Mountain Opening Climb ⛰️ Participants Wanted! We will hold the 2025 Mountain Opening Climb. *Participation in the ritual alone is free of charge* ⭐ Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025 ⭐ Participation fee: ¥1,000 (includes insurance and a protective charm) *No registration is required for participation in the ritual only.* ⭐ Course: Tenson Kourin Course ⭐ How to apply: Please apply by phone or via the application form below. ⭐ Application deadline: Monday, April 7 Our staff will lead a slow-paced climb, so beginners 🔰 can join with confidence! 🥳 Important Notes * The age limit is set at 70, but people who exercise regularly may participate even if they are older than 70. * Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. * Please bring your own lunch and emergency rations. * After the ritual, participants will return to the trailhead (the Fifth Sabo Dam) by their own cars. * The event will proceed in light rain, but the secretariat will notify you by the evening of Friday the 11th if it is canceled. The ritual will be held even if the event is canceled. Application Form https://docs.google.com/.../1ik84ozPLmto7PgPEXKrGsPI.../edit... For applications and inquiries Takaharacho Tourism Association 0984-42-4560

Today, Thursday the 13th, at 1:40 PM the Nanatsuboshi train 🚃 The Nanatsuboshi bus will also stop at Takahara Station 😝👌 Takaharacho tourist guides will lead a tour of the Oike and Kirishima Higashi Shrine course! 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 trees around the region are at their best right now. 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

Notice of the 'Green Trust – 2025 Musen-yama Sakura Festival'🌸 Location: 752-1 Komuro, Inamachi Period: Friday, March 21, 2025 – Sunday, April 6, 2025 ※Canceled in case of rain ※Subject to change depending on bloom conditions Various food stalls 10:00–16:00 Food trucks 10:00–19:00 Bonbori lanterns lit 18:00–20:00 Member-led 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 lot: about 80 spaces Parking cooperation fee: 500 yen per entry (no re-entry) Opening hours: 9:30–20:00 ※Last entry by 19:00

Survive on Okinawa’s largest uninhabited island! “Uninhabited Island Survival Escape Tour” now open! It’s the ultimate team-building experience—step outside the everyday and take on the extraordinary. 📍 Izanami Island, Okinawa Prefecture Three sessions in 2025: May, July, and September! We also welcome bookings for corporate training and incentive trips. For inquiries, visit the site below: https://www.mujinto-yanaha.com//

Snow conditions on Ooyama ⛄️ The photos show Ooyama around 1:30 PM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. By 3:00 PM it was completely white and invisible. A snowfall forecast has been issued for the period from Tuesday, March 4 to Wednesday, March 5. When going out, please check the latest weather updates and service information. For cable car operations and details refer to the Ooyama Kanko Dentetsu Co., Ltd. website https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp/20250304.html...

Special Exhibition "Kamakura, Enoshima, Ooyama Walking the New Board Journey Sugoroku ~From the Early Modern Period to the Present~" Opens in 2025 This exhibit displays a travel sugoroku board (sugoroku) drawn as a roadside ukiyo-e game by Katsushika Hokusai in the late Edo period. Starting at Nihonbashi, the popular destinations of Kamakura, Enoshima, and Ooyama take center stage as the route circles through Shibuya for a roughly 40 ri 11 cho (about 157 km) journey over six nights and seven days. Each scene is explained in detail. Dates and Times: Sundays only from March 2 (Sun) to April 27 (Sun) 10:00–15:00 Free admission Venue: Ugaku Bunko Archive (on the grounds of the Yamaguchi family residence) 862-1 Kamikasuya, Isehara City Also running concurrently through this weekend for your enjoyment♬ *Plum Garden Open Free* Almost in full bloom✨ It's beautiful! Period: Through March 9 (Sun) *Hina doll display: final day only, March 9 (Sun) (10:00–15:00) (Adults ¥300, includes admission to the nationally registered Tangible Cultural Property Yamaguchi family residence)

From March 1st, the "Kashiwa Landscape Channel Photo Exhibition" is held in! !! The Facebook "Kashiwa Landscape Channel" groups exhibits 20 exhibitions selected by the Ogawa brothers, photographers active mainly in Kashiwa, from among the works posted in 2024. We hope that more people will see this wonderful Kashiwa landscape photo and that it will be an opportunity to rediscover the charm of Kashiwa. [Held in the venue of the photo exhibition varies depending on the schedule] (1) Date & Time: 3/1 (Sat) ~ 3/7 (Fri) (10:00~20:00 *Last day 17:00) 　Location: Kashiwa Takashimaya Station Mall New Building 10F Gallery (BeARIKA) (2) Date & Time: 3/8 (Sat) ~ 3/18 (Mon) (9:00~19:00) 　Location: KAMON Kashiwa Information Center 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　(Kashiwa City Kashiwa 1-1-11 Family Kashiwa 3F) (3) Date & Time: 3/19 (Tue) ~ 3/28 (Fri) (10:00~18:00 *Last day 17:00) 　Location: Junji NakaVillage Museum of Art (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) (1-41-5 Otsugaoka, Kashiwa City) 　　　　 * Access: Kashiwa Station East Exit (6) 　　　　　　Otsugaoka Danchi, Higashiga Abiko Car Depot Yuki 　　　　　　Get off at Otsugaoka 1-chome 1 minute walk Inquiries about exhibitions KAMON Kashiwa Information Center TEL：04-7128-5610

Notice: Ooyama Cable Car Service Suspension Due to wire rope replacement, the cable car will be suspended for three days from Monday, March 12, 2025 to Friday, March 14, 2025. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Ooyama Kanko Densha Official Website https://www.ooyama-cable.co.jp/unkyu202303-copy.html...

[Oyama-dera Five-Platform Goma 2025] At Oyama-dera, on the grand festival day of February 28, the only Five-Platform Goma ascetic ritual in Japan was performed. The sacred flames rose together on five goma platforms as prayers for the worshippers’ wishes were ritually empowered.✨ The crackling fire, the chanting sutras, and the pounding taiko drums combined into a breathtaking prayer service that left everyone holding their breath in awe…! The solemn flames🔥 and the otherworldly scene woven by sutra recitation and drumbeats felt like a cleansing for the heart! [Notice of Reopening of Mount Oyama Public Toilet on February 28, 2025] The Mount Oyama public toilet, which had been closed due to pipe damage from freezing, has now reopened.

The 14th Teshikaga Photo Contest Winning Entries 4/5 The Teshikaga Photo Contest celebrates its 14th year this time. While recent years have favored digital submissions and entries via social media, the Teshikaga Photo Contest follows a classic format, judging printed works. For this edition, we invited Takeshi Mizukoshi, an internationally known mountain photographer who lives in Teshikagacho, to serve as a special juror. For the 14th contest, we accepted entries from November 1, 2024, to December 25, 2024, across four categories: Starry Skies, Sea of Clouds, Activities (Experiences), and Open. From 154 submissions, 20 works won awards! Today we present five Special Prize winners. Congratulations! 🎊 The final installment will appear in the next post. Stay tuned📸♪ ✴︎Special Prize✴︎ “Morning Awakening, In the Calm” Hazuki Yamada “As in Ancient Times” Masao Kainuma “A Night of Complete Ice Cover” Masaru Murakami “Nature’s Vitality” Tadashi Takeda “Charge” Toshikazu Yanagihori

🌷Manda Pit Spring Festa 2025🌷 Delicious gourmet food, handmade goods, and food trucks! Also featuring “Manda Elementary Kids Guide” collaboration: Challenge from Manda Pit ver.3! For details, please visit the Arao City Tourism Association website 💁‍♀️ ◆Date and Time Sunday, March 9, 2025 10:00–15:00 ※Event will proceed in light rain ◆Location Manda Pit Lawn Plaza, 200-2 Haramanda, Arao City Free admission! ※The paid area of Manda Pit remains charged as usual. ◆Program ・Petting zoo ・Challenge from Manda Pit ver.3 (quiz rally) ・Bubble Time (teambub) ・Gymnastics workshop by acrobat performance team VIVO ・Gourmet and craft market with over 30 vendors ◆Organizer Manda Pit Station @akane.0604k93 #Kumamoto Prefecture #Arao #Event #Spring Festa #Manda Pit #Gourmet #Food truck #Crafts #Handmade #Zoo #Petting zoo #Quiz rally #Challenge from Manda Pit #Tamana #Omuta #Nagasu #World Cultural Heritage #World Heritage

Announcement of Kururin Birthday Exhibition Everyone’s beloved Kururin’s birthday falls on March 1, 2025 🎉 A birthday exhibition runs at the in-station Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information) on the north side stairs of Odakyu Line Isehara Station until Sunday, March 9, open 9:00–17:00 🎂 You’ll also find a video message from Odakyu’s Mokoron-chan! Come and join us! Plus! Today, February 27, from 10:00 to 14:00, is the final day of the Isehara local gourmet specialty pop-up sale in the entrance hall on the first floor of Isehara City Hall Ryoben’s “Ooyama Manju” is on sale in limited quantities They’re likely to sell out—grab them early! We also have extremely popular Kururin goods you can only get in Isehara ✨ We look forward to seeing you! ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ North side stairs of Odakyu Line Isehara Station In-station Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information) OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open daily) #Isehara #Kururin #Birthday #Tourist Information #Ooyama Manju #Souvenirs #In-station #Odakyu Line #Mokoron #Event #Limited #Outing #Kanagawa Tourism #Isehara Tourism #Yuru-chara #Happy Birthday

[Thorough Guide to the World Cultural Heritage Site: Manda Pit!] Manda Pit, located in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is one of the coal mine ruins that supported Japan’s modernization. It is registered as a component of the World Cultural Heritage site "Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution" and holds great significance in Japan’s industrial history. Highlights of Manda Pit One of Japan’s Largest Shaft Facilities Manda Pit served as one of the Miike Coal Mine shafts, producing high-quality coal from the Meiji era through the early Showa era and supporting Japan’s modernization. The massive steel headframe symbolizing Meiji- and Taisho-era mining technology and the winding engine house are must-sees. Well-Preserved Industrial Heritage Many mine facilities and equipment used from the Meiji through Showa eras remain at Manda Pit, allowing visitors to feel the atmosphere of the time. The red-brick buildings and the imposing steel-frame structures are especially popular photo spots. Guided Tours to Learn Mine History Specialist-guided tours at Manda Pit explain the history and workings of the mine in detail. You can see the machinery and equipment that were actually used up close. Display of Mine Trains Manda Pit also exhibits the mine trains once used there. You can view the trains used to transport coal and for local transport up close, and running demonstrations are held on the second and fourth Sunday of every month. Recommended Nearby Spots Arao Tidal Flats (a nature-rich tidal flat registered under the Ramsar Convention) Greenland (one of Kyushu’s largest amusement parks) Yotsuyama Shrine (a historic shrine beloved by Arao residents) Coal Industry Science Museum (a science museum about energy from coal) Access Information About 10 minutes by car from JR Arao Station About 1 hour by car from Fukuoka City About 1 hour by car from Kumamoto City #Manda Pit #World Cultural Heritage #Coal Mine Ruins #Kumamoto Sightseeing #Arao City #Historical Exploration #Industrial Heritage #Photo Spot

Discover the charms of Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture! Arao City, located in northern Kumamoto Prefecture on the border with Fukuoka Prefecture, is a captivating destination with the World Cultural Heritage site Manda Pit, beautiful nature, and leisure spots. Through Cool Japan videos, we will bring you plenty of information on Arao City’s sightseeing, gourmet food, and events! Stay tuned! ■■■Sightseeing spots in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ Arao offers many places to enjoy history, nature, and leisure. Be sure to visit. ◇Manda Pit (Manda-kō) This coal mine site flourished from the Meiji era through the Showa era and is part of the World Cultural Heritage “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.” With brick winding engine rooms and massive steel headframes, you can feel the power and history of the mines. ◇Greenland One of Kyushu’s largest amusement parks, Greenland features more than 70 attractions. It’s a top leisure spot where families and friends can spend the whole day. Fireworks are held several times a year, drawing large crowds. ◇Arao Tidal Flats (Arao Higata) This Ramsar-listed tidal flat is a precious habitat visited by many migratory birds. It’s perfect for birdwatching and leisurely walks. ◇Yotsuyama Shrine Yotsuyama Shrine has watched over Arao’s history and remains beloved by the local community. Many worshippers still visit; a grand torii welcomes visitors to a peaceful shrine atmosphere. ■■■Local specialties and gourmet food of Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ Arao is full of local culinary delights to savor! ◇Arao Pears Known nationwide for their large size and rich sweetness, Arao pears offer a juicy, crisp texture. The new summer variety, Arao nashi, has attracted attention as a summer fruit. ◇Melon Bread Arao boasts many melon bread shops, including Fukuyama’s Melon Bread and Mankodo’s Melon Bread. ◇Kosen Dago A giant okonomiyaki exceeding 30 cm in diameter, this local favorite is loved by residents and tourists for its size and flavor. ◇Ojiro ware Ojiro ware is a representative Kyushu pottery fired for about 400 years on the northern slopes of Mount Odai. Its glazes blend deep indigo and blue with white slip, earning high artistic praise. ◇Arao Olive Olive cultivation is thriving, and locally produced olive oil is often used as a gift. ■■■Events in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ Arao hosts enjoyable events throughout the seasons! ◇Arao Night Market A summer festival held at Manda Pit, the night market gathers many gourmet food trucks and attracts large crowds each year. ◇Nobaru Hachimangu Annual Festival (Nobarasan) Affectionately called “Nobarasan” by locals, this festival preserves a traditional performance known as furyu that has been passed down orally for over 770 years. Furyu is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, and in 2022 the furyu dance was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. ◇Yotsuyama Shrine Annual Festival (Kokunzosan) Local elementary and junior high school students perform miko dances such as Urayasu no Mai and Toyosakae no Mai. Climb the 311 steps that lead to the shrine to offer prayers and receive lucky coins, and enjoy the many stalls lining the path to Yotsuyama Shrine. ◇Majaku Fishing Tournament A signature Arao event, this unique tournament involves catching majaku (ghost shrimp) on the tidal flats—an authentic local experience. ◇Manda Pit Spring Festa A spring event held at Manda Pit featuring a variety of attractions. It’s popular with families and visitors. ■■■Hot springs and accommodation in Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture■■■ Arao also offers relaxing hot springs and a range of accommodations. ◇Accommodation in Arao City The city has ample hotels that are convenient for both sightseeing and business. Some properties feature hot springs, perfect for unwinding after a day of travel. We will continue to share Arao City’s attractions through Cool Japan videos! Come and enjoy Arao’s history, nature, and gourmet food! #Kumamoto Prefecture #Arao City #Kumamoto tourism #World Cultural Heritage #Manda Pit #Greenland #Arao pears #Melon bread #coal mine