Untie the Strings, Discover Sakai — Experience the Tombs in Minecraft 🎮⛰️ — The hands-on event that was a big hit at the Osaka-Kansai Expo is coming to town! — Would you like to explore the charms of the World Heritage Mozu Tombs through the hugely popular game Minecraft?✨ Wander the kofun world inside Minecraft or build your own original tombs... This special event lets you enjoyably learn about the scale and mysteries of kofun through gameplay! It’s perfect for children and Minecraft fans alike — don’t miss this chance to dive into the world of kofun. 📅 Date and time: March 20 (Fri, public holiday)–22 (Sun), 10:00–17:00 📍 Location: Mozu Kofun Tumuli Visitor Center 💰 Admission: Free ✅ No reservation required (walk-in; two people per session, first-come-first-served on the day / 10 minutes per person) 🔍 For details, search “Untie the Strings, Discover Sakai 2026”! 🔗https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/news/detail/20251217133435...

Imashirozuka Kofun Park is “imashirozuka kofun kouen” 48-8 Gunge Shinmachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture Imashirozuka Kofun Park features a spacious park developed around the burial mound. With haniwa clay figures and plenty of woodland, it’s a pleasant place for a walk. The kofun has been restored to its former appearance. You can get detailed explanations at the nearby history museum, but visiting the kofun itself is enjoyable as well. This green park spans the equivalent of two Hanshin Koshien Stadiums (9 hectares). The inner embankment that circles the mound measures about 1 km, making it ideal for walking or running, and on sunny days you’ll often see families picnicking. The inner embankment also uniquely recreates the Great King’s haniwa ritual site (haniwa ritual place) in Japan, and the sight of some 190 clay figures representing houses, people, and animals is spectacular! Some of these are available to touch.

Imajo Ancient History Museum "imashirozuka kofun rekishikan" 48-8 Gunge Shinmachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture Opening hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM). Closed: Mondays (open if Monday is a public holiday), the day after public holidays, and during the New Year holidays (December 28 to January 3). Admission: Generally free, though special exhibitions or planned exhibitions may charge a fee. This ancient history museum in Takatsuki City displays haniwa and other artifacts excavated from the adjacent Imashirozuka Kofun, offering a free way to learn about ancient history. Staff members provide various explanations. The Imajo Ancient History Museum also offers a variety of hands-on workshops that both children and adults can enjoy. It is located next to Imashirozuka Kofun.

Shinike Haniwa Factory Historic Park (shiseki shinike haniwa kouba kouen) Kamitsuchimuro 1-Chome, Takatsuki City There is no parking. 😂😂😂 Hours: Haniwa Factory Museum 10:00–17:00 (park grounds open all day) Closed: Haniwa Factory Museum December 29–January 3 This ancient haniwa workshop and kiln site has been recreated within a cluster of high-rise housing. Shinike Haniwa Factory Historic Park preserves one of the oldest and largest haniwa production sites on the hills east of Shinike. Through manga-style ceramic panels and reconstructed haniwa, visitors can enjoyably learn about the Kofun period and the process of making haniwa.

Commemorating the Osaka-Kansai Expo: Kofun Summit 🌈 🔴In honor of the Osaka-Kansai Expo🔵, we will explore the value and appeal of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group from an international perspective🌏, comparing them with sites such as Petra in Jordan and India’s stone tombs. Attendees on the day will be entered into a lottery to win hot air balloon ride tickets✨ Please be sure to apply❁❁❁ 📅 Date and Time: Saturday, November 29, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM 📍 Venue: Fenice Sakai Large Hall (2-1-1 Onihashi-cho, Sakai Ward) Admission: Free Capacity: 1,700 people (first-come, first-served application) 💁 For details, search for "Kofun Summit"! 🔗https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/.../r07/r07kofunsummit.html... ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 🔷 Concurrent Special Exhibition and Kofun Goods Sale (no registration required) Location: Fenice Sakai Galleria Time: 12:00 PM–4:30 PM 🔶 Concurrent Children’s Theater Park (no registration required) Location: Fenice Sakai Onihashi Park Time: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM 💁 More details here 🔗https://www.fenice-sacay.jp/event/31242/... #Osaka #Sakai #Sakai City #Sakai Higashi #Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group #World Heritage #Kofun Summit #Kofun #haniwa #Haniwa Division Chief #Fenice Sakai #Kofun Goods #Expo #Osaka-Kansai Expo #Post-Expo https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/sei/samazama_torikumi/r07/r07kofunsummit.html...

📢 From October 4th, the gas balloon “Osaka Sakai Balloon” finally began operating at Daisen Park! 🎉 From about 100 meters above, you can see the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun and other nearby burial mounds. ✨ 🔍 For details, search for “Osaka Sakai Balloon”! https://osaka-sakai-balloon.com//

Asakura Ruins in Fukui Prefecture. This is the place just past the Kara Gate. There was a road like this. I wonder if I can peek, walk, and peek into that era.

I went to Yatsushiro hometown Park in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture to take pictures of Koshu silkworms and cherry blossoms, and the whole city was Festival Spring Township peach Minamoto, and the bamboo was being baked. The collaboration with cherry blossoms was very beautiful.

【Flowering Information 1】Saitobaru We would like to inform you of the flowering status of Saitobaru on March 19 (Water). The rape flowers in Saitobaru have begun to bloom, albeit little by little. Cherry blossoms are still in buds. As in every year, it is expected to reach its best time to visit at the end of this month. ■ Information on Toilets and Car Parking in the Saitobaru Kofun Tumulus Group Saitobaru Guidance CenterIn addition to the Toilet of Konohanakan Saitobaru there are six public Toilet in the Kofun Tumulus (Imperial Tomb Square, Takatoriyama Parking Lot Car, Takatoriyama Parking Lot, Kofun Tumulus Car Parking Lot, Kofun Tumulus Car Parking Lot 2, Kofun Tumulus Car Parking Lot 3, and Saitobaru Sports Park, so please Use those as well. (with multi-purpose Toilet) * For details, please see the West City Tourism Association website.

Maido! This is the Sakai Tourism and Convention Bureau Public Interest Incorporated Association! On Cool Japan Video, we will be sharing information about Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture, so we hope you will enjoy it! Sakai City sits in the south-central part of Osaka Prefecture, facing Osaka Bay, and is a compelling city where history, culture, and modern life coexist. With a population of about 810,000, it is the second largest city in Osaka Prefecture after Osaka City. Step away from the bustle of the streets, and you will find historic burial mounds and venerable shrines—an altogether different, rich charm lives here. Sakai’s history is ancient: people settled here more than 10,000 years ago in the Paleolithic era, and many stone tools and pottery pieces have been unearthed from Sakai’s archaeological sites. From the late 4th century onward, burial mounds were built one after another, eventually forming a group of over 100 tumuli. These mounds still remain throughout the city, allowing you to feel history up close. During the Sengoku period, Sakai prospered as an international trading port. Now, let us introduce some of Sakai City’s most attractive sightseeing spots. First is the Mozu Tombs and Furuichi Burial Mounds. Consisting of the Mozu area in Sakai City and the Furuichi area in Habikino City and Fujiidera City, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. At the center of the Mozu area stands the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, Japan’s largest keyhole-shaped kofun at 840 meters long. It is said to be one of the world’s three great tombs alongside the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang in China. Currently, 44 kofun remain within Sakai City. Come and feel the breath of antiquity. At Mozu Hachimangu Shrine, an ancient and atmospheric shrine, you are greeted by a camphor tree more than 800 years old that is designated a Natural Monument of Osaka Prefecture. The shrine grounds are filled with seasonal trees that paint different scenes throughout the year. Other popular temples and shrines in Sakai City include Tajihayahime Shrine, Ohtori Grand Shrine, Hochigai Shrine, and Kaikou Shrine. For families with children, Sakai Municipal Children's Museum, known as Big Bang, offers an indoor play space that is perfect even on rainy days. Inside the UFO-shaped facility, kids can run and climb on a giant jungle gym reaching 53 meters high. Children can learn about science and physics while playing on the equipment. At Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum (formerly Sakai Traditional Industry Hall), which brings together Sakai’s traditional industries, you can learn about the city’s proud history of blades and their manufacturing processes. Exhibition rooms showcase incense, tatami mats, wagashi sweets, and Sakai May carp streamers, and demonstrations of blade sharpening and hands-on workshops are also held, making it a popular tourist spot. Sakai hosts many popular festivals and events such as the Sakai Festival, Sakai Futon Daiko, and Sakai Danjiri. The Sakai Festival, held annually on the third Saturday and Sunday of October, is the city’s largest celebration. The main street, Oshoji-suji, becomes a pedestrian zone for a grand event featuring folk dances, Nanban costumes, and gun squads, with some 7,000 participants—an unmissable spectacle. Sakai Futon Daiko is famous as Sakai’s autumn festival, with mikoshi portable shrines adorned with five layers of decorated futons parading through the city. Alongside the futon drums, Sakai Danjiri is another autumn tradition. More than 80 danjiri floats remain in Sakai City today, offering a sense of history and tradition. Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture holds a wealth of attractions where tradition, culture, and history blend together. We will continue to share more information so that everyone can learn more about Sakai City, and we appreciate your support!

【Saitobaru Archaeological Museums】Exhibition III. Trinkets of Beauty and Rights ~Miyazaki's Kofun Tumulus Culture Reflected by Jade~ This is an announcement from the Saitobaru Archaeological Museums. From Saturday, January 18th, we will held in a special exhibition to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the museum, "History of Exchange of People, Things, and Hearts Across the Sea" as Exhibition III. Jewelry of beauty and power ~ Miyazaki's Kofun Tumulus culture ~ reflected by jade (tama) will be held. Since more than 10,000 years ago, "jade" has been a fascination to people. The "jade" of the Kofun period is not only beautiful in itself, but also a status symbol that shows the social status and role of the time by dressing it as an accessory, and it is also an item that shows "beauty" and "authority". In this exhibition, we will decipher the Scene of the formation and prosperity of society at that time hidden in the glittering world, the characteristics of Miyazaki's Kofun Tumulus culture, and the exchange of people, things, and hearts through the sea. ■ Duration 2025 (Reiwa 7) January 18 (Sat) ~ March 23 (Sun) ■Venue Miyazaki Prefecture Saitobaru Archaeological Museum Exhibition Room ■ Admission fee free ■ Inquiries Miyazaki Prefecture Saitobaru archaeological Museum 〒881-0005 Miyazaki Prefecture Nishi City Oaza Miyake Saitobaru Nishi 5670 TEL：0983-41-0041 FAX：0983-41-0051 Opening Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Entry to the exhibition rooms until 17:00) Closed: Monday (the next day if it coincides with the national Holidays), the day after the national Holidays (excluding holidays) #Miyazaki Prefecture #West City #Saitobaru Kofun Tumulus #Japan Heritage #Saitobaru Archaeological Museums #勾玉 #Jade

Hiraide Ruins The nationally designated Hiraide Ruins rank among Japan’s three major archaeological sites. Situated about 2 kilometers southwest of JR Chuo Main Line Shiojiri Station, they lie on Kikyogahara, a vast stretch of vineyards. The site extends in a band along the Shibukawa, which flows from Hirade Spring, spanning about one kilometer east to west and 300 meters north to south. Major excavations that began in 1950 revealed that people lived at Hiraide from the Jomon period through the Heian period. Numerous dwelling remains and associated artifacts were unearthed. These abundant finds became fundamental sources for studying prehistoric and ancient cultures in the region, and the site received National Historic Site status in 1952. Excavations have continued since then, and to date more than 290 dwelling and building remains have been discovered. ◇Hiraide Museum The museum displays clay figures, pottery, stone tools, ironware and other items excavated from the Hiraide Ruins, along with artifacts from other sites in the city. Highlights include the prefectural treasures such as the green-glazed water jar, the Shibamiya Bronze Bell, the Shobuzawa Gatou, and distinctive Jomon pottery of Shinshu. ◇Historic Park Around the museum is the Hirade Kofun Group, three burial mounds believed to belong to powerful local leaders who governed the Hiraide settlement. You can also see a pit-dwelling reconstructed for the first time nationwide as an ancient structure. ◇Hiraide Ruins Park Hiraide Ruins Park reconstructs villages from the Jomon, Kofun and Heian periods under the theme "Five thousand years of Hiraide." The park features 15 reconstructed dwellings and buildings that visitors can enter. Each dwelling recreates life in the Jomon, Yayoi and Heian periods, allowing visitors to experience firsthand changes in house structure and materials and to feel how people’s lives transformed across the ages. ◇Guidance Building The Guidance Building offers a guidance corner, rest area and an observation room, creating a relaxed space where visitors can learn about the Hiraide Ruins. Hands-on activities related to prehistory and ancient times, such as fire starting and making magatama (curved beads), are held here and are popular with local children. On the second floor, an observation room provides a panoramic view of the ruins park. ◇Basic Information <Historic Park / Hiraide Museum> Address: 1011-3 Soga, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture Phone: 0263-52-1022 Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Closed: Mondays, the day after public holidays, and during the New Year holidays (December 29–January 3) Parking: Cars: 50 spaces / Large buses: 10 spaces (free) Admission (※): General: 300 yen / Elementary and junior high school students: free / Groups of 20 or more: 240 yen per person ※From April 1, 2026: General: 400 yen / Elementary and junior high school students: free / Groups of 20 or more: 320 yen per person Access: 15-minute walk from JR Shiojiri Station / Immediately at Community Development Bus Soga Line Hirade Museum bus stop <Ruins Park / Guidance Building> Address: 388-2 Soga, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture Phone: 0263-52-3301 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Mondays, the day after public holidays, and during the New Year holidays (December 29–January 3) Parking: Available (free) Reception hours: 9:00–11:00 and 13:00–15:30 Admission: Free (materials fees may apply for certain experiences) Access: 15-minute walk from JR Shiojiri Station or 6 minutes from Community Development Bus Soga Line Hirade Tsumesho-mae Bus Stop

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video! This is the Shiojiri City Tourism Association. Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, sits in the heart of Nagano with a population of about 65,000. The city is known for its historic streets and abundant local specialties, which draw many visitors. We will share recommended sightseeing information about Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, on Cool Japan Video, so please enjoy it! ◆What is Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture?◆ Shiojiri City is surrounded by the Northern Alps, the Hotaka Mountain Range, Mt. Takabochi, and the Central Alps, and it stretches across broad agricultural landscapes. Grapes are a specialty here, and wines made from those grapes have gained renown worldwide. At Narai inn (Narai-juku), once a post town on the Nakasendo, visitors are still greeted by streets that vividly retain the atmosphere of the Edo period. ◆Shiojiri City sightseeing information◆ [History & Culture] ◇Narai inn Located below Torii Pass, a difficult section of the Nakasendo, Narai inn prospered as one of the eleven post towns of Kiso. It still preserves the look of the Edo period, offers beautiful seasonal scenery, and serves as a setting for films and dramas. The town remains full of attractions and local cuisine that continue to charm visitors. ◇Kisohirasawa Kisohirasawa, known as a lacquerware town, was designated a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2006. At the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, medals that fused metal and Kiso lacquerware were adopted. ◇Historic roads and post towns Shiojiri City, crossed by several historic roads including the Nakasendo that links Edo and Kyoto, long flourished as a transportation hub. Explore the distinct charm and hidden stories of each post town. ◇Hiraide Ruins This site contains dwelling remains from the Jomon period over 5,000 years ago through the Heian period, showing where people lived. Many valuable artifacts have been unearthed. ◇Shiojiri Tanka Museum (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) The museum exhibits materials from poets connected to Shiojiri, such as Shimaki Akahiko. The main building is a nationally registered tangible cultural property. [Nature] ◇Mt. Takabocchi Highlands (Mt. Takabocchi Highlands) Part of Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen National Park, the Mt. Takabocchi Highlands sit at 1,665 meters and offer beautiful highland scenery. You can enjoy seasonal landscapes here, especially summer rhododendrons and alpine plants, and autumn sea-of-clouds views. From the highlands you can take in sweeping views of Mount Fuji, the Northern Alps, and Lake Suwa, a beauty that captivates visitors. ◇Wine and grapes Shiojiri is one of Japan’s leading wine regions, with a winemaking history spanning 130 years. Tour the wineries and savor the products that reflect the skill and spirit of the makers. ◇Grapes Kikyogahara, the home of grapes, produces exquisite varieties you can taste only here. ◆Shiojiri City festivals and events◆ ◇Shiojiri Winery Festa This event lets visitors taste Shiojiri wines and enjoy conversations with local winemakers. Many wine fans visit from inside and outside the prefecture. ◇Kiso Lacquerware Festival and Narai Shukuba Festival The once-a-year great lacquerware market features prized items and cellar finds displayed at shop fronts. The popular “Ochatsubo Dochu” procession in Narai inn is also a highlight. ◆Summary of Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture◆ Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, offers rich nature and history to enjoy. Warm hospitality, beautiful nature, and culture await you. Cool Japan Video will continue to share great sightseeing information about Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Thank you for your support!

This is the Iwata City Tourism Association. Nice to meet you all!! Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture sits in western Shizuoka roughly midway between Tokyo and Osaka. Known as a “sports town,” it hosts professional teams such as J.League soccer club Jubilo Iwata, Nadeshiko League women’s soccer team Shizuoka SSU Bonita, and Japan Rugby League One’s Shizuoka Blue Revs. The city actively promotes community-building through sports and health initiatives centered on athletics. ◆What is Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture?◆ The population is about 160,000. The city has interchanges on both the Tomei Expressway and the Shin-Tomei Expressway, making it about a three-hour drive from Tokyo and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Nagoya. The shinkansen gateways are Hamamatsu Station or Kakegawa Station; transfer to the Tokaido Line and reach Iwata’s three city stations (Iwata Station, Toyodachou Station, Mikurigaoka Station) in 10–15 minutes. Since ancient times, Iwata has flourished as the center of Toei Province, home to the Tōtōmi Kokubun-ji and Toei Kokubu. With more than 900 kofun (ancient burial mounds) dating to the Kofun period, the city carries a long, living history. In the Edo period it prospered as Mitsuke inn (Mitsuke-juku), a post town on the Tokaido’s Fifty-Three Stations. In recent years, Iwata has developed as an industrial city with traditional textiles plus metalworking, automotive, and musical instrument industries. Its agricultural output ranks among the top in the prefecture, famous for greenhouse melons, tea, white leek, ebi-imo (taro), Chinese vegetables, and seafood such as shirasu. The city balances urban and rural development. ◆Tourist attractions in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ [Mitsuke inn] Located near the midpoint of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (the 28th post town), this post town still preserves small side alleys off the highway, with many shrines and temples that evoke the former atmosphere and lodging-town charm. The area also features the Former Mitsuke School, Japan’s oldest surviving wooden pseudo-Western style school building, and Iwata Bunko (both national historic sites); Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine, the stage of the Mitsuke Tenjin Hadaka Festival and the site of the Shippeitaro spirit legend; and the Former Akamatsu Residence Memorial Hall, designated as prefectural and municipal cultural properties. In 2022, the Former Mitsuke School and Iwata Bunko were recognized as Shizuoka Heritage sites, celebrated as ‘‘the crystallization of Shizuoka people’s passion for modern education,’’ alongside Mitsuke inn and Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine. [Ryuyo Marine Park] A seaside park featuring a marine center with sports facilities and a multi-purpose lawn. The expansive grounds include tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground, a roller slide, and an auto camp ground, making it family-friendly. The adjacent Shiosai Ryuyo complex at the auto camp ground sells local products and offers a restaurant, BBQ facilities, and bathing amenities. The marine center also offers hands-on experiences such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). [Nagisa no Koryukan and Fukuda Fishing Port area] Nagisa no Koryukan sits within Fukuda Fishing Port, looking out over the vast Enshū Sea. It has a food court where you can enjoy fresh shirasu bowls, such as raw shirasu don and kama-age shirasu don, while gazing at the ocean. The area also features the “Minna no Sunaba” sand ground for beach soccer and beach volleyball and an event plaza for outdoor gatherings. A nearby fishing spot offers easy shore fishing, and adjacent Toyohama Coast is a surfing location that has hosted national competitions thanks to its excellent waves. Fukuda Fishing Port is known for shirasu fishing and also supports recreational fishing charters, serving as a base for offshore fishing in the Enshū Sea. Within one to two minutes from the port, several shirasu processing plants line up, attracting customers from far away. [Shishigahana Park] According to legend, Kobo Daishi founded this park, which has well-maintained walking trails and athletic play areas. In spring, cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom; in early summer you can enjoy fresh greenery for forest bathing and birdwatching; in autumn the foliage is beautiful. It’s ideal for hiking and walking. From the observation deck you can see the Enshū Sea in the distance, and the park is a popular spot to watch the first sunrise on New Year’s Day. [Yamaha Stadium] [Yamaha Motor Communication Plaza] Yamaha Stadium is the home ground for Jubilo Iwata (soccer) and Shizuoka Blue Revs (rugby). It is about a 15-minute walk from JR Mikuriya Station north exit, and on match days attracts many fans from Japan and abroad. Next to the stadium, within the Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. headquarters, the Communication Plaza corporate museum showcases Yamaha Motor products and history and serves as an engaging industrial tourism spot. [Ruins of Tōtōmi Kokubunji Temple] Excavations began in 1951, and the site was designated a Special National Historic Site the following year. The kokubunji layout once centered on a main hall (kondo) and included a seven-story pagoda, lecture hall, middle gate, and cloister. Major structures, including the seven-story pagoda site, were discovered, and the site received national special historic designation in Showa 27 (1952). In fiscal 2022 work restored the wooden foundation platforms for the lecture hall and monk’s quarters on the north side of the ruins, and in fiscal 2023 the wooden foundation platform of the main hall was restored. Plans call for reconstructing cornerstone stones that supported building pillars and the stone steps placed on the front of the platform. This valuable heritage testifies to Iwata’s role as a regional center. ◆Local specialties of Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ Iwata’s specialties let you taste the bounty of the land: ebi-imo, iwata tea, aroma melons, white leek, and dried persimmon rounds (koro-gaki). Locally grown ingredients are known for their freshness and flavor. Seafood such as shirasu, wild tora-fugu, and grilled white-cut eel are also popular; shirasu in particular are prized for their firm texture from swimming in the area’s swift coastal currents. These specialties are popular as souvenirs and as return gifts for hometown tax donations. ◆Festivals and events in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ [Fu Hachiman-gu Shrine Festival] Held each year in the Nakaizumi area on the first Saturday and Sunday of October. Each neighborhood parades elaborately decorated floats. The festival is full of atmosphere, with drums, flutes, and spirited calls filling the air. [Mitsuke Tenjin Hadaka Festival] The grand festival of Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It takes place on the Saturday and Sunday just before the 10th day of the eighth month of the old lunar calendar. The festival’s highlight is the nighttime procession of naked participants and mikoshi (portable shrines), which runs from around 9:00 p.m. into the early hours of the next morning, reaching a peak around 1:00 a.m. Naked men, grouped into four units called teidan, parade through the old Tokaido route within the Mitsuke area and proceed to the shrine’s worship hall. Inside the worship hall, the excitement builds each time a new group joins, and intense chants and vigorous dances (oni-odori) continue. In the deep of night, all lights in the area are extinguished, plunging the scene into pitch-black darkness as the mikoshi run in a breathtaking climax. ◆Sharing information about Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ In Iwata you can feel history and culture nurtured over long time. In 2022, Iwata’s Teratani water was registered as a World Irrigation Structure Heritage, adding another chapter to the city’s proud historical story. In 2023 Iwata reclaimed the top spot nationwide in a ranking of municipalities most associated with the phrase “sports town,” helping to solidify its brand as a city of sport. Yet even now this post cannot fully capture all the charms and strengths alive in Iwata’s history, culture, sea and mountain nature, industries, and people’s lifestyles. We will continue sharing recommended information via Cool Japan videos, so please stay tuned!

[Shirataki Ruins Excavated Items] was designated as Japan's oldest national treasure on June 27! It is the second national treasure designated in Hokkaido. 1,965 items such as weapons such as spears and knives made using "obsidian" by people 15,000~30,000 years ago in the Upper Paleolithic are national treasures. National treasures can be seen in "Engaru TownCenter for Buried Cultural Properties". Please take a look at the precious stone tools filled with ancient romance at Engaru Town. （Photo by M.Sato）

How do you do! It is a town full of history "Fujiidera City, Osaka Prefecture". Fujiidera City is located about 15 km southeast of Osaka City, and can be reached from Kansai Airport in about 1 hour and 10 minutes by train or 50 minutes by car. The origin of the city's name is derived from the "Fujiidera" that exists in the city. Katsurui-dera Temple was built in the latter half of the 7th century and is worshipped as the fifth temple of the 33 Kannon Sacred Sites in Nishikoku, and the main statue of the National Treasure Inui Urushi Senju Kannon is actually a thousand-armed Kannon statue with 1,041 hands, and is opened on the 18th of every month. In spring, beautiful purple wisteria flowers bloom on the wisteria trellis of the precincts. In addition, Dōmyōji Tenmangu Shrine is a shrine located in Dōmyōji in Fujiidera City that gathers worship as a god of learning, and there are about 800 plum trees of 80 species in the precincts, and it is known as a famous place for plum blossoms. The treasure hall in the precincts has a collection of national treasures and many valuable cultural properties, so please take a look. In addition, Fujiidera City is famous for its Furuichi Kofun Cluster, a group of burial mounds built from the late 4th century to the middle of the 6th century. The Furuichi Kofun Cluster consists of more than 130 burial mounds, including seven huge anterior and posterior burial mounds with a length of more than 200 meters, and together with the Mozu burial mounds in Sakai City Furuichi Kofun Cluster, it was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site for the first time in Osaka Prefecture in the first year of Reiwa. The shape of the burial mounds also varies. ◎ Keyhole-shaped "front and rear circle burial mound" ◎ A type of anterior-posterior burial mound with a shortened front part "Scallop-shaped burial mound" ◎ Rectangular "square tomb" ◎ The most common circular burial mound in Japan Here are some of the burial mounds in Furuichi Kofun Cluster! ◎ Tsudoshiro Yamakofun It is said to be the first huge burial mound built in Furuichi Kofun Cluster. The length of the mound is 210 m, and in the Muromachi period, Oyama Castle was built using the topography of the burial mound. At the nearby historical museum "Mahorashiroyama", excavated haniwa and earthenware are on display, so you can learn about the history of the burial mounds. ◎ Mausoleum of Emperor Chuai Located about a 15-minute walk from Fujiidera Station, this huge burial mound is 245 meters long. Many cylindrical haniwa and figurative haniwa have been excavated from the mounds and hollows. The burial mound is now covered with rich trees, and waterfowl gather in the surrounding moat, making it a spot where you can feel a relaxing time. If you want to see the excavated items, we recommend IJsselschla Hall. As an archaeological and history museum facility, the history exhibition room and the ancient archives room display many cultural properties, including the "Mizutorigata Haniwa", which is an important cultural property of Japan. The exterior design of the building is based on the motif of a ship-shaped haniwa and shura excavated from Fujiidera City, and is characterized by the image of a ship that inherits history and sets sail into the future. A recommended sightseeing plan for those who want to enjoy these burial mounds and shrines and temples together is the "Furuichi Kofun Cluster and Rokusha-ji Tour" held as a commemoration of Furuichi Kofun Cluster's registration as a World Cultural Heritage Site. It is a collection of the mausoleum seals of the World Heritage "Furuichi Kofun Cluster" and the red seals of the venerable shrines and temples scattered throughout Fujiidera City and Habikino City, so you can enjoy sightseeing at Fujiidera Temple while feeling the history firsthand. Please try to collect all the red seals. In this post, we mainly introduced the historical spots of Fujiidera City, but it is still only a small part of the tourist information of Fujiidera City. We will continue to send out plenty of recommended information, gourmet information, event and festival information, so thank you!

This is a photo of when I went to "Toro Ruins" in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture for a university report! The Toro Ruins are a settlement and paddy field ruins from the Yayoi period, and are designated as a national designated historic site! !️ Why don't you go to this place where you can suddenly see ancient buildings in a residential area? 😊

It is the Goshikizuka Kofun in Kobe. It is the largest anterior and posterior burial mound in Hyogo Prefecture. You can climb to the top of the burial mound, and from there you can see Awaji Island and the Akashi Strait. It is a superb view.

Decided to go back to Gyoda again this weekend. We had such a good time last time we went we decided we wanted to check out the cherry blossoms this spring. Managed to visit some really nice places. We originally wanted to use the rental bicycles that they have in front of the station but we got there past noon and all of them were taken unfortunately. Fortunately for us, it ended up getting a bit colder later on so it actually worked out. We got lucky as there was a really convenient sightseeing bus that rolled through the station to all of the major places in the city every 45 minutes or so. We checked out the cherry blossoms at Gyoda Castle and they had the Hanachozu 花手水, pots of flowers floating in water. We were able to see a few of these throughout the city which was nice. They also had traditional umbrellas on display in a few areas around the castle which was really pretty. After Gyoda Castle we visited the Sakitama Burial Mounds which had some really beautiful views of the cherry blossoms. There was also a flock of herons flying around the area but I wasn't able to get a very good photo of any of them. Luckily we got some great photos of the cherry blossoms and the main mound and had a really enjoyable time. We also stopped by Suijo Park and there were some food stalls in the area, but we got there when everything was just about closed so we only got to see a few of the vendors. We managed to get a really tasty lemonade and a latte though. Both tasted really good. Surprisingly there were a lot of cosplayers at the park. We probably saw like 20-30 people cosplaying using the bridges and cherry blossoms in the area. On the way back to the station we managed saw this river during the bus ride and so we backtracked a little bit after getting to the station about 5 minutes walking and got to enjoy some really phenomenal views of the cherry blossoms along the river. There were hardly any people there as well, surprisingly. Overall it was a really awesome time!

The best moments. This is one piece in Sakitama Kofun Park in Saitama Prefecture. It will be a view that I showed for a moment when the clouds opened. Cherry blossoms with an overwhelming presence and rape blossoms that color your feet. It is a spring staple, but it feels unusual for both to be in full bloom at the same time in Saitama Prefecture.

This is a photo taken at the Sakitama Kofun in Saitama Prefecture. The clouds flow quickly, and the scenery changes every second. Meanwhile, it is covered with thin clouds and a natural filter is applied. The gently burnt cherry blossom sky and the cherry blossoms blooming at the top of the burial mound.