Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Uge Falls There is a legend about Uge Falls. “Long ago, when people hosted celebrations or received guests, they would ask the waterfall pool, ‘Please lend me a bowl,’ and by the next morning a bowl would be floating in the pool. Once, someone returned a bowl with a piece missing, and the gods became angry and stopped lending bowls.” To protect the water of Uge Falls, a water deity is enshrined at the foot of the falls. The site has been cherished by previous generations as an important water source for Ohara Iseki Park and the Mikasa Sakamoto district, and it continues to be carefully preserved.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Akebono azalea On Mt. Futagami, which sits on the border between Gokasecho and Takachiho, you can see Akebono azalea from around mid-April each year. Mt. Futagami has two peaks, Otodake and Onnadake, and the Akebono azalea that is relatively easy to see grows on Onnadake.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Shimonohara Terraced Rice Fields The Shimonohara terraced rice fields are among the largest in Gokase, and such an extensive set of rice terraces carved into a mountain valley is rare. The embankments form graceful curves that create a magnificent terraced landscape. In the Uchino-kuchi district of Shimonohara, a siphon—an important irrigation structure—exists in three places, and the first siphon was built in the Taisho era. Although only the bridge piers remain today, a siphon erected near the entrance commemorates the Shimonohara terraces and the great achievements of those who came before.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Torinusu Rice Terrace Torinusu Rice Terrace features rice terraces that spread in two directions, offering a panoramic view over the village to the east and west that is well worth seeing. There is a bust of Togoro Goto, a pioneer who opened three irrigation channels at Josenji Temple, and information indicates that Torinusu Rice Terrace is located nearby. A branch irrigation channel from Torinusu Rice Terrace receives drainage from the mountainside, helping to protect farmland, roads (National Route 503) and other public facilities downstream. The terraces also collect water, contributing to flood prevention.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Hikage Rice Terraces The water for the Hikage rice terraces comes from the spring water of Myoken Shrine in Kuraoka. The spring at Myoken Shrine is so popular that people come from other prefectures to collect it, and it is famous as a local tourist attraction. Behind the Hikage rice terraces stands Gion-yama, said to be the birthplace of Kyushu, creating a scenic harmony with the village and the mountain. The area also hosts events such as Gokase Highland Ski Resort activities, the Gion Shrine Festival, and the Myoken Shrine Grand Festival, and the community is working to revitalize the village by making the most of its landscape.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Shirataki Shirataki is a 60-meter waterfall located at an elevation of 900 meters. As its name suggests, the waterfall’s striking beauty comes from a sheer cliff over which a white sheet of water seems to hang. The contrast with autumn foliage is particularly stunning, drawing many photographers and visitors.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Unoko Falls Unoko Falls features a 20-meter drop and a plunge pool covering 5,000 square meters. Surrounded by dramatic columnar jointing rock formations, the magnificent falls overwhelm any onlooker. A riverside trail from the Mitsukawa Iwagami area brings visitors close enough to feel the waterfall’s power, and a viewpoint on the opposite bank offers a full view of the falls and plunge pool, revealing different moods through the seasons.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Sankasho Shrine Sankasho Shrine was established when a small shrine (hokora) from Mt. Futagami, said to be the site of the descent of the heavenly grandson, was brought down and built at the mountain’s foot. Founded around the late 900s CE, its nagare-zukuri-style structure is entirely made of cypress, and its architectural design and carvings are regarded as masterpieces of the early modern period. This main hall is designated as a tangible cultural property of Miyazaki Prefecture. The site also houses the stone-carved Gate Guardian Deity statues (two faces), which are designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property. At the autumn grand festival, Aradance, an ancient performance tradition from the Sakamoto district designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, is offered. On November 30, 2022, 41 fūryū-odori (stylish folk dances) across Japan, including Gokase’s Aradance, were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On the shrine grounds and in the surrounding garden, you can find Tsukushi rhododendrons and western rhododendrons, along with weeping cherry trees and camellias. They typically reach peak bloom from mid-April through mid-May, offering flower viewing during that period. The Sankasho Shrine Spring Festival is held in April. Deities enshrined: Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Sarutahiko no Mikoto, and Fujiwara no Michizane (enshrined together).

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Saeizan Josenji Sa eizan Josenji is a Jodo Shinshu Honganji temple founded about 400 years ago. Renowned as a cherry-blossom viewing site, its grounds feature a roughly 300-year-old weeping cherry tree, designated a prefectural natural monument, which bursts into spectacular bloom each spring. According to tradition, this weeping cherry was planted during the Edo period by the ninth head priest, who brought a sapling back from Gion in Kyoto on his return from a pilgrimage to Honganji. A variant of the Edo higan cherry sometimes called ito-zakura, it is designated a natural monument of Miyazaki Prefecture.

【🌸Gokasecho Cherry Blossom Viewing 2024🌸】 Thank you for entering the Instagram campaign "Gokasecho Cherry Blossom Viewing 2024"! We will decide the winners by votes from our followers✨ Followers, please choose one work from the 12 entries and comment its number in the comments of this post✍ Voting is limited to one vote per account. [Voting period: until July 5] The posted images are screenshots of the applicants' photos, so the image quality is poor. We apologize for that. Please also view the entrants' original posts on Instagram before voting😃 1. @__torippy.__ 2. @yasuyochan.192 3. @yuichi_5101 4. @amiamibz 5. @niidome2110 6. @inoshima0124 7. @akihiko.shinchi 8. @sakai_0808 9. @mgm_1228 10. @aiaiaiaiaiaiai77 11. @gokase_pan 12. @goto0619 We will hold a lottery and give Gokasecho specialty products to 10 randomly selected voters🎁 We look forward to your votes✨

At the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival. This year, a virtual Fukuoka Castle tower was built and lit up ✨🏯✨ I was able to take pictures of beautiful night cherry blossoms and cool Japanese scenery!

Shooting 📸 on a trip to Kyushu Yonezuka 🏔, which is said to be the dimple of Aso ́- It seems to have been formed by an eruption, It had 👏 a very beautiful shape There also seems to be a legend, It is said that Takeiwa Tatsumikoto, the deity of Aso Shrine, built the mountain by piling up the harvested rice, and the hollow at the top is said to be the mark of scooping the rice with the palm of his hand and distributing it to the poor Although it was from a distance, I was glad that I was able ☺️ to take a picture

Title: The Unexplored Region of True White Location: Nagasaki Prefecture Unzen Myomi Shrine

The Mizonoguchi Cave in Soto City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a cave created over a long period of time by spring water from the Kirishima Mountains, and is a power spot in Kagoshima. It can be said that it is a landscape typical of Japan with many volcanoes, and the inside of the cave was a mysterious place with clear air.

Title: Morning on Golden Scale Lake Location: Yufuin, Oita Prefecture

It was founded in the 4th year of Tencho 827 Yusuhara Hachimangu Shrine Oita City, Oita Prefecture. The autumn leaves seen from the corridor look like paintings.

Title: Lantern Location: Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture Honmei River Festival: Isahaya Lantern River Festival Event: Lantern

Title: Striving Location: Dejima, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture Festival: Nagasaki Minato Festival Event: Nagasaki Peron Tournament

One piece at the local festival "Nakatsu Gion". She is procession while dedicating a dance in her own town. One of the pieces of this summer festival.

A couple found in Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture. Taken as a silhouette in a sunset shoot. It was a nice touch.

Good evening. Today, I would like to post one from Itoshima. A piece on the coast of Itoshima. I was able to take beautiful pictures with beautiful sunset gradations. The sunset in Itoshima is very beautiful. The sea and sky are dyed red, making it look like a painting. Itoshima is a place rich in nature in Fukuoka Prefecture, and many people come to see the sunset in the evening.

Photographed from near the boat racetrack near the Hakata Port Tower in Fukuoka. The feeling of the sky and the sky during the transition into the evening are indescribably wonderful. It became a scenery. Today I would like to write about the area around Hakata Port Tower. Hakata Port Tower is one of the symbols of Fukuoka City and is 123 meters high. From the observation deck of the tower, you can enjoy views of Hakata Bay and Fukuoka City. At night, the tower is lit up and very beautiful. There are many other attractions around Hakata Port Tower. For example, at the Hakata Port International Terminal, you can see international cruise ships arriving and departing. In addition, the Hakata Port Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the Japan and is open to bicycles and pedestrians. From the Hakata Port Bridge, the contrast between the tower, the sea and the city can be seen beautifully. The area around Hakata Port Tower is a place where you can feel the charm of Fukuoka City. Please visit once!

A photo taken on the coast of Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture The sunset gradation was beautiful. I was impressed by the scenery that is difficult to see in Aichi.

A sea of clouds seen from Miyawaka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It is a superb view that can be seen if the conditions are right in the morning after it rains. Since it only appears occasionally, it is a secret spot with many people.

Mr. chestnut tiger! It's a butterfly 🦋 that became the motif of Shinobu Kocho in Demon Slayer. Right behind is this spot with a view of the sea. It's hard to get there, but there are few people and it's a 😆 hole spot.

At this time of year, at night, you can see a very fantastic world in the forest or shiny. The rural town where Princess Hotaru is located is my secret spot that I don't want to tell anyone else.

Title: Pray for the Starry Sky Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture Peace Memorial Statue It is an exquisite collaboration between the Peace Memorial Statue and the constellation Orion.

Title: Lin Zhongji Temple Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture Waterfall Kannon It's autumn in colorful Nagasaki

Sixth year as a member of society The number of juniors increases every day As the noise passed... Slowly cherry blossom viewing with juniors! !! Corona has calmed down and stores have opened Shopping at street stalls for the first time in a long time Messing under the cherry tree I was able to enjoy cherry blossom viewing while having a fun conversation. I was able to refresh both physically and mentally ✩.*°

This is Yufudake in Oita. Photographed from a bus across Kyushu. It was a bus route with a superb view. 20230328