【GW was full of events! 🎏】 Gokasecho's Golden Week was packed with events every day! All the events were created by the local community. 👏 Here are some highlights from the events enjoyed by both adults and children during Golden Week. 💡 【May 3 (Sun)】 ● Shiroyama Opening Ceremony The Shiroyama Opening Ceremony was held to pray for the safety of hikers. Unfortunately, due to rain, it took place at the Kotono Shrine assembly hall, but there were rice balls, grilled meat, drinks, and a lottery! 【May 4 (Mon)】 ● Kurara Festival The festival featured a flea market, various goods, workshops, fortune-telling, relaxation, and many delicious food stalls! This year, a stamp rally was also held! The popular lottery from last year had many prizes! It was bustling with people! 【May 5 (Tue)】 ● Utakeyama Azalea Festival The Utakeyama Azalea Festival was held to pray for the safety of hikers. In the morning, a "koinobori sports day" was held, enjoyable for everyone from children to the elderly. In the afternoon, there were quizzes, stage programs, and a variety of activities!

【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!😊

[All About Gokasecho in Spring 🌸] Here are some photos of Gokasecho in full bloom 📷 Rhododendrons, weeping cherry blossoms, and Akebono azaleas were in full bloom! Please feel free to submit your photos for Gokase Hanami 2026!

【🌸 Gokase Cherry Blossom Viewing 2026 🌸】 From Friday, March 20th to Sunday, May 10th! The cherry buds are growing darker and larger, and we eagerly await the blooms😊 Please follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/)... and post photos of flowers taken in Gokase Town with the two hashtags #GokaseHanami2026 and #PhotoDate (e.g., #March20) 🤳❤️‍🔥 Every day during the event one person will win a specialty product from Gokasecho🎁✨ Outstanding entries will receive a gift set of Gokasecho specialty products🤩👏 Following last year, there is also the "Gokase Sakura Project Award" chosen by members of the student-led Gokase Sakura Project from Gokase Secondary School✨ ⚠️This award applies to the weeping cherry at Kijiya🌸 Entries posted with the hashtags may be featured on the social media of the Gokase Tourism Association and the Gokase Sakura Project💡 [Period] From Friday, March 20th, 2026 to Sunday, May 10th, 2026 ⚠️Other terms and conditions are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/index.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing. ------------------------------------------ In Gokasecho, which at last welcomes spring, you can enjoy many flowers besides the weeping cherry, including rhododendrons and akebono azaleas🌸 Why not take a leisurely flower tour around Gokasecho while soaking up the warm sunshine🤗? We sincerely look forward to your participation✨

Dinner in Gokase 🍴 Today I’m sharing a dinner that a tourism association staff member recently enjoyed ✨ Starting with the dinner 🍴 Top photo: roasted venison 🥩 Look at that shine… 🤩 (Ah… this is very much the staff member’s personal impression) This was a shocking dish that made me think, I’ve never had venison this delicious before… 💡 After tasting this roasted venison, all my previous assumptions about game meat were turned upside down! The vegetables were mainly local, seasoned so you could eat them endlessly 😊 The wild boar stew left no trace in the pot—scooped up with bread— the chicken was tender and juicy, and the venison Bolognese was neatly finished off 😋 Even the dessert, a kettle-roasted tea brownie, made this a hugely satisfying dinner 👏 This time I had a non-alcoholic cocktail, and it was thoroughly satisfying ✨ …I’m really frustrated I couldn’t drink alcohol… 😭 (saying it out loud) This dinner was at: Guesthouse & Bar EL CAMPO 📍872-1 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture Note: The venue normally opens Friday through Sunday, but will open on weekdays by reservation. Note: Course meals are available with a reservation at least one day in advance.

🎎 Kuwanouchi Hina Doll Exhibition 🎎 Today (February 27) I went to see the hina doll exhibition in the Kuwanouchi district.👀✨ I lost track of time admiring the dolls loaned by local residents and the artworks arranged around them.🥰 The warmth of the community seemed to shine through the hina dolls.💖

[Sky and Frost-Covered Trees] Last Friday (January 23) I went to Gokase Highland Ski Resort. The sky was clear that day, making it not only perfect for skiing but also ideal for photography. I warmed my freezing hands as best I could and protected my camera from the cold while shooting. I plan to share these images unedited. The Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram photo contest “Winter in Gokase 2026” is still accepting entries, so please consider submitting your work!

Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura & Kotono Shrine Night Kagura From the evening of January 10 into the morning of January 11, the Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura and the Kotono Shrine Night Kagura were safely offered again this year 👹 I can still hear the drumbeat pounding in the back of my ears and the clear, high sound of the flute ringing in my mind 😆 You could hear the dancers’ breathing, see children watching intently, and feel the atmosphere of kagura as locals and returnees to Gokase gathered together ✨ We were treated to another wonderful performance this year 🥰 This beautiful night was made possible by the preservation society members who trained diligently, the local women’s association who served warm meals and drinks through the night, and the officers and staff who worked tirelessly to ensure smooth operations. The smiles of the visitors who return to this place each year exist because of the devoted support of these community members 👏 We would be happy to watch over this proud Gokase kagura tradition with you again next year and the year after 💕 Thank you very much to everyone who came from afar in the cold!

Gokase Highland Ski Resort OPEN ✨ Today (12/19), the southernmost ski resort in Japan, Gokase Highland Ski Resort, opened ❄ An opening ceremony was held from 10:00, and skiers and snowboarders who had been eagerly awaiting this day attended 🎿🏂 The slopes are limited to about half their usual width, but the snowpack is solid 💡 As temperatures drop and more snow accumulates, the slopes should reach even better conditions 😊 Come and visit Gokase Highland Ski Resort this winter 😍⛄

Kyushu’s snowy mountain and winter vistas are here! ❄️ Gokase Highland Ski Resort Japan’s southernmost spot for supreme powder snow, Gokase Highland Ski Resort, opens on Friday, December 19th! As shown in the video, nothing beats the exhilaration of carving under a blue sky and the breathtaking sight of the frost-covered trees—snow monsters—that leave you speechless🏔️✨ With runs designed for everyone from beginners to experts and a sweeping panorama visible from the slopes, Gokase Highland offers a unique appeal!! Warm up your chilled body with the cozy dishes at the lodge🍜! This winter, enjoy the ultimate snowy mountain experience at Gokase Highland Ski Resort⛄

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Whole-House Rental Guesthouse Shoya no Yakata A whole-house rental tucked into the heart of Kuwanoe, surrounded by Gokase’s natural beauty 🌿 At certain seasons you can even see a breathtaking sea of clouds…👀✨ Time flows here at a relaxed pace…⌚ Enjoy a soothing satoyama stay that unwinds the mind ✨ You can make reservations conveniently via LINE ☺ <Contact> Official LINE: lin.ee/4CTokHm Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoya_no_yakata/?hl=ja...

A Few More Places to Enjoy Autumn Leaves 🍁 Today I drove toward the Kuraoka Area 🚘 The peak of the fall foliage seems to have passed, but the mountains around Gokase are now dyed in the deep, late-autumn colors. It’s truly the ‘‘last chance beauty’’ to behold 👀✨ In some spots vivid leaves still remain, and the ground is carpeted with fallen leaves, offering a scene full of atmosphere to enjoy 🍁✨ Why not bring a warm drink and come feel the quiet, beautiful end of autumn in Gokase? With temperatures dropping sharply this weekend, this may be the final viewing, so please come soon 😆

[Autumn Foliage Drive 🚘] Today I went for a drive to hunt for the remaining autumn leaves as they’re dwindling 🚗 First stop was Josenji Temple 🍁 The maple trees around the temple showed a range of colors, and every view was beautiful ✨ Mt. Nijo, being higher in elevation, didn’t have great foliage this year 😅 Still, the lookout gave a sweeping view of the mountains; the wind was cold but it felt refreshing 😊

Talents from Gokase Gathered! ✨ The "Yūhi no Sato Sakuhin-ten Exhibition" and the "Small Shimotsuki Festival in Sato," held on November 15 and 16, concluded to great success! Thank you so much to everyone who attended 😊 The venue, filled with impressive works mainly by local residents, shone with warm sensibility✨ Many people joined the hands-on sessions and created pieces that showcased their individuality 😆 It was a heartwarming event that brought together people of all ages, from children to adults 🥰

Autumn leaves in Gokasecho🍁 The autumn colors in Gokasecho have suddenly deepened over the past few days🍁 The foliage in front of Shirataki Falls in Kuraoka District is not fully colored yet, but overall the area is at peak color✨ I also visited Myoken Shrine and other spots in Kuraoka District; the maples there still need a bit more time to peak💡 Some areas will continue to change color, but how about a drive to see Gokase’s autumn leaves this weekend?😊 ⚠Notice⚠ The road to Shirataki is a forest road with poor conditions. There is little space for cars to pass. We do not recommend driving if you lack confidence, are in a large vehicle, or are driving a low-clearance car.

Divine glow ✨ On the way back from photographing Shirataki Falls, the pampas grass lit by sunlight looked divine, so I took a picture 📷 You can see gleaming pampas grass around town right now 👀 The temperature swings between morning and evening have deepened the autumn colors 🍁 Peak foliage may still be a little way off, but you can already feel the autumn scenery and breeze beyond the leaves 🌰

Gokase Town Fukushi Festival This year’s Fukushi Festival was once again wrapped in warm energy! 🙌 The theme this year was “Spreading the Circle of Welfare to Tomorrow.” True to its name, the welfare center venue was full of smiles and kindness pointing toward Gokase Town’s future 😊 The bazaar, which began at 10:00, was a huge hit 🔥 Many people gathered hunting for bargains, and lively circles of socializing spread throughout the venue 👚 We even saw lots of children carrying stuffed animals bigger than themselves 👀 A variety of stage performances were fantastic, offering entertainment for all ages and bringing the whole venue together in excitement 🔥 Through displays of welfare activities and the bazaar, this Fukushi Festival naturally fostered a spirit of mutual support 🥰 From the staff who helped run the event to local residents and student volunteers, people of all ages—from children to seniors—had a chance to shine 👏 The Fukushi Festival is a truly lovely event where you can feel Gokase’s circle of kindness spreading into tomorrow and beyond. I already want to join this warm circle again next year ✨

【✨Gokase Autumn Leaves 2025 Campaign✨】 A little over a week has passed since we announced the winners of Summer Gokase 2025… #Gokase Autumn Leaves 2025 Campaign is now open 😆 Mornings and evenings have turned noticeably colder, and the autumn leaves are beginning to color 🍁 Please post photos of autumn scenery and fall foliage taken in Gokase Town #Include the shooting date (for example: #November 1) and #GokaseAutumnLeaves2025 on Instagram! Each day during the campaign one person will win a specialty product from Gokase Town! Outstanding entries will receive a Gokase Town specialty gift set!! Submitted photos may be featured on the Gokase Tourism Association’s social media and other channels. [Period] From Friday, October 24, 2025 to Tuesday, November 25, 2025 *The period may change depending on circumstances.* [Eligibility] Those who agree to the terms of use *The terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website.* 1. Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko) 2. Post autumn photos taken in Gokase Town on Instagram with the hashtags "#shooting date (for example: #November 1)" and "#GokaseAutumnLeaves2025" Autumn foliage updates are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website as they become available 💡 Please come and enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves of Gokase Town 🥰 ⚠ Caution ⚠ Some locations may be difficult to access by car. If you are not confident driving, do not push yourself. Exercise care and prioritize safety when traveling.

Sunset Village Festa 2025 in Gokase On Sunday, October 12, the 27th Sunset Village Festa 2025 in Gokase took place under clear skies at Gokase Winery Event Square. 🌞 An opening drum performance instantly raised the festival mood, and the Dange-nana Dance by Kamikumi Elementary School and the Dan-shichi Odori Preservation Group united the crowd. ✨ Dance and hula routines had many people spontaneously joining in. ✨ Kainina’s song choices hit the perfect notes, and they got so into the music they paid little attention to the cameras. 🎶 At the Aju Girls’ stage, fans crowded the front to take photos. 📷 Momashi Five brought their signature presence, involving the whole audience and putting smiles on everyone’s faces. 😆 In the on-site fields visitors enjoyed a sweet potato digging experience; many left with sacks full of piping-hot sweet potatoes. 🍠 The main guests, the Toshiki Abe Life Memory Project, played melodies that perfectly matched the venue’s evening atmosphere as dusk approached. 😍 The finale featured kagura ritual music from Kotono Shrine. 👹 A roaming lion dance through the venue drew screams and laughter from different corners. 😅 Many people also joined the final mochi-throwing. 😊 We were treated to the beautiful sunset that inspired the name Sunset Village, making it another delightful day this year. ✨

Gion Shrine Autumn Festival "Okunchi Festival" On October 9th, the Gion Shrine autumn festival "Okunchi Festival" took place in Kuraoka ⛩ It was held under a clear, slightly warm sky 🌞 Traditional performing arts were presented, including a kagura dedication, the Usu-daiko drum dance, and yamabushi dialogue rituals ✨ The Usu-daiko drum dance welcomed walk-in participants, and many people joined in 😊 Watching participants from inside and outside the prefecture join local residents to form a circle and perform the same dance is moving every time I experience it 😭 And this year saw the revival of the "Negai-kake Kagura" (wish-offering kagura) 👹 The powerful yet solemn dance, carrying on the original custom called the "Festival of Wish Fulfillment," stirred my heart 💖 Having kagura performed to make a wish is such a wonderful tradition ✨ Everyone, please come to Gokase’s autumn festival next year! Walk-in participation is very welcome 🙌

Izayoi 🌕 October 6 was the harvest moon, and October 7 was izayoi (the sixteenth night) 🌕 I just learned that “十六夜” can be read as “izayoi” 😲 It’s my first time knowing that 😅 On both nights the bright moon lit up the sky😍 These photos were taken on the night of the 7th 📷 You can see my trials to capture the moon’s surface in shots four and five 😅 I stitched together moments between clouds and kept adjusting the camera, and somehow managed to take a beautiful shot 😆 Can you see the rabbit? 🐇 Maybe my camera skills have improved just a little bit 😂

Early autumn in Gokase 🌾 Mornings and evenings have turned quite cool — actually almost cold at times 😂 The rice fields are golden and harvest has begun; you can see rice hung out to dry in places 😊 Spider lilies seem past their peak, but cosmos flowers were blooming everywhere 🌸 When I visited the cotton fields in Kuraoka, the fluffy cotton bolls had burst open 😍 I enjoyed the pleasant autumn breeze and felt the season of harvest 😆

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage “Ara Odori” Ara Odori was offered on September 28th 🐵 Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this Ara Odori captivates viewers with vivid costumes and powerful dance 👀✨ This year the event took place indoors because of rain, which concentrated the excitement! 🔥 The audience was closer to the performance, creating an even more immersive experience 👍 Supporting this tradition is the future of the community ✨ Alongside local adults, children from Sakamoto Elementary performed with serious expressions as they carry the dance forward, earning big applause 👏

Moncher × Gokase Grapes 🍇 I visited the Gokase grape collaboration now on sale at Moncher Seasons in Hakata Hankyu.✨ The cakes displayed in the showcase looked as delicious as they sounded… 🍰 A kind staff member showed me the cakes made with Gokase grapes. 👀 They said the collaboration has been widely promoted, and some customers come specifically for the cakes featuring Gokase grapes. 😆 I tried the soft-serve made with Campbell Early grapes. 🍦 The soft-serve wasn’t overly sweet, and the aroma of Campbell Early gently spread through it, making it perfect for this still-warm season. 😍 The cakes using Gokase grapes are scheduled to be sold through the end of September. 💡 Be sure to visit Moncher Seasons on the B1 level of Hakata Hankyu. 😊

[👒 Summer Gokase 2025 Entry Photo Showcase ④ 👒] Thank you for entering the “Summer Gokase 2025” campaign 😆 Thanks to you, we received many submissions ✨ Here are some of the photos submitted to “#Summer Gokase 2025”! @kakigoori2020 @gokase_pan @chika_narita @niidome2110 @tae_gerbera35 @narunaru918 @kokoyukeip There were many other wonderful entries besides the ones shown 😆 We will now begin judging! Please wait a little while for the announcement of the results 😁

[👒 Summer Gokase 2025 Photo Entries Spotlight ③ 👒] Thank you for entering the "Summer Gokase 2025" campaign 😆 Thanks to you, we received many submissions ✨ Here are some of the photos posted to "Summer Gokase 2025"! @kakigoori2020 @machieri9.3 @fouzan_839 @totalrelaxation_salon_spring @gokase_pan We will now begin the selection process! Please wait for the results to be announced 😁

Nukazuke Workshop🥕 A "Nukazuke Workshop" was held to showcase local ingredients and inspire new ideas for processing them.💡 Under the guidance of Rieko Teramoto, who is from Gokase, participants first tasted the nukazuke prepared yesterday.🥢 There were 18 varieties in total!! Familiar vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and daikon sat alongside new flavor discoveries such as dried shiitake, konnyaku, and myoga.👀✨ Next, Teramoto demonstrated how to prepare the nuka bed in front of everyone, teaching about moisture levels and other details.📝 She then shared ready-to-use nuka beds for participants to take home, and everyone immediately began pickling the vegetables they had brought.😊 They said the pickles should be ready in about 12 hours, and everyone left excited to eat their creations, carefully taking their own nuka beds home.🥰 I can’t wait to try the nukazuke made by the participants next time.😍

Gokase Winery's First Pressing of 2025!🍇 A new wine born from the blessings of Gokase is on the way🍷 This year too, winemaking has begun using grapes nurtured by Gokase’s fertile land💡 Every bottle from Gokase Winery uses only grapes carefully grown in Gokasecho😁 These grapes, which endured Gokase’s harsh winters and ripened under the summer sun, each offer a uniquely delicious flavor. This unwavering commitment to 100% locally grown grapes underpins the quality of Gokase Winery’s wines✨ The first-pressed Campbell Early this season features a fruity aroma and refreshing acidity🍇 A sweet, rich scent filled the winery, raising excitement for the new wine🎵 This year’s vintage is another wonderful result, filled with the producers’ love😆 New Niagara and Campbell Early wines are scheduled for sale on Saturday, October 18th🍷

The 3rd National Mountain Stream Fishing Tournament 🎣 Today (August 23rd) the 3rd National Mountain Stream Fishing Tournament took place 🐟 Despite worries about the weather due to typhoons, the day turned out fine and more than 170 people attended the venue 😊 The event that drew the loudest cheers from many children was the fish-catching game limited to elementary school age and younger Some large cherry trout and eels were included, and while the children were completely absorbed, the surrounding parents were excited too 🔥 In the fishing competition, the person who caught a total of more than 8 kg won the large haul prize and took first place 🏆 The biggest fish measured 28 cm 💡 Thank you to everyone who took part in the fishing tournament 🎣 We hope to care for the river environment so this tournament can continue for many years 🥰

【👒Summer in Gokase 2025 Photo Submissions — Spotlight 1👒】 We are featuring photos submitted to the "#Summer in Gokase 2025" contest currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account! @goto0619 @niidome2110 @sakai_0808 Thank you for your submissions 😆✨ We are still accepting entries!! How to enter (Submission period — through September 15) Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags "#Summer in Gokase 2025" and "#Gokase" 📸 We look forward to your entries 🙇‍♀️✨