When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Sake Bar Sagano". ・Nostalgic bar I have a heart for my mother's hospitality. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Sagano 【Address】379 Shimosagano, Kawazu Town, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-36-8206 【Business hours】18:00~22:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Monday 【Parking lot】Yes

This is the Iwata City Tourism Association. Nice to meet you all!! Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture sits in western Shizuoka roughly midway between Tokyo and Osaka. Known as a “sports town,” it hosts professional teams such as J.League soccer club Jubilo Iwata, Nadeshiko League women’s soccer team Shizuoka SSU Bonita, and Japan Rugby League One’s Shizuoka Blue Revs. The city actively promotes community-building through sports and health initiatives centered on athletics. ◆What is Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture?◆ The population is about 160,000. The city has interchanges on both the Tomei Expressway and the Shin-Tomei Expressway, making it about a three-hour drive from Tokyo and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Nagoya. The shinkansen gateways are Hamamatsu Station or Kakegawa Station; transfer to the Tokaido Line and reach Iwata’s three city stations (Iwata Station, Toyodachou Station, Mikurigaoka Station) in 10–15 minutes. Since ancient times, Iwata has flourished as the center of Toei Province, home to the Tōtōmi Kokubun-ji and Toei Kokubu. With more than 900 kofun (ancient burial mounds) dating to the Kofun period, the city carries a long, living history. In the Edo period it prospered as Mitsuke inn (Mitsuke-juku), a post town on the Tokaido’s Fifty-Three Stations. In recent years, Iwata has developed as an industrial city with traditional textiles plus metalworking, automotive, and musical instrument industries. Its agricultural output ranks among the top in the prefecture, famous for greenhouse melons, tea, white leek, ebi-imo (taro), Chinese vegetables, and seafood such as shirasu. The city balances urban and rural development. ◆Tourist attractions in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ [Mitsuke inn] Located near the midpoint of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (the 28th post town), this post town still preserves small side alleys off the highway, with many shrines and temples that evoke the former atmosphere and lodging-town charm. The area also features the Former Mitsuke School, Japan’s oldest surviving wooden pseudo-Western style school building, and Iwata Bunko (both national historic sites); Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine, the stage of the Mitsuke Tenjin Hadaka Festival and the site of the Shippeitaro spirit legend; and the Former Akamatsu Residence Memorial Hall, designated as prefectural and municipal cultural properties. In 2022, the Former Mitsuke School and Iwata Bunko were recognized as Shizuoka Heritage sites, celebrated as ‘‘the crystallization of Shizuoka people’s passion for modern education,’’ alongside Mitsuke inn and Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine. [Ryuyo Marine Park] A seaside park featuring a marine center with sports facilities and a multi-purpose lawn. The expansive grounds include tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground, a roller slide, and an auto camp ground, making it family-friendly. The adjacent Shiosai Ryuyo complex at the auto camp ground sells local products and offers a restaurant, BBQ facilities, and bathing amenities. The marine center also offers hands-on experiences such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). [Nagisa no Koryukan and Fukuda Fishing Port area] Nagisa no Koryukan sits within Fukuda Fishing Port, looking out over the vast Enshū Sea. It has a food court where you can enjoy fresh shirasu bowls, such as raw shirasu don and kama-age shirasu don, while gazing at the ocean. The area also features the “Minna no Sunaba” sand ground for beach soccer and beach volleyball and an event plaza for outdoor gatherings. A nearby fishing spot offers easy shore fishing, and adjacent Toyohama Coast is a surfing location that has hosted national competitions thanks to its excellent waves. Fukuda Fishing Port is known for shirasu fishing and also supports recreational fishing charters, serving as a base for offshore fishing in the Enshū Sea. Within one to two minutes from the port, several shirasu processing plants line up, attracting customers from far away. [Shishigahana Park] According to legend, Kobo Daishi founded this park, which has well-maintained walking trails and athletic play areas. In spring, cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom; in early summer you can enjoy fresh greenery for forest bathing and birdwatching; in autumn the foliage is beautiful. It’s ideal for hiking and walking. From the observation deck you can see the Enshū Sea in the distance, and the park is a popular spot to watch the first sunrise on New Year’s Day. [Yamaha Stadium] [Yamaha Motor Communication Plaza] Yamaha Stadium is the home ground for Jubilo Iwata (soccer) and Shizuoka Blue Revs (rugby). It is about a 15-minute walk from JR Mikuriya Station north exit, and on match days attracts many fans from Japan and abroad. Next to the stadium, within the Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. headquarters, the Communication Plaza corporate museum showcases Yamaha Motor products and history and serves as an engaging industrial tourism spot. [Ruins of Tōtōmi Kokubunji Temple] Excavations began in 1951, and the site was designated a Special National Historic Site the following year. The kokubunji layout once centered on a main hall (kondo) and included a seven-story pagoda, lecture hall, middle gate, and cloister. Major structures, including the seven-story pagoda site, were discovered, and the site received national special historic designation in Showa 27 (1952). In fiscal 2022 work restored the wooden foundation platforms for the lecture hall and monk’s quarters on the north side of the ruins, and in fiscal 2023 the wooden foundation platform of the main hall was restored. Plans call for reconstructing cornerstone stones that supported building pillars and the stone steps placed on the front of the platform. This valuable heritage testifies to Iwata’s role as a regional center. ◆Local specialties of Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ Iwata’s specialties let you taste the bounty of the land: ebi-imo, iwata tea, aroma melons, white leek, and dried persimmon rounds (koro-gaki). Locally grown ingredients are known for their freshness and flavor. Seafood such as shirasu, wild tora-fugu, and grilled white-cut eel are also popular; shirasu in particular are prized for their firm texture from swimming in the area’s swift coastal currents. These specialties are popular as souvenirs and as return gifts for hometown tax donations. ◆Festivals and events in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ [Fu Hachiman-gu Shrine Festival] Held each year in the Nakaizumi area on the first Saturday and Sunday of October. Each neighborhood parades elaborately decorated floats. The festival is full of atmosphere, with drums, flutes, and spirited calls filling the air. [Mitsuke Tenjin Hadaka Festival] The grand festival of Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It takes place on the Saturday and Sunday just before the 10th day of the eighth month of the old lunar calendar. The festival’s highlight is the nighttime procession of naked participants and mikoshi (portable shrines), which runs from around 9:00 p.m. into the early hours of the next morning, reaching a peak around 1:00 a.m. Naked men, grouped into four units called teidan, parade through the old Tokaido route within the Mitsuke area and proceed to the shrine’s worship hall. Inside the worship hall, the excitement builds each time a new group joins, and intense chants and vigorous dances (oni-odori) continue. In the deep of night, all lights in the area are extinguished, plunging the scene into pitch-black darkness as the mikoshi run in a breathtaking climax. ◆Sharing information about Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ In Iwata you can feel history and culture nurtured over long time. In 2022, Iwata’s Teratani water was registered as a World Irrigation Structure Heritage, adding another chapter to the city’s proud historical story. In 2023 Iwata reclaimed the top spot nationwide in a ranking of municipalities most associated with the phrase “sports town,” helping to solidify its brand as a city of sport. Yet even now this post cannot fully capture all the charms and strengths alive in Iwata’s history, culture, sea and mountain nature, industries, and people’s lifestyles. We will continue sharing recommended information via Cool Japan videos, so please stay tuned!

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Coffee House Mori". ・ Nostalgic retro atmosphere Sandwiches, white ball cream Anmitsu sweet bean jam, and raw juice are popular! ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Coffee House Mori 【Address】Kawazu-cho Hama, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 109-5 Phone number: 0558-32-2607 【Business hours】9:30~17:00 【Regular holiday】Not opens 【Parking lot】Yes 1 car

Fifty years have passed since the Izu Peninsula Offshore Earthquake that struck at 8:33 a.m. on May 9, 1974. Some black-and-white photos, with a few in color, that were held by the Minami-Izu Town Tourism Association at the time still remain; their condition is poor, but we are publishing them in the hope they will help future earthquake preparedness. At that time, tourism had been growing in Minami-Izu Town—sparked by the opening of the Izu Kyuko Line in 1961 and the opening of the Margaret Line in 1972 (which was made free in 1983)—and the local economy was becoming increasingly dependent on tourism when tragedy struck again. A series of disasters followed: the Aono River flood caused by heavy rains in July 1976, the Kawazu Earthquake in August of the same year, and the offshore Izu Oshima earthquake in 1978. Infrastructure development could not keep up, and visitor numbers plummeted. Nevertheless, the town gradually overcame those immense hardships and slowly rebuilt. Today, summer draws large numbers of visitors to the area. From a global perspective, earthquakes are natural events like typhoons, so it is extremely important to prepare for disasters based on past lessons and to pass those lessons on to future generations. What was the Izu Peninsula Offshore Earthquake? It was a shallow earthquake with its epicenter off Cape Irozaki that occurred at 8:33 a.m. on May 9, 1974, with a magnitude of 6.9. The quake caused tremendous damage: 38 people were killed or went missing, and approximately 370 buildings were completely or partially destroyed. Date and time: May 9, 1974, 8:33 a.m. Magnitude: 6.9 Fatalities and missing: 38 people Damage (complete and partial collapse): about 370 buildings

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Chinese Ichiban". ・ Specialties to taste in Kawazu, meat fried rice Enjoy the popular dumplings and special fried rice! ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Chinese Ichiban 【Address】Yatsu, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 405-19 Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-0851 【Business hours】11:00~14:00 / 15:00~20:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Wednesdays 【Parking lot】Yes 4 cars

Spend a blissful time in the beautiful town, Kawazu Town When you visit surrounded by the nature of the sea and mountains, and the Accommodations in the town! The inn I would like to introduce this time is "Akamatsuso". ・We always provide fresh seafood and provide guidance on boat fishing. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Akamatsuso 【Address】Mitaka, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 599 Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-0545 Check-in/Check-out is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m.　 [Total number of rooms] 8 【Pick up and drop off】Consultation required 【Parking lot】5 cars Due to the rental parking lot, there may be a charge depending on the inn accommodation fee. ）

"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape. 　This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.

"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape. 　This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.

"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape. 　This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.

"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape. 　This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.

Here are some recommended sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town, a beautiful town surrounded by the nature of the sea and mountains! The sightseeing spot we will introduce this time is "Kawazu Cherry Blossoms Tourist Exchange Center ODORICO Shop". Come to Kawazu to Tarako! !! The store sells fresh vegetables, citrus fruits, fresh flowers, etc. Locals are also purveyors. Souvenirs unique to the local area using local wasabi and tangerines are also plentiful. ODORICO goods with the motif of the dancers of Yasunari Kawabata's "Izu no Odoriko" are also on sale. There is also a tourist information center next door. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Kawazu Cherry Blossoms Tourist Exchange Center ODORICO Kiosk 【Address】Sasahara, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 72-12 Sasahara, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-0330 【Business hours】8:00~15:00 8:00~17:00 during the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival 【Regular holiday】New Year's Day Other year-end cleaning days 【Parking lot】Yes

Nice to meet you all and welcome to COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! This is the Izu Shirahama Tourism Association! Shimoda City Shirahama is located at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula and is a tourist destination with abundant nature and beautiful sea. Access to Shimoda City Shirahama ・ Direct connection from JR Tokyo Station, about 2 hours 45 minutes by Use Limited Express Odoriko ・Use Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station for about 2 hours and 30 minutes ・About 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from Tomei Atsugi Interchange ・About 2 hours by car from Tomei Numazu Interchange It has become. Shirahama in Shimoda City is the finest resort area closest to the city center, and three unique beaches await you. As the name suggests, it is a series of beautiful white sand beaches, offering a paradise-like experience for those who visit it. ■■Recommended Beaches in Shirahama, Shimoda City■■ ◇Shirahama Ohama Beach Beaches is the largest beach on the Izu Peninsula, stretching for about 800 meters from north to south, with vast white sand. The most popular beach in the Shirahama area, with its pure white sand and sky blue, is visited by many beachgoers of all ages and genders. Along the national highway that runs in front of Shirahama Ohama Beach, there are rental shops and restaurants selling marine goods such as parasols and summer beds. ◇Shirahama Central Beach It is a Beaches that has been selected as "88 best bathing beaches in Japan" and "100 best bathing beaches in Japan". There is also a rocky area, so you can enjoy playing on the beach. In addition, it is surrounded by a breakwater and the waves are calm, so it is safe for children. ◇Shirahama Itado Beach Isshiki Coast It is a coast to the north of the Shirahama coast. The island called Ryugu Island is surrounded by a beach, so it is ideal for playing on the beach. You can also enjoy Diving with bare hands, snorkeling and fishing in the Cove. Shirahama in Shimoda City is also a popular spot for surfers, and even beginners can rest assured when the waves are Small time. Come and enjoy the Beaches, surfing, and beautiful sunset on the coast of Shirahama in Shimoda City. ■■Recommended sightseeing spots in Shirahama, Shimoda City■■ ◇Shirahama Shrine Located between the Shirahama Ohama Coast and the Shirahama Central Coast, it is the oldest shrine on the Izu Peninsula with a history of 2400 years. The god of Marriage and God of childbirth is enshrined. ◇Shirahama Cherry Blossom Village In the park near Shirahama Shrine, you can see about 100 cherry trees, including the early blooming "Shirahama Ikona" that begins to bloom in late January and the "Shirahama Cherry Blossom" that begins to bloom in late February. From the observatory in the park, you can enjoy a superb view of the white beach below. ◇ Mihogasaki Promenade If you go down to the seaside from the promenade, which is about 2 minutes by car from Shirahama, you will find the "Mihogasaki Ruins" where scented balls made around the 5th century were discovered. ◇Mt. Takane Elevation is 343 meters, and you can enjoy climbing for about 20 minutes to the top. From the top, you can overlook the Shirahama coast, Izu Nanashima, the cityscape of Shimoda City, and Mt. Fuji. 、 ■■Recommended event Information for Shirahama, Shimoda City■■ ◇ Shirahama Aloe Flower Festival Shirahama is also an aloe production area due to its warm climate, and the Itado District is called "Aloe Village" because the entire area is dyed bright red during the flowering season from December to January. During this flowering period, the "Aloe Flower Festival" is held. At the Aloe Village, where the event will be held, shops will be lined up and Specialty products such as aloe products and Sanma sushi will be sold. Enjoy Shirahama's exquisite gourmet food. ◇Izu-Shirahama Sea Festival Noryo Fireworks Display It is a summer tradition in Shirahama held every July. The fireworks festival that colors the summer night sky is crowded with many tourists every year. In 2023, 1173 fireworks were launched. ■■Features of Shirahama, Shimoda City■■ Shirahama in Shimoda City is an attractive area with its beautiful sea and rich nature. You can enjoy the feeling of a tropical country with the beautiful blue sea of white sand and white sand beaches. There are many Accommodations in Shirahama such as hotels, minshuku, inns, Pension, and guest House. Use it according to your travel plan! COOL JAPAN VIDEOS will send out recommended Information on Shimoda City Shirahama, so thank you.

In the summer of 2024, MOA Museum of Art presents the special exhibition Pokemon × Crafts: A Grand Discovery of Beauty and Techniques! What kind of “chemical reaction” would occur if Pokemon and traditional crafts met head-on? Twenty artists, from Living National Treasures to emerging creators, took on this question with full commitment. The works evoke Pokemon forms, gestures, and presences. Some trace memories from the games, such as evolution, trading, travel settings, and highly effective moves. Others lure Pokemon into everyday life as tableware, kimono accessories, and stylish obis. What will your encounter with the pieces waiting for you in the gallery be like…exciting, entrancing, smirking, or spine-tingling? Enjoy discoveries of beauty and technique amplified by multiplying powers. Exhibition title: Pokemon × Crafts: A Grand Discovery of Beauty and Techniques Venue: MOA Museum of Art Dates: Saturday, July 6, 2024 – Monday, September 9, 2024 To ensure smooth entry and a pleasant viewing experience, please purchase a timed-entry ticket in advance. (Same-day tickets will be available.) During busy periods, visitors with timed-entry tickets will be admitted with priority. Same-day ticket holders may be asked to wait before entering. *Children up to junior high school age, members of the Friends of the Museum, visitors with disability certificates (up to two accompanying helpers), and holders of invitation postcards may enter free of charge and do not need a timed-entry ticket. *Groups of 10 or more must make a reservation in advance. Please contact the MOA Museum of Art at 0557-84-2511 to apply. Ⓒ2024 Pokémon. Ⓒ1995-2024 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. TM, Ⓡ, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo. ⒸPhotograph by Taiichiro Yoshida and Taku Saijo For details, please check the museum’s official website.

The jacaranda, the flower that heralds early summer in Atami. Whether it will bloom or not is something you won’t know until the season arrives. The jacaranda is a bit capricious that way. Two trees gifted in 1990 from Atami’s sister city, Cascais in Portugal, have grown into more than 100 plantings today. Once native mainly to tropical regions, one of the world’s three great flowering trees has now come to announce early summer in Atami. Along the shore in June, clusters of small trumpet-shaped, blue-violet jacaranda flowers paint the sky like bouquets from Omiya Green Space to Sun Beach. Each year in early June during the blooming season, we hold the Jacaranda Festival. Legend says that if a flower falls on your head, happiness will come. How many will bloom this season? Come and see these precious purple blossoms.♪ *During the event period, light-ups will take place. Please note that blooming times may vary.* Event period / June 1, 2024 – June 16, 2024 Venue / Jacaranda Promenade (around Omiya no Matsu) Light-up hours / Daily during the above period from 18:00 to 22:00

"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape. 　This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Cafe LOAFER". ・6 minutes walk from Kawazu Station We offer our signature pasta made with homemade bacon. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Cafe LOAFER 【Address】Yatsu, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 419-3 Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-34-0629 【Business hours】11:00~17:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Sundays 【Parking lot】Yes

Spend a blissful time in the beautiful town, Kawazu Town When you visit surrounded by the nature of the sea and mountains, and the Accommodations in the town! The inn I would like to introduce this time is "Matsushitatei". ・ Meals are "hand-made soba noodles" made by making homemade flour from domestic Soba seeds in a stone mill, Soba creative dishes, and the fruits of the mountains and sea. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Matsushita-tei 【Address: Yatsu, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 703-23, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-34-2558 Check-in/Check-out is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m. 【Total number of rooms】2 rooms 【Pick up and drop off】Consultation required 【Parking lot】4 cars

The sprout-eating blue pigeon came to the trees in Iwamotoyama Park in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture in mid-March! I hope that we will be able to maintain an environment where wild creatures can easily rest their wings in the future!

Hello to all COOL JAPAN VIDEOS viewers! This is the Nishiizu Tourism Association. Nishi-Izu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture is a town of about 6,300 people located on the west coast of the Izu Peninsula. We will send out recommended information of Nishi-Izu Town! Best regards!! ■Features of Nishi-Izu Town■ Tourist spots created by Nature such as the national natural monument "Tensodo" along the Nishi-Izu Coast, and the "Tombolo of Dogashima" and "Koganezaki" leading to Dogashima Landmark and Sanshiro Island are popular. There are many valuable spots that make up the Izu Peninsula Global Geopark, such as the "One color pillow lava" where you can see the oldest geological formation on the Izu Peninsula about 20 million years ago. In addition, tourist facilities such as trick art and glass museums, and accommodations such as hotels and inns where you can enjoy the scenery of Izu, the Sunset and the beautiful Sea Field are lined up along the Coast, and in Nishi-Izu Town, you can enjoy plenty of Nature and modern culture. ■ Japan's largest sunset town "Nishi-Izu Town" ■ From Izu Nishi Coast, you can Appreciation beautiful Sunset throughout the year, and Otago Coast and Dogashima Coast have been selected as one of the "100 Best Sunset in Japan". In order to enjoy the best Sunset in Japan, those who stay inn in a Accommodations in the town will be guided by a "Sunset volunteer local photography enthusiast" who will guide you to the Sunset points of the day. ■Recommended gourmet and specialty products of Nishi-Izu Town■ Seafood such as ground fish, Japanese flying squid, Ise shrimp, Haliotis, Turbo sazae, and Amakusa landed in Suruga Bay, as well as "Hon Wasabi" grown in the Fine spring water and Clear streams of Mt. Amagi are popular specialty products, and can be tasted at Accommodations and restaurants in Nishi-Izu Town. Salted bonito, a preserved food made by pickling bonito with salt, which is also served at events such as the local gourmet festival "B-1 Grand Prix", is a traditional preserved food handed down in the Tago District and is used as Ochazuke and Udon Noodles with Shio Katsuo. It is also recommended as a souvenir of Nishi-Izu Town. ■Popular sightseeing spots in Nishi-Izu Town■ Since this will be a First Post of COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, we will briefly introduce some of the most popular tourist destinations in Nishi-Izu Town. ◇Dogashima Tensodo It is a cave designated as a national natural monument with a hole in the ceiling with a diameter of more than 10 meters. You can explore the inside of the cave by sightseeing boat. You can also go to the upper side of the cave from the promenade. ◇Koganezaki The entire cape is a park, and the promenade, Lawn square, Observatory, and the Mt. Fuji view spot "Fujimi Hill" are Maintenance. You can also watch the beautiful Sunset. ◇Sanshiro Island It consists of four islands consisting of Denbei Island, Nakanoshima, Okinose Island, and Takashima Island located 200 meters off the coast of the Coast, and at low tide a road appears and can be visited on foot. ◇ Mt. Shiraiwa Mural The Honzon Konrin Butsudenson is depicted on the Quay wall of a rock-cut cave on a small hill in the village of Nishina Sawada, Nishi-Izu Town. It is said to have been made in the Kamakura period, but the author is unknown. ◇Hanbata Market In addition to fresh seafood from Nishi-Izu, Specialty products such as Dried fish, Hon Wasabi, and Shio Bonito are lined up. It is also recommended for purchasing Souvenirs of Nishi-Izu sightseeing. ■Introducing Information about Nishi-Izu Town■ In Japan's best sunset town, you can watch the beautiful Sunset that dyes the Sea Field of Nishi-Izu in a beautiful madder red color. There are many recommended sunset appreciation spots on the Coast of Nishi-Izu Town, and you can see a different sunset at each spot. In the COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots in Nishi-Izu Town, so please follow us.

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Yakiniku Tomi". ・ Old-fashioned local yakiniku restaurant The restaurant's best menu is short ribs! ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Yakiniku Tomi 【Address】Kawazu-cho Hama, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 164-1 Phone number: 0558-32-1412 【Business hours】18:00~21:30 【Regular holiday】Closed on Tuesdays 【Parking lot】Yes 5 cars

“Takenoko Village,” nestled in the center of Minami-Izu Town in the national park, is overflowing with seasonal flavors. Let your children experience the nostalgic tastes of the past—this will surely become a memorable day. Experience bamboo shoot picking across an expansive 490,000-square-meter bamboo grove. Enjoy local specialties sold on site and meals centered on bamboo shoots. The mountains offer seasonal tastes throughout the year: bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, wild mountain vegetables, amanatsu citrus, chestnuts, and shihotake (square bamboo). Take home memories of bamboo craftwork, too—every activity promises fun and a peaceful break from the city bustle. October 10–October 31 Shihotake Picking It’s shihotake season—pick the shoots of this square-shaped bamboo. Although this rare species originates from China, it tastes excellent. Depending on the weather, the season can extend into early November. May Amanatsu Citrus Picking Fully ripened and naturally grown, these fruits offer a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness that fills your mouth with delightful flavor. September Chestnut Gathering The season is planned from early September to early October (subject to change depending on summer weather). For details, please call us. November, December, and March Shiitake Picking Yields depend on rainfall, but you can enjoy the thick, natural shiitake flavor that defines true shiitake mushrooms.”

The beach forms a literal bow-shaped curve about 1.2 km long, with a gently sloping shoreline and calm waves, making it a safe and enjoyable spot for couples and families. To the east, the projecting Tarai Cape offers a superb observation point with sweeping coastal views; to the south you can see the Izu Islands, and to the east and west the coastline stretches toward Tsumekizaki and Ishirōzaki respectively—one of the site’s proud features. ● Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Swimming Beaches ● Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Shores (Japan’s Top 100 Forests, Waterfalls, and Shores) ● Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 White Sand and Green Pine Beaches ● One of the Three Great Beaches of Izu (Yumigahama, Shirahama Ōhama, Imai-hama)

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Nanadaru Chaya". ・ Experience at the attached glass workshop Tongue by tongue in a boar pot that has no smell. Tororo Soba with hot and cold symbiotic wasabi. We recommend the ripe strawberry parfait. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name Nanadaru Tea House 【Address: Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 363-4 Nashimoto, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka [Phone 0558-36-8070 【Business hours 11:00~16:00 【Regular holiday】Not opens 【Parking lot】Yes

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Izakaya Ofukuro". ・ Nostalgic mother's taste Fun with the taste of mom and karaoke. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Izakaya Ofukuro 【Address】Mine, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 495-1 Phone number 0558-32-0205 【Business hours】17:00~24:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Wednesdays 【Parking lot】Yes 6 cars

Spend a blissful time in the beautiful town, Kawazu Town When you visit surrounded by the nature of the sea and mountains, and the Accommodations in the town! The inn I would like to introduce this time is "Hot spring minshuku Azumaya". ・A seaside minshuku with homely hospitality ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Hot spring minshuku Azumaya 【Address】Mitaka, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 522, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-0238 Check-in/Check-out is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m.　 [Total number of rooms] 5 【Pick up and drop off】Consultation required 【Parking lot】2 cars

When you visit go sightseeing in the Kawazu cherry blossoms town of "Kawazu Town" and Please enjoy the exquisite gourmet of Kawazu Town! This time, I would like to introduce "Funado no Banya". ・Fresh seafood purchased locally Fun various nature experiences such as an open-air bath with a superb view of Sagami Bay, Barbecue of freshly caught seafood, various set meals, salt making, and tangerine jam making. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Funado no Banya 【Address】Mitaka, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture, 358-2 Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-32-0432 【Business hours】10:00~17:00LO 16:00 【Regular holiday】Closed on Tuesdays 【Parking lot】Yes

This is Mt. Fuji taken from Kummi Coast in Izu in March. The day before, the heavy rain cleared up like a lie, and Mt. Fuji over Suruga Bay was so beautiful that I couldn't move for a while. #Spring #Photo Contest

Spend a blissful time in the beautiful town, Kawazu Town When you visit surrounded by the nature of the sea and mountains, and the Accommodations in the town! The lodging we will introduce this time is "Marui". ・ Since it is a minshuku directly managed by a fresh fish store, you can enjoy seasonal beach cuisine to your heart's content. ◆Detailed Information◆ 【Spot Name】Marui 【Address】Mitaka, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Prefecture 415, Kawazu-cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka Phone number: 0558-34-0222 Check-in/Check-out is 3:00 p.m. and check-out 10:00 a.m. 【Total number of rooms】7 【Pick-up/drop-off】No pick-up/drop-off 【Parking lot】2 cars

Koyasan Trail: In the Yagiyama settlement (Yaki-yama) upstream of the Iwashina River, people once burned the mountain to clear land, so it came to be called “Yaki-yama.” From that settlement, a three-kilometer walk into the mountains brings you to a hidden, tranquil realm where sheer cliffs of strange rock rise along a mountain stream. This place is called Koyasan. Long ago it served as a practice site for shugendo ascetics of Shingon esoteric Buddhism, and many stone Buddhist statues stand here. ☆A legendary site linked to a famous priest☆ There is even a legend that Kobo Daishi once visited this place but left because the smell of fertilizer from nearby fields was impure and the valley was not deep enough; he later went to Kishu (Wakayama Prefecture) and established Mount Koya. Supporting that tale, a practice site called “Enma Shingyo” on the cliff’s mid-slope once enshrined a statue of Kobo Daishi, though it has since been relocated to Eizen-ji Temple in Yagiyama. In the late Edo period, a monk named Taizen trained at Enma Shingyo, traveling to nearby villages to perform prayers. His reputed spiritual powers earned him the honorific title O-Daishi, and his devotees grew to some 200 people. When he left the area, he left sutras and priestly robes with the local Taguchi family as mementos. The family preserved a written box inscription noting that Taizen was from Mikawa (Aichi Prefecture), that he visited in the first year of Tenpo (1830) to enshrine a likeness of Kobo Daishi, that he stayed in retreat for about a year, and that many followers gathered. Another tradition says that during the Kenkyu era (1190–1199), the priest Mongaku also stayed here in retreat; when he tried to leave after completing his training, wild roses tangled in his robes and would not let him go. Mongaku then returned to the rock cave and continued his practice. Since then, locals have called those wild roses “Mongaku roses.”

Rows of cherry blossom trees 🌸 that symbolize Japan This is Fuji Cemetery in Shizuoka Prefecture It stretches for about 1 km and is lined with cherry blossom trees. It is my personal favorite row of cherry blossom trees. At the end of the 240 steps, such a spectacular view awaits. Be sure to 😆 visit