup Sunday, April 19, 2026 — ARTIST LIVE lineup ⏰11:00 (OPEN) to 19:00 (CLOSE) 📍Large Lawn, Daisen Park (2 Mozu Sekiun‑chō, Sakai Ward, Sakai City) 💰Free admission (some food and drinks charged) For details ➡ @daisen_music_festival

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the New Year fire brigade ceremony by the Kawagoe Young Firefighters Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

We are giving away rhinoceros beetle larvae! A rhinoceros beetle larva giveaway event takes place at the Tokkome Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸 Dig up a larva from the soil yourself! 🌟Date: Saturday, April 4 🌟Time: First session starts at 11:45 AM Second session starts at 1:45 PM ※Ticket stubs will be distributed at headquarters 30 minutes before each session! 🌟Venue: Kaigara-yama Park 🌟Number distributed: 100 larvae per session 🌟Who: Children up to elementary school age 🌟Other: Canceled in case of rain or severe weather Commerce and Tourism Division https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/kanko-bunka-sports/kanko/kabutomushiproject/kabutomushi-event/r8kabutomushi.html...

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the New Year’s fire-departure ritual performed by the Kawagoe Young Firefighters Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the New Year’s fire brigade ceremony by Kawagoe Young Firefighters Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 11, 2014. A first-fire ceremony by the Kawagoe Young Firefighters Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on January 11, 2014. This is the New Year’s ladder-riding ritual by the Kawagoe Young Firefighters Association at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. Actually, I was laid up with a cold and couldn’t go see the ladder acrobatics, the rifle team demonstration, or the boat parade on the Shingashi River. 😭

The 18th Spring Maki Uma Festival “Tokkome Cherry Blossom Festival” 🐎🌸 --- We are holding a festival in the park near the National Historic Site Remains of Shimousa Kogane Nakanomaki (Wild horse-taming) in Kamagaya City to introduce the historic site to more people! Events include a quiz rally and stamp rally, pony rides, a horse-drawing corner, an on-site tour of the historic site, a mini exhibition, and food stalls from local neighborhood associations. There will also be a mölkky experience session and distribution of beetle larvae♪ *Various activities are prepared so people of all ages, from children to seniors, can enjoy the day ✨* Date and Time: Saturday, April 4, 11:00–15:00 Venue: Kaigara-yama Park: 2-22 Hatsutomihoncho, Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture Cultural and Sports Division https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/kanko-bunka-sports/bunka/kunishiseki/harunomakiuma/18harumaki.html#cms25B81...

Introduction to Shimanto Festivals in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture This introduces the local festivals that have been held in Shimanto City since long ago. 〇 Nakamura Region About 550 years ago, Norifusa Ichijo came down from Kyoto to the Nakamura Region, and many historic sites remain there, including streets and place names modeled after Kyoto. In the Nakamura Region, many festivals are held, including those associated with Tosa Ichijo. 1-1 Tosa Ichijo Kuge Gyoretsu (Fuji Matsuri) This event reenacts the arrival of Norifusa Ichijo, who left Kyoto in 1468 and took residence at Nakamura Gosho to restore the Hata manor, marking the foundations of Shimanto City. Modeled on Kyoto’s Aoi Matsuri court procession, the parade features a total of about 200 participants dressed in Muromachi Period costumes who march through the city. The colorful costumes, matching each role, unfold like a living historical picture. 1-2 Shimanto Citizen Festival The Shimanto Citizen Festival announces summer in Little Kyoto Nakamura. Organized mainly by the Shimanto Citizen Festival Executive Committee, a group of local volunteers, the festival includes citizen-participation events such as the Nakamura Dance parade and the lantern float parade. In particular, the powerful performance of the lantern floats, lit and paraded through the streets, offers inventive displays by each participating group and is well worth seeing. 1-3 All-Japan Jorogumo Sumo Tournament Long loved as a children’s summer pastime, this event is held on the first Saturday of August at Ichijo Shrine, located on a hill in the city center, as a summer memory for the children. Nationwide, this traditional event survives only in Shimanto City Nakamura and Kajiki Town in Kagoshima Prefecture. 1-4 Daimonji Bonfire The Daimonji Bonfire is an Obon custom in the Misaki district, Shimanto City, and a seasonal symbol that signals the end of summer in Little Kyoto Nakamura. On the 16th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, the slope of Todaijiyama (locally called Mt. Dainoji), where the mountain deity is worshipped, is carved into the shape of the character “大” and torches gathered from each household in the district are placed and burned. According to tradition, Fusaie, the son of Norifusa Ichijo, began this practice to console the spirits of Norifusa and his grandfather Kaneyoshi and to reminisce about Kyoto. Today, the event is run by local residents and delights many spectators as the "fire associated with Ichijo." 1-5 Shimanto Summer Fireworks Festival The Shimanto Citizen Festival, which heralds summer in Little Kyoto Nakamura, concludes with the Shimanto Summer Fireworks Festival, where music and fireworks perform together and a spectrum of colorful shells blaze into the sky. The fireworks reflected in the waters of the Shimanto River, called "Japan’s last clear stream," are simply exquisite. 1-6 Fuwa Hachimangu Grand Festival The Fuwa Hachimangu Grand Festival features the famous "marriage of the gods," with portable shrines of the male and female deities. After the male deity’s mikoshi, paraded through the town, awaits at Hachiman Shrine and the female deity’s mikoshi arrives, rituals such as the joining of the shrines are performed. This marriage ceremony of the deities is a rare ritual nationwide, said to have been started by Ichijo-ko, who enshrined the shrine, to discourage the then-common practice of abduction marriages. 1-7 Ichijo Grand Festival Since the establishment of Ichijo Shrine in the center of Shimanto City in 1862, this major festival has been held every year and represents Shimanto City. During the festival period, the sacred flame brought from Kyoto is displayed and many events, including a procession of children in historical costume, take place. 〇 Nishitosa Region The Nishitosa Region, located upstream in Shimanto City, features scattered riverside settlements and a peaceful landscape. In Nishitosa, traditional festivals passed down through generations are held in each district. 2-1 Iwama Boat Festival This ritual takes place at the summer festival of Iwama Tenmangu Shrine, when a mikoshi is placed on a boat and carried across the Shimanto River for a ceremony on the riverbank of the Kayou area. 2-2 Kondani Nembutsu Odori This Obon memorial ritual has been passed down in the Nishitosa Gonotani area of Shimanto City since around 1665. Bells and drums accompany the chanting of nembutsu, torches are lit on the riverbank for a water festival, and segaki memorial services and rites for newly deceased are performed. 2-3 Tachibana Mikoshi Boat Crossing In the Tachibana district, two shrines—Yasaka Shrine and Shiraiwa Shrine—face each other across the river, and on the eve of the autumn festival the sacred object is transported by boat from Shiraiwa Shrine to Yasaka Shrine. On the day of the autumn festival, after the rituals are held, the sacred object returns to Shiraiwa Shrine together with the mikoshi. 2-4 Hage Autumn Festival At the Hage Autumn Festival held at Hage Tenmangu Shrine, young people and children parade across the submersible bridge with the ox demon, mikoshi, and the flower-picking dance. The flower-picking dance is then performed on the shrine grounds. 2-5 Itsushika Odori Itsushika Odori is a traditional dance passed down through generations by local children and is dedicated at Kotohiragu Shrine during the Kotohira Festival in Nishitosanishikagata, Shimanto City.

The 34th Ogata Tulip Festa 2026 ❚ April 3–12, 2026 The dates for the 2026 Tulip Festa have been set. This year, 190,000 bulbs in 117 tulip varieties and two types of rape blossoms will bloom around Harajiri Falls. We will announce more details as they are decided. As the event approaches, the Bungoono City Tourism Association will share tulip bloom updates on its website and social media, so please check them. Date and time: Friday, April 3–Sunday, April 12, 2026 Location: Around Harajiri Falls Note: On weekends during the event, the Roadside Station Harajiri Falls parking lot will not be available. Shuttle buses will run from temporary parking areas. Contact for event inquiries Tulip Festa Executive Committee Office TEL 0974-42-2111 Access from Fukuoka, Kumamoto and other prefectures 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 ########## Explore Kyushu and Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Discover recommended sightseeing spots ##########

Saijo Shibetsu Store 29th Anniversary Birthday Festival 🎉 Saijo Shibetsu Store celebrates its 29th birthday with a special festival! During the two days of the festival, we hosted a Nishiokoppe Village booth where children could play with wooden toys. Kids enjoyed wooden sandboxes, the Miracle Korokoro Tower, wooden cars, and many other playthings brought from the Forest Museum “Mokumu.” In a corner of the play area, we ran a Setoushi‑kun coloring activity and a castanet-making workshop! Children colored with the original Nishiokoppe Village crayons created as souvenirs for the village’s 100th anniversary—did everyone enjoy them? The castanets were simple in structure: two wooden boards smoothed by the village’s woodworking instructor are stacked and tied together with elastic cord to finish. After decorating their own castanets, participants took their finished instruments home as gifts. Some children played with their homemade castanets right at the booth, filling the air with pleasant wooden tones. Setoushi‑kun seemed delighted to mingle with many children and other local mascots. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! - From the 21st to the 23rd, the birthday festival offers even more exciting events. Check Saijo Shibetsu Store’s account for updates 👀 Come do your shopping at Saijo Shibetsu Store this weekend! #Saijo Shibetsu Store #Birthday Festival #Setoushi‑kun #Forest Museum Mokumu

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 6–7, 2026 Kiso town Fukushima inn, from Kisofukushima Station to the former Nakasendo area

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival February 3, Shiojiri City, Narai inn (Narai-juku) Entire Narai-juku

We visited the Otaru Snow Festival on a day when the snowfall felt almost unreal, layers upon layers of snow covering everything in sight. The cold was intense, yet the spirit of the people was even stronger—unshaken, cheerful, and welcoming. Despite the heavy snow, they warmly invited us to become part of the festival, as if we belonged there all along. Though the air was biting, the kindness and smiles around us filled the atmosphere with joy. As evening fell, the sight of countless candles glowing softly along the canal was nothing short of magical—the gentle light reflecting on the snow and water turned Otaru into a living winter dream.

Photographed on February 7, 2014. The 19th Koedo Kawagoe Amateur Chindon Festival took place.