Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, October 3rd, the 8th Tokachi Shimizu Garlic and Meat Festival will be held! 😊 This event is all about enjoying the local specialties of Shimizu Town: garlic and meat! 🎵 At the venue, you can savor garlic dishes such as deep-fried garlic, garlic zangy, long yam garlic rice cakes, and sweets made with black garlic, along with local gourmet delights like Tokachi Wakaushi and Gyū Toro Don. 😍 Additionally, we will have the "Milk Consumption Expansion Project" and "Sugar Consumption Expansion Project" where everyone can drink and eat together! ✨✨ Moreover, there will be plenty of attractions for children!‼ You can enjoy a ride on a fire truck and a police car, experience riding the Type 96 wheeled armored vehicle from the Self-Defense Forces, try on firefighter and Self-Defense Forces uniforms for free, and enjoy a bouncy slide, making it a fun day for the whole family! 🎵🎵 Currently, we are selling set tickets for the Tokachi Wakaushi BBQ (350g) with Tokachi Shimizu garlic ajillo. Advance tickets: 1,800 yen, Day-of tickets: 2,000 yen (includes chopsticks, plates, and sauce) Many luxurious prizes will be drawn from among ticket purchasers! Since it’s on a Saturday, let’s enjoy the exquisite garlic and meat gourmet without worrying about the next day! 🤗 🔶Advance Ticket Outlets ・Shimizu Town Hall (Agriculture and Forestry Division, Mikage Branch) ・JA Tokachi Shimizu (Head Office Planning Office, Mikage Branch) ・Shimizu Town Chamber of Commerce ・Ticket Pia 🔶Contact Information ・Shimizu Town Hall Agriculture and Forestry Division TEL: 0156-62-2112 ・JA Tokachi Shimizu Planning Office TEL: 0156-62-2167 https://www.town.shimizu.hokkaido.jp/section/07/details/post_87.html...

[Mochitsuki Challenge] At the Shinto Shrine Festival in Nishiokoppe District, the Women's Association of the Chamber of Commerce tours various neighborhoods with the portable shrine, and after the rituals, they have a tradition of throwing rice cakes to the attendees. This time, we will introduce the preparation of those rice cakes. The amount of glutinous rice prepared is a total of 55 kg, combining both white and red rice cakes. A few members of the Women's Association gathered in the morning to soak the glutinous rice. After dispersing once, 40 participants gathered at 4 PM for the mochi pounding. Villagers and cottage guests, in addition to the Women's Association, also joined in!✨️ While a machine is used for the "pounding" part, the more people there are to quickly finish tasks such as cooking, tearing, shaping, cooling, and bagging, the better. Once the mochi is pounded, it becomes a race against time. Starch powder is spread on the work table, and the freshly pounded mochi is quickly torn apart. Since the mochi is extremely hot, we put on thick gloves and managed to tear it apart. Once shaped nicely while still hot, it needs to be cooled down! If it is bagged without cooling, it will mold, so the cooling process is very important. Once round, small, and cooled mochi is ready, it is bagged and the process is complete. Thanks to the wonderful teamwork, all the mochi (about 2,300 pieces!?) were successfully bagged. After about three hours of focused work, we filled our stomachs with handmade udon and pickles before dispersing. I feel that these behind-the-scenes tasks add more color to the festival atmosphere. This big job happens once a year. I secretly look forward to next year as well. #Nishiokoppe Village #Mochitsuki #Shinto Shrine Festival #Red and White Mochi #We did our best.

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, September 27th, the 51st Urahoro Furusato Minori Festival will be held! 😊 This event is a grand harvest festival celebrating the autumn bounty of crops. The day will kick off with a spectacular opening show by the Urahoro Junior High School Brass Band and Miracle Beans. ✨ On stage, we will present a musical show featuring Junretsu and Fujii Kaai. 🎵🎵 Additionally, there will be exciting events such as the annual "Minori Maki" (mochi throwing) with luxurious prizes, a thrilling "Autumn Flavor Catching" contest, and a stamp rally with local specialties to win! 😍 There will also be fun activities for children, including firewood splitting, woodworking crafts, and a ride-along experience in a high-altitude work vehicle!‼ Local gourmet foods and food trucks will gather at the venue, allowing you to enjoy delicious menus. Moreover, we will hold a photo campaign where you can win Urahoro local products by submitting photos taken during the festival. We invite you to come with your family and friends! 🤗 【Important Request】About the mochi for Minori Maki The popular "Minori Maki" has seen instances where collected mochi are being discarded in large quantities at garbage stations. This mochi is handmade with care by the townspeople, who put in great effort to prepare it for everyone. We kindly ask that you take the mochi you collect home with you and enjoy it deliciously. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔶Date and Time: September 27, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:20 PM *Rain or shine 🔶Venue: Urahoro Forest Park 🔶Parking: Due to congestion in parking areas near the venue, please use the free shuttle bus from Urahoro Town Hall. 🔶Contact: Urahoro Tourism Association TEL: 015-576-2181 (within the Industry Division of the Town Hall) https://www.urahoro.jp/administration/?content=3447...

"Wasshoi, wasshoi" The Kamiokoppe District held its Shinto shrine festival on September 7, while the Nishiokoppe District celebrated on September 11. This is an important community event where residents come together to participate. In both districts, people gather in front of the shrine, and the portable shrine procession parades through the town. Banners and large fans contrasted beautifully against the blue sky. Since I usually travel by car, this might have been the day I walked the most all year. The sounds of drums and flutes accompany the shouts of "wasshoi" echoing throughout the town. Adults who can drink during the day also enjoy sacred sake 🍶 In the Nishiokoppe District, the lion dance performers and tengu meet. Chigo and elementary school students in happi coats walked a lot as well. #Nishiokoppe Village #Shinto shrine festival #Gratitude #Portable shrine procession #Rice cakes

On August 22, 2026, the 8th Bungo Buono Station Front Marche was held in Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The venue featured various stalls offering light snacks such as shaved ice and sweets, as well as drinks like juice and coffee. Additionally, there were lottery draws, free tuk-tuk rides, and a light truck sauna, making it a bustling event from evening until night. The stage showcased a variety of performances including children's taiko drumming, ukulele, kagura, hula, and kids' dance, culminating in a lively lottery and mochi throwing that drew cheers from all around the venue. A heartfelt thank you to all the vendors, performers, and attendees. ■■Access to the center of Bungoono City from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourist attractions and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Gentazakura This is an Edohigan cherry tree estimated to be 300 years old, located on a mountain path known as "Sakura Sanri." There are two trees with diameters of 2.88m and 2.15m. They are designated as a natural monument by the city. The origin of the name "Gentazakura" comes from a story about Matsuyama han-shi Yano Goroemon Genta, who made prisoners plant cherry trees along the Nakayama River road. Unable to endure the harsh labor, one prisoner lamented, "Though the cherry blossoms bloom, it is Genta who punishes, and they will bear no fruit," which inspired the name. On Sundays in late March or early April, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the "Gentazakura Festival" is held, bustling with events like bazaars and rice cake throwing, attracting many tourists who come to catch a glimpse of the grand Edohigan cherry tree.

The 33rd Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival ❚ Held on August 23, 2026 The "Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival" will take place at Sugao Stone Buddha Front Square in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. Starting with sacred rituals and Buddhist ceremonies in the evening, the festival will be filled with exciting taiko performances, kagura, and torch throwing, creating a lively atmosphere as night falls. One of the highlights is the "Rooster Imitation Contest," inspired by local legends. Participants don handmade costumes (though costumes are not required) and showcase their unique performances imitating rooster sounds in a fun event. Enjoy the nostalgic and rich atmosphere of this fire festival at the venue. 【Date】Sunday, August 23, 2026 【Location】Sugao Stone Buddha Front Square (Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture) 【Parking】Parking is available in front of Sugao Elementary School (a free shuttle taxi will operate to the venue) 【Event Schedule】 15:00 Sacred rituals and Buddhist ceremonies 15:10 Oni Welcoming 15:20 Opening Ceremony and Mochi Throwing 15:30 Toyokai Taiko 16:00 Rooster Imitation Contest 17:00 Torch Throwing 18:00 Okubata Kagura 20:00 End ▶ Rooster Imitation Contest Participants Wanted 【Participation Fee】Free (Participation prizes available) 【Application Deadline】Thursday, August 20, 2026 【Prizes】1st place: 30,000 yen; 2nd place: 20,000 yen; 3rd place: 10,000 yen in gift certificates 【Additional Prize】Roadside Station Mie gift certificate Applications can be made through the Sugao Regional Promotion Council 【Organizer and Contact Information】 Sugao Regional Promotion Council TEL: 090-7455-4739 ❚ What is the Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival? It is organized by local residents to promote regional revitalization and raise awareness of the Sugao rock-carved Buddha. The "Rooster Imitation Contest" is based on local legends. According to the legend, an oni (demon) that had settled in the area demanded, "Give me a village girl as a bride!" The troubled village chief consulted a monk, who told the oni, "If you carve five stone Buddhas into the cliff in one night, I will give you a daughter as a bride; if not, you must leave the village." Concerned villagers went to check at night and found the oni carving the fifth statue. They had the village's rooster imitation master imitate a rooster's crow, tricking the oni into thinking it was morning, causing it to flee. ■■ Access from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to the center of Bungoono City ■■■ About 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About 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 ■■■■■■■■■■■■

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 ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Today, I visited Iroha and Inconeri for their breakfast collaboration. We had savory pancakes (not sweet Taiwanese crepes), salty soy milk soup, and seasonal vegetable side dishes from Inconeri. The breakfast collaboration will take place tomorrow from 9 AM to 12 PM. My motivation for learning Chinese has increased. Thank you! 😊💖

[Traditional Event] Satokagura at Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine in Kanbayashi Every July, the Satokagura is offered to pray for the peace of the Kanbayashi District. It has also been designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city. The Satokagura is said to have been continued since the Kamakura period, but it was interrupted once after World War II. In the 1950s, local people revived this important ritual, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Kagura Preservation Society. The Satokagura at Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine will be offered tomorrow. Offering Date and Time: July 12, 2023 (Sunday) From 1:00 PM, the ritual Around 1:30 PM, the Kagura offering After that, there will be a children's sumo tournament and mochi throwing. *There is no parking available at the shrine. #Toon City #Kanbayashi District #Satokagura #Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine #Intangible Folk Cultural Property #Traditional Event #Kamibayashi Kagura Preservation Society #Kagura Offering

Shrine Festival The Kamikoppu area holds its shrine festival on September 7, and Nishiokoppe Village celebrates its shrine festival on September 11. It’s the day when people parade through their neighborhood with the portable shrine. In Kamikoppu, a night-before celebration called yomiya-sai is also held, making for a lively few days. In Nishiokoppe, an entertainment show takes place on the evening of the festival day, where villagers perform and enjoy drinks together while watching the acts. People wearing happi coats and children dressed as ochigo (festival pages) add to the festive atmosphere. Walking through the streets of Kamikoppu, I heard the taiko drums echo off the surrounding mountains and return as a distant rumble. I’ll post about the entertainment show in a separate entry. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Shrine Festival #Autumn #Mikoshi (portable shrine) #Procession #Ochigo (festival child) #Happi coat #Mochimaki (rice cake throwing)

Here are some recommended experiences. In Urahorocho, where forestry thrives, charcoal burning has been practiced for about 100 years. At one of the few remaining charcoal kilns in Japan, you can hear stories about charcoal from the producers and experience traditional Japanese techniques and culture. On this tour, you will visit shrines that convey Japanese history and culture, learn proper worship from a kannushi (Shinto priest), and after praying draw omikuji fortune slips and enjoy a tea ceremony as a form of Japanese hospitality. You will also take part in mochi-tsuki, the traditional ritual of pounding mochi offered to the gods, making and eating anko mochi (mochi with red bean paste) and ozoni (mochi soup) yourself. Mochi-tsuki is a Japanese ritual of giving thanks to the gods and receiving their blessing; because it is a cooperative activity done by several people, it also offers a chance to strengthen bonds among family and community. In the afternoon, you will try charcoal burning. In Japan, charcoal has long been produced by carbonizing wood using traditional techniques. Cooking over charcoal enhances the sweetness of ingredients and makes food more delicious. Charcoal also has other benefits, such as adsorbing impurities to purify water and removing odorous substances to deodorize. On this tour, you will taste the deliciousness of ingredients cooked on a charcoal barbecue. We want visitors to meet producers they would not normally encounter, learn about their thoughts, and experience the region’s culture and food. We hope these experiences lead to new discoveries and perspectives, helping people live healthier, richer lives. If you are interested, please apply at the following URL. We introduce some recommended experiences. In Urahorocho, where forestry flourishes, charcoal burning has been a livelihood for about 100 years. At one of the few remaining charcoal kilns in Japan, you can hear producers talk about charcoal and experience traditional Japanese techniques and culture. This tour visits places that let you feel Japan’s history and culture, including shrines where a kannushi will teach you the etiquette of worship directly. After visiting, you can draw omikuji and experience tea ceremony as Japanese hospitality. You will also try mochi-tsuki, making and eating anko mochi and ozoni yourself. Mochi-tsuki is a traditional Japanese ritual offering thanks to the gods and receiving their power; as a cooperative activity performed by several people, it provides an opportunity to deepen ties with family and local people. In the afternoon, you will experience charcoal burning. Using age-old traditional techniques, wood is carbonized to make charcoal in Japan. Grilling with charcoal brings out the sweetness of ingredients and cooks them deliciously. Charcoal also offers various effects, such as adsorbing impurities to purify water and adsorbing and removing substances that cause unpleasant odors to deodorize. On the tour, you will enjoy a charcoal-grilled barbecue to experience the food’s flavor. We want people to interact with producers they normally cannot meet, learn about their feelings, and taste the region’s culture and food. Through these experiences, we hope participants gain new discoveries and values and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. If you are interested, please apply via the URL below. https://slow-life-hokkaido.com/tour/urahoro-charcoal-kiln-tour/...

New Year Mochi Pounding The annual mochi pounding event said to take place at Guesthouse GA.KOPPER! It was held on January 2nd! Guests staying at the guesthouse and village residents gathered around a single mortar to pound mochi, while those who wanted to relax sipped sweet sake in the dining room. White mochi and mochi with beans or brown rice were lined up, and everyone enjoyed them with nori, grated daikon, nameko mushrooms, sweet red bean paste, or roasted soybean flour to their liking. A hit with the children was chocolate! Eating mochi with chocolate was an idea we had never seen before! Timed with the mochi pounding, the sight of watching children jumping with serious faces made for a heartwarming day. #Nishiofuke Village #GA.KOPPER #New Year #Mochi pounding #Mochi and chocolate #Nameko mushrooms and grated daikon were delicious

[New Year's Event] We held various New Year's events on New Year's Day! Here's how it 💁🏻 ♀️ looks First of all, we distributed candy lucky bags for children! A lucky bag 🍭 with a lot of sweets such as delicious sticks We prepared two types, lion dance and dharma, but it seems that 😏 the dharma bag was more popular For adults, behave 🍶 sake Japan sake from New Year's Day is exceptional! When you put salt on the spout and drink it, the taste of the sake stands out and is delicious, so I also prepared salt. Please try 💁🏻 ♀️ it at home And we also had mochitsuki! First, the general manager and deputy general manager show off their mochi tsuki! By the way, the general manager is 🐲 a man who is old this year At the end, we handed out red and white mochi! There were two colors of rice cakes, red and white, which are ♪ perfect for the New Year In addition, we were able 👏🏻 to hold an event full of New Year's feeling, such as offering afternoon tea🧁 limited to New Year's at noon We hope you enjoyed it! This year, we will continue to plan more and more events that will please everyone, so please join 🙋🏻 ♀️ us

Shrine Festival A shrine festival giving thanks for the autumn harvest was held recently. The Kamiokoppe area held its festival on September 7, and Nishiokoppe held theirs on September 11. In the mornings, lanterns hung from the streetlights and other decorations fluttered in the breeze. The mikoshi procession featured blue and orange happi coats, colorful banners and fans carried by elementary and middle school students, and the bright costumes of the o-chigo children. From preschoolers to adults, people of many generations living in the village formed a line and paraded through the town for about two hours. A lion dance performed by five middle school students was also splendid. There were so many shutter moments that my photo folder is full.

Location: Udon restaurant in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture. Sanuki udon with anmochi. Especially in the eastern part of Kagawa Prefecture, there is a custom of eating white miso zoni with bean cake on New Year's Day. You can also enjoy Sanuki udon with anmochi as a New Year's udon.