The Nishihara Festival will be held in on October 12 in the Nishihara district of Uenohara City. It is close to the Okutama area, Tambayama Village, and Kosuge Village. Drive, stop by and take a look. Hiroshi Kadokawa and Ami Mitsuya will perform on stage. You can enjoy one day with a lot of every year, so please go out. Location: 6931 Nishihara, Uenohara City Around Biryukan

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Only in Shimanto City!! “Salt-Seared Bonito” (Part 2) Following Part 1, Part 2 introduces recommended ways to enjoy the bonitos seared in Shimanto City that you can taste only here. 〇 Nakamura’s one-and-only “Traditional Salt-Seared Bonito” When people think of delicious food from Kochi Prefecture nationwide, the first thing that comes to mind is the seared bonito. Sprinkling salt or pouring sauce before searing is said to be a food culture unique to Kochi. Yet within the same prefecture, the style in central Kochi City differs greatly from that in Nakamura in the southwestern Shimanto City: Nakamura’s salt-seared method stands apart. Around Kochi City, the dish is a simple one of just sprinkled salt. In Nakamura, by contrast, chefs marinate the seared fish with proud house sauces featuring salt, vinegar, citrus juice, and other flavoring, letting the flavors meld. Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito piles on heaps of condiments—onions, garlic and more—until the fish is nearly hidden. Those generous toppings don’t just look appetizing; they make nutritionally balanced combinations, so the dish is also excellent as a healthy choice. Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito, found only in Shimanto City, carries an unshakable local food culture and history. Each restaurant crafts and serves its own proud version of this delicious salt-seared specialty. From the searing process to the way it’s eaten, the condiments and the sauces, every establishment applies its own ingenuity and care to its salt-seared bonito. In Shimanto City, you can enjoy as many distinctive salt-seared styles as there are restaurants. Would you like to go on a salt-seared tasting tour in Shimanto City and sample Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito? 〇 Perfect match for salt-seared bonito: Shimanto Bu-chu Highball A perfect companion to Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito is the Shimanto Bu-chu Highball, made with the locally grown “forbidden fruit” bushukan. It’s a standard menu item at izakayas in Shimanto City. The drink is ultra-refreshing from first sip to finish, with a crisp citrus flavor and a pleasant, moderate bitterness. Popular with both men and women, it pairs beautifully with food. Try Shimanto Bu-chu Highball with salt-seared bonito—you’ll likely get hooked after one sip. 〇 Shimanto-grown “forbidden fruit”—the bushukan Why call it the forbidden fruit? Bushukan is related to yuzu and sudachi but is an entirely different fruit. Once you taste it, ordinary vinegar-citrus fruits won’t satisfy—you’ll understand why it’s called the “forbidden fruit.” Its defining features are a clean, sharp acidity and a uniquely refined aroma. That elegant scent and tartness bring out the best in ingredients from mountains, rivers, and sea. Beloved by citrus fans across Kochi, the “kingdom of sour citrus,” bushukan has long been nicknamed the “king of sour citrus.” Beyond its flavor, the tree is very vigorous: once it bears fruit, it will yield abundantly each year from late August through early October with little care. While most citrus trees live for several decades, bushukan remains healthy and productive for over a hundred years. Bushukan is also resistant to disease and pests and grows vigorously without heavy reliance on pesticides, making it a safe, reliable crop. This rare bushukan grows only in Shimanto City and is not shipped widely across Japan—why not come taste it for yourself? How did you find this? Perhaps the appeal of salt-seared bonito and bushukan has whetted your appetite. Please enjoy salt-seared bonito and a Shimanto Bu-chu Highball when you visit Shimanto City.

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Feel secure with this! A Directory of Shimanto River River Activity Operators! ★The Appeal of River Activities★ You can enjoy the Shimanto River with your whole body in 360°, and nothing captures that feeling better than river activities! The Shimanto River has a gentle current, so beginners and children can take part. On canoe tours you can sometimes go where no man-made structures are visible, offering a true escape from everyday life. Shimanto City is home to many river activity operators, with a variety of options that let everyone from small children to seniors enjoy themselves with peace of mind. Take this chance to find an operator that interests you♪ 1. Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawaracco Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawaracco sits beside the Shimanto River, surrounded by rich natural scenery. In addition to campsite facilities, the site includes well-equipped bungalows and a Shimanto hinoki cypress house. It also serves as a terminal for the Rinrin Cycle rental service. Operating season: Year-round Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, closed Tuesday) *Open during the period around Golden Week and from July 1 to September 30 Pets allowed to ride together (tandem kayaks). *Please bring a life jacket for your pet. Depending on size, joint riding may be unavailable. 2. withRIVER withRIVER is located at the foot of a Shimanto River chinkabashi (submersible bridge). The current is gentle here, so beginners and small children can feel safe. At the end of the tour you can even try jumping from the chinkabashi. In addition to canoe and SUP experiences, withRIVER offers horseback riding. Besides ordinary rides, there is a course that lets you ride within the Shimanto River. Because the horse stands where you can touch the bottom, children and non-swimmers can participate safely. Operating season: March to mid-November Dogs may ride along (on SUP or two-person canoe). Dog life jackets are available to rent (500 yen per jacket). Free photo sharing available 3. Shimanto River Lodge Yuubetei Shimanto River Lodge Yuubetei is a rented villa-style accommodation on a hill overlooking the Shimanto River, available to one group per day. Families, groups, and couples can relax here. Rooms include a terrace where you can barbecue while watching the sunset. River SUP experiences are available from Yuubetei. The owner customizes courses to match guests. SUP board rentals are also offered. Please request when booking your stay. *SUP experiences operate only in the summer season. 4. Okera Adventures Shimanto Okera Adventures Shimanto centers on “bikerafting,” a combination of cycling and packraft (inflatable boat) river descent. They are the only operator in Japan to run regular guided bikerafting tours. (*Survey by Okera Adventures, March 2022) They operate by private-group bookings only, so you and your group enjoy the tour alone. One appeal is that guides tailor the tour to participants, weather, and conditions. Operating season: Year-round Dogs may ride along (dog life jackets available for rent). Free photo sharing available 5. Shimanto – River Station Canoe Center Shimanto – River Station Canoe Center is known for the spectacular natural scenery in the latter part of its tours. The attached Shimanto Hiroba Auto Campsite offers toilets and barbecue sites so you can camp beside the Shimanto River. (Advance reservation required) There is a beginner-friendly canoe school where instructors lead basic half-day and full-day courses. You can paddle an 8 km canoe touring course to the famous Iwama Chinkabashi Bridge featured on TV and in magazines; the latter 4 km of the course shows almost no man-made structures, letting you fully enjoy the Shimanto River’s wilderness. The Canoe Center also serves as a river station exhibiting canoes from around the world and as a terminal for the Shimanto River Rinrin Cycle rental service. Operating season: Year-round Free photo sharing available 6. Shimanto Rakusha Shimanto Rakusha is a former school repurposed into a place where you can stay and play. The lodging uses spaces such as the school infirmary as bedrooms, and classrooms have bunk beds. You can even stay in the broadcasting room that still runs the school PA system or in the principal’s office. Because canoe experiences here do not involve long downstream runs, you can set your own experience time. Families can take turns, play in the river, and enjoy canoeing freely. In addition to canoeing, you can try stream trekking (shower climbing), raft play, and relaxed fishing in the Shimanto River. Closed: Every Wednesday *Open daily in July, August, and September Free photo sharing available 7. Canoe Shimanto Base Canoe Shimanto Base runs tours using sit-on-top canoes that you sit on the deck rather than inside. You can choose a half-day course with a 3 km downstream stretch (morning or afternoon) or a shorter course without downstream paddling. All canoes are single-person, and two sizes are available so you can pick the right fit. The half-day course is available from third grade elementary school and up; the short course is available from first grade elementary school and up. The short course is a private booking for groups of 1–10 people. Operating season: March to November Dogs may ride along. *Please be sure to bring a life jacket that fits your dog’s body size. Free photo sharing available 8. Good River Shimanto At Good River Shimanto you can enjoy a full Shimanto River canoe tour. They instruct you from canoe boarding and paddle technique to how to enjoy canoeing. The downriver course follows the river current and reveals little in the way of man-made structures, letting you relax in expansive nature. You can take commemorative photos at the popular Iwama Chinkabashi Bridge. They also run rafting tours, letting you drift downstream in a raft boat on the gentle Shimanto River in relaxed comfort. Guests from age three through seniors can participate. Operating season: Mid-March to early November Children and dogs may ride along Free photo sharing available How was it? Try experiencing Shimanto City’s river activities!

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] “Japan’s Last Pristine River, the Shimanto River” — a river where people live alongside the water and that sustains a culturally rich landscape ☞ What is the Shimanto River? …………………………………………… The Shimanto River originates on Mt. Irizuyama in Tsuno Town, Kochi Prefecture (elevation 1,336 m). It runs 196 km in total, with 35 main tributaries and 319 tributary streams overall. The river meanders through the southwestern part of Kochi Prefecture—including Yusuhara, Nakatosa, Shimanto Town, and Shimanto City—flowing without steep drops before emptying into the Pacific Ocean at Shimanto City Shimoda. …………………………………………… ☞ Where the name “Japan’s Last Pristine River” comes from …………………………………………… The Shimanto River, where residents still live close to the water, gained the symbolic label “Japan’s Last Pristine River” after a 1983 television broadcast. That description created a brand image of a clear, life-filled river running from its source to the sea. …………………………………………… ☞ What the Shimanto River provides. …………………………………………… Nurturing abundant life, the Shimanto River and its wide estuarine areas host around 200 species of aquatic life. Even today, some fishers sustain their livelihoods using traditional methods such as late-season sweetfish (ayu) fishing, fire-fishing, long-armed shrimp fishing, goby fishing, and green seaweed harvesting. These practices preserve deep ties between people and the river and a living culture of work. …………………………………………… ☞ Activities on the Shimanto River. …………………………………………… On the Shimanto River you can enjoy canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, cycling, stream-walking, raft trips, sightseeing boats, camping, and many other year-round experiences. …………………………………………… ☞ The river’s tempestuous side. …………………………………………… The Shimanto River is also famous as a wild river prone to rises in water level, flooding, and typhoons, making it susceptible to water damage throughout the year. Against this backdrop, people living along the basin have adapted their lives and landscape to nature, for example with low, railing-free bridges called chinkabashi that submerge during high water. These bridges, together with human activity, create a distinctive regional scenery. …………………………………………… ☞ Selected by the Environment Agency as one of Japan’s 100 Exquisite Waters and the 100 Exquisite Waters of the Heisei era. …………………………………………… In July 1985, the Shimanto River was chosen as one of Japan’s 100 Exquisite Waters because of its excellent water environment and active local conservation efforts. Later, in June 2008, the Kuroson River, a tributary of the Shimanto, was recognized as one of the 100 Exquisite Waters of the Heisei era in recognition of environmental conservation activities and local community initiatives. …………………………………………… ☞ The exceptionally clear Kuroson River among the tributaries. …………………………………………… The Kuroson River, selected for the Heisei-era 100 Exquisite Waters, is the clearest and most beautiful tributary of the Shimanto River. The area also preserves legends and stories such as Kuroson Shrine and Okiku Falls, and in autumn the foliage colors the landscape vividly. …………………………………………… ☞ Designated as an Important Cultural Landscape by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. …………………………………………… In February 2009, the unique landscapes formed by people’s lives and activities in the Shimanto River basin were designated an Important Cultural Landscape. This is the first time such designation covered five municipalities in the basin—Tsuno, Yusuhara, Nakatosa, Shimanto Town, and Shimanto City—drawing significant attention. ※ An Important Cultural Landscape is a landscape formed by people’s lives or livelihoods and the local natural environment, and is indispensable for understanding the lives or occupations of our nation’s people (from the Cultural Properties Protection Law, Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 5). …………………………………………… ☞ People appear on the Shimanto River throughout the seasons. …………………………………………… The Shimanto River is not only praised as the beautiful “Japan’s Last Pristine River,” it is also an environment and landscape enriched by the everyday livelihoods of local communities. This close relationship is the river’s mysterious charm that continues to draw people even now.

This photo was also taken at the Flower Culture Garden. Various wind chimes were displayed everywhere. The tone was so pure that even I, who usually listen to music while shooting, involuntarily took off my earphones. It is a piece of confidence that I used as much as I could use the techniques that I could use in the shooting.

[Notice] Iwanai Bar-Hopping Tournament 🍺 Starts Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM Event flow ⇩ ・18:15 — Registration at the plaza in front of the Iwanai Regional Culture Center Exchange your ticket course voucher for the course map ・19:00–20:30 — Bar-hopping starts 🍺 Visit the four venues listed on the course map♪ ・20:30 — "Grand Lottery" A grand lottery will be held at the plaza in front of the Iwanai Regional Culture Center! The grand prize is a shared dining voucher worth 100,000 yen for participating stores❗️❗️ 1st prize is a dining voucher worth 50,000 yen 2nd prize and below will also receive luxurious prizes Advance tickets (4,000 yen) are sold at the following locations ⇩ 1. Participating bar-hopping venues (listed on the flyer) 2. Iwanai Chamber of Commerce 3. Iwanai Tourism Association (Roadside Station Iwanai) 4. Iwanai Rakza 5. Kaneta Yoshida Kamaboko Shop Thank you in advance 🙇 Organizer: Iwanai Restaurant Association

[Stay in the Countryside! Accommodation Special] Under a sky full of stars, with the scent of green 🌿 Birdsong and cold mountain streams, create nostalgic summer holiday memories in the countryside in Miyoshi. We introduce proud accommodations where you can fully enjoy nature❗ Are you the active type this summer? Or would you rather take it easy? Tell us in the comments 😊 ***************************************** Accommodations for Active Travelers [Irori Inn Kumaya] ● Check-in 15:00– ● Check-out by 10:00 ● Reservations accepted by phone. ● We created a paradise for dragonflies and frogs. ● One booking per day only. [Kogane-ya, Farmstay of Dream-Eating Insects] ● Check-in in the afternoon ● Check-out in the morning ● One booking per day only ● Reservations accepted by phone. ● Sometimes we cannot answer the phone. Please leave a recorded message and we will call you back. [Country Experience Guesthouse Nanohana Batake] ● Check-in from 14:00 ● Check-out by 11:00 ● Please search for "Nanohana Batake Miyoshi DMO" to reserve and apply via the link on the site. ● Single-person stays incur an extra charge. [Mountain Work Experience Guesthouse Kirakubo] ● Check-in from 14:00 ● Check-out by 11:00 ● Please search for "Kirakubo Miyoshi DMO" to reserve and apply via the link on the site. ● Kitchen use fee 2,500 yen BBQ area use fee 1,500 yen ● Experience mountain work together with the owner! [Farmstay Ponmama’s Hide-and-Seek] ● Check-in from 15:00 ● Check-out by 10:00 ● Reservations accepted by phone. [Hoshihara Mountain School] ● Instagram @hoshihara_yamanogakko ● Check-in 15:00 ● Check-out 10:00 ● Please search for "Hoshihara Mountain School Miyoshi DMO" to reserve and apply via the link on the site. ● You can camp on the schoolyard or rent the entire school building. See the Hoshihara Mountain School website for details. ● Forest excursion programs and satoyama nature games offer activities that let you fully feel nature; separate application required. ● There are two classrooms. One group per classroom. ● Maintenance cooperation fee: 100 yen per person. ***************************************** Accommodations for Relaxed Travelers [Tomishino Village] ● Instagram @tomishinosato ● Check-in 16:00 ● Check-out 10:00 ● Reservations accepted by phone. ● In addition to bungalows, there are 10 Japanese- and Western-style rooms at Kohjisou (shared bath and kitchen). ● On days when Tomishi Mountain Cafe is open, enjoy lunch and coffee. [Country Inn Kaze no Michi] ● Check-in from 15:00 ● Check-out by 10:00 (extension 800 yen per hour) ● Reservations: 090-6837-4770 ● Pets allowed only for outdoor dogs (we have a dog room) ● BBQ sets available (bring charcoal and food) [Kusahanatoro no Yado Miyoshi Everyone’s House] ● Check-in 14:00 ● Check-out 10:00 ● Reservations by email ( info@miyoshi-minnanoie.com ) or via the reservation form on the "Miyoshi Minna no Ie" official website. [Kobo-yama Experience Exchange Center Yasuragi-so] ● Check-in 15:00 ● Check-out 10:00 ● Reservations: 0847-67-5211 (Coffee & Pasta Amin) 14:00–18:00 except Mondays ● Please consult if you would like meals provided. [Dream Space Kunitaya Sanso] ● Instagram @kunitayasanso ● Check-in from 15:00 ● Check-out by 12:00 ● Reservations by email ※ Due to COOL JAPAN VIDEOS postings, please search the internet for "Kunitaya Sanso" and contact the site inquiry form with your desired dates. Reservations are confirmed after we contact you back. ● Bring your own ingredients. Charcoal (1,000 yen) is available for purchase. ● See the Kunitaya Sanso official website for details. For detailed accommodation introductions and reservations we post experience reports and booking information on the Miyoshi DMO official website ✨ Search "facility name, Miyoshi DMO" to check details♪ ＊………………………………………………………………….✈ [Notes] ➤ Items to bring, clothing, reservation deadlines and other requirements may vary by facility. Please check the Miyoshi DMO official website in advance. ➤ Experience contents and fees may change. If you have questions, contact each facility directly.

A railroad crossing Soba Onaka Station in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture. Here you can see the unobstructed summer panorama that spreads all over the place. In the sky, the clouds are beginning to make their presence felt.

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!

[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

Notice] Event Information♪ Kids Iwanai Water Park🏖️ This year it takes place on the same day as the second day of the Dotou Festival! ★ Date and Time ・Sunday, August 3, 10:00–15:00 ★ Venue Iwanai Regional Cultural Center Marine Park Postal Code 045-0003 51-7 Bandai, Iwanai-cho, Iwanai District, Hokkaido ★ Eligibility Up to third-grade elementary school children accompanied by a guardian * Please do not take your eyes off your child. * We cannot take responsibility for accidents that occur without a guardian present. Changing tents will be provided on the day Please bring a change of clothes and a towel We look forward to welcoming everyone♪

[Notice] Event Information♪ The 52nd Iwanai Dotoh Festival!!! A spectacular fireworks show with about 5,000 shells🎇 ★Date and Time ・Saturday, August 2 — from 12:00 ※Fireworks start at 20:00 ※Postponed to the next day in case of rain ・Sunday, August 3 — from 10:00 ★Venue Special outdoor site on the west side of the Iwanai Regional Cultural Center Postal code 045-0003 51-7 Bandai, Iwanai-cho, Iwanai District, Hokkaido For the program and event details, please see the images from the second one onward.

🌸Shinyan and Nyanko’s Layered Stamp Rally Tour 🌸 Extended due to popular demand!! Event period Friday, August 1, 2025 – Friday, October 31, 2025 Extended period Friday, August 1, 2025 – Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Join Shimanto City Tourism Association’s official characters, Shinyan and Nyanko, for a stamp rally that lets you enjoy Shimanto City! This isn’t just any stamp — these are layered stamps. As you stack each stamp, by the end…ta‑da! A single piece of art appears✨ Turn your completed sheet into a postcard! It’s perfect as a travel keepsake or a gift for friends💌 Why not create your own Shimanto art? How to enjoy — it’s super easy♪ 1. Get a stamp sheet! → Sheets are distributed in limited numbers at each facility. If one place runs out, another might still have them! 2. Stack and stamp five stamps! → Stamps 1–5 share the same design in either area. The final image is the same even if you don’t stamp in order! 3. Once all stamps are in place, a cute Shinyan art piece is complete🎨 → You can take it home as a postcard✨ 4. Show your completed sheet and… → The first 500 visitors receive an original cotton tote bag as a gift🎁 Two areas — start anywhere you like Stamp spots form one design across the Nakamura Area and the Nishitosa Area. Because stamps 1–5 are common, collecting them in either area yields the same final image♪ Nakamura Area🐾 1. Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio — Admission required A facility where you can learn about the creatures of the Shimanto River. With dragonfly and insect specimens and displays of fish from the Shimanto River basin, it’s fun for adults and children alike! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Closed Mondays) 2. Shimanto River Sightseeing Boats (Yakatabune) — Boarding required Three sightseeing boat operators participate; whichever operator you board will stamp your sheet. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the beautiful Shimanto River♪ Hours: 9:00–16:00 (Advance reservation recommended) 3. Shimanto City Local Museum — Admission required A castle-shaped museum on a small hill. Learn Shimanto City’s history and culture, and take in city views from the tower for a castle‑lord feeling! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Closed Wednesdays) 4. harenoba cafe n2 (Cafe N2) — Purchase or dine required Located around the middle of Tenjinbashi Shopping Street, it’s the perfect stop to rest during sightseeing. Hours: 11:00–18:00 (Closed Mondays) 5. Shimanto City Tourism Association — Cotton bag pick‑up location — Visit required A hub for travel information on Shimanto City and the Hata Region. They offer rental bikes (¥1,000 and up) and discounted sightseeing boat tickets! Hours: 8:30–17:30 (Open year‑round) The Nakamura town center is easy to explore by rental bike, so you can take a leisurely stroll and collect stamps! Nishitosa Area🐾 1. Roadside Station Yotte Nishitosa — Visit required A popular spot with local specialties and souvenirs. Enjoy grilled natural ayu (sweetfish) from the Shimanto River and sweets made from local ingredients — ideal for a break or shopping! Hours: 7:30–18:00 (No holidays during the event period) 2. Shimanto River Station Canoe Hall — Purchase, experience, or stay required A facility offering canoe experiences, SUP, and rafting, with an adjacent campsite so you can fully enjoy the outdoors! Hours: 8:30–17:30 (No holidays during the event period) 3. Iwami Chaya (near the sinking bridge!) — Visit required Right next to Iwami Sinking Bridge, this spot sells homemade bento and unique handmade goods made by locals. Fans should also check out the “Shimanto River” monument by Hiroshi Miyama with parking available! Hours: 10:00–15:00 (Closed Mondays) 4. Hotel Seira Shimanto — Stay or day‑use hot spring required In addition to lodging, the hotel has a restaurant and day‑use hot spring, perfect for soothing travel fatigue. At night, the stargazing guide by the star attendant is highly recommended! Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Open year‑round) 5. Shimanto River Furusato Guide Center — Cotton bag pick‑up location — Visit required The Nishitosa tourist information desk located right by the station. You can also rent Rinrin Cycles here! Hours: 8:30–18:00 (Closed Wednesdays) Driving is recommended in Nishitosa! Enjoy a scenic drive along the Shimanto River while taking in nature♪ Note: Opening days and hours may vary. Please check each facility’s website for the latest information. (Information current as of July 2025) Key point! Stamps 1–5 share a common design, so collecting them across Nakamura and Nishitosa will still complete the same image! (For example: either Nakamura’s Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio or Nishitosa’s Roadside Station Yotte Nishitosa for stamp 1 is fine) When you collect all the stamps… 🎉 The first 500 participants will receive ＼an original cotton tote bag／ Show your completed stamp sheet at one of the following locations👇 • Nakamura: Shimanto City Tourism Association • Nishitosa: Shimanto River Furusato Guide Center This cute, exclusive bag features Shinyan artwork and is only available here🐾✨ Who are Shinyan and Nyanko? Shinyan and Nyanko are local cat characters of the Shimanto City Tourism Association. There are five cats in total, each inspired by the Shimanto River’s nature, traditional fishing methods, and local culture. In this stamp rally, those Shinyan cats appear together as art♪ 🎨 Character designs are by Junya Inoue, a popular manga artist from Shimanto City and a tourism ambassador (best known for BTOOOM! and Kaiju Jieitai). Come play around Shimanto City with the Shinyan cats! Don’t just press stamps — enjoy the fun of layering them to complete the art. Explore nature, history, food, and adorable characters on a Shimanto City tour. We’re sure your very own special piece will take shape✨ We look forward to your participation!

Azumino was hit by heavy rain. By evening the rain had stopped, and a beautiful sunset appeared.

The hot days keep coming… Azumino is topping 30 degrees… On days like this, you might want to relax while gazing at a cool, clear mountain stream on the riverbed of the Nakabusa River flowing from the Northern Alps with a book you’ve been meaning to read and a cup of coffee… At the tourist information center in front of JR Oito Line Hotaka Station, borrow a cafe BOX and enjoy an Azumino picnic 😄 https://reserve.489ban.net/client/azumino-e-tabi/0/detail/850669...

Tokyo is an amazing city with a vibrant history that truly comes alive during its festivals. One of the highlights is the kanda matsuri, which takes place at the beautiful kanda myojin shrine. The lively mikoshi parade is filled with joy and cultural charm, making it a fantastic experience for everyone.

Squid eaten on the veranda in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture is the best. This is summer in Japan

Notice: Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival This year too, the Iwanai Shrine Annual Festival will take place over three days from July 7th to July 9th. Please be aware that some roads will be closed during the festival, so take care when coming to the area. Come and join the “Iwanai Festival.”😌 *The schedule was referenced from the Iwanai Shrine website.

The Northern Alps taken from inside a car. The cars don't stop, and I can't get this view out of my head when I pass the tracks.

Isemiya Shrine standing amid rice fields I could see the Northern Alps toward Hakuba, but clouds rose around Mount Ariake It already feels like early summer in Azumino

Otoyo's specialty! The harvest of Goishicha tea tea leaves has been carried out! Goishicha tea is a "post-fermented tea" 🍵 made in Otoyo, Kochi Prefecture It is made by a rare manufacturing method called "two-stage fermentation" in which tea leaves are steamed, fermented with lactic acid bacteria, and then further fermented. It is ✨ a fermented tea characterized by its unique sour flavor and health benefits that regulate the intestinal environment The completed Goishicha tea will be sold as a thank-you gift for Furusato Nozei tax payment or at Souvenirs shops in Kochi Prefecture!

Fireflies are now at their best viewing season 🌌 Spots in Nobeoka City where you can enjoy fireflies include Kitagawa, Yoshino, and Maino Many locations seem to be reaching their peak viewing period✨ Let’s continue to protect this beautiful nature by observing proper manners while watching them😊 ◎Please avoid shining bright lights, littering, or damaging the natural environment. ◎Keep quiet so as not to disturb others nearby while viewing. ◎Do not use insect-repellent sprays at viewing sites; take precautions by wearing long sleeves instead. 🪄May the fireflies dancing in the night sky leave you with lasting memories.

At Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture, which I visited on a trip, I was able to see a water mirror of Tambo reflecting the mountains with a superb view.

🌿New Tea Season🌿 The tea fields in Gokasecho are turning a vivid green😌🍵 The first and second photos show the house in Kuwanochi, in front of which the weeping cherry trees that we introduced in spring looked so beautiful📸✨ Against the fresh green of the remaining cherry leaves, the two-tone tea fields made an incredibly beautiful scene🥺👏 Fresh tea is arriving one after another at the Gokase Specialty Center, and the scent of new tea fills the shop🥰 Enjoy the fragrant, new tea leaves that make you feel as if you are standing right in the tea fields🍵✨

This morning, Azumino chilled down to 3 degrees. Under a high-pressure system, the blue sky spread above a breathtaking scene. The white peaks of the Northern Alps reflected in a mirror-like sheet of water. Azumino is now entering its most beautiful season.

[Notice] Taramaru Square 2025 is now open! First phase: April 26–27, April 29 Second phase: May 3–5 At the Roadside Station event plaza See the image for vendor information ↓

Ricefield tilling has begun here and there across Azumino, and the rice-planting season has arrived. Next, after the fields are flooded and leveled, the seedlings will be planted. During this rice-planting period you can see Azumino’s miraculous spectacle, the “water mirror”.

[Notice] Night Cherry Blossom Light-Up 🌸 From Iwanai Tourism Association The night cherry blossom light-up originally scheduled from 4/21 will begin tomorrow, Thursday, April 24, depending on the bloom status of the cherry trees. 🌸 This year we have extended the light-up section! Check the details below ✅ ・Period: Thursday, April 24 to Sunday, May 18 ※Subject to change depending on the condition of the cherry blossoms ・Time: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM ・Light-up section From in front of Iwanai Town Hall, First Torii — up to the area around Iwanai Shrine Street and Gansuien ・Parking In front of Iwanai Town Hall building Please use the temporary town hall parking lot ⚠️ Please refrain from parking on the road ⚠️ Requests and precautions 🙇🏻‍♀️ Do not touch the lighting equipment. Do not look directly at the lights. We look forward to welcoming you 🌸 ・Rengeji Temple: April 26–May 5, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM ・Gansuien: May 3–May 6, 6:00 PM–8:30 PM These facilities will also be lit up as part of the spring light-up program. 💡

From today (April 21), we are also open on Mondays❕ We will remain open every day until October 31. We look forward to welcoming you☺️ We have also installed benches and chairs in the plaza in front of the Roadside Station, so please feel free to rest there♪ *There are no trash bins.