This is a drying scene of Minamitaka Ume plum in the Misu district of Tanabe City. Working in a plastic house does not require worrying about rain, but for those who work, it is a battle against heat stroke.

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

Fukuoka Prefecture may not be on the typical tourist route, but it harbors countless hidden gems, and Nanzoin Temple is undeniably one of the most noteworthy. It claims to house the world's largest bronze reclining Buddha statue, which exudes tranquility under the vast blue sky. Despite visiting numerous places, it holds a special place in my heart, infusing me with positivity and making it one of my favorite summer destinations.

August 15, 2024 Lake Suwa Festival Lake Fireworks On this day, Suwa City held its major event, the Lake Suwa Festival Lake Fireworks. Despite the emergency Nankai Trough earthquake bulletin warning of a major quake, the event went ahead thanks to the many precautions taken by the Lake Suwa Festival Executive Committee. This fireworks festival began on August 15, 1949, when citizens, amid the postwar confusion, wanted to hold a summer evening fireworks display at Lake Suwa to bring hope and help the city recover as quickly as possible. This year marks the 76th edition. It is a very historic fireworks festival. 🎇 At Suwa, the fireworks are launched from an island called Hatsu-shima, and the show is a true lake display. Because Lake Suwa sits at the center of the Suwa Basin and is surrounded by mountains on all sides, the sound of the bursting fireworks echoes off the lake and surrounding peaks, turning the landscape into a gigantic natural speaker that vibrates to your very core. The result is an overwhelmingly powerful fireworks experience. This is a rare geographic setting for a fireworks festival. The event website even describes the sound as “Don! Zun! Ban!” and that onomatopoeia is the most accurate description. A local Lake Suwa fireworks quirk is that when a very large firework explodes, the volume and shock often trigger car security buzzers. Locals just laugh and say, “Again, huh?” On the day, it rained twice in the afternoon, but the rain stopped before the opening and we enjoyed a beautiful fireworks display. Before guests left, many gave us warm words like “Thank you!” and “Good job!”—those kind messages blew away the day’s fatigue. Thank you very much! We look forward to seeing you next year, so please come and join us!!! ※ Filming assistance: Lake Suwa Festival Executive Committee August 15, 2024 At Lake Suwa 76th Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival!!! This fireworks festival began in 1949. After World War II, many Japanese people were worn out by the war and needed hope and a way to recover. The festival started for that reason and has been held since 1949. This year was the 76th. How amazing it is!!! Recently, however, we received Nankai Trough earthquake warnings, so we had to be extremely careful about safety. Our fireworks are launched from the lake. The unique feature of Lake Suwa is that the lake is surrounded by mountains. That is the key. Because of this, the sound of the fireworks is exceptionally loud—you feel it in your whole body. If you compare fireworks of the same size at Lake Suwa and elsewhere, you will say the Lake Suwa fireworks are much louder. I promise!!! The surrounding landscape acts like a huge speaker, so you can both hear and feel the sound intensely. This phenomenon is unique to Lake Suwa and is truly exceptional. The morning was sunny, but it rained twice in the afternoon. Just before the festival, the weather cleared and we were able to hold a wonderful event. Thank you so much!!! There are no same-day tickets, so please buy advance tickets online before coming to Suwa next year. We will be waiting for you!!!

Akita Ugo Town Nishimonai Bon Dancing

Akita Ugo Town Nishimonai Bon Dancing

Wasshoi Festival Experience Tour—an annual celebration The towering floats parade at Hotaka Shrine’s "Ofune Festival" Let’s pull the ofune together! …We have started selling tickets for this hands-on tour! Held every year on September 26 and 27 at Hotaka Shrine, this festival features boat-shaped floats pulled through a landlocked prefecture On the main day, the 27th, the spectacular "Ofune Battle" draws crowds as massive five-ton hulls collide in a fierce display This tour offers the rare chance to help pull one of these ofune Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the Ofune Festival in person! Tour perks 1. Try pulling the huge adult ofune—normally handled only by locals—up to Hotaka Shrine! 2. Receive a stylish Ofune Festival T-shirt and wear it proudly during the event! 3. Enjoy a special limited-edition "Ofune Festival" goshuin paper as a keepsake! 4. Watch the climactic moment when the two adult boats collide from reserved seats right next to the action! 5. Boost your luck at Hotaka Shrine, a powerful local power spot! For details, please check the official Azumino City Tourism Association website

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

【Lantern Festival】Shirane Iino District The Festival "Lantern Festival", which has been passed down from ancient times in the Iino area, was held in yesterday. At 6 p.m., the lanterns erected in each district will be lit! Go through the many lanterns lit on the approach to the temple and pray at Wakamiya Shrine. Towards the end of the festival, fireworks was rising Gari and the enthusiasm and envy of the people made me feel a little lonely at the end of summer.

Hyakutai Koshin (Hundred Koshin Statues) The stone Koshin statue and the commemorative monument at the highest central step of the approach were erected in March 1828 (Bunsei 11) by Nobutomi Ohara. According to the monument, “On Koshin days we held ceremonies to honor the Koshin deity, and if one observed this ritual seven times one could reduce the calamities caused by the three corpses (sanshi). After consulting with the nun of the Ohara hermitage, I decided to enshrine a hundred Koshin statues along the ridge of the woodland I own. Many people from inside and outside the village helped erect the Koshin monuments. I inscribed this monument to explain the reason, to offer thanks to the Heavenly Sovereign, and to pray that my companions and neighbors would be considerate of one another so that our descendants might live in peace and prosper for generations.” In this way, these Koshin statues were widely commissioned from neighboring villages and erected, and there are 110 in total.

It's been almost 10 years since I graduated from high school We thought we could be something special, but we reunited and vowed to each other that we would become something again When I was transferred to Tokyo, I happened to reconnect with my high school friends. Even at this age, I want to cherish my friends who can travel regularly for the rest of my life. I smelled mosquito coils for the first time in a long time yellowtail at the Suwa Lake where I was traveling. For those of us who were born and raised in the countryside of Shizuoka, it was a very nostalgic summer.

Harakoji Temple, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture An invitation 😌 to healing with the sound of bells

It is the marble hand water of Tokachi Gokoku Shrine This time, it's based on blue. There is also a snowflake-like decoration and it is cool. There are two more this year.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Footpaths A footpath refers to a route where you can walk while enjoying unspoiled nature, old townscapes, rice paddies and other pastoral scenery. Each footpath comes with a dedicated map, and directional signs are posted along the course, so you follow those as you walk. You can enjoy this footpath simply by following the map and signs, but its appeal is greatest on a guided tour. A local guide who knows the settlement’s history, culture and natural features will multiply the footpath’s interest many times over. <Fees> ・Adults (junior high school and older) ¥3,000 ・Elementary school students ¥2,000 *Operated for groups of two or more (elementary students must be accompanied by a guardian) <Booking> Gokase Nature School Postal code 882-1201 6452-Otsu Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture Phone: 0982-73-6366 ●Course Introductions● 1. Footpath: Gokasecho Miyano-hara District Miyano-hara is an old settlement dotted with many weeping cherry trees, led by a roughly 300-year-old shidarezakura at Josenji Temple. Sankasho Shrine, which has an inner sanctuary on Mt. Futagami—said to be the landing place of the heavenly grandson—features beautiful rhododendrons and the shrine building is adorned with superb carvings of hippocampi. The river is crossed by a stone-built megane (arch) bridge, and the course includes the “Bird’s Nest” terraced rice field selected among the Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields, stepped fields, bamboo groves and mixed woods—a sunny, peaceful route worthy of recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage. We recommend walking here in spring when the cherry trees are in full bloom. <Schedule> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Onsen Kijiya (9223 Hirokino, Sankasho, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) ◎Special offer: discounted admission to Gokase Onsen Kijiya (Adults ¥500→¥300, Children ¥300→¥200) 2. Footpath: Gokasecho Kasabe District A small hamlet of about ten households located on the northern edge of Mount Gion-yama, considered the birthplace of the Gion tradition in Kyushu. The spring water that wells up from Gion-yama is true famous water. To make use of this water for community development, locals built a log-house pavilion from local cedar and named it Kasabe Water Station. The highlight is a giant hinoki cypress said to be 700–800 years old. It is nicknamed “God’s Hand” because it resembles a powerful man’s left hand, and it draws many visitors. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Kasabe Water Station (Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) 3. Footpath: Gokasecho Kuwanonai District Kuwanonai is a village with spectacular views of Mt. Aso from anywhere and beautiful sunsets. With many tea fields, it traditionally produces pan-fried tea that has won imperial awards. Recently, black tea made from Japanese tea leaves has become popular, and the area also cultivates flowers, cherry tomatoes and grapes, and raises domestic black Wagyu cattle—farming and livestock remain the core industries. The cozy farm-stay program promoted by the Sunset Village Development Council is popular; students from across Asia visit on school trips. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Winery (4847-1 Kuwanonai, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) 4. Footpath: Gokasecho Habu District Historically active in trade with Bungo Province (Oita Prefecture), this area once served as a logistics hub. Today it is the inner retreat of Kuwanonai, backed by steep terrain and Kyushu’s magnificent mountains, including Mt. Aso. Photographers and painters favor many spots here, and you can find quintessential rural scenery that feels truly countryside. The course has many ups and downs, offering a bit of a hiking experience. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Town Coexistence Welfare Facility (1514-5 Kuwanonai, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required)

Speaking of summer in Tokyo, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival It was the best fireworks festival in the Kanto region in terms of both tradition and formality, and a total of about 20,000 fireworks at the first and second venues lit up the night sky of Tokyo.

It is one of the three major festivals in Kishu, "Kogawa Festival". It is a festival at the Kokawa Ubusuna Shrine and is said to have been Origin in 1593. It is a historic festivals, and the glitteringly decorated danjiri in each In the town is magnificently operated. Held in again this year on the 27th and 28th of this month.

【Chiba City Museum of Art】 A museum that is nationally acclaimed for its exhibitions with a unique perspective, focusing on ukiyo-e prints, Edo paintings, and contemporary art. With the renovation in July 2020, it has been reborn as a facility that is familiar to a wide range of age groups, including a permanent exhibition room where you can see ukiyo-e and Edo paintings at Anytime, and an atelier where children can work and create together in a space created by artists. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, we Held in special exhibitions and a variety of Events based on specific themes, so you There are discover something new every time you visit. 〇 Held in special exhibitions "Edo Paintings Vertical and Horizontal! First semester: June 28 Fri ~ July 28 Sun Second Semester: July 30 Tue ~ August 25 Sun "Akiki Okamoto: The Edo Painter Who Challenged the Hundred Flowers and Hundred Birds" Okamoto Shuki 1807-62 was a painter of the late Edo period who made a name for himself as a master of rich and brilliant flower and bird paintings, especially peacocks. First semester: June 28 Fri ~ July 28 Sun Second Semester: July 30 Tue ~ August 25 Sun * For details, please search for "Chiba City Museum of Art". 〇Sayado Hall A hall that contains modern architecture in the neo-Rene Mr./Ms. style that preserved the former Kawasaki Bank Chiba Branch built in Showa 2 about 90 years ago. Used as a cultural property of the city, its historic appearance is used as a venue for concerts and exhibitions, and is also popular as a filming location for commercials. ■ Access: ・About a 6-minute walk from Chiba Monorail Yoshikawa Park Station ・ About 15 minutes on foot from JR Chiba Station ■Address: 3-10-8 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba City ■ Admission: Paid ■ Parking lot: Restrooms available charged Attractive Spot There are such as Chiba Shrine, Chiba City Science Museum, and Chiba Castle Chiba City Township Museum are within walking distance. After visiting the museum, Enjoy together as you stroll through these facilities.

The Gion Festival is also known as the "Moving Art Museum". The Yamaboko that suddenly appears in the usual scenery Blend in with the cityscape of Kyoto Impression every year by the beauty of the decorations.

[Free Participation] LINE Puzzle Event “The Lost Osametachi” Osametachi is a traditional Isehara cultural heritage recognized as part of Japan’s cultural patrimony. Explore the history of Oyama through a puzzle hunt, find the Osametachi by clearing the puzzles, and receive an original Oyama Afuri Shrine achievement certificate!! Period: Through Monday, September 30, 2024 Participation Fee: Free Estimated Time: About 2 hours (depending on hiking pace) How to Join: From the flyer QR code Access to Oyama From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Bus Stop No. 4 Take the bus bound for the Oyama Cable (routes I10, I11, I12) and get off at the final stop (about 30 minutes) Organizer: Isehara Plus Project WonderSpace Co., Ltd. Contact: Isehara Plus Project Representative Aoki: 090-6112-4303

On Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th, the summer festival of Wakaichioji Shrine, one of the nation's Important Cultural Properties, will take place. The children's yabusame (mounted archery), a rare sight nationwide, will move hearts with its charming display of courage. A procession of children and the coordinated stage parade pulling will also be held. Please come and enjoy this historic festival.

Special exhibition “The Pinnacle of Kutani Red-Glaze Painting” is now open and popular! Rare works have come together at Tomakomai City Museum of Art ✨ For details, please see the Tomakomai City Museum of Art official website ✨ *Images taken inside the exhibition rooms were photographed with permission.

Generally, Tanabata is on July 7th, but did you know that in Hokkaido it is August 7th, one month later? So, just inside the main entrance of New Otani Inn Sapporo, there is ✨ a bamboo decoration until August 7th We have 🎋 received many requests from visitors If you visit the museum by August 7th, please decorate your request! May your wishes come true 🌟

Reiwa 6 Summer Mountain Opening at Ōyama On Saturday, July 27, the summer mountain opening took place, and the climbing gate of Ōyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine at the trailhead was opened! This event has continued since the Genroku era, and it is customary for the climbing gate to be opened by “Ohana-kō,” one of the Ōyama pilgrim groups from Nihonbashi, Kodenmacho, Tokyo “Sange, sange (flower scattering), rokkon shōjō (purification of the six roots) — the mountain is clear skies, rokkon shōjō,” as they chant the hanging nenbutsu while ascending straight from the temple lodging to the lower shrine, followed by the gate-opening ritual (from 8:30). Sange… scattering flowers to purify Rokkon… the six human senses: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind Venue: Ōyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine Contact: Ōyama Afuri Shrine Office 0463-95-2006 On July 13, ahead of the summer mountain opening, Ōyama Tourism Promotion Association carried out trail cleaning. Local residents and others swept away dead leaves with brooms and rakes, and sprayed pesticide to control leeches (yamahiru), preparing the trails to welcome those who will come for summer mountain climbing! The summer mountain season starts now. Enjoy your climb safely and with fun! *Image from the 2023 summer mountain opening Image of the 2024 leech-control pesticide spraying

Summer tradition About 300 glass wind chimes were displayed in the concourse in front of the ticket gates at JR Kami‑Suwa Station. The wind chimes 🎐 are painted with fireworks 🎇, sunflowers 🌻 and morning glory flowers, and their cool, soothing tones delight visitors to Suwa and local residents. The wind chimes will remain on display through early August. Please do come to Suwa!

July 15 (Mon) Gion Shrine Summer Festival⛩️✨ On Monday, July 15, the Gion Shrine in the Kuraoka area held its summer annual festival, affectionately known as “Gion-san.”🎉 The day opened with the Morimaki ritual, followed by a ceremony, kagura performances, the sacred procession, and dance presentations—there was so much to enjoy.😊🎶 Although the weather brought rain at first, true to the spirit of “Gion-san,” a break in the clouds appeared by the time the sacred procession ended.☀️ Despite the rain, people from the neighborhood, across the prefecture and beyond, and even from overseas, came out early in the morning to enjoy the festival.🌍✨ It’s wonderful to see a community festival cherished by locals becoming known to and enjoyed by so many people.😌👏 We hope this tradition will continue to be passed on carefully into the future.

Held again this year! Sunday, August 11 (National Holiday) “Noh Village Ikeda Hazuki Takigoi” Enjoy a rich program that brings together local folk performing arts and Noh and Kyogen performed by a Living National Treasure✨ See them all at once for a memorable experience 😊 Please visit Ikeda Town this summer! Program - Dengaku from Suikai’s dance repertoire Dengaku “Karasu Tobi” and Noh dance “Kureha” - Iwami Kagura from Kado Kagura Troupe “Jinrin” and “Orochi” - O-kura School Kyogen “Kaminari (Thunder)” Performers: Shigeyama Shichigosume, Shigeyama Munenobu, and others - Kongo School Noh “Tamura Nagashogi” Performers: Kongo Eikin, Kongo Ryukin, and others Advance ticket outlets - Pia Tickets web [P code: 527-559] - Ikeda Town (Kotte Kote Ikeda, etc.) - Fukui City (Pario, Bell) - Sakai City (Al Plaza Ami, Heartpia Harue) - Ono City (Vio) - Sabae City (Al Plaza Sabae) - Echizen City (Takefu Rakuichi, Shipi, Imadate Art Museum)

🐋 Prayer for the opening of the sea and the safety of the sea The long-awaited summer has arrived ✨ At two beaches in Mikuni Town, Fukui Prefecture, a sea opening ceremony was held 🌅 to pray for safety Use also conducts water rescue drills to protect the safety of all users, and the Bathing in the sea season is in full swing! 🏖 Mikuni Mr./Ms. Set Beach ・ The shallow and wide beach is Popular with Families! ・ Marine sports are popular 🏄 ・ Held in Mikuni Fireworks Festival on 8/11 Sun! ⁡ Famous as a Spot to watch the sunset. 🏖 Hamachi Beaches ・ It features beautiful sandy beaches and highly transparent seawater! You may be able to observe the fish. ・ In the vicinity, there are plenty of leisure facilities such as Echizen Matsushima Aquarium and Shibamasa World This year is expected 😖 to be hotter than last year You can come to cool off or play to your heart's content! Be sure 🍽️ to stop by the surrounding Sightseeing spots This summer, I'm coming to visit the sea of Mikuni~ ☺️ ࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶ In the middle 💘 of the charm of Fukui Prefecture Check out our past posts!

Summer Traditions Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine with the sound of wind chimes Photo taken on July 6, 2024

Hinata Mushiokuri Join us for the Mushiokuri! Mushiokuri, a traditional ritual dating back to the Edo period, prays for a bountiful harvest, the driving away of crop pests, and protection from disease. Torchlight reflects on the rice paddies’ water, creating an eerie, otherworldly scene. Date and time: Saturday, July 20, 2024, 5:00 PM– Meeting point: Hinata Yakushi From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus platform 3 Take the “Hinata Yakushi” bus for about 20 minutes and get off at the Hinata Yakushi terminal; walk 15 minutes along the approach to the temple. Participation fee: Free. If you carry a torch, an additional fee of 500 yen applies (junior high school students and older). Contact: Hinata Mushiokuri Preservation Society Office 0463-95-0234 (Yamaguchi)

Traditional Performing Arts of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture — Usu-daiko Dance The Usu-daiko dance performed at the autumn grand festival of Gion Shrine was once offered on the lunar calendar date of September 9, so it is also called the "kunchi dance," and it has been passed down for more than 400 years. It is said to have begun when members of the defeated Taira clan, driven from Kyoto and wandering in exile, reached the mountain hamlet of Shiiba on their way to safety and, while remembering the glittering capital, danced in the village of Kuraoka. The dance shows a poised, dignified movement within its grace, evoking the hearts of people from the capital, and it is offered each year at Gion Shrine’s autumn festival. <Legendary Events>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the first year of Bunji (1185), near the end of the Genpei conflicts, remnants of the Taira clan who were defeated at the Battle of Dan-no-ura fled into the interior to evade the Genji pursuit. They reached the village of Kuraoka and, on their way to Mt. Shiiba, left the weak, women, and children in the mountains near Kuraoka Hakki because of the steep, treacherous roads. In Genkyu 2, the Kamakura shogunate did not ease its pursuit of the Taira remnants and ordered Nasu Daihachiro Munenaga to hunt down the clan that had fled into the Kyushu Mountains. Receiving the order, Nasu Daihachiro's party entered Kuraoka intending to head for Shiiba, and finding the Taira fugitives in Kuraoka lacking the will to fight, they staged a dance of shared company to comfort them after the long journey, setting aside the victors' arrogance to show compassion for the defeated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The dance described above became the foundation of the Kuraoka Usu-daiko dance, which, after cycles of prosperity and decline and several relocations over the ages, is said to have survived in its present form. Dancing to the beat of drums and bells, performers display dignified movements within an overall elegance. In recent years, the Gion Shrine Usu-daiko Dance Preservation Society, with the cooperation of children from Gokase Nature School and local parishioners, has carried on the dance. Schedule for the Usu-daiko dance: every year on October 9.