Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! This is the Kikuchi Tourism Association in Kumamoto Prefecture! Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture sits upstream along the Kikuchi River in the northern part of the prefecture, surrounded by clear river waters and lush green scenery. With a population of about 45,000, Kikuchi City attracts many visitors with its hot springs, beautiful gorges, and long-standing historic sites. Known as a “town of water,” its pure spring water supports the production of many local specialties. [History of Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] Kikuchi City has a long history: during the Sengoku period (1070–1532), the Kikuchi clan flourished in the region for roughly 450 years. Saigo Takamori, a statesman from the late Edo to early Meiji period whose statue stands in Uenokouen, is said to be a descendant of the Kikuchi clan. At their height, the Kikuchi clan controlled much of Kyushu and made their name known across the country. [Popular Tourist Spots in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi Gorge Kikuchi Gorge is one of Kumamoto Prefecture’s most beautiful natural attractions. You can enjoy pristine streams and seasonal scenery, with refreshing summers and autumn foliage as particular highlights. The gorge has earned recognition such as Japan’s Top 100 Forest Bathing Sites and Japan’s 100 Remarkable Waters. It’s ideal for forest bathing and hiking, offering a soothing experience on every visit. ■Kikuchi Shrine Kikuchi Shrine honors the famed warrior Kikuchi Takemitsu and lets visitors feel the depth of the city’s history. You can worship amid a beautiful shrine building and a solemn atmosphere that conveys historical weight. At the history museum, you can view cultural artifacts such as ancient documents related to the Kikuchi clan. ■Kikuchi Park Perched on a gentle hill, Kikuchi Park offers panoramic views over the city. It’s one of the city’s top cherry-blossom viewing spots, where around 3,000 cherry trees bloom in spring and draw many hanami visitors. ■Ryumon Dam Ryumon Dam ranks among the largest dams in Kumamoto Prefecture. This multipurpose dam on the Kikuchi River created Lake Hanjaku, which is maintained as a boating site. The lakeside plaza is set up for camping and events. Dam tours are also available. ■Kikuchi Onsen Kikuchi Onsen, discovered in 1954 (Showa 29), is famed for its smooth water, earning it nicknames like “bathing spot for beautiful skin” and “cosmetic bath.” A variety of facilities offer day-use baths and overnight stays for full relaxation. You can enjoy the hot springs alongside dishes made from local ingredients. ■Mt. Kuradake Mt. Kuradake rises to 1,118 meters and is popular for mountain climbing and hiking. From the summit you can take in spectacular views of Aso Mountain and the Kumamoto Plain, with panoramic scenery stretching far on clear days. It is listed among Kyushu’s 100 Famous Mountains and chosen for the National Top 100 Walks. ■Roadside Station Kyokushi Roadside Station Kyokushi, located along National Route 325, is a popular stop where you can buy fresh local produce and processed goods. A restaurant using Kyokushi beef and locally grown vegetables also offers takeout. [Local Specialties and Gourmet Foods of Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi Rice Kikuchi City is also famous for its delicious rice. Kikuchi Rice, grown with abundant water and fertile soil, is known for its large grains and pronounced sweetness. It has earned high acclaim nationwide, including a gold prize at a past competition. ■Kikuchi Paddy-grown Burdock The popular local specialty “Kikuchi Paddy-grown Burdock” is cultivated in rice paddies, giving it a tender texture and strong sweetness. It tastes great simmered or as tempura and adds a distinctive touch to dishes. [Events and Festivals in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi White Dragon Festival The Kikuchi White Dragon Festival, traditionally held in August, was moved to October in 2024 due to warming temperatures. Two white dragons—the adult dragon and the young dragon—are carried by many bearers in a powerful performance. The festival culminates in a fireworks display that colors Kikuchi’s night sky. [Tourist Information for Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture is a charming area of rich natural scenery and deep history. With beautiful gorges, hot springs, and historic shrines, the city offers diverse attractions and fresh discoveries in every season. It is easily accessible—about 60 minutes from kumamoto station and about 30 minutes from Aso Kumamoto Airport. We will continue to share recommended information full of Kikuchi City’s attractions, so please follow us!

Isehara Halloween 2024 Isehara Halloween 2024 was held on Sunday, October 27, organized by the Isehara City Merchants' Association Federation. With a variety of booths and many food trucks, the event was lively and bustling, especially with families attending and plenty of cute costumes on display.

The 22nd Fukushima Festival Today, Sunday, October 27th, the Fukushima Festival took place at the Welfare Center 😆👏 As always, we worried about rain, but amazingly it turned out sunny and even hot 🫢 It seems the people of Gokase Town’s good deeds convinced the weather to hold off the rain 😆 As soon as the event ended, though, it started raining right on cue ☂️ (laughs) The venue featured a bazaar booth stocked with a wide variety of items, and everyone was seriously checking each table for bargains 👀💡 There was also an exhibition booth showcasing lovely works created by local residents, and a wax ball-making experience booth run by the G Music Group, offering a relaxed, enjoyable program 🤗 So many delicious stalls lined up that I couldn’t decide what to have for lunch 🤤💕 Wandering around while deciding was part of the fun, though 🤩 The stage program included singing, dancing, and shamisen performances — it was truly fulfilling 🥳 The performers on stage and the cheering audience created a warm, unified atmosphere in the hall 😌💕 There were several moments when I was so moved that tears welled up as I held the camera (in fact, they even fell) 😭✨ In addition to the Social Welfare Council members, local junior high student volunteers and students from Kyushu University of Health and Welfare helped with the event’s operation 😳👏 Thanks to the students’ cooperation, the event took on a friendly, bright atmosphere 🫶 With this “Fukushima Festival,” the town’s October events have come to an end 🥹 November also brings many events 🤩 Everyone, to fully enjoy the upcoming events, please take care to avoid injuries and look after your health 🙌❤️‍🔥

Hello, this is Gen 👋 Shosenkyo Gorge is finally into the heart of autumn. At Shosenkyo Gorge, on Sunday, November 10, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A big autumn event! The Crystal Mikoshi and Momiji Dance will be held❗️ A mikoshi is the vehicle that carries the deity through the neighborhood during festivals. At its center rests an 80-kilogram crystal sphere as the deity’s spirit seat, making this mikoshi popular for protection against evil and misfortune‼️ This mikoshi will be carried by professional bearers, Kai-Koma group, parading powerfully and tightly along Crystal Road, to Senga Falls and the area above the falls—the sight is truly spectacular‼️ A must-see‼️ Anyone who wants to carry the mikoshi can join in on the spot and take part 😃 During November, Gen is also holding an Amethyst Fair ✌️ We have everything from fist-sized amethysts to 200-kilogram-class specimens, so if you love amethyst or stones, please come and see them 👀 This is a rare opportunity you can only experience during the autumn foliage season 😃 If you have the time, please come and visit Shosenkyo Gorge‼️‼️‼️ We look forward to seeing you 😃

The 15th Futako-Tamagawa Oyama Road Festival 2024 Futako-Tamagawa shopping street follows the Oyama Road, and this year’s festival is themed "Learn about, Talk about, and Feel the History of the Oyama Road." The Isehara City product fair will bring delicious local treats, including cheesecakes from Kashiwagi Farm, fresh vegetables, and Miyatani Tofu Shop’s 'Oyama Pilgrimage Tofu.' Sanno University, which has campuses in Isehara and Setagaya, will also participate with a variety of events for you to enjoy. Please come and join us!! Date and Time: Saturday, October 26, 12:30–15:00 (Opening ceremony starts at 12:00) ※Event will be scaled down in case of rain Location: Futako-Tamagawa Elementary School grounds and gymnasium (4-6-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya) ※No parking or bicycle parking available Organizer: Futako-Tamagawa Oyama Road Festival Organizing Committee

2024/10/19 at Tachi Taketa Kaikan Title: The Beauty of Tachi Taketa

Photographed 10/19/24. On the first day of the Kawagoe Festival, it is a festival float of Kawagoe Taro Shigeyori in Nakahara Towns. The sky was suspicious.

Photographed 10/19/24. It is the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Shinko Festival. It is a portable shrine (彦神, 姫神).

Isehara Daijingu Annual Grand Festival 2024 On Sunday, October 20, the Isehara Daijingu Annual Grand Festival took place, drawing many visitors and creating a lively atmosphere!

Photographed 10/14/24. It is the Annual Grand Festival of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It is held as the Minamoto of the Kawagoe Festival.

The second day of the Kawagoe Festival has come to an end. These are the festival float of Kogitsunemaru in Saiwai Town and the festival float of Nasori in Nandori Towns.

It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival. It is a festival float of the Senba Jiro Yasu family in Senba Towns. At the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I had an exorcism.

Photographed 10/19/24. Your friend is coming. 👋 It is a festival float of Iemitsu in Shintomi Town 1-chome.

Photographed 10/19/24. It is the Shinko Festival.

Photographed 10/19/24. It is a festival float of Suzume in Ote Towns.

The Kawagoe Festival has begun. At Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, a festival float from OteTowns is performing an exorcism.

Today and tomorrow is the Kawagoe Festival. Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, I heard a congratulatory song. It was a place where the people of Nantong Towns were being exorcised.

Terukuni Children's Halloween Fair 2024 Various stalls will open, and the fair will be lively with live band performances and a raffle. Supported by the Women’s Disaster Prevention Club Hiratsuka Powers and the Isehara City Planning Department Crisis Management Section, there will also be disaster-preparedness activities such as building cardboard toilets to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters. Free admission. Costumes are very welcome—please come and join us. Date and time: Friday, October 25, 15:30–20:00 Venue: Terukuni Parking Lot (937-1 Higashi-Otake, Isehara)

October 5, 2024 Kami‑Suwa Kaido Town Walk and Sake Stroll On that day, a major event took over the town of Suwa: the “Kami‑Suwa Kaido Town Walk and Sake Stroll.” Along a one‑kilometer walking radius from JR Kami‑Suwa Station along National Route 20, five of Suwa’s famous breweries stand side by side, and for the event the area from Suwa 2‑chome to the Motomachi traffic lights was turned into a pedestrian zone. The five breweries of Suwa proudly served their signature sakes🍶. This year, a cypress masu (wooden sake box) doubled as a passport, letting visitors enjoy the aroma of hinoki wood while sipping fine sake. The 3,000 tickets sold out by September 30, showing just how popular the event was!!! Compared with last year, more local restaurants offered snack stalls, and additional stalls were run by neighborhood groups!!! Although the weather was a little worrying that day, the ticket exchange at 11:00 at Swatchao was lively, and the city began to buzz toward the pedestrian zone start at 12:00. By the official start at 13:00, lines had formed in front of the five breweries as people queued for their preferred labels!!! After opening remarks by Suwa’s mayor and the head of the Chamber of Commerce, the stroll kicked off with Suwa’s customary kiyari work song, and the sake stroll began. The kiyari performers then walked along the kaido, responding to requests and singing until around 17:00🎶 From 14:00, local dance troupes energized the venue. Many guests joined in the dancing, and the sight of everyone enjoying themselves was memorable. The food stalls drew long queues: yakitori, grilled eel, karaage and sanzokuyaki (mountain warrior‑style fried chicken), chicken wings, game dishes, kushiyaki, candied apples, bento sellers, french fries, yakisoba, and more… The snack stalls were as busy as the sake booths! Good sake paired with delicious local dishes and snacks naturally brought smiles to people’s faces🎶 We met many smiling visitors—thank you very much. What surprised us most was how little trash there was. From the organizer’s perspective, we picked up litter from JR Kami‑Suwa Station to the far end of the venue just before the event ended, and there seemed to be very little trash on the streets. I believe that resulted from attendees properly sorting and disposing of their waste. As I walked around holding a bag and saying, “If you have any trash, please put it in this bag!” several visitors responded, “Wow, amazing! You even collect trash? Thank you so much.” Those words wiped away my fatigue! I was deeply moved😢 For the next event, our staff will continue striving to ensure guests are satisfied and have a great time, while gaining the understanding and cooperation of local residents so that Suwa’s town can become even more vibrant and lively.

Photographed 10/14/24. At the Naka Towns Tourist Information Center, the "Kawagoe Festival Creative Doll Exhibition" is held in. The procession of the festival float is accurately Reproduction. It seems that it is more difficult to make small items than dolls.

Reiwa 6 Isehara Daijingu Annual Grand Festival Usually held in September, this year the sacred rites will take place on Saturday, October 19 (ceremonies only) The main festival will be held on Sunday, October 20 from 11:00. At 17:30 there will be a mochi scattering, and at 18:00 a must-see powerful performance of Iwami Kagura! Street vendors will also be present. Please come and join us! *Isehara Daijingu* (0463-96-1611) 3-8-1 Isehara, Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture About a 10-minute walk from Odakyu Line Isehara Station

Asama Hot Spring New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival On November 2 (Sat) and 3 (Sun), the Annual event "The 18th Asama Hot Spring New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival" will be Held in at Asama Hot Spring. It will be held for two days with the participation of everyone who is proud of making Soba in the Matsumoto area. It is a Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival where you can taste the new Soba (buckwheat noodles) harvested for the first time this year. In addition to Soba noodles, there are also available booths for product exhibitions, famous confectionery from Asama Hot Spring, and Fresh fruits and vegetables For sale of bandit grilling and beer. In addition, we will distribute a "Day-use Hot Spring discount ticket (100 yen)". Use 5 sponsored inns and facilities can usually be used at a low price.　 Spend an autumn day at Asama Hot Spring. We look forward to seeing you. Period: November 2 (Sat), 3 (Sun) Time: 2nd (Sat) 10 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. 　　　　　3rd (Sun) 10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m. Venue: Asama Hot Spring Plaza (commonly known as Hot Plaza Asama) Main events ◆ New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival 5 booths ◆ Hometown product exhibition 12 booths 　　　　　◆5 Hot Spring baths ◆Outdoor concerts 10 groups　 Transportation Alpico Kotsu Asama Hot Spring Line End point Asama Hot Spring bus stop in front of you 　　　　　If you are driving your own Car, please follow the instructions of the attendant. For inquiries, please contact: Asama Hot Spring New Soba (buckwheat noodles) Festival Executive Committee (within the Asama Hot Spring Tourist Association) 　　　　　　TEL:0263-46-1800 FAX:0263-46-0200 　　　　　　E-mail: asama-spa@po.mcci.or.jp

【October 13 — First Clear Sky in Seven Years!? Sunset Village Festa】 Yesterday, Sunday, October 13, the “Sunset Village Festa” took place at the Gokase Winery event square 🥳👏 Blessed with gloriously sunny weather that felt almost hot ☀️, the Sunset Village Festa had been plagued by rain for years, and this was the first time in seven years the event could be held in the square 😮❗ Vendors from neighboring Takachiho and Yamato towns joined in, and the venue was lively from the very start 🤗 On stage, familiar host “Dancing MC Nagisa Mama” led the program, which featured many acts—drums, dance, kagura, banba dance, practical karate, a performance by Gekidan Munno, a raffle interlude, and more—creating nonstop excitement 🤩💫 Nearby, a sweet potato digging experience ran alongside the festival, with children and adults getting happily muddy as they dug in 🍠✨ It felt like a true autumn event—take your harvest home and enjoy it deliciously 🤤💕 And of course, the headline guest MICA gave a live show that got everyone on their feet 🎤🌟 The crowd kept calling for encores—proof that everyone had a great time 🥳 MICA even said she’d love to come back 🎶 Everywhere you looked, the event was full of smiling faces—truly wonderful and so much fun 😆❤️‍🔥 More events are coming up, so let’s keep enjoying them to the fullest 🤩💪💕

Photographed 10/12/24. The red and white curtains were hung and preparations for the Kawagoe Festival began. It is called eaves-edge alignment. It also means to purify the In the town.

TOKAI Glocal Festa 2024 Saturday, October 12, 10:30 AM–3:00 PM; event proceeds rain or shine Admission and participation: Free Venue: Tokai University Shonan Campus A 15-minute walk from Tokai University Station on the Odakyu Line This open-campus style event invites the local community to the university, in collaboration with Hiratsuka City, Hadano City, Isehara City, Nakai Town, and Nemuro City, aiming to promote exchange with area residents. In front of Building 1, the Isehara City booth will offer a ukiyo-e printmaking experience to promote its designation as a Japan Heritage site, sell Oyama specialty Suzuki chili peppers, and operate a Kururin garapon (prize lottery). Please come and join us!! Contact: Office of the President, General Affairs (Community Relations) Phone: 0463-50-2406 (direct)

The 2nd Tyrannosaurus Rex Race 🥰 Please take this opportunity to become a Tyrannosaurus, Would you like to take part in the race? Date: Sunday, November 10 　　　12 o'clock (registration), 12:30 (start) Participation fee: 1,000 yen per person

"Adachigahara hometown Village" in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture It is a popular spot where you can enjoy Samurai residences and red spider liliies at the same time.

Notice 🥰 of Koshu Fujikawa Festival Sunday, November 10, 2024 (Reiwa 6) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Light rain, Cancelled due to stormy weather Fujikawa Iki Kiss Sports Park (Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture) ・Tyrannosaurus Rex Race ・ Sales of goods by district ・Fujikawa Market ・ Working car PR ・PR by Yuzuyan

Notice of the Hokkaido International Film Festival + Taiki From Friday, October 18th to Sunday, October 20th, the Hokkaido International Film Festival + Taiki will take place at the Taiki Town Lifelong Learning Center. Films connected to Hokkaido and Tokachi, as well as works unique to Taiki Town, a town of space, will be screened.🚀 Each film costs 1,000 yen (except for the opening and closing screenings), making it much cheaper than watching movies at a cinema. High school students and younger can watch for free.🎞️ In addition, directors and cast members of several films will attend as guests, so you might hear behind-the-scenes stories! Scheduled screenings include Bokuhaga Uchuu ni Itta Riyuu (The Reason I Went to Space), The Talkative Photo Studio, The New Nemuro Pro Wrestling Story, Hello Mom, and Uchuu Nanchara Kotetsu-kun, among many others! An international feature competition jury will also take place. Whether you love films or rarely get the chance to see them, come to Taiki Town and enjoy the screenings! Tickets are available at Roadside Station Cosmo-ru Taiki, the Taiki Town Hall Planning and Commerce Division on the second floor, and online. For more details, search for "Hokkaido International Film Festival".