[Announcement ❄️ of Winter Gokase 2025❄️ Results] Thank you for waiting! !️ Announcement 🥳🎉 of the results of "Winter Gokase 2025" This time, in addition to the followers of the Gokase Tourism Association's Instagram Account, we decided 👏✨ the winning item by voting by Facebook and Google Form Thank you to 🙇 ♀️💕 everyone who voted Now, let's announce the 👇👇👇 results [🥇 Gold Award] Mr. @mas8787a [🥈 Silver Prize] Mr. @fowafuwarin5 [🥉 Bronze Award] Mr. @yamabico_san The Gokase Highland Ski Resort, which has been revived in yellowtail three years, and the winter appearance of Josenji Temple, which enjoys beautiful scenery in both Spring and autumn, won prizes 🤩✨ It is raining today, but there was a lot of snow this year, so ❄️ there are many difficulties, but I am always amazed 👏 by the power of Nature that creates beautiful scenery and by the people who express themselves through the viewfinder Congratulations ㊗️🥳🎉 to all the winners And There is a to 😭❤️ 🔥 everyone who applied, voted, and participated Spring is finally here 🌸 We will inform you of the Spring campaign soon, so when you come to Gokase to enjoy cherry blossom viewing, please take many photos and cry when 😭💕 you participate 💫 Best regards

📢 Happening this weekend! [#Isehara Cultural Heritage Festa 2025 Spring 🌸] A treasure of Isehara ✨ Enjoy a luxurious event where you can actually experience many intangible folk cultural properties! Dive into the world of Noh with the "#Ooyama Noh" Noh workshop, try on rare masks and practice sliding-footwork techniques, lose yourself in the beautiful sounds of the "#Nagauta #Hayashi (yokobue)" concert and dance demonstrations 🎶, and have fun watching and spinning at the "#Ooyama Koma" top-spinning experience 🪅—and much more! Why not experience Isehara’s rich cultural heritage through a variety of traditional performing arts and crafts? 😊 🗓️ Date and time: Sunday, March 23, 10:00–16:00 ※For each booth’s detailed schedule, see the site below 📍 Venue: Isehara City Central Community Center, 2nd floor Recreation Room 🚶 Access: About a 10-minute walk from Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit 💰 Admission: Free 📝 Registration: Not required Organizer: Isehara City Council for the Preservation and Utilization of Local Cultural Properties 📞 Inquiries: Isehara City Board of Education, Education Administration Division (0463-74-5109) Check booth times and other details here 👇 https://www.city.isehara.kanagawa.jp/bunkazai/docs/2025022100031/... #Isehara #Cultural Heritage #Intangible Folk Cultural Properties #Traditional Performing Arts #Traditional Techniques #Hands-on Event #Free Event #Weekend Event #Family-friendly #Spring Event #Ooyama

Ooyama Cable Car Notice: Restroom at Ooyama Cable Station Out of Service As of Monday, March 17, 2025, the restroom at Ooyama Cable Station on the Ooyama Cable Car is out of service due to a clogged pipe. For the latest information please visit the Ooyama Kanko Dentetsu Co., Ltd. website. https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp// Also, the public restrooms at the summit of Ooyama remain unavailable due to frozen water supply pipes. Please use the public restrooms at Afuri Shrine Lower Sanctuary, Ooyama-dera, or the Ooyama Cable bus stop. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation. The Okame cherry trees along the Ooyama Shindo are now in full bloom. Their charming pink blossoms await your visit. Access: From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Bus Stop No. 4 Take the ‘Ooyama Cable’ bus for about 30 minutes Get off at the final stop and walk 15 minutes along Koma Sando to the cable car station. #Ooyama #Isehara #Sightseeing information #Ooyama Cable Car #Restroom out of service #Outing information #Spring sightseeing #Cherry blossoms #Flower viewing #Hiking #Trekking #Afuri Shrine #Ooyama-dera #Koma Sando #Odakyu Line #Isehara Station

Discover a new way to travel! 🚗💨 Special site now live 🎉 Let’s feast around Tanzawa, Ooyama, and Miyagase! 😋 "#Gourmet Guri" Ken-O Yamanami #Gastronomy Tourism The Ken-O Yamanami area—including Isehara, Atsugi, Hadano, Aikawa, and Kiyokawa✨—is rich in ingredients that have long been loved and that may stir your memories. How about a trip that’s different from the usual? 🍽️ "Gastronomy" means deepening your understanding of the relationship between food and culture 📚 Through this experience, ordinary places might become special to you…💎 Check the special site now! 👉 https://www.atsugi-kankou.jp/site/yamanami-gastronomy/... Atsugi City Tourism Association #Isehara #Atsugi #Hadano #Aikawa #Kiyokawa #Ken-O Yamanami #Tanzawa Ooyama Miyagase #Feast it all #Food travel #Local gourmet #Delicious discoveries #Taste of memories #Tourist information

【Cotton Cafe】Relaxing, yarn spinning experience 🧶 Today, I would like to introduce ☺️✨ the "Cotton Cafe" held on the third Saturday of every month at the former Kuraoka junior high school "Kuraokakura" Feel free to Use the café only.☕💕 You can 😌 order delicious homemade cakes and drinks Today's cake was a cake with kumquat jam and a cake 🍰✨ with apple jam (I had a lot of it, but it was 🤤 insanely delicious) Everyone was having a relaxing time 🫶 while enjoying reading and chatting Of course! There is a fee, but you can 🧶✨ also experience yarn spinning Pick up cotton seeds with a "cotton gin" ↓ Use a tool called a "hand carder" like a large slicker brush to adjust the stream of fibers. ↓ When wrapped around a winding stick, a bundle of cotton called a "pony" is formed 😌☁️, which looks like a fluffy cocoon ↓ If you pull this out little by little with a tool called a spindle and twist it, you will get 😳👏 a magnificent thread as shown in the first photo It seems that 💡 you can adjust the thickness of the finished yarn by twisting the fiber and the amount of force You can make it thinner or thicker, or try to spin a single yarn with various thicknesses... There are There are fun of spinning your favorite yarn If 🤗✨ you are interested, please try 💪 it When you visit Cotton Cafe, you don't need to make a reservation or anything, so 👌 please feel free to stop by and enjoy 😌🌿 your own time 【Date & Time】3rd Saturday 13:00~15:00 【Place】Kuraoka Kurara (Staff Room) 〒882-1201 5929 Kuraoka, Gokase-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture 【Reservation】Not required 【Fee】Yarn spinning experience 1,500 yen, cotton (with seeds) 400 yen

🚴‍♂️Tour de Yatsugatake 2025🚴‍♂️ Thank you very much for all your entries🙇🏻‍♀️ The entry deadline for Tour de Yatsugatake is tomorrow, the 16th❗️ We are still accepting entries, so if you haven't signed up yet, please hurry🚴‍♂️💨 The secretariat is based at Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen. *Entries are accepted via the QR code on the second page!*

❄️ "Winter Gokase 2025" Voting Now Open ❄️【Until Sunday, March 16, 2025!】 Thank you all for entering "Winter Gokase 2025"! We have conducted a careful first-round selection by the tourism association staff and chosen ten entries from all submissions.🙏✨ From these ten entries, we will ask everyone to vote to decide the prize winners.🤩👏 Among those who vote, ten people will be randomly selected to receive specialty products from Gokase Town as a gift.🎁💫 We appreciate your participation.🙇‍♀️ How to vote is explained below.💡 [Voting period: Until Sunday, March 16, 2025] ⚠️ Voting is limited to one method per person and one vote per account or individual. <To vote via Instagram> https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... ・Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account. ・From the posts marked with the hashtag "#Winter Gokase 2025 Vote," choose one of the ten featured entries and comment the photo number in that post's comment section.✍ ⚠️ If you are not following the account, message exchanges may be unreliable and you will be excluded from the gift drawing. Please be aware. <To vote via Facebook> https://www.facebook.com/gokase.kanko/?locale=ja_JP... ・Choose one of the ten featured entries in this post and comment the photo number. ・Voting is limited to one vote per account. ⚠️ If you win the gift drawing, we will contact you via Facebook Messenger. If there is no reply within two weeks, the prize will be forfeited. <To vote via the website> ・Go to the "Winter Gokase 2025 Vote" page from the Gokase Tourism Association website's news topics (https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1994.html...） ・Click the URL on the "Winter Gokase 2025 Vote" page to open the voting form. ・Enter your email address. ・Choose one of the ten entries, check the box for that entry, and submit your response. ⚠️ If you do not enter an email address, you will be excluded from the gift drawing. Please be sure to view the original posts by the applicants before voting.🤗 1. @yamabico_san (photo 2) 2. @gokase_entertainment (photo 3) 3. @photo_ay_umi (photo 4) 4. @mgm_1228 (photo 5) 5. @eco9syu_sekiryo (photo 6) 6. @goto0619 (photo 7) 7. @fowafuwarin5 (photo 8) 8. @thusandleavis (photo 9) 9. @mas8787a (photo 10) 10. @photo_ay_umi (photo 11) We look forward to receiving many votes from everyone 🥰

🎿 Ski Resort Final Event 🏂 Sunday, March 9 was the last day of operations for Gokase Highland Ski Resort ❄️ Under a clear sky, a big prize drawing took place from 11:00 AM 🎁 Cheers erupted each time the winning numbers for lavish prizes were announced, and the drawing ended in great excitement 😆✨ After the drawing, visitors immediately enjoyed the last runs of the season on the slopes 🎿 Gokase Highland Ski Resort, revived this season ❄️ Thanks to everyone, we were able to operate safely through today 😊 Thank you very much 🥰 We look forward to seeing you again next season!!

Inochi no Hi Project in Gokase Town On Saturday, March 8, I visited the "Inochi no Hi Project in Gokase Town" held at the Gokase Town Welfare Center 🤗 Although the event took a four-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has continued since the year after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake 😌 The beautiful event invited people to remember those affected by earthquakes and other disasters across Japan, to keep those memories alive, and to cherish life ✨ A donation box to raise funds for disaster recovery was placed at the venue, and visitors kindly contributed what they could ☺️ There were stalls selling tasty snacks and cute crafts, and the venue was lively 🥳 On stage, hosted by members of the organizing G Ongakutai, a full program of singing and dancing entertained the audience 🤩✨ Many songs in the lineup carried messages for disaster-hit areas, creating a program unique to a charity event 😌👏 The finale featured everyone joining in to sing "Hana wa Saku" together 🎶 At the end of the event, children lit wax balls in a lighting ceremony, and wrapped in gentle light, all attendees observed a moment of silence. May the thoughts from Gokase Town reach those in the disaster-affected areas…🙏

[❄️ Introducing photos submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Final installment ❄️] The Gokase Tourism Association held the “#Winter Gokase 2025” photo event on its Instagram account through February 28. This is the final showcase of the entries we received.🥹✨ @fowafuwarin5 @mas8787a @mgm_1228 (in no particular order) Making its long-awaited debut is Unoko Falls✨ These lovely photos capture the ski area where snow still lingers and the surrounding great outdoors.👏 Thank you all for so many submissions.😭 It was a harsh winter, but many of the winter photos felt warm and heartening.😊☀️

📍Izanami Island, Okinawa Prefecture The largest uninhabited island in Okinawa Prefecture, offering a survival experience Build a raft using only items found on the uninhabited island and escape within 48 hours! A group of six close friends joined as a graduate school graduation trip! They wanted to push their limits, make memories together, and test their survival skills. The sense of achievement from paddling the raft to the finish line was incredible. It became the best graduation trip! Open-entry tour completed safely! Thank you also for collecting bulky trash from the uninhabited island! Now recruiting participants nationwide for three tours in May, July, and September! https://www.mujinto-yanaha.com//

Recruitment of participants for ❗️ the mountain opening mountaineering event ⛰️ Implementation of the 2025 (Reiwa 7) Mountain Opening Mountaineering Meeting. * Traditional Japanese straw raincoat participation in Shinto rituals is free of charge. ⭐︎Date: Saturday, April 12 2025 (Reiwa 7) ⭐︎ Participation fee 1000 yen (insurance fee and amulet included) * Traditional Japanese straw raincoat participation in Shinto rituals does not require application. ⭐︎Course Descent of the Heavenly Grandson Course ⭐︎ How to apply Please Phone or use the application form below. ⭐︎Application deadline: Monday, April 7 All the staff will climb slowly, so 🔰 it is a mountaineering event that ❗️🥳 beginners can climb with peace of mind 【Notes】 * The age is up to 70 years old, but those who usually exercise can participate even if they are over 70 years old. * Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. *Please prepare your own lunch and emergency food. * As soon as the Shinto ritual is over, you will move to the Trailhead (5th Sabo Dam) by Car. * It will be decided by light rain, but if it is canceled by the evening of the 11th (Friday) at the discretion of the secretariat, we will contact you. Even in the event of cancellation, the Shinto ritual will be performed. [Application form] https://docs.google.com/.../1ik84ozPLmto7PgPEXKrGsPI.../edit... 【Application and Inquiries】 Takaharucho Tourism Association 0984-42-4560

Today, Thursday 13th, at 13:40, Nana Star Row Car 🚃 Car 😝👌 star buses also stop at Takaharu Station The course of Oike and Kirishima Higashi Shrine will be guided by Takaharu Town Tourist Guides! Car parking: Free

[Isehara Flower Update] 2025.3.12 * Ooyama Shindo ⛰️ I missed the Ooyama Mountain Running Marathon, but the Okame cherry trees along Ooyama Shindo have started to bloom—about 40% in bloom, I’d say. ⚠️ The Ooyama cable car is suspended from today, Tuesday, March 12, through Thursday, March 14, for wire rope replacement. Please be careful when you go out❗️ * Maruyama Castle Ruins Park (Shimokasuya 2168-2) The plum blossoms in the park have finished, and the Kawazu cherry blossoms are blooming beautifully✨ Only a few almond blossoms are opening at the lower end of the park, but they’re just beginning and will be a delight to watch going forward. #Isehara #Isehara #Flower Update #Ooyama Shindo #Okame cherry #Maruyama Castle Ruins Park #Kawazu cherry #Almond blossoms #Signs of spring #Tourist information

Teshikaga has enjoyed clear skies for several days. Warmer temperatures have begun to melt the accumulated snow little by little☃️ However, evenings still bring a sharp drop in temperature, making roads and walkways harder to drive and walk on… Please stay alert and practice safe driving and walking at all times🚗🚶⚠️👟

A new Aratama Flower Tour map is now available. A leaflet introducing spots to enjoy seasonal flowers and autumn leaves in the Arao–Tamana area of Kumamoto Prefecture (commonly called the “Aratama region”)—covering two cities and four towns: Arao City, Tamana City, Gyokuto Town, Nagomi Town, Nankan Town, and Nagasu Town—is now ready! There are many places to enjoy seasonal flowers 🌸 and autumn foliage 🍁! Why not visit the Aratama region to enjoy its sightseeing spots while feeling the changing seasons? The leaflet is distributed by the Tamana Regional Promotion Bureau of Kumamoto Prefecture and the two cities and four towns of the Aratama region. For details, see the Kumamoto Prefecture website (https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/174/201934.html)....

Notice: The Grand Sumo March Tournament The tournament began on Sunday, March 9th! Ichiyamamoto Seki is ranked West Maegashira 4 in the March banzuke!! His current record is 1 win and 1 loss! Let’s all cheer for Ichiyamamoto Seki together again this tournament! Thank you for your support 🙏

Isehara Flower Report 2025.3.10 * Hinata Yakushi Plum Garden (Hinata 1644) The plum grove above the rear parking lot of Hinata Yakushi is at its best ✨. Mitsumata shrubs are also in bloom. * Ugaku Bunko Yamaguchi Residence (Kamikasuya 862-1) The plums around the parking lot and the Yamaguchi residence are at their best ✨. The free opening of the plum garden that had passed its peak has ended. Rapeseed flowers along the path behind the plum garden are beautiful. Tour of the nationally registered tangible cultural property Yamaguchi Residence: Adults 300 yen * Along the Ooyama New Trail Okame cherry blossoms are late in opening. Some spots have just started to bloom, depending on location, The buds are swelling, and the best is yet to come ✨ * Photos show yesterday’s conditions. #Isehara Flower Report #Isehara #Plum #Plum blossoms #Ugaku Bunko #Hinata Yakushi

The 10th Nobeoka Flower Story 2025 Konohana Walk was held on Saturday and Sunday, February 22–23, 2025, on the riverside of the Gokase River! Although a nationwide cold snap delayed the cherry blossoms, the event was lively with Nobeoka’s proud local food, stage performances, outdoor tea ceremonies, rickshaws, workshops, hands-on booths run by the Self-Defense Forces and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and kids’ events. In addition, a "Saigo-don Bus Tour" led by Saigo Takao, a great-grandson of the historical figure Saigo, was held to great acclaim. Thank you very much to everyone who attended✨️ *You can see scenes from the event day on the official Nobeoka Flower Story website.* Nobeoka Flower Story 2025 continues with Waiwai Hanayoi Story at Nobeoka Castle Ruins Shiroyama Park from Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, April 6, and the Waiwai Gourmet Expo on Saturday, March 22. Here you can see Somei-Yoshino cherry trees and one of Japan’s three great wild camellia groves (yabutsubaki).🌺 Check the blooming status on the official Nobeoka Flower Story website or in this account’s stories! We look forward to welcoming you.

The 40th Ooyama Mountain Climb Marathon 2025 On Sunday, March 9, the Ooyama Mountain Climb Marathon was held! Blessed with clear skies, guest runner and former Olympian Kayoko Fukushi and many other runners dashed from Isehara Station toward Ooyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine⛩️, racing through the streets of Isehara. Regular participants commented, “Those final 1,610 stone steps before the finish were as brutal as ever this year!” 💦 At Isehara Elementary School, local product sales and servings of the famous Ooyama tofu drew crowds, while Ryujin Street at Isehara Station North Exit hosted a lively welcome event cheering on the runners. Meanwhile, the ISEHARA Bread Festival Wheat Fest, held the same day at Isehara City General Sports Park for bread lovers, gathered popular bakeries and was a great success! Look forward to the next event 🍞 ✨Isehara buzzed with excitement across the city that day✨ Isehara Isehara City Event Marathon Sightseeing Mountain Climb

The Yoritomo cherry trees (Kawazu-zakura) at Lake Sakuma Dam are now in full bloom. Some parts have begun turning into leafed cherry trees, but you can still fully enjoy the flowers. The illumination in the cherry-viewing square, "Yoritomo Cherry and Bamboo Lights," has been extended until the end of the cherry viewing season and lights up daily from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Manda Pit is also hugely popular as a cosplay photo spot! Arao City's symbol Manda Pit In 2015 (Heisei 27) it was registered as part of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution World Heritage. The Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution—iron and steel, shipbuilding, and coal mining—represent the first successful spread of the Industrial Revolution from Europe to the non-Western world. Between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century, Japan achieved rapid industrialization in just over half a century. Now preserved as valuable industrial remains, Manda Pit has newly become extremely popular as a cosplay photo location!! Many cosplayers and photographers use the site. Visitors and staff alike find themselves captivated by the authentic costumes and makeup. Here are some precious off‑shot photos. When a shoot starts, the site feels different from the Manda Pit we usually see as staff, and that gives us a strange, wonderful feeling. Manda Pit is perfect for cosplay photography, offering everything from striking action shots to nostalgic scenes. You’re sure to get photos you’ll love—highly recommended. We look forward to your visit. Information Filming requires advance reservation and a photo shoot application form. Please download the application form from the Arao City website. For changing rooms and luggage storage please use the Manda Coal Mine Museum (paid). This also requires advance reservation. Please contact the Manda Coal Mine Museum for room availability. Manda Coal Mine Museum: Phone 0968-64-1300 If you have any questions, please contact Manda Pit Station. ◆ Manda Pit Station 〒864-0001 200-2 Haramanda, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◆ Phone: 0968-57-9155 ◆ FAX: 0968-57-9156 ◆ Closed: Mondays (the following day if Monday is a holiday), and during the New Year holidays ◆ Hours: 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.) ◆ Admission fees: Manda Pit ruins / Adults: ¥410, High school students: ¥310, Elementary and junior high students: ¥210, Preschool children: free ◆ Access: Bus / 8 minutes from JR Arao Station ◆ Parking: 5 large buses, 3 medium buses, 72 passenger cars #Kumamoto #World Heritage #World Cultural Heritage #Miike Coal Mine #Manda Pit #Manda Coal Mine Museum #cosplay #photo spot #Arao City website

🌼🆕 Sakuhomachi, Nagano Prefecture brochure 🌼 Hello everyone 🌟 This is the Sakuhomachi Tourism Association in Nagano Prefecture. The Sakuhomachi, Nagano Prefecture brochure has been refreshed! 😸👏🏻👏🏻 From today, you can pick one up freely in the Sakuhomachi, Nagano Prefecture section of the Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen Visitor Center 🌼💫✨ We also carry brochures for Minamimaki, Kitaaiki, Minamiaiki, Koumi, and Kawakami. Feel free to stop by anytime ✨

Tsukigase Plum Valley Ume Festival is now underway! Until March 23! The plum blossoms are beautiful with their buds together♪ They will be in full bloom from today through the final day! We look forward to welcoming many visitors!

Isehara Flower Report 2025 The Okame cherry trees along the Shindo trail usually reach full bloom around the time of the Ooyama Climb Marathon, but this year flowering seems a little delayed. The buds have swelled considerably, so we’re looking forward to the blossoms. ✨Sunday, March 9th — Ooyama Climb Marathon✨ The Isehara Tourism Association will also have a booth at Isehara Elementary School (11:00–16:00). ＊Offered with the sacred salt from Ooyama Afuri Shrine Sakamoto Poultry’s Sakamoto no Tamago Boiled egg — 100 yen each (tax included) ＊New release: Value pack Large size 250 g (10 servings) Ooyama Natural Hot Spring Komaya no Yu “Isehara Ooyama no Yu” ♨️ 1 bag 1,500 yen (tax included) And more — a bounty of Isehara’s delicious local specialties and famous products. Once sold out, they’re gone—come early! We look forward to seeing you. #Isehara #Isehara #Ooyama Climb Marathon #Okame cherry #cherry blossoms #flower report #Isehara tourism #sightseeing #local specialties #souvenirs #hot springs Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit — on the stairs Station Shop Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information) OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open year-round)

It's still cold, but Spring is definitely approaching! Early blooming cherry blossoms in various places are in full bloom~ https://www.kanagawa-kankou.or.jp/theme_list/hayazaki_cherry_blossom...

Celebrating the 40th Oyama Mountain Climb Marathon and *Ekimae Chuo Shopping Street* Welcome Event 2025 The Oyama Mountain Climb Marathon finally takes place on Sunday, March 9, 2025! A brutal course awaits: a one-way 9 km route with a 650 m elevation gain and 1,610 stone steps just before the finish line. Starting from Isehara Station North Exit, the course runs past Japan National Route 246 intersection, Shimehiki, Oyama Old Road, Afuri Bridge, Koma approach, Onna-zaka (women's slope), Daisenji Temple, and up to Oyama Afuri Shrine Lower Shrine ⛩️ *Star Guest Runners* 10:00 start: Men 50s and 60 and over Karen Michibata and Angelica Kayoko Fukushi and Ryoko Ichikawa 10:30 start: Men 40s; Women under 39 and 40 and over Mako Chiba, Zhao Youfeng, and Reiko Tosa 11:00 start: Men 30s and under 29 Yuriko Kobayashi, Mari Ozaki, and Kayoko Obata ※Please note that on the day of the event, Chuodori from Isehara Station North Exit to the Japan National Route 246 Isehara Crossing will be temporarily closed to vehicles except route buses, as traffic restrictions related to the climb will be in effect from 9:50 AM to 12:00 PM. At Isehara Elementary School, where the opening ceremony takes place (11:00 AM–4:00 PM), local specialties from Isehara will be on sale, and 100 blocks of Oyama tofu (enough for 900 servings) will be distributed free of charge, among other attractions! A grand welcome event will be held along Ryujin Street at Isehara Station North Exit✨ ※For details of the Ekimae Chuo Shopping Street welcome event, visit the Isehara City Tourism Association website https://isehara-kanko.com/news/9796/... You can run, of course, but also cheer on the runners and soak up the festival atmosphere at the welcome events and more Come on—let’s all get excited together🎉

Hello! This is the Yamaga Onsen Tourism Association. Yamaga Onsen is a famous hot spring in northern Kumamoto Prefecture with a history of over 1,300 years. Its waters are characterized by alkaline simple hot spring quality, known for enhancing skin beauty. The water is clear and colorless, tasteless and odorless, with temperatures ranging from 39 to 45°C. This account will share recommendations and the latest information about Yamaga Onsen, so please follow us! ◆About Yamaga Onsen, Kumamoto Prefecture You can enjoy flowing-only (gensen-kakenagashi) hot spring water at many inns, and there are plenty of outdoor baths and family baths available for day use, making the area beloved by both visitors and locals. The town offers a historic atmosphere, and popular sights include Yachiyoza Theater and the Buzen Highway. ◆Access to Yamaga Onsen Yamaga Onsen is conveniently accessible from Fukuoka. By car: Take the Kyushu Expressway and exit at Kikusui IC or Ueki Interchange; it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Fukuoka City. By bus: Take the Hinokuni Bus from Fukuoka Tenjin to Yamaga Bus Center, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. From the bus center, hot springs and attractions are within walking distance. ◆History of Yamaga Onsen Yamaga has long been a hot spring town. In the Edo Period it prospered as a post town along the Buzen Highway, where many travelers stopped for healing baths. In the Meiji Era the playhouse Yachiyoza was built, adding cultural appeal to the hot spring area. Today, the town continues to enchant many visitors as a hot spring town where history and tradition live on. ◆Popular attractions in Yamaga Onsen ・Buzen Highway The Buzen Highway runs through the heart of Yamaga Onsen and preserves the historic streetscape of an Edo Period post town. Along the cobblestone road you will find white-walled townhouses and old folk houses, perfect for a stroll through a retro atmosphere. Cafes and souvenir shops dot the area, making it an ideal spot to buy local specialties. ・Sakura-yu Hot Spring Sakura-yu, a symbol of Yamaga Onsen, is a public bathhouse with roots in the Edo Period. It was restored in 2012 as one of Kyushu’s largest wooden hot springs using traditional Japanese construction methods. The spacious main bath retains the charm of wooden architecture and offers flowing-only hot spring water. It’s an easy place to enjoy a soak between sightseeing. ・Yachiyoza Theater Built in 1910 (Meiji 43), Yachiyoza Theater was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 1988 (Showa 63). It features lavish ceiling paintings and a revolving stage, and performances are still held today. You can tour the interior and experience the atmosphere of this historic theater. ・Yamaga Lantern Folk Art Museum This facility exhibits Yamaga City’s traditional craft, the Yamaga lantern. Inside, you can admire the beauty of gold lanterns made from delicate Japanese paper and learn about their production process. ・Kongojoji Temple / Stone Gate Kongojoji Temple, with a history of 1,300 years, features an imposing Stone Gate that evokes foreign lands. ◆Local specialties and souvenirs of Yamaga Onsen ・Lantern Monaka Lantern Monaka is a signature confection of Yamaga Onsen shaped like a gold lantern. Its crispy wafer shell is filled with delicately sweet red bean paste, making it a popular souvenir. ・Yamaga Yokan Made in the traditional way, Yamaga Yokan is known for its gentle sweetness and moist texture. It pairs well with green tea or coffee and is a welcome gift. ◆Events and festivals at Yamaga Onsen ・Yamaga Lantern Festival Held annually on August 15 and 16, the Yamaga Lantern Festival is one of Kyushu’s premier summer events, when the whole town glows with mystical light. The Thousand Lantern Dancers, where more than a thousand performers dance gracefully, is a breathtaking sight. ・Yamaga Lantern Romance: A Hundred Flowers, A Hundred Lights Held every winter, Yamaga Lantern Romance: A Hundred Flowers, A Hundred Lights welcomes visitors with enchanting lights created from Japanese umbrellas and bamboo installations along the historic streets. The Buzen Highway is illuminated at night, offering photogenic scenes unlike any other time of year. ◆Enjoy Yamaga Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture Yamaga Onsen is a hot spring town known for waters that beautify the skin and for its historic attractions. In addition to overnight stays, there are many outdoor baths and family baths available for day visitors, and the area consistently ranks highly on hot spring lists. Beyond the baths, Yamaga Onsen offers diverse pleasures—local cuisine, traditional crafts, and festivals—so please come and visit.

On Sunday, March 9, the always-popular ISEHARA Bread Festival: Wheat Fest will take place! Many beloved bakeries will be attending, so please come and join us✨! For venue and schedule details, check the official Tourism Association website below https://isehara-kanko.com/news/9790/... #ISEHARA Bread Festival #Wheat Fest #Isehara Bread Festival #Bread Festival #Isehara #Isehara City #Isehara Tourism #Isehara Events #bread #bakery #bread lovers #bakery shop #gourmet #food stroll #event #outing

Green Trust: 2025 Musenyama Cherry Blossom Festival Announcement🌸 Location: 752-1 Komuro, Ina Town Period: Friday, March 21, 2025–Sunday, April 6, 2025 ※Cancelled in case of rain ※Schedule may change depending on bloom conditions Food stalls: 10:00–16:00 Food trucks: 10:00–19:00 Bonbori lantern lighting: 18:00–20:00 Member events: Saturday, March 29, 2025 and Sunday, March 30, 2025 Access A 5-minute walk from Shiku Station on the Saitama New Urban Transit New Shuttle Temporary parking: about 80 spaces Parking contribution: 500 yen per entry (no re-entry) Opening hours: 9:30–20:00 ※Last entry for parking is by 19:00