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Kodai Fire Festival
❚ Held on August 14, 2026
The Kodai Fire Festival will take place in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture.
The lights of the kodai (small torches) will emerge fantastically from the area around Harajiri Falls, illuminating the Ogata Plains.

【Event Date】Friday, August 14, 2026 ※Postponed by one day in case of bad weather
【Location】Around Harajiri Falls and the Ogata Plains
※Traffic regulations will be enforced from 18:30 on the 14th. Please follow the instructions of the staff.
【Ignition Time】19:30, simultaneous ignition
【Number of Lights】Approximately 10,000
【Flame Sculpture Exhibition】
Around the venue, local residents will create unique torii gates and stone bridges with torches, showcasing their beauty in a competition.

【Contact for Event Inquiries】
Ogata Branch, Bungoono City, Phone: 0974-42-2111
Harajiri Falls Roadside Station Co., Ltd., Phone: 0974-42-4140

❚ What is the Kodai Fire Festival?
A traditional event passed down since the Edo period. Its origins are unclear, but it is said to be related to the memorial for the Bon festival, the wish for a good rice harvest, and the memorial for victims of uprisings that occurred during the Edo period.

Today, I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
The wind chime for tying bonds on the bench has changed to a sky blue color.
I was in high spirits because Spain won.😊🎐

Event Announcement📣

On July 19 (Sunday), the 15th Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway Festival will be held😊

For nearly 100 years since 1910, this public railway has been running through Rikubetsu Town. After its closure in 2006, it was reborn in April 2008 as a tourist facility where visitors can experience actual train operations!
To promote this historic "Rikubetsu Railway" and encourage more people to ride and experience it, we are hosting this event🎵

On the evening of July 18, about 2,000 fireworks will light up the summer night sky🎆
In conjunction with this, a special fireworks train will be operated, allowing passengers to enjoy the fireworks from inside the diesel train!!
Passengers will receive local specialty products from Rikubetsu Town as a gift. Reservations are currently being accepted🚂
(Note: Fireworks train → Capacity 32 people, 1,500 yen)

Additionally, stage shows featuring street performers and music performances by Backyard Music are also planned‼

During the stage event on July 19, we will welcome the popular Yoshimoto Kogyo comedians "Slim Club and Denjin Band" for a comedy stage performance.

Moreover, in the "Special Train Experience Ride," we will extend the ride experience, which is usually limited to the station premises, as a special train for this event to Koi-yamagata Station in the suburbs. Those wishing to ride can register on the day of the event. (Note: Special train → Adults 500 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen) Don't miss this rare opportunity for a unique experience😍

Other activities include horseback riding experiences, a bingo tournament with a chance to win a Nintendo Switch 2, and dance performances by elementary school students from Rikubetsu, among various programs planned🎁🎁
Many vendors will also be present, so we invite everyone to come together and join us🤗

🔶 Date and Time
<Pre-festival> July 18, 2026 (Saturday) 18:00–20:30
<Main Festival> July 19, 2026 (Sunday) 10:00–16:00

🔶 Venue
<Pre-festival> Midori-machi Soccer Field
<Main Festival> Inside Rikubetsu Railway Station & Multipurpose Square in front of the station

🔶 Fireworks Train Applications & Inquiries
Furusato Ginga Line Rikubetsu Railway Festival Executive Committee Office
(Rikubetsu Town Hall, Industrial Promotion Division) TEL: 0156-27-2141


https://www.rikubetsu.jp/kanko/event/tetsudoumatsuri/

\Kawayu Onsen's First Event!🍻/
"Kawayu Onsen Yuke-muri Beer Garden"

On July 24th (Friday) and 25th (Saturday), we will host the first beer garden at Kawayu Onsen!

The venue will feature food booths and food trucks from local restaurants, offering gourmet food and drinks 🍕🍟🍺

Additionally, there will be a "Children's Festival" with activities like super ball scooping and ring toss! In the evening, we also plan to have handheld fireworks, making it enjoyable for families 🎆

At the same time, "Awake from KAWAYU" will offer a walking tour to explore the charms of Kawayu Onsen.

Tuesday: Registration starts! Search at the Kawayu Information Center!
https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/awake-from-kawayu/
↑ Check the details here 💁‍♀️

We invite you to come to Kawayu Onsen with your family and friends!

📅 Event Date and Time
July 24th (Friday) and 25th (Saturday)
15:00–21:00 (Last order at 20:00)
19:00– Handheld fireworks *Free

📍 Venue
Former Kyu-Yufu-In site (across from EZO Rider)
1-6-1 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga, Kawakami District, Hokkaido

🚗 Parking: Kinki-yu Inn Parking Lot and Kawayu Onsen Dai-2 Parking Lot
*Please do not drive if you will be drinking.

Taken on July 1, 26.
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, this is a wind chime symbolizing the connection of the engawa (veranda).
I'm curious about 🇪🇸🆚🇫🇷.

Taken on July 1, 2014.
This is the matchmaking wind chime from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
I found a red thread wind chime.

On a summer day with light rain continuing, Kobe Meriken Park was a sight to behold. The fine rain fell and stopped intermittently, and the raindrops resting on the white petals that had fallen due to the wind were beautiful.

I love my hometown so much✨️ I want you to know its charm.

The "2026 Artisan Summer Asparagus Fair" starts on Tuesday, July 21!

This year, 26 restaurants will participate!!

Using the summer bounty of Engaru Town, "Engaru Nyokki-zu Summer Asparagus," participating restaurants will offer original dishes created with creativity and ingenuity at the "Asparagus Fair." This year, 26 restaurants are participating. Be sure to enjoy the original dishes at many establishments.

When you order asparagus dishes, there will be special benefits at each restaurant, and you also have a chance to win "1 kg of Summer Asparagus" or "common meal vouchers for participating restaurants" for 30 lucky winners through a lottery!

The event will be held from Tuesday, July 21, to Thursday, August 13! 🎶

I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the first chocolate I ever knew was specifically Japanese, and I think it is definitely an iconic snack well-recognized around the world. It was fun to get a closer look at its production! The guided tours show the history of the company, from its early 20th century origins to the postwar expansion of products, with old commercials, toys that came included with snacks through the years, and a fun "digital cooking" game where you design and decorate your own sweets.

The assembly line itself is very advanced, and you can see pocky being made in great quantities. This time they were making a flavor that has yet to hit shelves, which made it even more interesting. The air near the production area has a warm, delicious scent, which is a bonus.

If you liked pocky a lot yourself growing up, or are travelling with kids, I think it is a great place to visit! Reservations are necessary, and I believe most of it is Japanese-language only, but looking at a chocolate factory is pretty universal regardless of language.

If you're exploring the Omuta and Arou area, Manda Pit is a must-visit spot.
By learning about the history of the Miike Coal Mine, you'll gain insight into the role this region played in Japan's industry.
It's also recommended as an entry point for a journey through industrial heritage. How about extending your trip to the World Heritage site in Arao City before or after your outing or festival in Omuta?

[Visiting Information] 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM) / Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if a holiday) and during the New Year holidays / Admission: 410 yen for adults and university students, 310 yen for high school students, 210 yen for elementary and junior high school students / Manda Pit Station (free exhibition room and ticket sales)

#Omuta #MiikeCoalMine #IndustrialHeritageTour #ModernIndustrialHeritage #HistoricalTravel #WeekendTrip #CoalMineRuins #MandaCoalMine #Omuta #AraoCity #KumamotoTravel #JapanTravel #VisitJapan #IndustrialHeritage #WorldHeritage

Visiting Ichinomiya-ji in Kagawa Prefecture during the summer, aside from the usual pilgrimage, what I look forward to the most is the traditional summer event, the "Cucumber Blessing."
As I step into the quaint temple, the first thing that catches my eye is the neatly arranged boxes of vibrant green cucumbers. Each cucumber is tied with a wish paper bearing the names and ailments of the devotees, creating a scene that is both novel and filled with a sense of sacred ritual. People firmly believe that through the master's spiritual power, they can temporarily entrust their internal pains and misfortunes to the cucumbers.
Standing in front of the master's hall, I watch the devotees earnestly writing their wishes, with the rising incense and the deep, resonant chanting filling the air, even the summer cicadas seem to quiet down in this moment. The serene energy makes one naturally calm, and I silently pray for health and peace for myself and my family with my hands together.
After the ceremony, these cucumbers, which carry the ailments of many, will remain at the temple, where they will be collectively buried in the Cucumber Mound. As the cucumbers naturally decay in the soil, the tormenting pains and misfortunes will also fade away into the earth. This seemingly simple tradition is wrapped in the most sincere and profound hopes of people for their health.
For me, the Cucumber Blessing at Ichinomiya-ji is not just a special travel experience; it is a summer memory intertwined with the warm humanity and ancient beliefs of Shikoku.

Taken on July 1, 2024.
These are the enmusubi wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. 🎐

In Memuro Town, at Memuro Shrine, during the summer, it is beautifully decorated with flower water offerings, wind chimes, and pinwheels. Recently, there was a fireworks festival, and it was said to be illuminated as well.

The Wombadals

Taken on July 1, 2014.
These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Grand Front Osaka
The Green Bear

This bear is named "Ted Ibel," with the nickname coool.
In fact, this is a work by the contemporary French artist Fabrice Hyber.
It sprays water from its mouth.

Depending on the weather, it feels like a different world.
The mist and cloudy skies brought about by the cool climate unique to the Kushiro region add a distinctive beauty to the wetlands.

On the wooden paths, you can encounter seasonal flowers, wild birds, and deer, while listening to the sound of the wind if you pay close attention.

With comfortable shoes, take your time.
From the city to the great outdoors.

Why not embark on a journey to the Kushiro Shitsugen from the Kushiro Prince Hotel?

You can make your reservation through the profile URL.
📍Kushiro Prince Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/

Enjoy the coolness of summer in the great outdoors! Here are some highland activities to try!

<Don't forget to tap the "save mark" if you want to look back later!>

1. SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) in Shinshu Shinmachi
If you want to fully experience the nature of Nagano City, SUP in Shinshu Shinmachi is highly recommended! Enjoy a leisurely walk on the water while taking in the beautiful seasonal scenery and refreshing atmosphere. With guided tours available, even beginners can feel at ease!


2. Forest Adventure Nagano
Let's soar into the sky over Nagano! A thrilling glide 150m above the lake!
Breathe in the refreshing winds of Nagano City and embrace the great outdoors!✨
With attentive support from instructors, everyone can enjoy themselves safely!


3. Togakushi Campground
A refreshing campground surrounded by white birch forests, adjacent to Togakushi Farm.
It's perfect for outdoor schools and family camping in the midst of nature. With over 350 auto camping sites (free sites), it's one of the largest in Japan!
Facilities include cooking areas, outdoor stoves, hot showers, flushing toilets, and a shop. You can also enjoy river play in the stream flowing through the site.
【Operating Hours】April 25, 2026 - November 4, 2026 (tentative)
From 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (for day camp use)
【Reservations】Available by phone or through the official website
【Closed】Winter break
【Parking】Available (free)


#Experience #Activities #Highland #Nagano City #Nagano Tourism

Taken on July 1, 2014.
These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

On July 11, 2026, hydrangea flower picking took place around Fukoji in Asaji Town, Bungoono City.
About 50 participants carefully picked the hydrangea flowers blooming in the temple grounds and surrounding areas. Thank you very much to everyone who helped out.
This flower picking is an important task to ensure beautiful hydrangeas bloom next year. By properly maintaining them at this time, we can enjoy magnificent flowers again during the rainy season.

I am already looking forward to seeing even more beautiful hydrangeas blooming next year.

■■■Access to downtown Bungoono City■■■
Approximately 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture
Approximately 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture
Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture

■■■■■■■■■■■■
Introducing recommended spots for sightseeing in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu
■■■■■■■■■■■■

The former Satsuma Village chief's house – Shibuya Family Residence, a nationally registered tangible cultural property –

Located in Nakazatsuma 1-chome, Kamagaya City, the Shibuya Family Residence is the birthplace of Shibuya Sōji, an important figure of the Akahōtai during the late Edo period. The Shibuya family has served as village chiefs for generations since the mid-Edo period, and their residence is a grand building befitting of a chief.
The main house, built exactly 200 years ago in 1826 (Bunsei 9), is the oldest existing building in the city. Its large floor plan and tall roof make it a standout in the Satsuma District.

The roof features thatched roofing covered with iron plates shaped like tiles, and upon entering and looking up at the ceiling, one can still see the thatch from the Edo period.
A notable feature of the Shibuya Family Residence is that the main layout has remained unchanged since its construction.
The entrance hall for welcoming guests, along with the inner rooms known as Nakano-ma and Oku-no-ma, have hardly been altered and retain their original appearance.

The Tokonoma (alcove), display shelves, and attached writing alcove in Oku-no-ma have also not been remodeled, creating a space of high formality. The sturdy pillars, beams, and the kamidana (household shrine) in the living room still reflect the original construction, showcasing the traditional farmhouse layout that has continued since the Edo period.
The Shibuya family possesses a "house layout diagram" drawn in 1848 (Kaei 1).
This valuable document not only depicts the layout of the house but also includes images of the storehouse, shed, and household deity, conveying the conditions of the late Edo period. The fact that both the building and the diagram have been preserved together is extremely valuable.

Comparing the diagram with the current state reveals that the land divisions are accurately depicted, and the layout of the buildings remarkably matches the current floor plan.
The building has remained largely unchanged since its construction and has been continuously inhabited, evidencing the Shibuya family's dedication to preserving this home.
Furthermore, it retains the traditional landscape of a settlement built along the base of a plateau facing the highway. The depiction of the plateau in the diagram reflects the original scenery of the Satsuma settlement that still exists today.

Over the years, the Shibuya Family Residence has suffered some damage. Future plans include preservation and repair work, seismic reinforcement, and renovations for community use, aiming to develop it into a place of relaxation for the region.


For more details, please check the city’s website!


【Cultural and Sports Division】
https://www.city.kamagaya.chiba.jp/smph/kosodate-kyouiku/kyoikuindex/bunka_menu/sibuyakemaruya.html

Good morning!
The forecast for Azumino on July 13th predicts a scorching hot day...💦
To everyone visiting, please take precautions against heatstroke and enjoy your time in Azumino! 😊

Taken on July 1, 2026.
Kawagoe Kumano Shrine features a summer prayer water offering for love.

When it comes to summer in Japan, it's all about sweet and cold wagashi (Japanese sweets). Enjoying sweetened beans set in jelly or agar while wearing a yukata is a delightful summer tradition for young girls. The photo features a summer limited menu from Kanou Shoujuan, which has branches nationwide but is rooted in its local area.

Taken on July 1, 2026.
This is the summer prayer water for love at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.🌻🏮

(2026-07-11) Night View of Light Trails on Mount Fuji Climbing Path
One of Life's Unfinished Shots

Photography of Light Trails on Mount Fuji Climbing Path

This time, I took on the challenge
At Yamanakako Hanano Miyako Park, I struggled surrounded by fog
Just around 2:00, as we were starting to pack up, I thought, "Wait? I can see it"
So we changed locations and resumed shooting. I managed to capture something :)

The Hokkaido Fair is currently being held at AEON Lake Town mori in Saitama Prefecture, featuring a booth from Teshikagacho!

Join us until Sunday, July 12th, and be sure to visit the Teshikagacho booth✨

At the Teshikagacho booth, if you follow us on social media, you can receive a cute special eco-bag as a gift🎁 It's a very convenient size and highly recommended~🧚🏻‍♀️💫

By the way, it seems that Governor Suzuki from Hokkaido will also be visiting today, the 11th❣️

This weekend, let's head to AEON Lake Town mori🏃‍♀️💨
*The last day is scheduled to end at 6 PM.