Go to Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture in May! 🏃 Have you already decided where to go for Golden Week? Here are five events currently taking place or planned in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. (In no particular order) Please join any events that catch your interest 😍 1. 31st Ancient Tatara Ironmaking: Recreating Japan’s Traditional Steelmaking Technique Since the opening of the National Bihoku Hillside Park in 1995, the community-led "Ancient Tatara Ironmaking" project has been held continuously; this year marks its 31st edition. We continue this work to pass down the tatara steelmaking technique, a symbol of the Chugoku Mountain region’s culture, to the next generation. Date: Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11, 2025 Venue: Hiba-no-Sato Ancient Tatara Workshop, National Bihoku Hillside Park Details: We will recreate the full process of the ancient Japanese steelmaking technique tatara steelmaking, using the kera pressing method to extract kera—the raw material that becomes tamahagane, the high-quality steel used for Japanese swords and other premium blades. [Instructors] Holder of the Selected Preservation Technique 'Tamahagane Production (tatara blowing)' — Murashita Shoku (chief tatara operator) and Kaoru Horio (堀尾 薫; overall supervisor). Participants: Around 100 people (including general participants and partner organizations) Fee: Free to observe (park admission fee required separately) Note: Paid overnight two-day hands-on experience reservations have closed. Contact: National Bihoku Hillside Park, 4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021 TEL: 0824-72-7000 FAX: 0824-72-7828 2. Shobara Satoyama Open Garden 2025 Spring This annual event lets visitors tour gardens ranging from imaginative home plots to authentic Japanese gardens, where seasonal flowers are in bloom. Dates: Saturday, May 10–Sunday, June 15, 2025 Times: 10:00–12:00 / 13:00–16:00 Venue: Various locations in Shobara City Contact: Shobara Flower Conference Office, Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) (inside Satoyama Station Shobara Furari, 4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) TEL: 0824-75-0173 FAX: 0824-75-0172 For the latest information, check the official Shobara Flower Conference website or the Instagram account @satoyamaopengarden. 3. Shobara Satoyama Marche at Hiroshima Station From April 2025 this event will be held on the third Wednesday of every month! Operated by JR West Properties, Roadside Station Takano, and Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO), this market at Hiroshima Station’s north exit on the first floor offers fresh vegetables, processed goods, and seasonal ingredients from the popular Roadside Station Takano in Takano Town, Shobara City. Visitors come every month looking forward to this market—be sure to stop by at least once. Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Time: 11:00–15:00 Venue: Hiroshima Station North Exit, 1st floor, next to ekie Kitchen (1-2 Matsubara-cho, Minami Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Contact: Roadside Station Takano TEL 0824-86-3131 4. Bihoku Flower Picnic (Now On) The Bihoku Flower Picnic is taking place at the National Bihoku Hillside Park in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. ✨ Spring flowers such as daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips, and nemophila will reach their best viewing times during the period. There are also many spring-themed workshops and local spring cooking events, offering plenty of ways to enjoy the season. Note: Flowering conditions may vary depending on weather and temperatures. Dates: Through Sunday, May 11, 2025 Time: 9:30–17:00 (park entry until 16:00) Venue: National Bihoku Hillside Park (4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Fees: Regular and light vehicles 400 yen, large vehicles 1,200 yen, motorcycles 200 yen Contact: National Bihoku Hillside Park (4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021) TEL: 0824-72-7000 FAX: 0824-72-7828 5. Sakura Shokudo Children’s Day Marche Sakura Shokudo, which opened new in December 2024, is a farm-run eatery inside the Shokusai-kan Shobara Yume Sakura Hall and is operated directly by Shigehara Farm. To celebrate Children’s Day on Monday, May 5, the marche will bring together delightful and delicious vendors from inside and outside Shobara and Miyoshi Cities. A kids’ space will also be available for children to enjoy. Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 (national holiday) Time: 10:00–16:00 Venue: Farm-Run Sakura Shokudo (291-1 Shinjo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) Contact: Farm-Run Sakura Shokudo (291-1 Shinjo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture) TEL: 0824-75-4516 Notes: ・Exhibitors may change, so please be aware in advance. ・Admission is free, but workshops, hands-on activities, and purchases are chargeable. ・Please take your trash home with you. That’s five recommended events for May! For more details, please see the Events list on the Shobara Tourist Navi, the official tourism information site for Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 😍

Photographed on April 7, 25. During the cherry blossom season, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing from CAFE ANDON's terrace seats.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is a boat trip on the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The cherry blossoms fell and a flower raft was formed.

This is the Shinshu Suzaka Tourism Association. In the Garyu Park of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots Yellow-flowered cherry blossoms are in Best time to visit. Pink cherry blossoms are familiar, Someiyoshino, Oshima Yamazakura, etc. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the yellow cherry blossoms bloom. Turmeric, Gyoiko, found in Toyooka, Suzaka City, Sonosato Kizakura, etc., You can see yellow-flowered cherry blossoms. Garyu Park also has several walking courses. Climb Mt. Garyu (Elevation 471m), In the Northern Alps, Five Mountains of Northern Shinshu, While looking at the yellow cherry blossoms and the mountains leisurely, Enjoy the fresh greenery of Garyu Park. The pink cherry blossoms, Kanzan, and Yaebenishidale are in full bloom. Garyu Park Management Office (Suzaka City Zoo) Nagano, Suzaka City, Garyu 2-4-8 📞026-245-1770 About 25 minutes walk from Nagano Electric Railway Suzaka Station

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the honorary cherry blossom of the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the honorary cherry blossom of the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the honorary cherry blossom of the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Kochi Yawata Shrine Azalea Hill (Gunsei) City Designated Natural Monument. Azaleas in the shade still remain. If you go up the stone steps of more than 200 steps, you will find the worship hall and the Main Shrine There are. 〒791-0507 Saijo-shi, Tanbara-cho, Kochi 729-1 About 15 minutes by Car from Iyo Komatsu IC

Today, I took a walk in Kawagoe. I found a jasmine flower. Aroma that I like very much.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the honorary cherry blossom of the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Late-blooming Double Cherry Blossom (Yae zakura) and Carp streamers The collaboration between Carp streamers swimming in the Spring breeze and Morimori's Double Cherry Blossom (Yae zakura) is wonderful "Hanedani Dandan Park" Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture 2025/4

【Nakatsuna Lake Is in Full Bloom 🌸】 The Oyamazakura cherry trees around Nakatsuna Lake, famous for their reflections on the water, are now at their peak bloom🌸I went before dawn to capture the reflections😌There was a slight breeze so the water wasn’t a perfect mirror, but mist over the lake created a magical scene✨ Sakura bloom status is 🌸 https://kanko-omachi.gr.jp/news/88713/...

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the five-storied pagoda and cherry blossoms of Kita-in.

The wisteria of Kannon-do (Temple) is in Best time to visit. Please go out. 47 Kitagawa, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture About a 10-minute walk west from JR Iyo Saijo Station. In the neighborhood, you can also Fun "Uchibuki" Famous Water and the parent Water area called Aquatopia Water. Take a stroll.

Photographed on April 7, 25. It is the five-storied pagoda and cherry blossoms of Kita-in.

[🌸Gokase Hanami 2025 Submitted Photos — Part 10🌸] The entries submitted to the “#Gokase Hanami 2025” held on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account have reached a pause for now as of today💪🌸 The photo contest is still open, so please do submit your entries🤗✨ @_yuta610 @fowafuwarin5 @meiko_ryu @tokotan2._.2 (in no particular order) This time we received many night cherry blossom photos👏 Even with a step ladder or whatever I try, I can’t take good night photos at all — how do people manage to capture such beautiful night shots like these?🤔 They’re truly wonderful!!! We’ll post again when more featured works have been collected🤗💡 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪#Gokase Hanami 2025 — How to Enter≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #date of shooting (example: #March 20)🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... [Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents when photographing.

I was able to go to the birthplace of the alley in the back again this year. Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture 2025/4

This Spring, I stopped by a wonderful row of cherry blossom trees. Cherry blossom trees in Gifu Prefecture 2025/4

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is a boat trip on the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The boatman is doing his best.

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is a Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) on the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is the cherry blossom of Kitain.

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is the cherry blossom of Kitain.

🌸 Gokase Hanami 2025 — Featured Photos, No. 9 🌸 We’re wrapping up the introductions to the entries submitted to “#Gokase Hanami 2025” on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account, with just one more installment to go 🥹 Thank you for so many wonderful submissions 👏✨ @8215dr72 @920cherry71 @omilove.1203 (in no particular order) We received breathtakingly beautiful photos that make you sigh 🥺💕 Many photos feature Josenji, but we also loved fresh perspectives such as shots of the cherry-tree-lined road taken from afar and weeping cherry trees reflected in car windows — truly lovely 😳💫 Yesterday we announced that Akebono azaleas and rhododendrons are at their best 💡 With the weather not looking great today or tomorrow, we worry they may not last, so if you can, please take photos and submit them to “#Gokase Hanami 2025” 🤗✨ -------------------------------------------------------------------- How to Enter “#Gokase Hanami 2025” Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with two hashtags: #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #Date of shooting (for example: #March 20) 🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... Period: Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Additional rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please read them carefully before entering. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️ Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.

[🌸 Gokase Hanami 2025 Photo Submissions — No. 8 — 🌸] Lately, the Gokase Tourism Association has been featuring entries to the “#Gokase Hanami 2025” on its Instagram account, and only a few submissions remain to be showcased at this stage 😳 @taniyan1119 @tm21mt @tourism09wine @yaaaaaa.85 @naoki_photo.graphy @naomin168 @kurota_kurohei (In no particular order) Mixed in with Josenji Temple and the Harada family’s site, we received many heartwarming shots of local weeping cherry trees, adorable pet dogs, and bright red boke (flowering quince) berries ☺️💕 Thank you all so much for the many submissions ✨ We’re still accepting entries, so feel free to post your photos anytime 🤗 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪#How to Enter #Gokase Hanami 2025≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post a photo of flowers taken within Gokasecho. Add the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #the shooting date (for example: #March 20) to your Instagram post 🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... Period: From Thursday, March 20, 2025 until Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please read them before submitting. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.

Photographed on April 5, 25. It is a Shidarezakura (weeping cherry blossoms) of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on April 18, 25. Resona Coedo Terrace and Double Cherry Blossom (Yae zakura).

[🌸Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 Entry Photo Showcase – Part 7–🌸] We continue to share entries submitted to the "#Gokase Flower Viewing 2025" held on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account🤗🌟 @sokoatari.urouro This collection captures many expressions of the weeping cherry tree at Josenji Temple😳✨Daytime, nighttime, from far, from near, from below… each perspective brings a totally different feel, and it’s fascinating👏! We won’t post tomorrow, but we still have many entries to show, so please stay tuned a little longer☺️🙏 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪#How to Enter #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 and #date of shooting (example: #March 20)🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... [Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️Other terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before entering. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.

Today, I attended the Kakijima Maro Festival in the Precincts of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It's a yellow cherry blossom. It is a mixture of green and yellow, and red lines appear as it is in full bloom.

[🌸 Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 — Featured Entries, No. 6 🌸] It’s finally starting to get truly warm here. ☀️ Today we continue showcasing works entered in the “#Gokase Flower Viewing 2025” contest on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account. 💪💡 @smail_barm @taka_gr86rz @takataka0129 @thusandleavis (in no particular order) We received submissions of weeping cherry blossoms from Josenji, the Harada family, and Kijiya. 🌸✨ There’s also a photo of the cherry tree at Koshouji at the foot of Gokase Winery — it’s huge! 😳 What kind of entries will appear tomorrow? 🤗 Stay tuned!! The photo contest is still open for submissions. 🌟 Spring in Gokase isn’t just about cherry blossoms — please photograph various flowers and enter! 🥳 -------------------------------------------------------------------- [How to Enter the #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025] Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 and #date of shooting (for example: #March 20). 🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... [Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 through Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before entering. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️ Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.