Gion’s Great Hinoki in Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture This hinoki was hidden from public view for a long time but came to attention during Gokasecho’s “Search for Local Treasures” in 2000. Its large trunk splits into eight distinctive branches partway up, creating a striking shape. Located inside an old cemetery, it is believed to have been planted as a guardian tree.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Gion Shrine Gion Shrine was founded around the 16th year of Emperor Kinmei’s reign (around 525 AD) when an epidemic swept the Chihogō area in central Kyushu. It was established in Kuraoka, at the heart of the region, as a protector deity prayed to for the removal of disease and misfortune. Locals affectionately call it “Gion-san.” On the shrine grounds stands a zelkova tree said to have been planted by Nasu Daihachiro and Munemasa when they visited in Genkyu 2 (1205). Designated a town natural monument, this giant tree is about 37 meters tall and has an estimated age of roughly 800 years. Deities enshrined: Sobo no Kami / Susanoo no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Oonamuchi no Mikoto, Kushinadahime no Mikoto, Itsuse no Mikoto, Somin Shorai, Kotan Shorai, Tenman Tenjin, Ashinazuchi no Kami, Tenazuchi no Kami, Inari Daimyojin

The fireworks festival, with a history dating back to 1949, has been loved not only by the people of Suwa but also by fireworks fans from Japan and abroad. Amid the postwar turmoil, citizens sought bright hope and a swift recovery. On August 15, the first Noryo Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival was held at Lake Suwa. Now in its 76th year, the ticket sales deadline for the 2024 76th Suwa Lake Festival On-the-Lake Fireworks is approaching: Sunday, July 7 at 23:59. Have you all applied yet? The application deadline is this weekend! If you haven’t applied, hurry up! To apply for tickets, search for “Suwa Lake fireworks”! This is one of Japan’s premier fireworks festivals, the Suwa Lake Festival On-the-Lake Fireworks!!!!! Since last year, parking can be reserved in advance using Akippa, so you can arrive with ease by car🚗! Enjoy an impressive fireworks show of about an hour and a half🎇 We look forward to seeing you in Suwa🎶

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Furuto-no Shrine The founding date is unknown. According to shrine tradition, when the loyal retainer Shibahara Matazaburo Nyudo Shotora of the Yoshino court moved from Shibahara in Osekata Village to Kuwanochi Yokodori, he is said to have brought the three deities of Kumano that had been worshipped in Shibahara to this site. Since ancient times the shrine has been revered as the Shrine of the Fire God. When a parishioner’s house faced fire, mysterious sounds would reportedly arise within the shrine to warn of it, and the parishioners would stay at the shrine to perform rituals to avert the fire. On the grounds stand three giant cedar trees about 580 years old and over 30 meters tall, designated as town natural monuments. A kaya tree likewise designated as a town natural monument is a giant estimated at about 600 years old and 34 meters tall. Spring Festival: Early April Grand Annual Festival: September 23 Night Kagura: Early January Deities enshrined: Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Kagutsuchi no Mikoto, with Fujiwara no Michizane also enshrined.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Uge Falls There is a legend about Uge Falls. “Long ago, when people hosted celebrations or received guests, they would ask the waterfall pool, ‘Please lend me a bowl,’ and by the next morning a bowl would be floating in the pool. Once, someone returned a bowl with a piece missing, and the gods became angry and stopped lending bowls.” To protect the water of Uge Falls, a water deity is enshrined at the foot of the falls. The site has been cherished by previous generations as an important water source for Ohara Iseki Park and the Mikasa Sakamoto district, and it continues to be carefully preserved.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Akebono azalea On Mt. Futagami, which sits on the border between Gokasecho and Takachiho, you can see Akebono azalea from around mid-April each year. Mt. Futagami has two peaks, Otodake and Onnadake, and the Akebono azalea that is relatively easy to see grows on Onnadake.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Shimonohara Terraced Rice Fields The Shimonohara terraced rice fields are among the largest in Gokase, and such an extensive set of rice terraces carved into a mountain valley is rare. The embankments form graceful curves that create a magnificent terraced landscape. In the Uchino-kuchi district of Shimonohara, a siphon—an important irrigation structure—exists in three places, and the first siphon was built in the Taisho era. Although only the bridge piers remain today, a siphon erected near the entrance commemorates the Shimonohara terraces and the great achievements of those who came before.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Torinusu Rice Terrace Torinusu Rice Terrace features rice terraces that spread in two directions, offering a panoramic view over the village to the east and west that is well worth seeing. There is a bust of Togoro Goto, a pioneer who opened three irrigation channels at Josenji Temple, and information indicates that Torinusu Rice Terrace is located nearby. A branch irrigation channel from Torinusu Rice Terrace receives drainage from the mountainside, helping to protect farmland, roads (National Route 503) and other public facilities downstream. The terraces also collect water, contributing to flood prevention.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Hikage Rice Terraces The water for the Hikage rice terraces comes from the spring water of Myoken Shrine in Kuraoka. The spring at Myoken Shrine is so popular that people come from other prefectures to collect it, and it is famous as a local tourist attraction. Behind the Hikage rice terraces stands Gion-yama, said to be the birthplace of Kyushu, creating a scenic harmony with the village and the mountain. The area also hosts events such as Gokase Highland Ski Resort activities, the Gion Shrine Festival, and the Myoken Shrine Grand Festival, and the community is working to revitalize the village by making the most of its landscape.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Shirataki Shirataki is a 60-meter waterfall located at an elevation of 900 meters. As its name suggests, the waterfall’s striking beauty comes from a sheer cliff over which a white sheet of water seems to hang. The contrast with autumn foliage is particularly stunning, drawing many photographers and visitors.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Unoko Falls Unoko Falls features a 20-meter drop and a plunge pool covering 5,000 square meters. Surrounded by dramatic columnar jointing rock formations, the magnificent falls overwhelm any onlooker. A riverside trail from the Mitsukawa Iwagami area brings visitors close enough to feel the waterfall’s power, and a viewpoint on the opposite bank offers a full view of the falls and plunge pool, revealing different moods through the seasons.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Sankasho Shrine Sankasho Shrine was established when a small shrine (hokora) from Mt. Futagami, said to be the site of the descent of the heavenly grandson, was brought down and built at the mountain’s foot. Founded around the late 900s CE, its nagare-zukuri-style structure is entirely made of cypress, and its architectural design and carvings are regarded as masterpieces of the early modern period. This main hall is designated as a tangible cultural property of Miyazaki Prefecture. The site also houses the stone-carved Gate Guardian Deity statues (two faces), which are designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property. At the autumn grand festival, Aradance, an ancient performance tradition from the Sakamoto district designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, is offered. On November 30, 2022, 41 fūryū-odori (stylish folk dances) across Japan, including Gokase’s Aradance, were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On the shrine grounds and in the surrounding garden, you can find Tsukushi rhododendrons and western rhododendrons, along with weeping cherry trees and camellias. They typically reach peak bloom from mid-April through mid-May, offering flower viewing during that period. The Sankasho Shrine Spring Festival is held in April. Deities enshrined: Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Sarutahiko no Mikoto, and Fujiwara no Michizane (enshrined together).

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Saeizan Josenji Sa eizan Josenji is a Jodo Shinshu Honganji temple founded about 400 years ago. Renowned as a cherry-blossom viewing site, its grounds feature a roughly 300-year-old weeping cherry tree, designated a prefectural natural monument, which bursts into spectacular bloom each spring. According to tradition, this weeping cherry was planted during the Edo period by the ninth head priest, who brought a sapling back from Gion in Kyoto on his return from a pilgrimage to Honganji. A variant of the Edo higan cherry sometimes called ito-zakura, it is designated a natural monument of Miyazaki Prefecture.

Photographed on July 2, 24. It is the Tanabata Festival of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. 🎋 Due to the shooting time, the light came in.

Photographed on July 2, 24. This is Hanachozu from Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It is available for a limited time until 7/7.

Superb view seen in Hokkaido The sun was shining on the Kaminoko Pond, and a beam of light was formed. The light was reflected in the pond and it was a fantastic scenery.

Mt. Tsubakuro in the Northern Alps is ablaze with the beautiful blooms of komakusa, the queen of alpine flowers.

The evening Festival of Fujiyama Inari Shrine, which heralds the beginning of the summer Festival in the southern Shinshu of Nagano Prefecture, will be Held in. Dedication of fireworks wishing for a bountiful harvest of five grains, prosperous business, disease-free life, prosperity of happiness, and good luck are offered, and about 700 fireworks are launched. Red and white lanterns are Dedication on the approach to the temple, and the approach to the temple is crowded with the night shops lined up. time 19:20~20:45 rain or shine meeting place Fujiyama Inari Shrine 3435-2 Hamai Towns, Iida-shi, Nagano * Use public transportation when visiting because the surrounding area is crowded. inquiry Machinaka Information Center TEL：０２６５-２２-４８５１ Business hours:8:30~17:00

Shiraito Falls Camera / #canon EOS Kiss #X9i Lens / EF-S18-55mm F4-5.6 IS STM A waterfall that I found when I went touring with a friend and went to Jozankei There were no customers, and it was great to feel a little secluded because it was a little far from the Jozankei inn town.

The 42nd Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture "Mikuni Fireworks Festival" 🎆 The Mikuni fireworks festival, which has become a summer tradition in Hokuriku, will be Held in again this 🙌🏻✨ year Tickets for the paid bleachers are currently on sale 📢 Enjoy ☺🎆 the largest underwater fireworks in Hokuriku, up to 2 shaku fireworks, and a total of about 15,000 fireworks For details, please visit the official Account ▶ @mikunihanabi Instagram Or check out the website! ❁.｡.:*:.｡.✽.｡.:*:.｡.❁.｡.:*:.｡.✽.｡.:*:.｡.❁ Held in Date: Sunday, August 11, 2024 Held in place: Mikuni Mr./Ms. Set Beach Sakai City Mikuni Town inn, Rice Waki, Kuzuryu Boat Park Sakai City Mikuni Town Shinbo Launch time: 19:30~20:30 *In case of stormy weather, it will be postponed to the 12th and 13th. ❁.｡.:*:.｡.✽.｡.:*:.｡.❁.｡.:*:.｡.✽.｡.:*:.｡.❁

【🌸Gokasecho Cherry Blossom Viewing 2024🌸】 Thank you for entering the Instagram campaign "Gokasecho Cherry Blossom Viewing 2024"! We will decide the winners by votes from our followers✨ Followers, please choose one work from the 12 entries and comment its number in the comments of this post✍ Voting is limited to one vote per account. [Voting period: until July 5] The posted images are screenshots of the applicants' photos, so the image quality is poor. We apologize for that. Please also view the entrants' original posts on Instagram before voting😃 1. @__torippy.__ 2. @yasuyochan.192 3. @yuichi_5101 4. @amiamibz 5. @niidome2110 6. @inoshima0124 7. @akihiko.shinchi 8. @sakai_0808 9. @mgm_1228 10. @aiaiaiaiaiaiai77 11. @gokase_pan 12. @goto0619 We will hold a lottery and give Gokasecho specialty products to 10 randomly selected voters🎁 We look forward to your votes✨

Photographed on July 2, 24. This is Hanachozu from Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. Limited until July 7th.

After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I usually relax at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. Hojicha Classic Tea Latte and Lemon Cube Cake. 🍋

The Milky Way seen on Ishigaki Island The air was clear, so I could see the Milky Way clearly with the naked eye. Even though it was not so far from the city, the sky was full of stars.

Tokachi Hills' Umbrella Sky The nickname of the blue sky is the best The shadows on the ground are also beautiful.

Wakaichioji Shrine Summer Purification Ritual and Mantō Festival🏮 Today, June 30 and July 1, the Summer Purification Ritual and Mantō Festival took place at Wakaichioji Shrine. The summer purification ritual cleanses the impurities accumulated over the past six months and prays for safety in the coming six months. Lanterns donated by local businesses lit up, creating a magical atmosphere in the shrine grounds at night🏮

This is the Kazaguruma of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Direct Meeting. When I Prayer on July 1st, it was still Restrooms available.

Lunch has started 😋✨ "Heshiko Workshop Resting Place Minami" A restaurant 🍴 loved by Locals in Mikuni Minato, a port towns that flourished in the Kitamae ship trade from Edo to Meiji It is ♪🙌 a restaurant where you can enjoy plenty of Fukui Prefecture's local cuisine, "Heshiko" What is "Heshiko"? 👀🔍 Local cuisine in which the internal organs of the fish are taken out, pickled in salt, and then pickled in rice bran. In the case of Minami no, it is pickled in rice bran, which condenses the delicious taste of the high-quality fat of mackerel, and because it is shallowly pickled with low salt content, it is a 💘 Gastronomical delicacies 💁🏻 ♀️✨ that you should definitely taste at least once This time, we will introduce the following: "Minami's best set that takes advantage of the characteristics of Heshiko rice bran" A lunch menu that takes advantage of the characteristics of Minami no popular menu and Heshiko rice bran, and is limited 👀 to 15 meals a day! The fried horse mackerel pickled in homemade Heshiko rice bran is decomposed by the characteristics of fermented Heshiko rice bran, and the contents are surprisingly crispy ~ plump! 😻💕 In addition to deep-fried kombu skewers and fried chicken, which are also Minami no big Popular menu, it is a well-bari set full of recommendations such as taste Jade, broiled Heshiko flakes 💃, etc 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 Heshiko Workshop Minami Resting Place　 3-5-26 Sanno, Sakai City Mikuni Town, Fukui Business hours: Open only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays *Course meal reservation required 2 days in advance 11:00 ～ 15:00L.O.14:15 16:30～21:00L.O.20:30 Regular holiday: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Other temporary closures available Parking lot: 5 cars in Parking Lot 1, Parking Lot 2 6 cars 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 𓈒 𓂃 In addition to lunch, you can Use for various occasions such as banquets, ceremonies, and dinners at the beginning of meals, and Souvenirs can also be purchased 🎁🙆🏻 ♀️

Fukui: 💗 Lots of love! Welcome to Sakai City! In front of the Mikuni Station Tourist Information Center on the Echizen Railway Mikuni Station A local capsule toy is now available 🤩🎉. There are two patterns of shapes, an acrylic stand and an acrylic object, and there are a total of 9 types Restrooms available of patterns, and ✌️✨ there are a lot of cute sights and Specialties that are perfect for Fukui souvenirs. You can only get the Hokuriku Shinkansen W7 series and Fukui Station designs at Fukui Station, Nanjo SA, and Mikuni Station Sightseeing Information Center 👀! Squid 💗 for memories and souvenirs of your trip Please feel free to stop by ☺️