[Notice from Ekinaka Kururin House] Kururin fans and collectors, thank you for waiting! Introducing our new merchandise. Kururin canvas tote bag ***1,800 yen (tax included) Spacious with an inner pocket, it’s highly functional! It will make going out feel more cheerful. We look forward to seeing you! On the stairs at the north exit of Odakyu Line Isehara Station Ekinaka Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information Center) OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open year-round)

Isehara Flower Report — Hinata's Red Spider Lilies 2024.9.26 This year the blooms are not opening all at once as in past years; flowering varies by location. Many shoots with buds were seen. Depending on the temperature, they may bloom rapidly. Hinata Yakushi is running late and only about one third of the flowers are open now, but it’s worth a visit during your shrine visit! *Red spider lilies special: Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin available* ※Limited to 500 copies (while supplies last) ¥500 Many people were taking photos and strolling around the Hinata Yakushi bus stop area again today. ※There are few buses, so please check schedules in advance. Parking lots may be crowded depending on the day and time. Please enjoy your walk while observing good manners. *Please use the Hinata red spider lily guide map placed inside the can by the restroom entrance in the Hinata Yakushi bus stop parking area and in the can in the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center (8:30–16:00).*

Hibita Shrine Antique Flea Market (canceled in case of rain) Sunday, October 20, 2024, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM Venue: On the grounds of Sannomiya Hibita Shrine 1472 Sannomiya, Isehara A wide selection of antiques that captivate collectors will be on display. You might find a thrilling discovery or a real bargain! Enjoy lively performances of taiko drumming, food trucks, and a free plant giveaway of flower seedlings from 11:00 AM for the first 100 visitors (one pot per person), among other attractions! Contact: Sannomiya Hibita Shrine 0463-95-3237

50th Isehara Commerce and Industry Festival / 18th ISEHARA Sole The 50th Commerce and Industry Festival and the 18th ISEHARA Sole bring performers and audiences together in a celebration of dance across many genres. Held at the same time as Isehara’s biggest event, the 57th Isehara Tourism Dōkan Festival, on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, the area around Isehara Station promises even more excitement! Venue: Around Odakyu Line Isehara Station Contact: Isehara Chamber of Commerce and Industry TEL: 0463-95-3233

Hamamatsuri It is a festival of dawn that heralds the arrival of summer in Chigasaki It is designated as an Intangible folk cultural asset of Kanagawa Prefecture Every year on Marine Day Held in at Chigasaki Nishihama Coast It's a very interesting festival

[Hinata Spider Lilies Notice: Temporary Tourist Information Desk Closed Today, 9/22] 2024.9.22 Due to weather conditions, the temporary tourist information desk run by volunteers in the Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop Parking Area will be closed today, Sunday, September 22. Please feel free to take a copy of the Hinata spider lily guide, which is placed by the toilet entrance in the Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop Parking Area and inside a can in the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center. While parts of the Hyuga area are reaching peak bloom, please watch your step carefully and enjoy the flowers responsibly within your physical limits.

Hinata Yakushi 2024 Higan-bana Limited: Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin Distribution ※Limited to 500 sheets (ends when sold out) Higan-bana Limited Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin ¥500 Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 3 Take the "Hinata Yakushi" bus for about 20 minutes, get off at the final stop, then a 15-minute walk via the approach to the temple ※Bus service is infrequent, so please check in advance. For details, please see the Hinata Yakushi website.

[Yakushi Forest Road Partial Closure] Due to the effects of Typhoon No. 10, a section of Yakushi Forest Road (from the back of Hinata Yakushi to Nanasawa) is closed to all traffic, including pedestrians. There is no scheduled date for reopening at this time. For detailed information, please see the Kanagawa Prefecture website.

Isehara Flower Update: September 20 Gentle Hinata red spider lilies…their stems have grown and blooming has begun, and in some spots they are partially very beautiful! This morning’s view of the red spider lilies. Temporary Tourist Information Desk open at Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop Parking Lot September 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun), 23 (Mon, public holiday) 9:30–15:00 Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 3 Take the “Hinata Yakushi” bus, about 20 minutes, get off at the final stop During the red spider lily season, the parking lot behind the Human Resources Development Center is specially opened and a red spider lily guide map is provided, so please make use of it. Please refrain from parking on the street. The season gets crowded, so please enjoy the flowers while observing good manners.

The 57th Isehara Tōkan Tourism Festival The Isehara Tōkan Tourism Festival, held in memory of the local samurai lord Dōkan Ōta, is the city’s largest event! This year’s Dōkan will be played by actor Ryohei Odai, and Masako Hōjō will be portrayed by TV personality LiLiCo, in the traditional Dōkan Ōta falconry procession and Masako Hōjō’s pilgrimage to Hinata Yakushi. The festival also features an exhibition 3x3 basketball match and a new puzzle event, “Isehara Puzzle Walking Tour: Dōkan Ōta’s Treasure,” among many other attractions. Event Dates and Times Saturday, October 5 — 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM Sunday, October 6 — 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Venue: Around Odakyu Isehara Station, Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture Contact: 0463-94-4729 Tōkan Festival Executive Committee (Isehara City Commerce and Tourism Promotion Division)

Isehara Flower Update: September 18 The spider lilies at Hinata are not yet in peak bloom. Some areas have already begun to bloom. A temporary tourist information desk will open at the parking area next to the Hinata Yakushi bus stop. It will operate on Saturday, September 21; Sunday, September 22; and Monday, September 23 (a public holiday). From the north exit of Odakyu Isehara Station, take the Kanachu Bus from platform 3. Take the bus bound for Hinata Yakushi; the ride takes about 20 minutes. Get off at the final stop. ※Bus service is limited, so please check schedules in advance. If the temporary desk is not open, unmanned spider lily information maps are available at the Hinata Yakushi bus stop (parking lot restroom entrance) and at the Vocational Development Center (rear gate parking lot, 8:30–16:00). They are in a can—please take as many copies as you need.

Takabeya Shrine Annual Festival On Sunday, September 15, 2024, the annual festival was held at Takabeya Shrine (2202 Shimokasuya, Isehara). The event opened with the “beach sand scattering,” which uses sand collected during the Shio-kumi purification ritual at Terugasaki Beach in Oiso as a substitute for purifying salt. Despite the heat, the festival became lively and energetic!

Hinata Yakushi Cluster Amaryllis (Higanbana) in Isehara 2024 *The shaded path is currently closed to through traffic due to typhoon damage* The higanbana season is finally here!! However, with this year’s lingering summer heat, peak bloom still seems a little way off. We have confirmed a few lone flowers blooming here and there in the rice fields. A temporary tourist information booth will open to coincide with the flowers’ best viewing. Saturday, September 21; Sunday, September 22; Monday (national holiday), September 23 Location: Hinata Yakushi bus stop terminus From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 3 Take the “bound for Hinata Yakushi” bus for about 20 minutes *Bus services are infrequent, so please check schedules in advance.* The rice paddies and fields where the higanbana bloom are open to the public thanks to the generosity of the landowners. Please follow proper etiquette and show your understanding and cooperation. We will post updates on the blooming status as they come in.

Takabeya Shrine Annual Festival The Takabeya Shrine (2202 Shimokasuya, Isehara) will hold its annual festival. Eve: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Main Festival: Sunday, September 15, 2024 On September 7, a “Shio-kumi” purification ritual was held to collect beach sand, seawater, and hondawara seaweed for use in the festival at Terugasaki in Oiso Town. The collected beach sand will be scattered around the shrine in the “beach sand scattering ceremony” as a substitute for cleansing salt. The seaweed will adorn the shimenawa rope at the torii gate, and the seawater will be used in prayers to prevent fires. Access: Odakyu Line Isehara Station 20-minute walk From the north exit, take the bus from Platform 5 toward Aikō-Ishida Station and get off at Kasuya-Kamijuku, then walk 2 minutes. From the south exit, take the bus from Platform 4 toward Tokai University Hospital and get off at Isehara City Hall North Entrance, then walk 9 minutes. For details, see the Isehara Takagami-kai website

Notice: Recruiting Participants for the Hinata Stone Glass Workshop Would you like to join a rare event where you can learn about the history and culture of Hinata stone, which supported Isehara’s industries from the Edo to the Showa periods, and try your hand at glassblowing? Date: Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, 2024 Location: Atsugi Glass Studio Co., Ltd. (2-13-8 Tsumaida Kita, Atsugi) *About 20 minutes from Hon-Atsugi Station on the Odakyu Line by bus and walking If you come by car, please use nearby paid parking lots Participation Fee: 5,000 yen Age Requirement: Fourth grade elementary school and above Details and Application: From the Hinata Stone Glass website Application Deadline: Sunday, September 15, 2024 (first-come, first-served)

Notice of the 2024 "43rd Ōyama Hi-matsuri Takigi Noh" Enjoy a bewitching world lit by bonfires, with local Ōyama Kyōgen troupe and Shingyōkai presenting kyōgen plays and shimai (dance pieces). Please experience Japan’s traditional performing arts at Ōyama. Date and time: October 1 (Tuesday) and October 2 (Wednesday), 2024 Doors open 15:30, performance starts 16:30 (scheduled to end around 19:30) Venue: Noh Theater, Office of Ōyama Afuri Shrine 355 Ōyama, Isehara, Kanagawa Please note the venue is not the lower shrine. Access: From Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus platform 4 bound for Ōyama Cable Get off at "Shamukyoku Iriguchi" (Office Entrance) and walk 1 minute ★All seats are reserved ★How to apply: Office of Ōyama Afuri Shrine 0463-95-2006 (phone reservations only) For details, see the official Ōyama Afuri Shrine website

Mount Isehara Market is on! The event will go ahead in light rain and be canceled in severe weather. Enjoy a feast of delicious food and fun experiences in Isehara! Sunday, September 15, 2024, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park (free admission) A full lineup of food tents and kitchen cars, locally grown vegetables for sale, and a wide variety of booths will be on site, along with stage performances to enjoy!! Access by train and bus 320 Nishitomioka, Isehara, Kanagawa Get off at Odakyu Line Isehara Station Take the Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu bus from North Exit Platform 3 bound for Nanasawa, about 10 minutes, 240 yen ▪ If you take routes I-34 or I-36, get off at Sogo Undo Koen (General Sports Park) ▪ If you take routes I-31 or I-37, get off at Sogo Undo Koen Iriguchi (General Sports Park Entrance) and walk 5 minutes Please use public transportation as crowding is expected. Contact: by email to the Iseharaichi Executive Committee iseharaichi@j4.gmobb.jp (Contact: Sakamoto)

The two of them huddle shoulder to shoulder while looking at the burning summer clouds.

Notice of Suspension of the Ōyama Cable Car Service All day on Friday, August 30, 2024 and Saturday, August 31, 2024 Service will be suspended due to the effects of a typhoon. For details about operations from Sunday, September 1, 2024 onward, please check the Ōyama Cable official website.

Ōyama Afuri Shrine Autumn Grand Festival From Tuesday, August 27 to Thursday, August 29, 2024, this three-day festival gives thanks for safety on the summer mountain and announces the arrival of autumn on Ōyama, continuing a tradition of more than 150 years. On the final day, the 29th, despite typhoon conditions and rain, the shrine office led the "O-nobori"—carrying a portable shrine bearing Afuri Ōkami up the steep "Otoko-zaka" with a maximum slope of about 30 degrees to the lower shrine.

Notice of suspension of the Oyama Cable Car service Thursday, August 29, 2024, 1:00 PM – Friday, August 30, 2024 Service will be suspended due to the effects of a typhoon. *For details about operations from tomorrow onward, please check the Oyama Cable official website.

[Repeated Sightings of Asiatic Black Bears in the Hinata Area] Following the sighting on Wednesday, August 21, another Asiatic black bear was seen around noon on Friday, August 23, near the former Fureai no Mori campsite in the Hinata area. It cannot be confirmed whether this was the same individual, but all sightings occurred during daytime. Residents and visitors to the area are asked to be aware in advance. If you observe a bear or find signs of one, please contact the City Hall Agriculture Promotion Division at 0463-94-4664. [Precautions if You Encounter a Bear] 1 Do not approach and avoid making eye contact. 2 Do not shout loudly or make threatening gestures. 3 Do not feed or show food to the bear. 4 Leave the area promptly. 5 Secure doors and windows to prevent bears from entering homes and other buildings.

Call for Participants: Sannomiya Hibita Shrine “Isshin Crying Sumo” A baby graduation ceremony 👶 Crying sumo is a traditional Japanese ritual praying for babies’ health and growth. Make a once-in-a-lifetime memory—feel free to come and watch! Date: Monday, September 16 (Respect for the Aged Day) Check-in starts at 9:30 AM Venue: Sannomiya Hibita Shrine (1472 Sannomiya, Isehara) Participation fee: ¥13,000 Pay at registration on the day (Includes prayer fee, commemorative gift, and event participation fee) Eligibility: Babies from six months old with neck control up to two and a half years old Registration: Reserve via the “Isshin Crying Sumo” official website (Same-day registration available if space remains) Contact: Isshin Crying Sumo Executive Committee FAX: 078-903-5475 Email: info＠nakisumo.jp

In front of a lovely Garden Baba and grandson

Taiboji Jizo Bon Festival At 16:50, the “Hyakumanben Nembutsu Juzu-kuri Service,” in which everyone takes turns turning a rosary that can reach 20 meters long while offering their personal wishes, will be held. At the Jizo Bon event hosted by ISEHARA FREAKS, enjoy food stalls and a stage as everyone comes together to celebrate! Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024, 3:00 PM–8:30 PM Venue: Jodo Sect Senjuyama Taiboji A 7-minute walk from Isehara Station North Exit

Mountain Isehara Market is on! Light rain or shine (canceled in severe weather) A stage showcase stands in the center of the General Sports Park venue Food tents, food trucks, and local vegetables for sale will be available A feast of tasty fun awaits! Sunday, August 25, 2024, 10:00–15:00 Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park (free admission) 320 Nishitomioka, Isehara, Kanagawa ● Access by train and bus Get off at Odakyu Line Isehara Station Take the Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu bus from North Exit boarding bay 3, bound for Nanasawa, about 10 minutes, 240 yen ▪ If you take routes I34 or I36, get off at General Sports Park ▪ If you take routes I31 or I37, get off at General Sports Park Entrance and walk 5 minutes ※ Walking from Isehara Station takes about 45 minutes ● Access by car ▪ About 30 minutes from Atsugi Interchange on the Tomei Expressway ▪ About 8 minutes from Isehara-Oyama Interchange on the Shin-Tomei Expressway ※ Congestion is expected, so please use public transportation For details and inquiries, see the flyer. Loads of delicious food! Summer vacation is in its second half—enjoy Isehara to the fullest and ride out the hot summer!!

Ōyama Afuri Shrine Autumn Grand Festival Three days from Tuesday, August 27 to Thursday, August 29, 2024 A festival giving thanks for safety on the summer mountain and announcing the arrival of autumn on Mount Ōyama This is a festival celebrated by the parishioners of the six Ōyama districts. On the 27th there is the Senkō-sai (Descent Ceremony), on the 28th the main festival, and on the 29th the Kankō-sai (Ascent Ceremony). During the rites, wa-mai (ancient court dance) and miko dances are performed. During the Descent and Ascent, the Afuri Great Deity makes a divine procession through the mountain town. 【Location】Ōyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine, Office 【Contact】Ōyama Afuri Shrine Office TEL 0463-95-2006

[Notice of Changed Closing Hours at Hinata Yakushi Due to Typhoon] 2024 Due to the approaching typhoon Thursday, August 15 — closes at 4:00 PM Friday, August 16 — closed all day Saturday, August 17 — may be closed depending on conditions * Please check the Hinata Yakushi website for updates.

Notice: Oyama Cable Car suspended all day on Friday, August 16, 2024 Due to the approach of Typhoon No. 7, the cable car will be suspended all day on Friday, August 16, 2024. Please check the Oyama Cable Car website for further details and updates.

Hinatayakushi Hojobo Obinzuru-sama (Pindola Bharadvaja) Request for donations for repairs Please wait a little longer for the repair to be completed on Obinzuru-sama’s right hand, which is currently missing; this statue is beloved as a "nadingbutsu" said to heal illness when stroked. For donations, please speak to the temple office inside the main hall or to the kura (priests' quarters). *For details, please see the Hinatayakushi Hojobo website.*