Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan!
We are the Taiki Tourism Association.
On this account, we will share appealing information to make you want to visit Taiki Town in Hokkaido.
We look forward to connecting with you!

In this first post, we introduce Taiki Town and share tourist information.

Taiki Town, Hokkaido, lies in eastern Hokkaido in the southern Tokachi region. It is a town of 5,437 residents (as of January 2023), where the breath of nature meets historical charm.
The name "Taiki" comes from the Ainu word "Taikiushi," meaning a place where large trees grow in clusters.

Taiki Town is dotted with beautiful natural scenery and historic sites.
Next, we introduce some of Taiki’s attractive sightseeing spots.

● Space Exchange Center SORA
Since around 1985, Taiki has pursued "space town development" and hosted aerospace-related experiments.
Space Exchange Center SORA displays materials and models from experiments conducted in Taiki by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and rocket developer Interstellar Technologies, among others.
Admission is free and no reservation is required.

● Roadside Station Cosmos Mall Taiki
Roadside Station Cosmos Mall Taiki is a place to feel the charm of Taiki, offering local specialties and souvenirs.
At the specialty corner you can taste natural cheeses from Handa Farm and Cowbell Ice made with Taiki ingredients like corn and pumpkin.
The facility also features a space-food and space-goods shop and a shopping center stocked with daily necessities.
Nearby flows the Rekifune River, once chosen as Japan’s clearest stream.

Next, here is some leisure information!

◎ Horokayanto Smelt Fishing
Smelt fishing on Horokayanto opens around the end of December and runs through late February, offering a winter fishing experience.
Bansei Onsen sits close to Horokayanto, making it ideal for warming up after a chilly day of smelt fishing.

◎ Kamui Kotan Park Campground
Kamui Kotan Park Campground, on the scenic Kamui Kotan in Tokachi, is a recommended spot for outdoor lovers.
This auto campground is surrounded by rich nature.
Visitors can enjoy river play, fishing, forest walks, and even gold panning.
(If you wish to try gold panning, please register with the tourism association in advance.)

Taiki’s events are not to be missed.

◎ Rekibune River Clear Stream Carp Streamer
This mini event takes place on May 5, Children’s Day.
Each year from late April to early May, carp streamers spread across the river’s width, fluttering in the breeze as a springtime tradition.

◎ Rekifune River Festival
The Rekifune River also hosts the Rekifune River Festival and the Perupune Fire Festival in August.
The Rekifune River Festival began in 1989 as Taiki’s major summer event after the river was recognized by the Environment Agency as Japan’s cleanest river.
The festival culminates with the Perupune Fire Festival and a fireworks display.
Towering flaming torch pillars reaching toward the sky are a sight to behold.
It’s a luxurious way to enjoy a summer night.

Next, here is Taiki’s gourmet information!
Taiki’s cuisine offers a rich variety, from local specialties like Camembert cheese, autumn salmon, and whey-fed pork to fresh seafood dishes and vegetable dishes that celebrate the bounty of the land.

A popular local dish is the Taiki Cheese Salmon Bowl, made with cheese and autumn salmon.
Savor dishes that make generous use of local ingredients and enjoy the unique flavors of Taiki, Hokkaido.

Taiki’s hometown tax program offers fresh seafood and carefully prepared processed goods as gifts.
Popular returns include "Rich Fresh Milk Cowbell Ice Cream," "Handa Farm Homemade Cheese Set," and a whey-fed pork bowl set.
Enjoy Taiki’s distinctive tastes through the hometown tax program.

For access to Taiki from outside Hokkaido, use Tokachi Obihiro Airport.
By car, Taiki is about 40 minutes from Tokachi Obihiro Airport; by bus it is about 70 minutes.
From Sapporo, the fastest train route takes about 2.5 hours from Sapporo Station to Obihiro Station, and buses take about 3.5 hours. From Obihiro Station, buses reach Taiki in about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Although Taiki faces the sea, the area experiences large temperature variations. Summer’s average temperature is around 20°C, with highs up to about 34°C, while winter temperatures can drop to minus 20°C.
Because winter temperatures can change rapidly in a short time, please take care with your clothing when traveling.

Please come and experience the charms of Taiki Town in Hokkaido for yourself.
We will continue sharing Taiki’s attractions, so thank you for your support!

Hello COOL JAPAN VIDEOS viewers! Okinawa City Tourism & Promotion Association.
We will send out the latest information and deals of the tropical paradise "Okinawa City".
Everyone will love Okinawa even more! Stay tuned for such information!

First of all, a brief introduction of Okinawa City!
Okinawa City is located in central Okinawa Prefecture and is about 40 minutes by car or taxi from Naha Airport using the expressway.
With a population of about 140,000, it is the second most populous city in Okinawa Prefecture after Naha City.
The average annual climate of Okinawa City is 22°C, and even in winter, it rarely falls below 10°C.

Okinawa City was born in 1974 by the merger of Koza City and Misato Village, and since there are US military bases such as Kadena Air Base, it creates a unique atmosphere where Japanese and American cultures mix.
You can feel American-influenced music and food culture throughout the city.

Let's take a look at some of the attractive sightseeing spots in Okinawa City!
A 5-minute drive from Okinawa Kita Interchange is "Chura Yashi Park Okinawa Southeast Botanical Garden".
It is one of the largest large-scale botanical gardens in Japan, where you can see more than 1,300 species of rare plants from the tropics and subtropics in the two areas of the "Water Paradise Area" and the "Botanical Garden Area".
In addition to plants, you can interact with animals such as capybaras and squirrel monkeys, and the "Okinawa Tropical Illumination" is held from late October to late May every year.

Next, we will introduce Okinawa zoo&museum, a facility that combines a zoo and a museum that children can enjoy.
At the zoo, about 150 kinds of animals are on display, including exhibits of rare creatures unique to Okinawa, such as Ryukyu foxes and native livestock, and events are held where you can enjoy feeding experiences and learning about animals.
At the Wonder Museum, a museum in the park, interesting science experiences and workshops are held to stimulate children's sensibilities.
Every Saturday from July 22nd to August 26th, you can enjoy the night zoo "Sata ZOO Night", so please stop by.

And Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, a popular tourist spot for prefectural residents that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
On the north side, there is a sports zone with an athletic field, gymnasium, swimming pool, tennis courts, etc., and on the south side, it is a regional park with bicycle rentals, auto campsites, recreation pools, and a small plaza where you can play playground equipment.
At the recreation pool, which has been open since July weekends and holidays only, you can enjoy a rotating waterslide.
In addition, in the Little Plaza, there are large playground equipment where you can enjoy several types of slides such as tunnel slides and roller slides, trampolines and bouldering, which are very popular with children.
At the auto campsite, food sales, rental equipment, and fuel are also sold, so you can enjoy barbecue empty-handed, so you can easily enjoy a relaxing time.

If you like shopping, we recommend "Central Park Avenue"!
This shopping street, which was the main street of Okinawa City, which flourished as the center of commerce, is lined with various shops with an American atmosphere, and you can enjoy everything from shopping to Okinawan gourmet.
In addition, "Kozagate Street" is also an area where American culture remains strong, and it is a place where you can enjoy just looking at it because it is lined with shops full of exoticism.

Recommended for souvenirs, we will introduce Okinawa City's traditional craft "Chibana Hanaori".
Chibana ori is a historic traditional fabric with geometric patterns that has been made in Chibana, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture since the time of the Ryukyu Dynasty in the 18th century, and has been loved as a sunny dress for festivals such as Umaharashi horse riding competition, men's festival and usdek usudai drum and women's festival wishing for a bountiful harvest.
Nowadays, wallets, ties, business card holders, etc. are easy to incorporate into daily life and are also delighted as souvenirs!

Among the events and festivals in Okinawa City, the largest Eisa Festival in Okinawa Prefecture, which will be held for the first time in four years this year, "Okinawa All Islands Eisa Festival" is popular.
Eisa is one of Okinawa's traditional performing arts, and a dance is performed on the night of the Old Bon to memorialize ancestors.
This year 2023 Reiwa 5 it will be held from September 8 to 10.

At the "Okinawa City Industrial Festival" held at the aforementioned Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park, there is a lineup of delicious foods from Okinawa City! It is enjoyed by many people, including locals.
In the food area, you can taste the specialties of Koza created by famous restaurants competing with each other, and there are many other famous products produced and processed in Okinawa City.
When you come to Okinawa City, be sure to check out the events.

In addition, the Okinawa Marathon is a full marathon that starts at Okinawa Prefectural Sports Park and spans Okinawa City, Uruma City, Kadena Town, Chatan Town, and Kitanakagusuku Village in Okinawa Prefecture, and approximately 15,000 runners from Japan and abroad participate.
You can run while enjoying the nature and culture of Okinawa City.
* The Okinawa Marathon held in February 2023 has unfortunately been postponed due to the influence of the new coronavirus.

When sightseeing in Okinawa City, you can choose accommodation that suits your travel style, from resort hotels to business hotels, rental villas and guest houses.
If you rent a car, you can easily access not only sightseeing spots in Okinawa City but also nearby sightseeing spots, so it is also recommended as a base for sightseeing in Okinawa.

Okinawa City Tourism & Promotion Association is also working to attract sports camps and training camps and promote sports tourism by utilizing the sports environment in Okinawa City.
In the future, we will also introduce many sports facilities and sports facilities in Okinawa City.
If you are considering holding a sports training camp or tournament in Okinawa City, please feel free to contact us.

In Okinawa City, you can enjoy rich nature, delicious food, and exotic culture!
We will send you the latest information and attractive information so that you can make wonderful memories in Okinawa City, so thank you!