Arao’s food scene offers great variety! Families, friends, everyone will find plenty to enjoy! Arao’s dining ranges from specialty sushi restaurants, ramen shops, okonomiyaki and yakiniku spots to stylish cafes and restaurants, plus plentiful confectioneries and nighttime drinking establishments. After a full day of fun, relax at the spot you like. ~Kosen Dago Arao Main Store~ Sixty years of grilling flavor and heart. Genre Okonomiyaki Address 495 Shimoiide, Arao City Phone 0968-66-1911 Hours 11:00 – 21:00 (Last order 20:00) Closed Thursdays and during the New Year holidays Parking 30 spaces Official website http://www.kousendago.com/sub2.htm...

Photographed 3/30/25. This is LEC COFFEE's quiche plate. It is a quiche with salmon, spinach and onions, and a new onion soup. It is very tasty. 😊

The cherry blossoms at night in Fujimori Park were also beautiful! There were still many stalls night shops Stalls, so it was crowded with many Cherry blossom viewers. * This is also a photo of the day before yesterday.

Arao’s food scene is full of variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of satisfying flavors to enjoy. From specialty sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku restaurants to stylish cafes and dining spots, Arao also offers many confectioneries and nightlife venues. After a full day of fun, relax at the place you like. ~ Okonomiyaki Gen-chan ~ This restaurant serves both Kansai-style and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. In Arao, we deliver free for orders of two or more. Genre Okonomiyaki Address 573-3 Miyauchi, Arao City Phone 0968-63-0588 Hours 11:00 – 15:00 (last order 14:30) 17:00 – 21:00 (last order 20:30) Closed Wednesdays (if a public holiday, the next day) Parking 10 spaces

Arao’s gourmet scene offers a rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of flavors to satisfy everyone! Arao’s food scene ranges from specialty sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and yakiniku shops to chic cafes and restaurants, plus many confectioneries and nighttime drinking spots. After a full day of fun, enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~Yamaguchi Unagi Restaurant~ The fragrant, grilled eel is superb. The skin is crisp, and the flesh is tender and fluffy. Genre Sushi and Japanese cuisine Address 6 Ban, Arao City Phone number 0968-62-0020 Business hours 11:30 – 13:30 16:00 – 19:00 Closed Tuesdays Parking 10 spaces Seating capacity 20 seats

【2025 Bamboo Shoot Hunting】 Reservations are now open! ・Event period Friday, April 18 to Sunday, May 11, rain or shine *The schedule above may change depending on bamboo shoot growth conditions. *For the time being, we are accepting reservations only through May 2. *Whether reservations for May 3 and later will be accepted will be decided based on bamboo shoot conditions during the event. We will notify you once details are finalized. ・Reception times Weekdays: two sessions ①10:30 ②13:30 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: three sessions ①9:00 ②10:30 ③13:30 ・Admission and harvesting fees ●Admission: 300 yen per person (junior high school students and older) The admission fee varies depending on the harvest amount per standard passenger car (including kei cars). ■Harvest of 10 kg or more of bamboo shoots → Admission free (0 yen) ■Harvest under 10 kg of bamboo shoots → Admission 300 yen ●Bamboo shoots: 500 yen per kg One harvest bag will be provided at reception per standard passenger car (including kei cars). For further details and reservations, please see the link below: https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/tourism/experience/mikaku-02/5968/... ・Contact (phone reservations accepted) Toyooka Tourism Association (Toyooka Travel Time) TEL: 0265-49-3395

[Cycling Guided Tour - Fruit Sweets Plan] Yesterday we guided guests from India! We picked strawberries while cycling 🍓 The strawberries we picked were turned into sweets at the cafe♪ It seems you don’t often get to eat strawberries in India. The freshly picked, sweet strawberries 🍓 They looked very pleased with the sweets at the cafe. For information on the guided tour, see below: https://www.vill-nagano-toyooka-kanko.jp/tourism/guide-tour/cycling-guide-tour-02/5975/... [Cycling Guided Tour - Fruit Sweets Plan] Yesterday, we guided a customer from India! We picked strawberries while cycling 🍓 The strawberries we picked were made into sweets at the cafe ♪ It seems that you can't eat strawberries very often in India. The freshly picked sweet strawberries 🍓 And they seemed very satisfied with the sweets at the cafe.

Today, I would like to introduce Hachioji Gourmet! Yesterday was a cold day with rain, so I wanted to eat ramen asexually, so I visited a Minamoto in Misaki Town for the first time in a long time yellowtail lunch! I usually eat it after drinking, but I may have eaten it sober since I was in high school (laughs). This restaurant has a strong image of Sapporo miso ramen, but my recommendation is this Asahikawa soy sauce ramen! It was a m(__)m treat https://hachi-navi.com/gourmet/ramen/279043...

From April 1st, the opening hours of Gono-eki Hotto Kimobetsu have changed. In addition to a fresh produce corner selling vegetables, there is also a dining area, so please drop by during your drive! Gono-eki Hotto Kimobetsu Opening hours: 10:00–16:00 Closed: None Address: 306-3 Kimobetsu, Kimobetsucho, Abuta District, Hokkaido Phone: 0136-55-6755

Arao’s gourmet scene offers rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of dishes to leave everyone fully satisfied! From specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki and yakiniku restaurants to chic cafés and dining venues, plus an abundance of confectioneries and nightlife spots, Arao serves up a diverse culinary lineup. After a day of fun, relax and enjoy your favorite place. ~Moranbon~ This restaurant serves black-haired wagyu beef graded 4 or higher. Their house-made kimchi also comes highly recommended. Genre Yakiniku (grilled meat) Address 65-3 Oshima, Arao City Phone 0968-64-1855 Business hours 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Last order 11:00 PM) Closed Wednesdays (except public holidays) Parking 15 spaces Capacity 60 people Official site https://www.arao-yakiniku.com//

Arao’s gourmet scene offers a rich variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of flavors to satisfy everyone. From specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki houses, and yakiniku restaurants to stylish cafes and dining spots, Arao also has an abundance of confectioneries and nighttime hangouts. After a full day of fun, enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~ Ozeki Sushi (Oozeki Sushi) ~ You can dine pleasantly with family and friends at reasonable prices. Bento boxes are also popular. Genre Sushi · Japanese cuisine Address 2089-8 Kuraman, Arao City Phone 0968-68-2214 Hours 12:00–15:00 (last order 14:00) 17:00–21:00 (last order 20:00) Closed Tuesdays Parking 1 large vehicle · 15 regular spaces Seats 70 seats Official site https://susi-oozeki.jimdosite.com//

Arao’s food scene offers great variety! Families and friends alike will find plenty of delicious options to satisfy everyone. From specialty sushi bars, ramen shops, okonomiyaki and yakiniku restaurants to stylish cafes and dining spots, Arao also boasts many confectioneries and lively night-time drinking venues. After a full day of fun, relax and enjoy a meal at your favorite place. ~Kodaiko (Kodai-ko)~ The restaurant even has a live seafood tank, so you can enjoy fresh sushi and fish dishes. The seasonal majaku set meal is especially popular. Genre Sushi Address 1241-5 Nohara, Arao City Phone 0968-68-4622 Hours 11:00 – 14:30 17:00 – 21:30 Closed Tuesdays (subject to change on public holidays) Parking 20 spaces Capacity 50 people (including the second-floor banquet room)

／ The third largest Landings in Japan! Firefly Squid in season in Spring! ＼ Crab fishing ended on March 20th, and I would like to say that it is a little Vacation, but now the fishermen in Echizen Town have switched to aiming for firefly Squid! Speaking of firefly squid, Toyama is famous, but in fact, Echizen Town is also a major production area of firefly squid. Hyogo Prefecture is in first place, Toyama Prefecture is in second place, and Fukui Prefecture is in third place! In the port of Echizen Town, which is responsible for most of the Landings, firefly squid are being Landed! Come to Echizen Town in Spring to eat the nutritious and sparkling firefly Squid! ↓ Shops where you can buy and eat firefly Squid ↓ < fishmonger> ◎ Echizen Uoichi https://g.co/kgs/8r6dtjs... ◎ Beach Mart Maru https://g.co/kgs/7aHsNd3... < Restaurant > ◎ Seafood restaurant Echizen https://g.co/kgs/FBMC5oo...

Hello everyone~. This is the Yamato City Event and Tourism Association. In Yamato City, we publish information on “Yamato Local Vegetable Partner Restaurants,” which offer dishes made with locally grown vegetables. The featured establishments are certified by the city and range from stylish restaurants to casual izakaya and patisseries where you can enjoy sweets. Crunchy leafy greens, juicy blueberries and apples, fluffy sweet potatoes…even popcorn made from tender local corn. Also, farmer’s direct-sales markets for local vegetables are held regularly across Yamato City, including the Yamato Citizens’ Morning Mist Market. You can enjoy Yamato vegetables at home or at restaurants. Why not savor the unique freshness and flavor of locally harvested vegetables? https://www.city.yamato.lg.jp/gyosei/soshik/74/sangyo/nogyo/23415.html...

"GREEN FRASH FES 2025" 🌅 will be held in at Shibamasa World again this year on Saturday, May 31st! [Performing Artists] 🌟 Wolfles 🌟THE JET BOY BANGERZ 🌟 Sambo Master 🌟Natural Lag 🌟Tele 🌟FUNKY MONKY BABY’S 🌟 Morning Musume. ’25 It's too gorgeous~~!! １ There is no 🔥 doubt that it will liven up Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture Original goods will also be sold, and a Kitchen Car will also come 🍳 🎫 Ticket Fee Adult: 9,900 yen (tax included) Junior high and high school students: 6,600 yen (tax included) Elementary school students: 3,300 yen (tax included) Students in Sakai City also have discount tickets ✨ For registration and details, please check 🦖 the Green Flash Fest Official Website 🌊 Outline of Noh and Kyogen Performance name: GREEN FLASH Fes in SHIBAMASA Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025 11:00~19:00 (tentative) Venue: Shibamasa World (45-1 Hamachi, Mikuni Town, Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture) Based on the concept of "a music festival that anyone can easily enjoy", this music festival is held in at Shibamasa World in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture. Green flash, which is also the name of the festival, is a phenomenon in which a flash of green light appears for a moment just before the sun completely sets, and has been witnessed many times in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, the venue of the festival. Since it cannot be seen unless various conditions overlap, it is said that "good luck visits" to those who see it. Just like a green flash, you can enjoy the "moments" that can only be experienced at that time by having a variety of music, people, times, and places. https://green-flash-fes.com//

Arao Tourism Information Paper We are distributing issue No. 32 of “arao ni konna.” This spring 2025 issue features Arao’s gourmet scene, introducing dining spots around Arao City! Copies are placed at facilities and shops in and around Arao City. If you see one, please pick it up! You can also view the digital PDF brochure on the Arao City Tourism Association pamphlet page. Check it out here! https://arao-kankou.jp/pamphlet/... #like this #like this issue No. 32 #Arao #arao #arao #Kumamoto Prefecture #Kumamoto #Kumamoto #Kumamoto #northern area #tourism #gourmet #information #Manda Pit #manda kō #World Heritage #Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution #Ariake Sea #tidal flats #Marugoto Arao #spread #Instagram #events #tourist spots #Greenland

2024 Minamiizu Town Photo Contest Results Announced! We have selected six prize-winning works—Grand Prize and Runner-up—across three categories. Submission period: Saturday, June 1, 2024 to Friday, January 31, 2025. Eligible works: Photographs taken between February 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025. Total submissions: 310 entries (two winners chosen from each category). Thank you very much for the many entries that expressed such deep affection for Minamiizu. The results page is as follows. https://minamiizuphoto.mitte-x.istsw.jp/award.html?cn=52...

"Haruiro Shoku Night Market" https://atagawa-kyuhun-tomoru.jimdofree.com// On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the "Haruiro Shoku Night Market" will take place across the entire Atagawa Onsen area!! About 1,200 Taiwanese lanterns now decorate Atagawa Onsen, coloring the streets with warm light and steam to create a magical scene. Thanks to everyone, it will be one year since the 2024 lighting ceremony! From 12:00 to 21:00 on the day, more than 20 stalls will offer local delicacies and Taiwanese street food, along with Taiwanese goods and cultural items you can feel and enjoy! You can experience Taiwanese traditional culture with performances like Chinese lion dance, erhu music, and sky lantern releases—there is plenty to see and do! The local Atagawa Dokan Taiko drum performance will be beautifully lit red by the lanterns, creating a perfect atmosphere. Enjoy the soothing nights of Atagawa Onsen. *Parking around the area is limited, so please take the Izu Kyuko Line and relax while you enjoy the event♪ https://atagawa-kyuhun-tomoru.jimdofree.com//

Seven Stamina Gourmet Picks of Arao — No. 5 Here are Arao City's delicious stamina-boosting dishes. From addictive flavors to hearty rice bowls! These outrageously tasty menu items will fill you with energy and get you pumped! 5. Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Burger (King Size) — Heroes Diner The king-size burger feels heavy in your hand and is astonishingly large. The patty is 100% beef, coarsely ground for a satisfying bite, and rich cheddar cheese pairs perfectly. This authentic burger delivers plenty of volume to satisfy both your appetite and your spirit. *A regular size is also available.* Heroes Diner — What to Know This is the place to enjoy authentic, tasty American-style burgers and steaks. Their juicy, substantial burgers are the specialty. The poppy, American-themed interior is a treat for comic-book fans. ◆Name: Heroes Diner ◆Address: 573-3 Miyauchi, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture (2nd floor of Okonomiyaki Gen-chan) ◆Phone: 0968-85-8484 ◆Hours: 11:30–15:00 (last order 14:30); 17:30–22:00 (last order 21:00) ◆Closed: Wednesday ◆Seats: 24 ◆Private rooms: No ◆Smoking seats: No

Hello 😃 This is Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls shop. It was warm just a few days ago… where has spring gone? Yesterday, snow fell in Shosenkyo Gorge, transforming the area into a winter scene ❄️ Senga Falls is also dusted with snow, creating a magical sight 🙃 This may be the last snowy landscape before true spring arrives. Meanwhile, Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls shop has already received wines that won prizes at the spring-themed Sakura Award 🌸 wine competition! We have wines that won the top Diamond Trophy 🏆 from Maruki Budoshu, as well as other award-winning wines ☺️ Some wines are available in limited quantities, so please stop by Yamanashi Wine Kingdom Senga Falls shop when you visit Shosenkyo Gorge! It’s still chilly, so we’ll keep the store warm and look forward to your visit 😌

Arao's Seven Stamina Gourmet Picks — No. 4 We introduce Arao City's delicious stamina-boosting dishes. From addictive popular flavors to hearty rice bowls! These outrageously tasty dishes will fill you with energy and pep you up for sure! 4. Momo Ju Bento — Hon-ten Toraiichi, Specialty Shop for Bone-in Chicken and Karaage The Arao main shop’s limited Momo Ju bento. It features a whole carefully selected chicken thigh, slowly and gently roasted in olive oil, creating a very hearty bento. The shop also offers karaage à la carte and a variety of other bento options. Hon-ten Toraiichi — Bone-in Chicken and Karaage Specialty Shop: Highlights! Founded in Marugame, Kagawa Prefecture, this shop serves bone-in chicken and freshly fried karaage made with a special method. The bone-in chicken uses tender, juicy young birds. The owner, a karaage fanatic, perfected his signature fried chicken—be sure to try it. There are also Omuta and Tamana branches. ◆ Shop name: Hon-ten Toraiichi — Bone-in Chicken and Karaage Specialty Shop ◆ Address: 813-1 Haramanda, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◆ Phone: 0968-62-6268 ◆ Hours: 10:30 AM–7:30 PM ◆ Closed: Irregular holidays ◆ Seating: Takeout only ◆ Website: https://karaage-toraichi.com// ◆ SNS: Facebook

Photographed on March 10, 25. This is a hot sandwich set of avocado shrimp from CAFE ANDON. It's my favorite combination. 😊🦐🥑

🌸 Enjoy spring in Nobeoka! Spectacular spots colored by history and nature 🌸 📍 Gokase River Levee (south side) 🌿 Kawazu cherry blossoms × rape blossoms At the Gokase River levee, you can stroll along Konohana Road lined with 300 cherry trees and one million rape blossoms! Now in its 17th year, Konohana Road features Kawazu cherry trees, which have a long blooming period. To let more people enjoy the blossoms through the end of March 2025, the site (Gokase River levee) will be open as the Konohana Sakura Festival. 📍 Nobeoka Castle Ruins / Shiroyama Park ⛩️ History × cherry blossoms × illumination Some 300 Somei-yoshino cherry trees bloom around the 19 m-high “stone wall of a thousand slaughters.” At night, the illuminated stone wall and cherry blossoms create a dreamlike scene. During the illumination period from Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, April 6, 2025, various events will be held. On Saturday, March 22, the Waiwai Gourmet Expo offers a wide range of foods, character shows, and music and comedy performances. 📍 Nobeoka Castle Ruins / Shiroyama Park 🌺 History × one of Japan’s three great wild camellia groves Nobeoka Castle Ruins Park hosts 3,300 wild camellia (yabutsubaki) trees across 108 varieties, flowering from late October through late April, with peak season from December to March. Its standout feature is the full spectrum of flower colors—red, white, pink, variegated, and edged. You can also enjoy famous camellia varieties such as Nobeoka, Kamei, Mokusuï, Shiroyama, and Naito, plus rare trees that bloom in three different colors on a single trunk!

Seven Stamina Gourmet Picks in Arao — Part 3 Introducing Arao City's delicious stamina-boosting gourmet dishes. From addictive flavors to hearty rice bowls! These outrageously tasty dishes will fill you with energy and leave you feeling revitalized! 3. All-You-Can-Eat Ultimate Course — Yakiniku Nulbon Garden Arao Enjoy a thoroughly satisfying course at Nulbon Garden, which has devoted itself to meat for over 40 years, featuring carefully selected grilled meats and authentic Korean cuisine. From premium domestic sirloin and premium domestic short ribs to Korean dishes and desserts, this course is perfect for family dinners and banquets! Yakiniku Nulbon Garden Arao — Highlights! At this yakiniku restaurant you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat course with a wide menu that includes carefully sourced meats such as Kyushu-raised black Wagyu, as well as authentic Korean dishes like cold noodles and bibimbap. The spacious interior offers comfortable booth seating and private rooms. Takeout grilled meat boxes and bento meals are also popular. ◆Name: Yakiniku Nulbon Garden Arao ◆Address: 1518-90 Motoide, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◆Phone: 0968-65-5333 ◆Hours: Weekdays 4:00 PM–10:00 PM (last order 9:30 PM); Sat, Sun, and holidays 11:30 AM–11:00 PM (last order 10:30 PM) ◆Closed: None ◆Seating capacity: 240 seats ◆Private rooms: Yes ◆Smoking seats: No ◆Website: https://www.nurubon.co.jp/tenpo/arao.html... ◆SNS: Facebook・Twitter

Arao’s Top 7 Stamina Dishes — Part 2 Here are Arao City’s delicious stamina-boosting dishes. From addictive signature flavors to hearty rice bowls! These insanely tasty plates will power you up and keep your energy high! 2. Kumamoto Horse Sashimi Assortment, Five Cuts — Rakusai Dining Kuito This Kumamoto specialty features five cuts—marbled, premium horse sashimi, lean red meat, kone (fatty mane), and futaego—each offering different sweetness and textures. Enjoy them with garlic soy, fresh grated ginger, or spicy miso, pairing each condiment to the cut. Rakusai Dining Kuito — Highlights Available only twice a month! Their rare raw horse liver sashimi, prepared with a focus on freshness, offers a unique taste you won’t find elsewhere. The izakaya also prides itself on daily-selected fresh fish from direct sources, Hinomoto pork from Nagomi Town in Kumamoto Prefecture, and premium binchotan charcoal skewers. Spend a fun evening that sparks lively conversation with someone special. *Arrival of horse liver sashimi will be announced on social media.* Name: Rakusai Dining Kuito Address: 1616-67 Shimoide, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, inside Green Smile Ichibankan Phone: 0968-66-0804 Hours: 11:30–15:00, 17:00–23:00 Closed: Thursdays, New Year’s Day Seating capacity: 100 seats Private rooms: Available Smoking: Outdoor smoking area provided Website: https://www.kuraudo.site// Social: LINE, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Because the water is excellent, the eel tastes delicious. The secret to Mishima’s eel flavor is Mishima’s water. By keeping eels without feed for several days and immersing them in Mishima’s spring water, their true flavor is brought out. (There are more shops besides those on the map) #Mishima City #eel #Mishima is not a production area for eel

Seven Stamina Gourmet Picks from Arao — Part 1 Introducing Arao City's delicious stamina-boosting dishes. From addictive flavors to hearty rice bowls! These insanely tasty menu items will fill you with energy and never let you down! 1. Assorted Offal Platter — Wafu Yakiniku Barikiya Heart, senmai (third stomach), liver, red senmai, and tecchan — five parts with distinct flavors and textures. Each offers abundant nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin E, minerals, and iron, making them ideal for replenishing stamina. Enjoy them with a garlic-rich soy sauce glaze! Wafu Yakiniku Barikiya — What makes this place special! This yakiniku restaurant offers many menu options, including great-value lunches. As a butcher-run shop, they purchase whole A5-grade Kuroge Wagyu cattle, so you can try rare cuts. They focus on freshness management to serve safe, high-quality, and delicious meat. ◆Name: Wafu Yakiniku Barikiya ◆Address: 1616-67 Shimoide, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, inside Green Smile Ichibankan ◆Phone: 0968-66-4129 ◆Hours: 11:30–15:00, 17:00–22:30 ◆Closed: Wednesdays (may change on holidays), New Year’s Day ◆Seats: 100 ◆Private rooms: Yes ◆Smoking seats: No ◆Website: http://www.barikiya.com// ◆SNS: Facebook・Instagram

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

📢 Locals’ Picks: Savory Eats in Sakai🍽️✨ Sakai offers not only tourist spots but also many local culinary delights unique to the area!😋🌸 We invited recommendations from residents for eateries so visitors to the Osaka-Kansai Expo can savor Sakai’s flavors!📍🍜🍣 Enjoy Sakai’s local cuisine along with the Expo!🎡✨ 🎁 Instagram posting campaign runs until June 30! Five winners will be drawn to receive Sakai specialty products🎊🎁 🔍 For details, search for “Locals’ Picks: Savory Eats in Sakai”!

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video—nice to meet you! This is the Morotsuka Village Tourism Association. We will now share plenty of reasons to fall in love with Morotsuka Village in northern Miyazaki Prefecture. First, let us introduce Morotsuka Village. ◆◇◆About Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◆◇◆ Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture, sits nearly in the center of the Kyushu Central Mountain Range. About 90% of the village area is forest. There is almost no flat land; 84 small settlements dot the mountain slopes. Under the slogan of building a forestry-centered village, Morotsuka has promoted village development by protecting mountains, creating forests, and living in harmony with nature while benefiting from the forest. This is a village that lives with the forest, thinking not only about themselves but also about one another and not only about the present but about children and grandchildren. ◆◇◆Access◆◇◆ * About two hours by car from Kumamoto Airport * About two hours by car from Miyazaki Airport * From Miyazaki Airport take the train to JR Hyuga City Station (limited express about 65 minutes), then a route bus runs from Hyuga City Station to Morotsuka Village. If you use train and route bus, take the JR Nippo Main Line to JR Hyuga City Station, then a Miyazaki Kotsu route bus to Morotsuka village center, "Morotsuka," which takes about 90 minutes. * Please board a bus bound for "Kamishiiba" or "Tsukahara." (For route bus details, check the Miyazaki Kotsu website.) ※For current traffic restrictions, please check the Morotsuka Navi Website. ◆◇◆Tourist Spots in Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◆◇◆ ■Ecomuseum Morotsuka Shiitake Hall 21 This facility houses the Morotsuka Village Tourism Association office and Restaurant Donkotei. It used to be a place to learn about shiitake, but it has been renovated as a tourist information and community space. Across the Hotaru Bridge, on the opposite bank, stands the main statue of Kunugi Jizo carved from a sawtooth oak more than 100 years old. You can walk down to the river to enjoy a boxed lunch or play in the clear stream. ◇◆◇Accommodations in Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◇◆◇ ■Tenku no Mori Ikenokubo Green Park Perched around 800 meters above sea level in nature-rich Morotsuka, Tenku no Mori Ikenokubo Green Park offers log houses and a campsite. From the Hyuga direction the road is a single lane each way, so drivers who are not used to mountain roads can still feel at ease. The park features an athletic course, grass skiing, and putter golf, so families with young children can enjoy themselves together. A scenic cross-country course nearby makes for a pleasant, leisurely walk amid nature. The popular Akimasa Observatory, known for its views, is about a five-minute drive. We recommend rising early to watch the sunrise; with luck you may see a sea of clouds. Spring bursts with flowers, summer brings lush greenery and cool highland air, autumn ignites in brilliant foliage, and winter offers quiet days with occasional snow flurries. It’s a place to savor the changing seasons and relax in nature. ■Morotsukayama Mountain Stream Village One of the village’s two campgrounds is Morotsukayama Mountain Stream Village. Morotsukayama, one of Kyushu’s 100 famous mountains, towers here amid rich nature. Nearby is a river park next to a water-rich gorge, where you can enjoy river play and fishing in summer (fishing requires a permit). ■Forest Folk House Yamashigi Forest The Forest Folk House consists of two historic houses: "Shitashigi," built in the Taisho era, and "Nakashigi," built in the Meiji era. You reach them by climbing a winding mountain road, yet these homes once served as a transportation hub before roads and cars existed. Today they serve as an experiential exchange facility where city visitors and mountain residents deepen ties through farm work. Perched high as if touching the sky, the site preserves nostalgic scenes such as an irori hearth, a goemon bath, and a wood-fired stove. ■Forest Folk House Series These traditional houses let you fully enjoy the breath of nature. Surrounded by mountains, with the warmth of wood, the scent of earth, and a communal irori hearth, Morotsuka’s forest folk houses offer a relaxed pace and a restful place to experience human–nature coexistence. [List of folk houses] ・Yamashigi Forest ・Heida no Sato ・Sakura no Tsubone ・Yoshiya ◇◆◇Local Specialties of Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◇◆◇ ■Shiitake Shiitake cultivated using 100% log-grown mushrooms from rich forests certified as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage. Morotsuka Village proudly offers these flavorful, aromatic log-grown shiitake—please savor them. ■Mori no Hyakkamitsu (Forest Wildflower Honey) This honey comes from Japanese honeybees cherished by Morotsuka’s honey hunters. Natural beekeeping in the mountains draws nectar from a wide range of flowers. The honey the bees diligently collect—called "mori no hyakkamitsu" or wildflower honey—is highly nutritious with a rich taste and aroma. A single bee produces only about a spoonful of honey in its lifetime, making it very precious. ■Yomogi Dango (Mugwort Rice Dumplings) Fresh yomogi gathered from the mountains, nurtured by clean air and water, are made into yomogi dango using traditional methods. These treats are a countryside-only luxury, full of yomogi fragrance and filled with expertly kneaded sweet bean paste. ■Mountain-Processed Foods Women’s associations active across the scattered mountain settlements prepare goods in local workrooms every day. They transform mountain-harvested ingredients into the village’s delicious products—miso, yuzu pepper, konnyaku, dressings, and more. We will continue to share the charms of nature-rich Morotsuka Village—stay tuned!