Fireflies are now at their best viewing season 🌌 Spots in Nobeoka City where you can enjoy fireflies include Kitagawa, Yoshino, and Maino Many locations seem to be reaching their peak viewing period✨ Let’s continue to protect this beautiful nature by observing proper manners while watching them😊 ◎Please avoid shining bright lights, littering, or damaging the natural environment. ◎Keep quiet so as not to disturb others nearby while viewing. ◎Do not use insect-repellent sprays at viewing sites; take precautions by wearing long sleeves instead. 🪄May the fireflies dancing in the night sky leave you with lasting memories.

The Inko Hyotan Festival (Gion Festival) will be held again this year. The "Inko Hyotan" is a protective charm from Yasaka Shrine, a subordinate shrine within Omiya Shrine, enshrining the deity who soothed the epidemic that spread through Yamaga during the Edo Period. During the Inko Hyotan distribution period, limited Goshuin from Yasaka Shrine will be available, along with bamboo charms for health and epidemic prevention, ofuda, five-color hyotan charms, and pet charms. Please come and visit. ＿＿＿＿＿ ● Location Omiya Shrine (196 Yamaga, Yamaga City) ● Distribution Period Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – Sunday, June 15, 2025 ● Time 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ※Open until 8:00 PM on the 15th ■ About Sunday, June 15 Food stalls will be open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. (The flyer stated "from evening," but the start time was changed to 11:00 AM.) Two kamishibai performances will be held: ① 5:30 PM – ② 6:30 PM ※In conjunction with the Inko Hyotan event, a limited Goshuin has been issued (June 1 – June 30). ※A limited number of items is available each day.

Fresh green at Unoko Falls 🍃 It feels like May has flown by in no time 😅 Saturday, May 31 in Gokasecho was a delightfully clear day 🌞 At this time of year, Unoko Falls has plenty of water and brilliant fresh greenery ✨ I was soothed by birdsong, the sound of the water, and the breeze 🥰 The light was just right, so I got some great photos 📷 When you walk down to the plunge pool, be careful—wet spots can be slippery, so watch your step 👣

Overflow at Chinda Falls Resumes Chinda Falls, located in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture on Kyushu. Waterfall flow had been stopped for construction since October 2024, but construction is complete and overflow resumed on May 21, 2025. Further construction will require another temporary stoppage of the waterfall. We will share details as they become available. Please be careful when visiting Chinda Falls for sightseeing. ■Upcoming Construction Schedule Water flow will be stopped again from June onward From September onward, improvement work is scheduled for Chinda Falls Fureai Park (the park will be completely closed during construction) ■About Chinda Falls Chinda Falls consists of the male waterfall spanning the main stream of the Ono River and the female waterfall on the Hirai River tributary. The male waterfall is about 100 meters wide and approximately 20 meters high. The ink-wash painter Sesshū, active during the Muromachi period, visited here and painted "Chinda Waterfall." Remains of a power plant built in the Meiji era also remain. ■■■Access to central Bungo-Ono■■■ 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 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture (Bungo-Ono City) on Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

★☆★The 26th Kyushu Tamaire Championship in Morotsuka★☆★ The 26th Kyushu Tamaire Championship will take place at Morotsuka Village Gymnasium on Sunday, June 29. The tournament will be held🌟 “Just a ball toss? Yet not just a ball toss.” The basket you aim for stands over 4 m high😮 Entries are open for the General Division and a Beginner Division for newcomers🔰. ※From 2025 onward there will be no Ladies Division; entrants should register in the General Division. ■Event Schedule Sunday, June 29, 2025 09:30 Opening Ceremony 10:00 Competition Starts 16:00 Expected Finish Venue: Morotsuka Village Gymnasium Participant Parking: Morotsuka Village Sports Park Baseball Field ■Inquiries For tournament matters: Morotsuka Village Board of Education TEL 0982-65-0072 For entry questions: Morotsuka Village Tourism Association TEL 0982-65-0178 ※Entry deadline: Friday, June 13. For applications and details, please check the Kyushu Tamaire Championship page on Morotsuka Navi. We look forward to many entries😊 About the Kyushu Tamaire Championship In 1990, the All Japan Tamaire Association (commonly AJTA) was founded in Wassamu, Hokkaido as a group promoting new sports that anyone can join easily. In 2000, AJTA Kyushu was established here in Morotsuka Village as the Kyushu branch of the All Japan Tamaire Association. Embracing AJTA’s tamaire spirit and promoting exchange with urban areas to revitalize the region, it continues as part of Morotsuka’s community development centered on the whole-village forest park. Today AJTA Kyushu consists of volunteers who cherish the tamaire dream. In addition to running the Kyushu Tamaire Championship (held every summer in Morotsuka Village) as a stepping stone to the national tournament, the association works to popularize this easy-to-learn yet deep tamaire sport as a recreational activity for village residents. About All-Japan Tamaire Rules The competition divides into two divisions, General and Beginner, to compete for the title of Kyushu Tamaire Champion. “All-Japan Tamaire” is a timed race in which teams of four to six players compete to place a total of 100 balls (99 Ajata balls and 1 Anchor ball) into the basket as quickly as possible. AJATA Rules: All-Japan Tamaire Championship Competition Regulations ●Basic Rules “All-Japan Tamaire” is a timed race in which teams of four to six players compete to place a total of 100 balls (99 Ajata balls and 1 Anchor ball) into the basket. 1. Teams must consist of four to six players; lacking even one person results in disqualification. 2. To prevent false starts, players begin facing backward. (Starter gun start) 3. Ajata balls must be placed first; the Anchor ball must be placed last. Placing it earlier causes disqualification. 4. Failing to put all 100 balls in the basket results in disqualification. 5. Using rods or other tools, or tossing from piggyback positions, will result in disqualification. 6. A ball resting on the rim of the basket is counted as safe. If an Anchor ball knocks a ball resting on the basket rim, it is still safe. 7. Anyone other than the players touching the Ajata balls leads to disqualification. 8. Other matters of match operation will be announced at the managers’ meeting. The above rules were officially adopted on April 15, 1996, and partially revised in 2010; all championship tournaments are conducted based on these Ajata rules. ●Participants Number of registered players: up to 8; number competing: 4 to 6 players Gender: mixed or single-gender teams accepted Age: Junior high school age and older (Teams composed only of junior high students are not permitted unless at least one adult participates on the team.) ●Equipment 1. Ajata Court Mark a 6 m diameter Ajata circle with line tape. Position the Ajata basket at the center. 2. Ajata Basket (approved) Height: 4 m 12 cm with steel base (association’s recording site lowest temperature −41.2°C) Basket diameter: 44 cm; depth: 44 cm (association location approx. 44° N) 3. Ajata Balls (approved) Outer fabric cover with resin particle filling • Ajata balls (99)…80 g ±2 g • Anchor ball (1)…250 g ±5 g 4. Ajata Shoes Indoor athletic shoes must be worn.

Kitsuki Castle A landmark towering over the Castle Town Kitsuki Since its construction in 1394, Kitsuki Castle has watched over this town for 600 years. Although it Castle Keep simulated, the three-tiered Castle Keep towering over the Ruins of the Castle is reminiscent of the appearance of this castle in the past. Built in the early Muromachi period by the Kitsuki clan on Mount Tai at the mouth of the Yasaka River, the castle was surrounded by natural strongholds such as the Takayama River to the north and Morie Bay to the east. While the castle changed its location and shape due to subsequent natural disasters and earthquakes, the castle owners were also replaced by the Maeda, Japanese cedar, and Hosokawa clans, and the Ogasawara and Matsudaira clans finally marked the end of the Edo era, and Kitsuki Castle continues to this day without welcoming a new castle owner. It is said to be important for understanding the actual state of castles in the early Edo period, such as understanding the building composition and structure of the castle before its destruction by the "One Country, One Castle Order" from historical documents and excavation results, and in March 2020, the Ruins of the Castle in the Taishan area and the ruins of the Lord's Palace at the foothills were designated as national historic sites. Some of the stone walls still exist. Today, the top of the mountain is open to the public as Shiroyama Park, and there is also a stone park where valuable stone structures such as the Kunisaki Pagoda found in various parts of the city are exhibited outdoors. At the time of the castle's construction, it was named "Kitsuki", but since it was mistakenly written as "Kitsuki" on the shogunate's shuin stamps, it has been changed to "Kitsuki". It is also known as "Katsuyama Castle" because it withstood the onslaught of the Shimazu for two months. Inside the castle, valuable items such as items related to the lords are on display, and armor, weapons, and Buddhist statues are on display. You can also enjoy dressing up and taking commemorative photos. It is visited by many tourists as the final destination of a walk around the Castle Town, and the superb view from the Castle Keep and the comfort of the wind will be a memory of the trip.

kurakurakura Festival 2025 The kurakurakura Festival returns this year. The Taketa–Bungo Ono area, fed by abundant mountain waters, hosts a wide variety of breweries and distilleries producing sake, shochu, wine and craft beer. Special limited-time experience programs will be held at those breweries. ❚ What is the kurakurakura Festival The Taketa–Bungo Ono area features a diverse range of producers, from sake and shochu to wine, craft beer and whisky. Alongside enjoying great drinks, visitors can take part in many exclusive, limited-time brewery experiences. Learn about the breweries and you’ll love the drinks even more. Whether you’re a fan of alcohol or not, discover new ways to enjoy these beverages. [Event Period] Sunday, June 1, 2025 – Sunday, August 31, 2025 [Venues] Eight breweries across the Taketa–Bungo Ono area For details, please check the link below. ■■■Access to central Bungoono City■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono City ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250526event-bungoono/...

Fukoji Hydrangeas ❚ Bloom Report as of May 22, 2025 Fukoji Temple stands in Asaji Town, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture. It is also famous as a hydrangea sightseeing spot. At present, most hydrangeas are still buds. We will update the bloom status as it progresses. [Location] Kamiozuka, Asaji Town, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture [Access] About a 10-minute drive from JR Asaji Station [Parking] Available (free) [Restrooms] Available ❚ Fukoji Temple The rock-carved Buddha on the temple grounds, including its base, stands approximately 11 meters tall and ranks among Japan’s largest rock-carved Buddhas. The central giant figure represents Fudo Myoo. Fudo Myoo traditionally appears with an angry expression, but years of wind and rain have softened this carving into a rounded, gentle face. Although it is a large Fudo Myoo, it has a very approachable presence. Fukoji is also called Hydrangea Temple for good reason, with many hydrangeas planted across the grounds. During the rainy season you can see abundant hydrangea blooms alongside the rock-carved Buddha. The hydrangeas planted here are cared for by the temple and local community. ■■■ Access to central Bungo-Ono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■

🌸"Gokase Hanami 2025" Voting Now Open🌸【Until Friday, June 6, 2025!】 Thank you all for entering "Gokase Hanami 2025"! We held a strict first-round screening by the tourism association staff and selected 12 entries from all submissions🙏✨ From these 12 entries, we would like you to vote to decide the final winners🤩👏 Among those who vote, 10 people will be chosen by lottery to receive local specialties from Gokasecho as a gift🎁💫 We appreciate your participation🙇‍♀️ Here is how to vote💡 【Voting period: Until Friday, June 6, 2025】 ⚠️You may vote by only one of the methods below, one time per account or one time per person. <If voting via Google Form> ・Go to the "voting form" using the URL below https://forms.gle/uBpw7C7xFDsDKBo2A... ・Enter your email address (required). You may optionally provide your name. ・Choose one of the 12 entries, check the box for that entry, and submit your response. ⚠️No login is required, but an email address is mandatory, so please note this in advance. <If voting via Instagram> ・Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account. https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... ・From the post with the hashtag #Gokase Hanami 2025 Voting, choose one of the 12 featured entries and send the photo number by direct message or comment✍ ⚠️If you do not follow our account, message exchange may be unreliable and you will be excluded from the gift lottery. Please be aware. <If voting at a polling location> ・Vote at polling stations set up at Gokasecho Town Hall, Gokase Onsen Mori no Yado Kijiya, or the mobile vendor "Gokase Marche" truck. ・Choose one of the 12 entries, write the entry number, your name, and your email address on the voting slip, and place it in the voting envelope. Additionally, a polling station will be set up at Gokase Secondary Education School in collaboration with the Gokase Sakura Project, and students will also be participating in voting💪✨ ⚠️If your email address is missing or illegible due to poor handwriting, you will be excluded from the gift lottery. Please understand. Please be sure to view the original posts by the entrants before you vote🤗 1 @sokoatari.urouro (photo 1) 2 @fowafuwarin5 (photo 2) 3 @ 920cherry71 (photo 3) 4 @_yuta610 (photo 4) 5 @1230fuukeinoturishi (photo 5) 6 @8215dr72 (photo 6) 7 @code_name_cross_fire (photo 7) 8 @sakai_0808 (photo 8) 9 @reoron001219 (photo 9) 10 @hisabou1958 (photo 10) 11 @landscape133_22 (photo 11) 12 @omilove.1203 (photo 12) We look forward to receiving many votes from everyone🥰

Sell the pumpkins you grew 🎃! Pumpkin contest participants wanted! 1 Application deadline: Friday, May 30, 2025 (Reiwa 7) 2 How to apply: Contact Takaharu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry by phone or apply via Google Form. 3 Distribution dates: Monday, June 2 to Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 9:00–17:00 4 Distribution location: Takaharu Town Tourism Association (inside JR Takaharu Station) 5 Seedling pots to be distributed: four varieties • Atlantic Giant (for ornamental use) • Fukuebisu (for eating) ・ Korinqui (for eating) ・ Butternut (for eating) Details about the pumpkin contest • Pumpkin drop-off: Thursday, September 11 to Saturday, September 13, 2025. Drop-off from 9:00 until 12:00. • Exhibition and sale: Saturday, September 13 to Monday, September 15, 2025 (public holiday), 9:00–16:00 ※The contest venue and drop-off location is Koubashira Park Jinmu no Yakata. ※The exhibition and sale on Saturday, September 13th runs from 13:00–16:00. ※All pumpkin entrants will receive a participation prize. ※Winners will receive special prizes. (There are many categories, including most entries, weight, color, and shape.) Google Form to apply↓↓ https://docs.google.com/.../1nB.../edit... -- Inquiries -- Takaharu Town Tourism Association 0984-42-4560

Hello, this is the Kitsuki City Tourism Association! Kitsuki City, located in the northeastern part of Oita Prefecture, is a full of charm Castle Town surrounded by abundant nature. Kitsuki City, with a population of about 26,000 (as of 2023), is There is a at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula and is easily accessed from Oita Airport. Kitsuki City is known as the "Castle Town of the Slope" and is characterized by a rare townscape in Japan, with samurai residences spread out on high ground from north to south, arranged across the merchant town in the valley. In this first COOL JAPAN VIDEO posting, we will deliver plenty of Tourist Information that allows you to fully enjoy Kitsuki City! We will also introduce recommended Spots and exquisite gourmet Information, so be sure to check it out! 【Access to Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture】 Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture can be reached in about 30 minutes by car from Oita Airports. In addition, it is about 30 minutes by car from Beppu / Yufuin. Use JR Station is the closest. Transportation from the station to the Castle Town area by local bus or Taxi and enjoy a historical walk. There are the sea nearby, the beautiful scenery Unfolds on a sunny day, and it is also popular as a Driving course, so renting a car is also recommended! 【About Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture】 While receiving the blessings of the sea and mountains, Kitsuki City has nurtured its own culture over a long history. Above all, if you walk through the Castle Town, you can feel the good Nostalgic Atmosphere with Samurai Residences and Merchant Towns left everywhere. If you are interested in the kimono experience and historical walks that are often introduced in Kitsuki City's Tourist Information, please visit. 【Historical background of Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture】 Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture developed from the Muromachi period to the Edo period, and the townscape of the Edo period still remains Richly preserved, making it an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. It is attractive that you can enjoy the unique scenery and history that other Castle Towns do not have. In particular, the structure that developed in the form of Samurai residences lined up on the north and south and sandwiched between the Merchant Town in the center is rare in Japan. This unique townscape of "Castle Town on the Slope" has become one of the reasons why many tourists have visited it in recent years. 【Popular Sightseeing spots in Kitsuki City】 ◆Kitsuki Castle Kitsuki Castle, a symbol of Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture, is said to be the smallest Castle Keep in No.1 in Japan, but its charm is said to be a Castle Town with a compact but unusual shape with historical value. From the high ground of the castle, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Castle Town cityscape and Seto Inland Sea, giving Visitors Impression. The castle is Open to the public as a Museum and is recommended for history buffs and photography lovers. ◆Suya Slope, Shioya (Shihoya) Slope Slope with Samurai Residence and other townscapes reminiscent of the scenery of the Edo period. If you look down from the top of the slope or walk along the Stone pavement slope that connects the high ground, the scenery Unfolds as if you have traveled back in time. There are many tourists who rent kimonos and stroll around the city, and it is also famous as a photo Spot of the Kitsuki City Tourism Model Course. ◆Kitsuki Castle Shitamachi Area (Samurai Residence, Merchant Town) It is characterized by a castle town with a very rare topography in Japan, with a group of Samurai Residence Districts spreading out on the high ground from north to south and a merchant town spread out in the valley. At the Samurai Residence, you can also visiting the site architectural techniques and structures where you can learn about the lifestyles and construction techniques of the time, and the fun of learning about the historical background Unfolds. Souvenir shops and cafes are also scattered around, so you can enjoy a little Meals and shopping. ◆Ohara Residence It is known as a presence that represents a corner of the Samurai Residence, and the Charming Garden and the appearance of the old architecture make you feel the history of Kitsuki more deeply. Please think about the culture of the Castle Town and the lives of the people at that time. 【Kitsuki City's Traditional Culture and Crafts】 In Kitsuki City, traditions representative by samurai residences and Castle Town culture are inherited, while local festivals and performing arts rooted in the locals are also carefully preserved in various places. Especially in Kitsuki City, which is still deeply connected to kimono culture, you can enjoy the kimono experience. If you walk in a kimono to blend in with the Castle Town, you will feel as if you are the protagonist of a period drama. In addition, as a kimono Privileges, you can enter the cultural facilities for free, and there are services such as discounts at Privileges Subject shops, so you can stroll around at a great price. In particular, taking photos on Samurai Residence Street and Shioya Slope is sure to look good on social media. 【Gourmet food in Kitsuki City】 ◆Kitsuki tea / Kitsuki black tea Tea Production around Kitsuki City is characterized by its deep taste and refreshing aroma. In recent years, it is one of the few domestic black teas At cafes in the city, you can enjoy seasonal Japanese sweets with Kitsuki tea and matcha. Why don't you spend a moment of travel while taking a break at a quaint café in Castle Town? ◆Mandarin oranges (citrus fruits) Kitsuki City is a Mandarin Oranges production area that boasts one of the highest productions in the prefecture. In addition, various varieties are also cultivation, so many people visit to coincide with the citrus season. ◆ Strawberries Kitsuki City is one of the one of the most strawberry-producing areas in Oita Prefecture, and High quality strawberries are cultivation that take advantage of the warm climate and rich nature environment. Varieties such as "Saga Honoka" and "Belitsu" are especially popular, and are characterized by a good balance of sweetness and acidity, rich Aroma and juiciness. Strawberry picking can also be enjoyed at the tourist farm, and it is popular with many people. ◆Hamo Oyster Kitsuki City is known as a fisheries for ducks, and Raised in the fast currents of the Bungo Water Channel, the ducks are characterized by their tight flesh and good fat. It is in season from summer to autumn, and you can enjoy its elegant taste with hot water and tempura. Oyster farming is also thriving, growing in nutrient-rich waters and having a rich umami and creamy texture. Especially in winter, when the Oyster Highway is in season! The store, which serves a variety of dishes such as grilled oysters and steamed oysters, is crowded with many customers. 【Introduction of Events and Festivals in Kitsuki City】 ◆Kitsuki Castle Festival (May) A traditional festival centered on the Castle Town area where Samurai parades and stage events are held like historical picture scrolls. Local residents and tourists will It will be a lot of fun! together. ◆Kitsuki Tenjin Festival (July) It is a 300-year-old festival held at Kitsuki Tenmansha Shrine and the Castle Town area, where dancers, drum drummers, mikoshi and festival floats parade through the town of Kitsuki. ◆ Kangetsu Festival (October) An event to enjoy Tea and the famous moon of mid-autumn in the Traditional Japanese straw raincoat of the Castle Town. Lights are lit in the Castle Town, and it is a festival that colors the autumn night in a very fantastic way. ◆Castle Town Kitsuki Walk and Hiina Tour (February ~ March) Hiina Meguri is held in for about one month. This is an Events around the Hina dolls displayed in Samurai residences and Machiya houses. In the Traditional Japanese straw raincoat full of Edo atmosphere, you can feel the arrival of Spring. 【Tourist Information of Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture】 Kitsuki City is an attractive town with a townscape full of history, beautiful Nature, and a food culture born from that Nature. Wear a kimono and walk around the Castle Town, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and enjoy delicious local cuisine. Why don't you experience such a special trip in Kitsuki City? Plenty of charm awaits your visit. In the next post, I will introduce Kitsuki that I couldn't write in this post!

Higo Green Melon, a specialty of Kikuchi City, is now in season! Higo Green Melon grows larger than ordinary melons, with thicker, very tender flesh. It also contains plenty of water and juice, with a sugar content of 14 degrees or higher. Higo Green Melon is in season from late April through early July. It is mainly produced in Shichijo Town, Kikuchi City. Shichijo Town is blessed with clear spring water selected among Kumamoto’s Top 100 Famous Waters, such as Maekawa and Shimizu springs. Rich in minerals and oxygen, this water helps grow delicious melons. Producers tend the melons every day without rest, which ensures careful attention and results in sweet melons with beautifully netted rinds. Higo Green Melons are mainly sold at Roadside Station Shichijo Melon Dome in Shichijo Town. All melons sold at the Melon Dome undergo strict sugar tests with an optical sensor. Only melons that meet the sugar level of 14 degrees or higher are displayed for sale. Introducing Kikuchi’s proud specialty, the Higo Green Melon! To share this deliciousness and charm with many people, we have planned a special hands-on program! Title “Play Sommelier and Judge Sweetness♪ Sugar Level Challenge & Ultimate Melon Parfait Making in Kikuchi” In this program, you will make a parfait lavishly using Higo Green Melon. The melons used for the parfait are specially managed for the event date. Therefore, you will taste perfectly ripened, sweet melons on the day. We will use a generous half melon per parfait, making it satisfying to eat and great for photos. We will also top the melon with rich milk soft serve from Toride Farm. Garnishes will include strawberries grown in Kikuchi. Why not try making an original melon parfait you can’t find anywhere else? In addition to making the parfait, each participant will receive one whole melon to take home so you can enjoy it with your family. The take-home melon will be measured with the sugar sensor on site. You will be asked to guess the sugar level of the melon you selected. Those who guess the exact sugar level will receive a prize. We look forward to your participation♪ Please make reservations by scanning the photo QR code. Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 14–15, 2025 (20 participants per day) Time: 10:00–12:30 Place: Roadside Station Shichijo Melon Dome Participation fee: 7,700 yen per person Contact Kikuchi Tourism Association Address: 1273-1 Kumafu, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture 861-1331 TEL: 0968-25-0513

🍵 Yamashigi kama-iri tea 🍵 The delicious season for new tea 🍵 Kama-iri tea grown at Yamashigi Forest is ready! Yamashigi Forest is an old farmhouse set in woodland over 600 meters above sea level This farmhouse, more than 140 years old, prospered as a key transit point in the days before cars. Travelers and freight once moved along exposed ridgelines with good views rather than the low river valleys. We picked the tender new shoots that grew up strong at Yamashigi Forest and made them the traditional way to create this “Yamashigi kama-iri tea” 🍵 It is made only from the first flush. During Golden Week every tea-growing household turns its attention to picking the leaves. The few tea mills in the village run full time from morning to night. Yamashigi kama-iri tea was produced amid that bustle. The kama-iri tea arrives at your home as a “boxed” product that has never left Morotsuka once it was packed. (In reality it arrives in a bag.) Kama-iri tea is a method the people of Morotsuka have kept alive for generations. It was brought long ago from China and now survives in pockets across Kyushu. Apparently it makes up only about 0.02% of the tea distributed nationwide. The tea offers a gentle sweetness and a slightly toasty aroma. After the water boils, wait a moment before pouring, drink quickly, and from around the third cup the leaves open fully and the “kama-ka” aroma drifts out. Kama-iri tea is popular in Morotsuka Village but remains rare across the country. 🍵 You can buy it from the online shop Morotsuka Store, at the Donko-tei Storefront, or at Morokko House. ※Stock is limited, so please order early 🙇‍♀️

🌺 【Best time to visit the flowers of the Brushwood tree】 🌺 The "Brushwood", which is characterized by its unique flower appearance like a red brush, has begun ✨ to bloom vividly this year The way it sways in the wind is also beautiful, and you can't help but stop and look at it. If you're in the area, be sure to take a look ☺️ 📍 Filming location ・Izumi Station East Exit Ryokuchi Park ・646-5 Kamisababuchi, Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture

The 38th Meisui Hakusankawa Firefly Festival The "Meisui Hakusankawa Firefly Festival" will be held at Inazumi Underwater Cave Square in Mie Town, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture. Various events will take place on the day of the festival. Local fresh vegetables and sweets such as sake manju and brown sugar manju will also be on sale! This is a cozy, community-led festival organized mainly by local residents. Date and Time: Saturday, June 7, 2025 The event will go ahead in light rain. Rain decision will be made at 8:00 on the day. Location: Inazumi Underwater Cave Square Other: Sales of local fresh vegetables, sake manju, brown sugar manju, and more A commemorative gift will be presented to the first 200 visitors. Schedule 16:00 Karaoke contest 17:00 Toyoyu Taiko drumming 17:30 Opening ceremony 17:50 Okuhata kagura (sacred dance) 19:20 Folding fan dance 19:50 Mochi throwing 20:00 Firefly viewing Organizer: The Association to Protect Hakusankawa Access to central Bungo-Ono About 3 hours by car from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About 2 hours by car from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About 1 hour 20 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About 1 hour 20 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Kyushu, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250514event-mie/...

🌿New Tea Season🌿 The tea fields in Gokasecho are turning a vivid green😌🍵 The first and second photos show the house in Kuwanochi, in front of which the weeping cherry trees that we introduced in spring looked so beautiful📸✨ Against the fresh green of the remaining cherry leaves, the two-tone tea fields made an incredibly beautiful scene🥺👏 Fresh tea is arriving one after another at the Gokase Specialty Center, and the scent of new tea fills the shop🥰 Enjoy the fragrant, new tea leaves that make you feel as if you are standing right in the tea fields🍵✨

This is my first Yamaga Lantern Festival. I didn't do any homework, and I went with a crazy piece of equipment with a tripod pear 85mm single focal length. I vowed to bring a telephoto lens with me this year.

In 2024, I went to see the Yamaga Lantern Dance for the first time. The dancers dancing in matching costumes with lanterns made of Washi paper on their heads were very nice.

Shiraiwa Mountain Opening 🌸 Today (May 11), the Shiraiwa Mountain Opening was held at the Gokasecho Highland Ski Area Parking Center😊 A Shinto ceremony took place on the mountain, with organizers and other attendees praying for safety while enjoying the crisp mountain air👏 After the ceremony, those who wished began climbing toward the rhododendron colony💪 Azaleas, Okamenoki, yama-shakuyaku (mountain peony), and rhododendrons appeared to be in full bloom💡 ⚠ Notice ⚠ From May 12, Reiwa 7, the town road Hon-yashiki/Hagi Line and the Hagi Forest Road, which provide access to the Goboubatake trailhead (Shiraiwa Mountain, Mukaisakayama, and Kiridachigoe), will be closed to all traffic until further notice due to road disaster recovery work. To reach Shiraiwa Mountain, Mukaisakayama, and Kiridachigoe, please use the Ogawadake: Tenyabo trailhead (road subsidence, many falling rocks, rough road).

【🌸 Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 — Featured Submissions, Part 12 — 🌸】 The submission period finally ends today, Sunday, May 11. We’re showcasing entries to “#Gokase Flower Viewing 2025,” currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account.💪❤️‍🔥 @hanpenpen2022 @goto0619 (in no particular order) This time’s photos show the Akebono azaleas on Mt. Futagami and the white flowers in Kuraoka…what kind of flowers are those, I wonder?🤔 Everyone clearly knows well when and where different flowers bloom, and many have personal memories and attachments to these blooms. Those feelings seem to shine through in the photos — they’re truly lovely.✨ -------------------------------------------------------------------- “#Gokase Flower Viewing 2025” also ends today, Sunday, May 11!👏 If you meant to enter but haven’t yet, don’t miss the chance — submit before you forget!💡❗ ≪#How to Enter #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post a photo of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 and #date of photography (example: #March 20).🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... 【Period】From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️Other terms and conditions appear on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before entering. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.

Tailor Ride Experience on the Arao Tidal Flats! Come and enjoy the Arao tidal flats with their beautiful scenery, sea breeze, and ocean scent. Ride a “tailor,” a vehicle used in Ariake Bay, and experience driving across the Arao tidal flats! A tailor is a rototiller fitted with a cargo bed, used for nori farming and clam harvesting. You can also enjoy observing creatures like crabs and hermit crabs! Advance registration is required for this experience! Registration opens on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Don’t forget your rubber boots!!! Meeting place: Arao Tidal Flats Waterfowl and Wetland Center Duration: About 50 minutes from the pre-ride briefing to disembarking (ride time about 10 minutes each way) Fees: Adults (high school students and older) 1,000 yen, junior high and elementary school students 600 yen, preschoolers free. Children in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian. How to apply: Apply by phone to the Arao Tidal Flats Waterfowl and Wetland Center ☏0968-57-7444 Registration start date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 One application covers up to six people per representative, and you cannot change the scheduled date after applying. Please apply again if you need a different date. ・Please bring rubber boots. If you do not have rubber boots, you will not be allowed to ride the tailor. ・The event will proceed in light rain but will be canceled in severe weather. If lightning occurs, the event will be canceled even during the activity.

My first Children's Day. Carp streamers for the first time. Carp streamers swimming comfortably in the blue sky and smiling 😊 Carp streamers are becoming less and less common, but the large school of about 200 carp streamers was dynamic and impressive 🎏 I felt once again that it is a wonderful tradition that should be passed on in the future. Wishing my daughter a healthy growth. Sukuku Grow Bigger 🌱

At the Arao Omoyai Civic Flowerbed, rose viewing events take place twice a year in spring and autumn! Location: Beside Arao City Oshima Purification Center (Oshima 4-chome 1-73, Arao City) Admission: Free Opening hours April to September 7:00–18:00 (Roses typically bloom from late April through June) October to March 7:00–17:00 (Roses typically bloom from late October through November) Notes for visitors There are no restrooms on the grounds. Be careful: the ground can become muddy in rainy weather. Access Due to the extension work on the Ariake Coastal Road, the entrance and exit for the Omoyai Civic Flowerbed will be changed from January 9, 2024 (Reiwa 6) for the time being. Please take care when visiting. Follow the directions on the on-site information boards for passage.

🌳Old Farmhouse in the Forest Series🌳 Yamashigi Forest A 140-year-old farmhouse stands on a sky-high site at 650 meters above sea level. There are two buildings: Shitashigi, built in the Taisho era, and Nakashigi, built in the Meiji era. A gentle forest breeze 🍃 flows through, making this a pleasant place to be. Nearby you will find tea fields, bamboo groves, and orchards, and a variety of hands-on activities let you experience mountain village life. Capacity: 2 buildings, 15 people each, total 30 people Facilities: Goemon bath, kamado hearth, irori sunken hearth *The Goemon bath and kamado hearth are available only in Shitashigi.* ◎Experiences 📍Tea picking and pan-roasted tea making The tea fields in the valley have their picking season every May. Around that time, Yama Gakkou offers tours where you can pick tea and make pan-roasted tea. Pan-roasted tea grown in Yamashigi Forest is also sold as Yamashigi Tea at places such as Donko-tei and Morokko House. 📍Ume picking and ume preparations The two plum trees have long been indispensable to daily life. In Morotsuka, households prepare ume (plums) for year-round consumption. Learning these ume preparations is a popular part of the Yama Gakkou tours. Ume syrup and pickled ume are both big hits. 📍Yuzu harvesting and yuzu processing From autumn into winter, yuzu take center stage. Whether picked green or after they turn yellow, they each serve a wonderful purpose. This is another staple of the Yama Gakkou tours held at Yamashigi Forest. You can harvest yuzu, make yuzu kosho, take a yuzu bath, and more… Enjoy yuzu to the fullest with no part wasted. *For accommodations and experiences, please contact Morotsuka Village Tourism Association in advance.* Contact Morotsuka Village Tourism Association (Shiitake Hall 21) Phone number: 0982-65-0178

An article is introducing Gokasecho 👏✨ Please take a look 😆!

Josenji Temple with Azaleas in Bloom In spring, Josenji Temple bustled with many cherry-blossom viewers.🌸 Now the petals have fallen, and the weeping cherry trees with fresh green leaves are beautiful.✨ Azaleas bloom across the temple grounds, and the contrast between the new greenery and the vermilion flowers is delightful.😆

Koinobori Sports Day 🎏 & Azalea Festival 🌸 On May 5th, the event was held in District 8: Koinobori Sports Day and the Azalea Festival. Under a clear sky where koinobori raised by local volunteers drifted gracefully, the sports day took place in the morning.👟 The program offered activities that people of all ages could enjoy, and both adults and children competed with smiles.😆✨ In the afternoon, the venue moved to the gymnasium for a quiz contest and karaoke competition.🎤 The day ended with a much-anticipated raffle, and the whole event was lively from start to finish.😍

The mountain opening for MtSobosan was held on May 3, 2025. A famed peak representing Kyushu and selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, many climbers enjoyed the trails that day. The akebono azalea was also in full, beautiful bloom. The climb was very strenuous, but the view from the summit is spectacular. From now on you can also enjoy fresh green foliage, so please enjoy your hike safely. MtSobosan has many hard routes, so prepare plenty of gear and food and prioritize safety when climbing. ■■During climbs ●Prepare plenty of gear and food and prioritize safety when climbing. ●MtSobosan and MtKatamukiyama are home to many valuable alpine plants. To protect nature, please do not pick or take them. ■■MtSobosan Straddling Oita Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, it is a representative Kyushu peak selected as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. Its elevation is 1,756 m. Unlike Aso and Kuju, it is an older volcano, which has formed deep valleys and steep ridges. You can enjoy how vegetation changes with elevation. ■■■Access to central Bungoono City■■■ 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 20 minute drive from beppu station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Introducing Arao’s local specialties If you’ve come all the way to Arao, you’ll want to take home a souvenir or keepsake that you can only find here. Here are Arao’s signature specialties and some tasty local treats worth trying. Shodai-yaki pottery Perfect for interiors and everyday tableware alike Shodai-yaki, a pottery tradition passed down in Arao for about 400 years, is made from high-quality clay dug from the foothills of Mount Kodai, east of Arao City. Its style combines the high artistry recognized as a traditional Japanese craft with a rustic charm that enhances food and flowers, making these pieces very popular for daily use. Alongside large plates and vases, you’ll find teacups and coffee cups in abundance. Find the piece that speaks to you. Shodai-yaki kilns in Arao City ・Shodaiyaki Fumoto-gama, master: Yasuaki Inoue Fumotoaza Furuhata 1728-1, Arao City TEL:0968-68-0456 ・Shodai-yaki Shirohei Kiln, master: Nobuaki Kijima Oshima 25-3, Arao City TEL:0968-62-0538 ・Kodai-yaki Sueyasu Kiln, master: Eisuke Sueyasu Fumoto 1712-2, Arao City TEL:0968-68-0058 ・Shodai-yaki Naka-Dera Kiln, master: Kousei Nishikawa Kaba 1192, Arao City TEL:0968-68-7326 ・Shodai Mizuho Pottery, master: Rui Fukuda Kamihirayama 914, Arao City TEL:0968-66-2380 ・Kodai Hontani Chihiro Kiln, master: Tomohiro Maeno Kawatou 2131-74, Arao City TEL:0968-68-6459 https://arao-kankou.jp/sightseeing/specialty/#:~:text=%E8%8D%92%E5%B0%BE%E7%89%A9%E7%94%A3%E9%A4%A8-,%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8B%E3%81%94%E3%81%A8%E3%81%82%E3%82%89%E3%81%8A%E7%89%A9%E7%94%A3%E9%A4%A8,-%E7%89%A9%E7%94%A3%E9%A4%A8%E3%80%81%E5%B0%8F...

[May 3] Kurara Festival 2025 A Golden Week fast start💪💨 On May 3, Constitution Memorial Day, Kurakura Kurara in the former Kuraoka Junior High School hosted the Kurara Festival 2025🥳 The weather could not have been better that day☀️✨ The venue bustled with many food and drink stalls, fortune-telling, relaxation services, crafts, and a flea market. About 300 visitors came, making it a very lively day🤗🌟 Because it was quite warm, shaved ice was hugely popular🍧💕 (Adults seemed to prefer alcohol🍺?) In the courtyard, Nani.loa HULA studio performed hula dances🌺 A special guest performance featured the vice principal of Kuraoka Elementary School singing passionately, which electrified the crowd😆🔥 The raffle offered many luxurious prizes, and smiles were everywhere☺️✨ Although a new festival that started last year, Kurara Festival has already become a beloved event both inside and outside the local community👏💡 Everyone is already looking forward to next year💕