The 3rd Hosono Highlands Yamayaki Experience

🏔 What Hosono Highlands Is Like 🏔
Hosono Highlands spreads across the slopes of Mt. Amagi, which erupted between 800,000 and 200,000 years ago. The plateau covers about 125 hectares—roughly the size of 26 Tokyo Domes—and offers a majestic expanse of grassland. It is said to be a treasure trove of flora and fauna nurtured by volcanic terrain.
In spring, you can forage for mountain vegetables such as bracken amid fresh greenery. In autumn, vast stands of golden susuki (silver grass) create a spectacular display. From the summit you can see Sagami Bay and the Izu Islands, where meadow and seascape combine into a unique panorama.

Inatori Hosono Highlands has been recognized among the 100 Grassland Villages We Want to Preserve for the Future for the value of local knowledge, awareness, and skills accumulated through long interaction between people and nature.
Hosono Highlands conducts an annual yamayaki (controlled burn) to maintain the grassland. During walks you can observe grass-cutting work performed in preparation for the burn.
⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰
🔥⛰ What “Yamayaki” Means ⛰🔥

Yamayaki is an essential annual practice to keep Hosono Highlands as open grassland.
By burning overgrown grasses and shrubs, the area is prevented from turning into forest, and the burned vegetation returns nutrients to the soil to sustain a rich grassland.

This yamayaki has continued every year at Hosono Highlands since the Edo period.

Because the plateau borders neighboring Kawazu Town, preventing fire from spreading across boundaries is critical, and the work must address elevation changes and steep slopes, so seasoned experience and

advanced fire-management know-how are required.
⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰

● Event Overview

Yamayaki is an activity necessary to keep Hosono Highlands as grassland and has continued annually since the Edo period.
As a first trial in February 2023, we opened the yamayaki on a very limited basis and offered it as a guided tour for observation.
To help more people learn about this tradition in greater depth, we will hold the Yamayaki Experience again in 2025.
Please come and witness the overwhelming sight of the landscape ablaze.

● Event Schedule — Saturday, February 8, 2025
Date and time: Saturday, 2/8, 10:30–15:30 (scheduled)
10:30: Assemble and register at Inatori Hosono Highlands Parking Lot No. 2
11:00: Yamayaki viewing (guided yamayaki explanation, lunch provided)
14:00: Post-yamayaki walk (guided)
15:30: End of program and dismissal (Program order may change depending on yamayaki progress; please understand in advance.)
Meeting/registration location: Inatori Hosono Highlands Parking Lot No. 2 (parking spaces available)
➡ On the day of the yamayaki, general vehicles are not allowed into Parking Lot No. 1. Please park at the foothill Parking Lot No. 2.
There is no public transportation to the venue. Please use your own means of transport to access the site.

Participation Conditions
・Capacity is limited to 30 participants.
・Participants who are junior high school age or younger must be accompanied by a guardian.
・Please apply only if you fully understand the safety notes and on-site hazards.

Participation Fee
3,500 yen per person. Includes admission, consumption tax, local guide, lunch, insurance, and grassland management fee (1,000 yen).
※The participation fee is payable on site on the day of the event.
※We will contact you by email in advance and on the day about the event. Please note you cannot apply without an email address.

How to Apply
Please apply by entering the required information on the Higashiizu Town Tourist Association event page.
https://www.e-izu.org/?p=we-page-entry&spot=568220&cat=23649&pageno=3&type=spot
Or call the Higashiizu Tourist Association (TEL: 0557-95-0700) to register by phone.

● Notes and Precautions
About Participation in Work
This event is for observing the yamayaki. You may not take part in fire-starting or other operational tasks.
Cancellation Decisions
Yamayaki may be canceled on the morning of the event due to weather conditions (wind, humidity, rain, etc.). If yamayaki is canceled, this event will also be canceled. There are no substitute events. Please register only if you accept these cancellation conditions.
What to Wear on the Day
Yamayaki is a very dangerous operation, and flying embers or smoldering debris may be present.
Please wear flame-resistant clothing with minimal exposed skin.
All activities at the site are outdoors, so please prepare for cold weather.
Guide Language
Guidance is provided in Japanese only. Thank you for your understanding.

Cancellation Policy
If the event is canceled or you cancel, we will charge cancellation fees as follows.

If yamayaki itself is canceled due to severe weather (strong wind, dry conditions, rain, etc.), no payment will be charged.
If you cancel for personal reasons:
・Cancellation on the day or the day before → 100% of the event fee will be charged.
・Cancellation two days or more before → 0% cancellation fee.
・No-show without notice → 100% of the event fee will be charged.
*We may also claim actual communication costs or other damages where applicable.
For cancellations due to unavoidable events such as disasters, please contact the organizer.

If the organizer cancels for reasons other than weather, we will consult with participants and refund an appropriate amount.


Items to Bring
・Flame-resistant (fire-retardant) and warm clothing
・Clothes you don’t mind getting stained by sparks or soot
・Well-broken-in shoes
https://www.e-izu.org/?p=we-page-entry&spot=568220&cat=23649&pageno=3&type=spot

Takaharu Town Tourism Association Year-End and New Year Business Hours!

Takaharu Town Tourism Association – Ekisaiting City (Shop)
From December 31 to January 3, Reiwa 7

We will be closed during this period; we apologize for any inconvenience.

Little by little...
In Daffodil Land, it has finally bloomed to the point where several flowers can be captured in one photo~.

As expected, it is a prefectural flower that represents the people of Fukui Prefecture.
The sight of flowers blooming even in the cold that makes your body shrink will give you energy!

If it looks like this, the Best time to visit will be in the middle Squid January, right?
Best time to visit the daffodil festival "Narcissus "Crab Fair" Held in on January 11 (Sat) and 12 (Sun)!

If you see daffodils in bloom, please upload them on social media!

◎ Echizen daffodil flowering status [Updated on Friday, December 27, 2024]
https://www.town-echizen.jp/news/detail.php?id=637

[Notice on the Use of Public Toilets at Mount Oyama Summit
& Oyama Sando Map] 2024–2025
The public toilets at Mount Oyama Summit may be temporarily unavailable due to freezing. Please use the toilets in advance. Check the map of the approach for restroom locations.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Access: Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Bus Stop No. 4
Take the bus bound for “Oyama Cable” for about 30 minutes
Get off at the final stop and walk 15 minutes along the Koma approach to the cable car station

Photographed 10/20/24.
It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival.
In front of Kawagoe City Hall, it is a festival float of Nasori in Nandori Towns.

Photographed 10/20/24.
It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival.
In front of Kawagoe City Hall, it is a festival float of Yorimitsu in Mikubo Town.
Actually, there are still many photos of the Kawagoe Festival.

Tateyama Mountain Ranges seen from the Ameharu Coast 2023.12.09

The Oniwa and Tateyama mountain ranges over the sea are truly superb Spots.
The view of mountains with an Elevation of 3,000 meters across the sea is a superb view that is difficult to see in the world.

A scenic spot related to Manyo, Ameharu Coast.
The poet of Manyo, Oban Iemochi, loved this rainy landscape and sang many songs. The beautiful scenery is the same now as it was in the past, and the magnificent view of the reef seen from the beach and the 3,000m-class Tateyama mountain ranges seen over Toyama Bay is exceptional. It's breathtaking.

"Yoshitsune Rock", where Minamoto Yoshitsune waited for the rain to clear on his way to Oshu, is also the origin of the place name "Ameharu". (From Toyama's website)

Hello 👋😃 This is Crystal Sound 👀 With just a little of this year left, we pray that next year will be a good one for everyone.

In Shosenkyo Gorge there is Kanazakura Shrine, famous as the birthplace of crystal in Japan. Many visitors come to pray there at New Year as a lucky spot for financial fortune, so why not pay a visit yourself.

There are many shops nearby selling crystals, so come and drop by✨
At Crystal Sound we carry lots of beautiful jewelry and crystals🫠
We have also received carved snakes for next year’s zodiac, so please come and take a look✨

All of our staff look forward to welcoming you from the bottom of our hearts.

[Year-end and New Year Business Hours Notice] 2024
Located midway up the stairs at the north exit of OdakyuLine Isehara Station, the station-side Kururin House and Isehara Station Tourist Information Center are open year-round!

We carry Isehara souvenirs and Kururin goods♪
*Kururin Plush Sale*
Until Monday, January 15, 2025
★1,800 yen (tax included) → 1,500 yen (tax included)

Take this chance to get your Kururin✨!
We look forward to seeing you.

Station-side Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information Center)
OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open year-round)
*Shortened hours from January 1 to January 3: 10:00–15:00*
https://isehara-kanko.com/shop-kururinhouse/

Yesterday, Wednesday, December 25, the standard Atami cherry tree along the Itokawa Promenade was confirmed to be in bloom!
Some trees began blooming in mid-December, but the standard tree has finally opened.

This Atami cherry is a variety of the cold-loving Kanzakura cherry, native to India, that typically blooms from early January through February. Around 1871, an Italian introduced it, along with lemon and date palm, to Atami. It was named “Atami sakura” during the 1965 Flower-Filled Movement, and on April 10, 1977 (the city’s 40th anniversary), it was designated as Atami City’s official tree.
Because the same branch can form early-blooming and later-blooming buds in two stages, the blossoms can usually be enjoyed for more than a month each year.

The Cherry Blossom Festival opens after the New Year together with the Plum Festival!
During the cherry blossom festival, you can expect nighttime illumination, servings of cherry blossom tea and green tea, street performances, sword dances, and band performances—so please come see the blossoms.

The 15th Atami Sakura Itokawa Cherry Blossom Festival runs Saturday, January 11 through Sunday, February 9, 2025.
https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/event/208

Regarding bloom updates, we will post them on the page above as soon as the city hall survey materials arrive, so please refer to that information.

The auction of the last Echizen Snow Crab of 2024 has begun!

Even in the rain and wind, they will be auctioned off one after another in a lively auction! 🦀

This is the end of this season's fishing for female Seiko crabs.
It will be available as long as it is available, so please purchase and Meals as soon as possible!

Fun for the first auction of the new year after the beginning of 2025! !️

◎ Restaurant serving the Popular "Echizen Seiko Crab Bowl" is here
➡https://www.town-echizen.jp/news/detail.php?id=353

I took a picture of my son and wife playing in the snow at the Saiko Healing Village in Kawaguchiko Towns.

[Notice]
Year-end and New Year business hours for Roadside Station Iwanai

Dec 28 (Sat) 9:00–17:00
Dec 29 (Sun) 9:00–17:00
Dec 30 (Mon) Closed
Dec 31 (Tue)–Jan 3 (Fri) Closed for the Year-end and New Year holidays
Jan 4 (Sat) 9:00–17:00

That is the schedule 😊
Thank you.

Also, Jan 6 (Mon) will be a closed day.
Please be careful not to mistake the dates.

Photographed 12/23/24.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

【Cherry blossom planting experience 🥰 at Oboshi Park】

At Oboshi Park, one of the 100 best famous landmarks in Japan
Using Furusato Nozei Tax Payment to Plant Cherry Blossoms
I can.

The cherry blossom tree planting experience is the Sakura Festival in late March of 2025 (Reiwa 7)
It is scheduled to be held on one of the Saturdays and Sundays during the period.

As a memento of the experience, engrave your name on the plate.

Kita Kirishima Photo Contest Now Open‼️

Entry Period: 2024/12/11–2025/2/21
How to Enter: Instagram only.
Please check the details for the entry procedure!

[Grand Prize] 1 winner
◯ Assortment of Kita Kirishima local specialties (worth ¥20,000)
◯ Poster production

[Excellence Awards] 3 winners
① Kobayashi Award (worth ¥10,000)
② Ebino City Award (worth ¥10,000)
③ Takahara Award (worth ¥10,000)
◯ Poster production

[Honorable Mentions] 10 winners
◯ Poster production
*Posters are scheduled to be displayed by the tourism association.
For entry requirements and other details, please check the following website and sources.

◯ Website
https://kobayashi-machi.com/16056

[Contact]
Kita Kirishima Regional Tourism Promotion Council
Kobayashi Community Development Co., Ltd. Tourist Information Center
Phone: 0984-22-8684
#Photo Contest #Miyazaki Prefecture #Kobayashi City #Ebino City #Takaharacho #Kobayashi Community Development Co., Ltd. #Takahara Town Tourism Association #Photography #Miyakonojo City #Free Entry #Scenery #Landscape #Photos #Kita Kirishima Regional Tourism Promotion Council😁

Learn about Japanese food culture!
Nationwide smartphone stamp rally across Japan 🗾 2024
To promote Japan’s food culture, we are holding a nationwide smartphone stamp rally that takes you to related sites featuring “100-year foods” and food culture museums across the country.
In Isehara✨ you can currently collect stamps at the two locations below!
* Otsuya Kyarabuki Honpo
(Oyama Koma Sando: 618 Oyama, Isehara, Kanagawa)
URL https://kyarabuki.com/
* Eki-naka Kururin House / Isehara Station Tourist Information Center
(On the stairs at the north exit of OdakyuLine Isehara Station)
URL https://isehara-kanko.com/

Participants will be entered in a drawing to win prizes related to 100-year foods and food culture museums.🎁
Bring your family, come with friends, or join solo—everyone is welcome♪
================================
Event period: until Friday, January 31, 2025
For details and to participate
Click here ▶ https://foodculture2021.go.jp/stamprally/

【2025 Kisoji Ice and Snow Light Festival】
This year Kisoji ice and snow lights will be Held in again Festival.
From January 25th ~ February 15th, ice candles and bamboo lanterns will be lit at Shukuba in Kisoji. Events of several hours once a year. Fun a fantastic world that is different from usual.

♦1/25 (Sat) Kiso Town Miyanokoshi
♦2/2 (Sun) Shiojiri City Niekawa Juku
♦2/3 (Mon) Shiojiri City Narai juku
♦2/7 (Fri)-8 (Sat) Kiso Town Fukushima juku
♦2/8 (Sat) Nakatsugawa City Magome juku
♦2/9 (Sun) Agematsu Town Nezame-no-Toko, Okuwa Village Sports Park
♦2/18 (Sat) Nagiso Town Tsumago juku

And Held in a photo contest again this year! The winning works will be used for posters, flyers, web advertisements, etc. for the next year.
【For those who apply on Instagram】Account of the Kiso Tourism Federation (@kiso_japan_official
) > #kisoji_hyosetsu_2025 Don't forget to tag them!
【Apply by sending photos】Please send 4 color prints or A4 size (4 slices wide are also acceptable) to the Kiso Tourism Federation.
Period: 2025/2/1~2/28 (must arrive by this date)

For details, please check the Home page "Kiso Valley Rippu".

We have 😊 received many applications

Photographed 12/23/24.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

In the early morning of the next day when it snowed in Kyoto unusually,
I woke up early and went to Kiyomizu Temple to shoot.

Shine in the world of white snow at Kiyomizu Temple
The vermilion zi'an pagoda was very mysterious.

Tenjoan is a snowy landscape.

I took this photo the day after it snowed in Kyoto.

The snow-covered stepping stones were also nice and tasteful.

In the early morning of the next day when it snowed in Kyoto unusually,
I woke up early and went to shoot while freezing.

The air was clear, the sunrise was beautiful, and the snow-covered three-story pagoda matched the really nice scenery in front of me.

It is a winter view of Kamo Shrine in Keihoku, Kyoto.

Impression when I arrived at Kamo Shrine by walking alone in the mountains where there was quite a bit of snow.

After Prayer, I forgot about the cold for about two hours and took pictures with enthusiasm.

It is a winter view of Kamo Shrine in Keihoku, Kyoto.

Impression when I arrived at Kamo Shrine by walking alone in the mountains where there was quite a bit of snow.

After Prayer, I forgot about the cold for about two hours and took pictures with enthusiasm.

New Year in Isehara 🎍 2024–2025
Information on Ōyama operations and parking during the New Year holidays
Ōyama in Isehara is said to be the first place in Kanagawa Prefecture where you can see the first sunrise of the year. The expected time to see the first sunrise from the summit of Ōyama is 6:45 AM.
Also noteworthy is Hijirimine (a sacred peak), accessible by a roughly 2.5-kilometer uphill walk from Sannomiya Hibita Shrine of about one hour, where you can enjoy a spectacular 150-degree wide-angle view of the first sunrise rising to the left of Enoshima from the summit.
From New Year’s Day 2025, Isehara will be full of New Year events.
We have compiled information for each location; please check the details and dress warmly before you go.
Please note that many people visit Ōyama during the New Year season, and severe congestion and traffic jams caused by cars waiting for parking are expected. Please use public transportation whenever possible.
When it is dark underfoot, bring lighting as needed (flashlights, headlamps, etc.).
For details, please see each site and the Isehara City website below.
https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/kankou_guide/docs/2024122300044/

[Echizen daffodil blooming status on Friday, December 20, 2024]

The weather has been cold for some time now, and the pace of flowering has slowed down.
It is beginning to bloom here and there, but as a whole, it is still almost before flowering.

It has been delayed for about 3 weeks, and the best time to see it is around the beginning of January.

◎ Echizen daffodil flowering status [Updated on Friday, December 20, 2024]
https://town-echizen.jp/news/detail.php?id=635

Photographed 12/21/24.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.
It is a Christmas specification. 🎄

Azumino chilled to minus 6 degrees
The sun quietly hits the Northern Alps
The snowy ridgelines turn red
This is the view from Azumino Ohisama Road

Mt. Mt. Aoba, covered in snow, symbolizes ❄️ the winter scenery of Takahama

While the weather is getting colder day by day, today we can see a little sunny, and the blue sky spreads over the snow-covered Mt. Aoba. The contrast between the pure white snow and the clear blue sky is magical, and it is breathtaking. Even in the middle of winter, Takahama offers heartwarming and beautiful moments that visit and brighten up the seasons.

Flower charcoal born from plants in Ubuyama villages.
I know it's an unfamiliar word, but it's made from Ingredients made from pine cones, Nanten, and the grasslands and mountains of Ubuyama villages.

Speaking of charcoal, various effective for There are such as deodorizing and deodorizing effects have been packaged a little coolly as an interior decoration and as a gift for loved ones.

Just by dripping your favorite aroma on this charcoal, you can also make your own original duffuser.
We can't make many because the staff belonging to the Tourist Association are creating them in detail, but if you are interested parties, please comment.

In addition, this charcoal is brittle and fragile, so we do not currently send it by mail.
In order to let many people know about Ubuyama Ingredients, we are currently creating them and selling them at markets in the neighboring area.

Prices will also fluctuate.
The photo is for illustrative purposes only.