Photographed on August 9, 25. This is the Suzu Araragi wind chime of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. I found a pink wind chime. 🎐

Photographed on August 9, 25. It is the boar's eye of the Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. It is said to bring amulets and good fortune.

Photographed on August 9, 25. Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. Unusually, there were no people, so I photographed the Main Shrine.

Today, I took a walk around Tokyo. Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan videos, nice to meet you! We are the Shimanto City Tourism Association in Kochi Prefecture. Shimanto City lies in the southwest of Kochi Prefecture, bounded to the north by mountains around 1,100 meters high and to the south by the Pacific Ocean, making it a city rich in nature. The city was formed in 2005 by the merger of the former Nakamura City and Nishitosa Village, and its name comes from the Shimanto River that runs through the city. On this account, we will deliver the many charms of Shimanto City to you. We look forward to sharing them with you! ■How to access Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture About a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Kochi Ryoma Airport About 1 hour by limited express from JR Kochi Station ■Basic information about Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture The population is about 30,000 people (as of June 2025), making it the third most populous city in Kochi Prefecture. Forests cover about 91% of the city area, and the Shimanto River, which flows through the city, stretches 196 km without dams on its main stream. Known as “Japan’s last clear stream,” the city’s catchphrase is “a town that lives with the river.” ■History of Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture The former Nakamura area of Shimanto City is called “Tosa’s Little Kyoto.” About 550 years ago, Ichijo Norifusa moved south following the Onin War and laid out streets in a grid pattern modeled on Kyoto, and that urban design remains today. The town’s blend of culture, history, and nature creates a picturesque setting perfect for strolling. ■Recommended sightseeing spots in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture Chinkabashi (low-water crossing bridges) ・There are nine chinkabashi on the main stream, including Sada Chinkabashi and Iwama Chinkabashi Activities ・Shimanto River sightseeing boats ・Canoeing and SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) ・Shimanto river barbecue ・Cycling History ・Ichijo Shrine ・Fuwa Hachimangu Shrine ・Shimanto City Local Museum ・Hanka Tenmangu Shrine ・Kurosongu Shrine Food ・Shio tataki (salt-seared fish) ・Biri katsuo (local skipjack tuna specialty) ・Bushukan chu-hai (citrus shochu highball) ・Ayu (sweetfish) ・Unagi (eel) ・River shrimp ・Gori (gori fish) ■Visit Shimanto City, where nature and culture live on Shimanto City, where vast nature and historical culture come together, is an ideal destination to refresh both body and mind. Come and seek the landscapes and experiences you can only find here. We will continue to share the attractions of Shimanto City, so please follow us!

✨A Three-Day Holiday Packed with Events✨ The three-day holiday starts tomorrow 😁 Gokasecho is full of events 🎆 "Yaki Happy Fest" 🎤 Set in a hall styled after the Gokase Winery, this festival brings together delicious food, wine, and live music! Celebrating the connection between Osaka and Gokase, the excitement begins with a pre-festival night. Come enjoy a relaxed, joyful time amid Gokase’s rich nature and a refreshing breeze. Date and Time Pre-festival: Friday, August 8, 2025, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM Main festival: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM Location Hall styled after Gokase Winery "Gokase Festival" 🎆 An annual celebration that colors the summer in Gokasecho! Held in the Gokase Town Hall parking area, the festival draws large crowds with food stalls, stage events, and more. The finale lights up the night sky with fireworks. Let’s enjoy a summer evening in Gokase together! Date and Time Sunday, August 10, 2025, 3:00 PM–8:00 PM (fireworks start at 8:00 PM) Location Visitor parking lot at Gokase Town Hall "Tenohira Gion Market" 👐 A heartwarming handmade market born from the idea that you can make a living doing what you love, even in the countryside. Set around Gion Shrine, more than 20 unique stalls will offer handmade goods and tasty food. This year, artists who regularly sell at Kyoto’s "Hyakumanben Handmade Market" will make a special appearance! Come to Gokase’s natural setting and find pieces that make your heart flutter. Note: The venue may change in case of rain. Date and Time Monday, August 11, 2025 (public holiday), 9:00 AM–3:00 PM (postponed to August 12 in case of rain) Location Gion Shrine (Kuraoka, Gokasecho)

Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya Natsumōde 2025 On this day, glutton Kasai brings you fresh, hot-off-the-press information. Have you heard of Natsumōde? This seasonal ritual offers a chance to savor an evening that avoids the daytime heat, letting you enjoy the cool dusk air, quiet atmosphere, and the shrine’s charming summer mood. Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is holding a Natsumōde event!!! During the festival, the shrine will be illuminated. Shrine maidens will perform kagura, local performers will present bugaku dances, the Shimosuwa Koyō High School brass band will play, and Tsugaru shamisen performances will take place each night from 19:00. On weekends, special attractions such as festival stalls and food trucks will appear! For details ⇒ https://shimosuwaonsen.jp/event/21644/... Goshuin collectors, take note! Limited-edition Natsumōde goshuincho and special nighttime Natsumōde goshuin will be available at Akimiya during the event. A nighttime-only “Yo-Yo Omikuji” will be offered from 18:30 to 21:00 each day, so please come and enjoy!!! Fans made of bamboo will be distributed to visitors only. They are elegant bamboo hand fans perfect for the occasion 🎶 ※ This is Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya, so please be careful not to confuse it with other shrines! Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya Nighttime Natsumōde ◎ Period: Thursday, August 7 – Thursday, August 14, 2025 ◎ Time: 18:30–21:30 ◎ Shinano-kuni Ichinomiya Suwa Taisha (Shimosha Akimiya) 📍 5828 Shimosuwa-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture ☎ 0266-27-8035 (Natsumōde inquiries) ◎ Homepage : https://suwataisha.or.jp// Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya – Nighttime Natsumōde 2025 Gluttony Kasai is here to bring you fresh, hot-off-the-press news! Have you heard of Natsumōde? While the slow, lingering summer heat has its own charm, Natsumōde offers a chance to avoid the midday heat and instead enjoy the cool evening air, the quiet atmosphere, and the magical scenery of the shrine at night. This summer, Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya will once again host this special evening event. During the festival period, the shrine grounds will be beautifully illuminated, and visitors can enjoy sacred kagura dances performed by shrine maidens, traditional bugaku court dances by local performers, music by the Shimosuwa Kōyō High School brass band, and live Tsugaru shamisen performances. On weekends, food stalls and kitchen cars will also make a special appearance. Special Limited Items • Limited-edition Natsumōde Goshuincho (temple seal book) • Nighttime Natsumōde special Goshuin (temple seal) • “Yo-Yo Omikuji” (balloon yo-yo fortune), available 18:30–21:00 during the event If you are a Goshuin collector, you won’t want to miss this! Dates: August 7 (Thu) – August 14 (Thu), 2025 Time: 18:30–21:30 Venue: Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya – Shinano-kuni Ichinomiya (First Shrine of Shinano Province) 📍 5828 Shimosuwa-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture ☎ 0266-27-8035 (Natsumōde Inquiries) * Homepage : https://suwataisha.or.jp// ・ Distributed to visitors only; a traditional hand fan made from bamboo, perfect for enjoying the summer evening in style 🎶 ※ Please note: This event is held at Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya.

Ogijima Island is not just an island of cats, an 📌 island that plays in the gaze of tourism When I first set foot on Ogijima Island, most of the words that came to mind were "This is the island of cats" that I often see on social media. It is true that the island is small and can be circled in less than two hours, and the appearance of cats can be seen everywhere. However, when you actually visit, you will find that this island is not only about cats. During the field survey on August 1, we interviewed Yamato Fukui, the director of the Ogijima Life Research Institute. The regional revitalization he is promoting is not only based on the tourism effects of the Setouchi Art Festival, but also on returning to the educational foundation, which is the basis of the sustainable development of the region. He is starting with the reconstruction of his alma mater and is trying to rekindle the spark of hope on the island. In his words, "Only the laughter of children can bring hope to an island that is aging." Based on this philosophy, Ogijima has seen an increase in new residents in recent years, many of whom are digital nomads who work remotely. They seek a relaxed rhythm of life where they can live on foot and Outbound to Downtown by boat, and they find opportunities to interact with people and the warmth of everyday life in this land. However, the presence of "cats" has also brought new challenges to the island. Squid cat packs brought by humans have required many adjustments to the daily lives of the original inhabitants due to differences in hygiene and cultural values. Even cat-loving residents are not necessarily in favor of promoting cats as a tourist attraction. Matsumoto, another Subject reporter, runs a guesthouse and café called "Sunset and Cat House," which actively embraces the image of cats, attracting the attention of overseas travelers, and has become a daily intersection where new residents meet and interact with each other. He said, "Because of these cats, people can have a common topic and Gari of life on the island." Beyond the tourist gaze, Ogijima shows the warmth of everyday life that is not just about pleasing someone. It is the temperature created by the accumulation of cultures, and it is a new chapter that the island is quietly writing at the intersection of the old and the new – Ogijima is not just an "island of cats" but an "island of hope and culture." [Photo and text: Cai Bing-hsiang, Wang Luhua, Huang Zhicheng] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ogijima 不只是貓島 📌 觀光stare 下的重生島嶼 初次踏上Ogijima,腦中浮現的多半是社群裡那句「這是貓的島」。 確實,島不大,兩小時內可走完,貓蹤隨處可見。 但真正走進來,才發現這座島嶼的樣貌,遠不止於貓。 On August 1st, Dr. Yamato Fukui, the responsible person of the Ogijima Life Research Institute. 他所推動的地方創生,並不單以瀨戶內海藝術祭所帶動的觀光效益為出發點,而是回歸地方永續發展最根本的核心——教育基礎建設。 他選擇從讓自己的母校復甦著手,重新點火島上的希望。 正如他所言:「唯有孩子的笑聲,才能為高齡化的島嶼注入hope。 在這樣的理念引領下,Ogijima recent years suction 愈來愈多新住,其中不少是從事遠距工作的數位nomad ethnicity。 他們嚮往步行即可生活、搭船便能往返市區的緩慢節奏,也在這片地上找到與人交流的機會與日常的溫度。 然而,「貓」的出現,也為島嶼帶來新的挑戰。 這些因「人」而來的貓群,為原有居民的日常增添了不少管理上的考驗,在衛生維護與文化觀念之間,出現了不同立場的磨合空間。 即便是喜歡貓的居民,也不一定支持將貓作為觀光主軸。 另一位受客者松本先生,所經營的guesthouse與咖啡廳「Sunset and Cat House」,則展現出另一種possibilities。 他選擇擁抱貓的形象,吸引國際旅人的目光,也成為新住彼此相遇與交流的日常交會點。 他說:「這些貓,讓人們在島上有了共同的話題與生活的連結。 在觀光視之外,Ogijima Exhibition 現出一種不為取悅而活的日常感,那是文化累積而來的溫度,也是新舊交會之中,島嶼正悄然書寫的嶄新篇章——它不只是「貓島」,更是「希望與文化之島」。 [圖、文/蔡炆璇、王璐hua、黃志成]

📣＼ Writer Recruitment! ／ Discover, interview, write about, and share the charms of Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture We are recruiting members for the "Shobara Travel Editorial Team" ✍️ ✅Love Shobara ✅Write at least one article per month ✅Experienced writers warmly welcomed 📌Application deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 For details and to apply, click here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/special/special/4765... <What is the Shobara Travel Editorial Team?> The editorial team experiences and broadly shares seasonal topics, the latest information, classic spots, popular local food, and little-known attractions. <What will you do?> Each member will plan, structure, research, photograph, and write articles about attractive spots, local food and sweets, events, and other aspects of Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, that they find appealing. You will also join a planning and editorial meeting about once a month to confirm future coverage and schedules and to discuss ideas like "I want to try this kind of project!" with the whole team. [Experienced writers encouraged to apply] We welcome applicants who can make the most of their writing experience by proactively engaging in planning, structuring, reporting and photography, and writing. From timely seasonal pieces to in-depth reads, if you are interested in creating community-focused articles that boost Shobara City, please apply! [Beginners also welcome] If you worry, "I have no writing experience" or "I've never planned, reported, or photographed before…", that's okay! We will discuss submitted ideas in the monthly meeting to improve them and support you as a team. Start with articles you can write at your own pace and get comfortable step by step◎ Contact Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO), Attn: Okutani TEL 0824-75-0173 Email kanko@shobara.net Details URL https://www.shobara-info.com/special/special/4765...

[Notice] Event information♪ ★ Iwanai Lions Club Beer Garden🍺 Two days only: August 9 and 10! At the event plaza in front of Roadside Station Iwanai Lions Festival celebrates in town🦁 Local restaurants will join and support with stalls There will also be events like a shaved-ice eating contest♪ Wondering where to go for the three-day weekend? If so, come to Iwanai-cho! 😊 Event organizer Iwanai Lions Club ★ Bon Festival 2025 August 11 (Mon) to August 16 (Sat) The "Bon Festival" will be held at the event plaza in front of the Roadside Station❗️ *August 11 and 12 are a pre-opening.* August 13–16 18:30–19:15 Children’s Bon dance 19:15–20:00 Hokkaido Bon dance Final day, August 16 From 18:30 Bon dance and costume dance Food stalls available🍴 Free karaoke and surprise guerrilla events too! Make summer holiday memories❗️Make hometown return memories❗️ Organizer: Bon Festival Children’s Festival Executive Committee

[Notice] This year’s lodging fireworks will again take place on August 10th. Launch site: IWANAI RESORT ※There is no parking available. Launch time: 8:30 PM. Postponed in case of severe weather. Organizer: Iwanai-cho Lodging Fireworks Executive Committee Inquiries: 0135-62-2222

Photographed on August 7, 25. It is the Tanabata Festival of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Since the festival is held according to the lunar calendar, it is Tanabata one month late.

We celebrated the end of the training and exams. ㊗️ Chillax soda peach and blueberry cream donuts.

Minamiechizen Town, Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture, located almost in the center of Fukui Prefecture, is a town where sea, mountains, and countryside blend together and where history and culture live on. The town covers about 344 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 9,000 people (as of May 2025), offering abundant nature and a peaceful way of life. Minamiechizen was formed in 2005 by the merger of the former Nanjo Town, Imajo Town, and Kono Village, and each area contributes its own character and attractions. Stretching north to south, Minamiechizen presents a variety of living landscapes, from coastal settlements to mountain farming villages, each rooted in its own culture and customs. Along the coastline you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sea of Japan, and inland you can see satoyama landscapes woven from mountains and clear streams! Minamiechizen is also known as a region that preserves Japan’s original rural scenery, where you can experience a lifestyle in harmony with nature as it changes through the four seasons. In the tranquil rice-growing areas, agricultural experiences such as rice planting and harvesting are popular and delight many visitors.

I'm in Tokyo for work today. Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. This is Suzu Araragi wind chime.

Photographed on July 19, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of the north approach to the temple of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

"Summer in Japan" Oyster ice on hot summer days. It is called "Calendar" in Kagawa Prefecture, which is famous for Udon noodles Oyster ice in a café. Both syrup and milk (condensed milk) are handmade. Fluffy Oyster ice was very tasty.

Photographed 8/1/25. This is CAFE ANDON's iced café latte.

Photographed 8/1/25. Shortcake with peaches and apricots from CAFE ANDON. It's so delicious that I'm going to visit it again. 😊🍑

Photographed 8/1/25. This is CAFE ANDON's Andon chicken curry.

Photographed 8/1/25. After prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. Chillax soda peach and peach & milk cake. 🍑

Kumagaya Fan Festival 🪭 This is the [Kumagaya Fan Festival 🪭] Held in in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. Lively atmosphere envelops Kumagaya, the hottest place in No.1 in Japan, for three days on July 20, 21, and 22 every year. In particular, the large procession on the last day was and powerful. Summer in Japan is all about 🫡 festivals

Yorii Tamayodo Water Tengu Festival Fireworks Festival 🎆 This is a fireworks festival held in every year in Yorii Town, Saitama Prefecture. The Mikoshi of each town floats on the river and creates 🤤 a summer atmosphere

A bell that tells the time. Under the blue sky, the old wooden lookout tower is a landmark of Koedo Kawagoe. Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture

Photographed 8/1/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed 6/29/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Sunset Village Sculpture Symposium This year again, works by Yoichi Okumura, who lives in Miyazaki City, have come to Gokasecho✨ These gentle pieces reflect Okumura’s warm personality😊 Although stone is usually thought of as hard, he can express it so softly😲 Looking at the works gives you a cozy, warm feeling🥰 A picture book about a snowman was also placed there to help visitors feel a little cooler⛄ You could also watch the creation process👀 The stone’s sheen is different before and after, isn’t it!? (Maybe it’s the photographer’s skill…😅) By the time he arrived in Gokasecho, he had already created about seven pieces✨ He is expected to dedicate a work to Furudono Shrine again this year, which is something to look forward to🎵 You can see the exhibition and Okumura’s working process below Furudono Shrine💡 He is scheduled to stay in Gokasecho until September 3, but since there will be tidying up and other tasks, it might be best to visit in August😊 *Note: Okumura will be absent on August 7.*

Photographed 8/1/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The wind chime on the veranda had changed. 🎐

On July 31st, STV's "Dosanko Wide 179" segment aired "Summer Okhotsk Engaru: A Journey Through Black Treasure "Black Treasure". If you missed it, you can watch it on "Dosanko Wide 179 YouTube". In the broadcast, there was also a supermarket with a tsunami warning, so you can ♪ see it on YouTube without a supermarket

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. At Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, it is said that festivals are held according to the lunar calendar. It is a great exorcism of Xia Yue.