At Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture "Mishima Shrine Festival" Annual local festivals It is a rural festival where the population decline is unstoppable, but only at this time, it is more crowded than Shin lodging Station in the rush to go home It's a Japanese landscape that I don't want to lose

⛸️ The program for the Tomakomai Skate Festa has been announced ⛸️ The winter festival "Tomakomai Skate Festa" returns this year! 🥳 Enjoy a full lineup of attractions, including the traditional "shibare-yaki," a snowy slide, and stage shows! ✨ Let the Skate Festa blow the cold away! 🌞 ━━━*\58th Tomakomai Skate Festa/*━━━ Dates: Saturday, February 10, 2024 and Sunday, February 11, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Location: Chuo Park, 2-3 Wakakusa-cho, Tomakomai ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Oni Ice 🧊👹 This is an ice candle festival held in Naraijuku, Nagano Prefecture. Since February 3rd is Setsubun, it seems 🤣 that the demon is not outside, but demon ice The time is fixed every year, so be sure to visit!

Yesterday, the 34th Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, the earliest event in Honshu where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing, has opened. At night, the pink cherry blossoms are beautifully lit up. Please enjoy the arrival of spring one step ahead. In this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots in Kawazu Town that you can enjoy together with the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival! This time, I would like to introduce "Hatcho Pond". Enjoy a stroll on the hiking trail Amagi Volcano erupted repeatedly about 20~800,000 years ago. Hatcho Pond on top of Mt. Amagi was called a crater lake, but it has become clear that it is an active lake formed by the formation of a depression in the innermost part due to the displacement of an active fault on the slope of Mt. Amagi, and water accumulates there. On the gentle slopes of Amagi Volcano around the pond, primeval forests such as beech and Himeshara spread, and you can enjoy a walk. ◆ Detailed information ◆ 【Spot name】Hatcho Pond 【Address】Nashimoto, Kawazu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture 【Parking】None ◇ ◆ ◇ Parking information for those who come to the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival by car ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ About the parking lot ◆ Business hours:8:30~21:00 ・Regular car ●Regular car 4 ~ 13 parking lot about 700 ~ 800m to the station front venue, about 700 ~ 800m to the mine hot spring venue [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 200 yen ・Heavy-duty vehicles ●Large 1 and 2 parking lots: about 700 ~ 800 m to the front of the station, about 700 ~ 800 m to the mine hot spring venue [Daytime] 8:30~17:00・・・1 car / 5,000 yen [Night] 18:00~21:00・・・1 car / 1,000 yen

[Oiso Town] The 67th Oiso Saigyo Festival (Notice) At the ceremony, awards will be presented to the winners of the haiku and tanka submitted by participants, and in the afternoon we will hold haiku and tanka contests that anyone can join on the day. Date and time: Sunday, March 31, 2024, from 11:00 AM Venue: Shigitatsu-an [Program] 1. Opening remarks 2. Incense offering, tea offering, poem offerings, musical offering, ichigenkin performance, and flower offering 3. Reading of selected haiku and tanka submissions 4. Greeting 5. Guest greetings 6. Awards presentation and prize distribution 7. Closing remarks *The ceremony is planned as of now and may be subject to change.*

Shiofune kannonji temple located in Tokyo's ome city is known for the godess of mercy. During the azalea festival the temple surrounding looks very beautiful. It is one of my favorite tourist destination neat Tokyo.

Keyakizaka winter illumination is one of the most popular illumination in Tokyo. I enjoyed this beautiful winter illumination on a hop on bus. I enjoyed the beautiful view of tokyo tower from the bus as well. It was a really a memorable day for me.

Lanterns brightly color the precincts. The photo shows "Osaki Hachimangu" in Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture The shrine hall main shrine, stone room, worship hall is designated as a national treasure, and is famous for its naked worship at the "Donto Festival" held on January 14 every year.

✨Illumination Event✨ From Saturday, January 27th to Saturday, February 24th, illuminations will light up the area in front of Tomakomai Station at night. The opening will feature a live music performance and a sky lantern launch among other activities!🎶😊 Come and enjoy the sparkling snowy scenery.⛄✨

Tokyo Adachi Fireworks Festival Summer is a fireworks festival, but I feel a little lonely because it feels like summer ends as soon as the fireworks end. It's a sight you won't want to forget forever.

“2024 Ecopa Winter Festival” Held on January 21, the festival featured events like a parent-and-child snowman contest and a fukumaki (bean-throwing) ceremony! The snowmen in photos 1 and 2 won the top prize and the excellence prize✨ What amazing creations! Everyone, from children to adults, was having a great time😆

One of my very heart touching memories in Japan which I want preserve in my mind for ever is the spring trip to Tokyo. During the trip my wife and her friend wore Japanese kimono and enjoyed cherry blossom. It give us an authentic and Traditional charms of Japan. Japanese traditional dress and japanese national flower a very nostalgic memory.

I was able to take a picture of the dedication of the dharma and the burning of the dharma that had served its role for one year.

⛄The skating festival's specialty “shibare-yaki” tickets are on sale now!!⛸️ The 58th Tomakomai Skating Festival will take place at Chuo Park on Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11!!🥳 “Shibare-yaki” refers to cooking on a drum‑can grill and enjoying jingisukan (grilled mutton) out in the cold😊🥩🛢️ The dish originated during the first Skating Festival to thank Self‑Defense Force members who built snow sculptures and the rink, and from the second festival onward it was opened for citizens to enjoy. It got its name from being cooked in the shivering cold.💁‍♀️ Come and taste this traditional flavor!!✨ Tickets are on sale at the city hall shop and at COCOTOMA!!🎫 [Tomakomai City Hall Shop] Address: 1F, 4‑5‑6 Asahimachi, Tomakomai 053-0018 [COCOTOMA] Address: 1F, Friend Building Tenant Wing, 5‑11‑5 Omotecho, Tomakomai 053-0022

🎊🏒 From January 27 the "National Sports Festival" will be held! ⛸️🎊 The country's largest sporting celebration, the "National Sports Festival," runs from Saturday, January 27 to Saturday, February 3 at various venues across Tomakomai. 🥳 It used to be called the "National Athletic Meet," but a change in the law renamed it the "National Sports Festival." 💁‍♀️ To mark the event, we are selling a limited-edition "National Sports Festival 2024 acrylic key holder"! 📢⚡ They are now on sale at the tourist information center and other locations!! ✨

Turn on the ⭐ lights This is located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 　　　　　　　　　　"Nankinmachi" I took this photo when the Lantern Festival was being held. Personally, I prefer 😁 this to Yokohama

This is the state of the Asakusa Rooster Market at the Eagle Shrine. Asakusa Rooster Market is a festival held every year on Rooster Day in November and is the largest rooster market in Japan. Ravels are sold at the rooster market, but rakes are one of the agricultural tools that are responsible for raking up the fallen harvest. This word "raking" has changed to the meaning of raking up good fortune, and rakes have come to be sold as lucky charms.

It is a fire burning festival "Fire Burning Shrine" at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto. It's very cool to throw in a "fire skewers".

*◇*◆*◇*◆*◇*◆*◇*◆*◇*◆* ◇* Event Announcement *◇*◆*◇*◆*◇*◆*◇*◆*◇*◆* ◇* On Saturday, December 23, the pedestrian thoroughfare in front of the station, Symbol Street (Ekimae Hondori), will host the event “Symbol Street Terrace – A Path Where Light Meets Sound.” ✨ A meat fast-food shop produced by SHOKICHI of EXILE will make its first appearance, and there will be plenty of activities, including a sky lantern launch! 🥳 The area will be a pedestrian zone, and vehicles will be prohibited from 11:00 to 22:00. 🙅‍♀️ Also, please note that among the Donan Bus stops, “Ekitō Jūjigai” and “Ekitō” will be out of service for the entire day. For details, search for “Symbol Street Revitalization Project Pre-Event”! 💻 (This information is also posted in the news section of the Tomakomai Convention & Visitors Bureau website.)

The first traditional festival in Fukushima Prefecture that I went to see Soma Noma Oi. The appearance of the unfolding goes back in time

This is an announcement about Sairinka for fiscal year R5. From this year, general visitors will be asked to pay a cooperation fee upon admission. We ask for your understanding and cooperation to help sustain future events. Junior high school students and older: 500 yen per person ※Guests staying at Tokachigawa Onsen facilities that are members of the Tourism Association, residents of Otofuke, and children in elementary school and younger are free. ※Residents of Otofuke must present an official ID showing their address. [Event period] Saturday, January 27, 2024 – Sunday, February 18, 2024 [Lighting hours] 19:00–21:00 [Location] Tokachigaoka Park [Parking] Available (about 100 spaces, free)

Magnificent winter fireworks of Odaiba is back with a bang… Usually hanabi can be seen during summertime. But this one is in December that make it different yet special. It has holiday flavour too. Crisp winter ocean wind, super clear sky, incredibly beautiful cityscape and the rainbow bridge all these things escalate beauty of firework.

'Sairinka' perfectly recreated!! This piece, which reproduces every detail of Tokachigawa Onsen's major winter event 'Sairinka', was created by a sixth grader from Otofuke Town (at the time)!! 😳 The lights shift so magically they look like the real thing! A huge fan of Sairinka, they sketched the concept from second grade and finally completed it in the winter of sixth grade✨ This work overflows with love for Sairinka and is simply wonderful 😭 Still, the quality is just unbelievable—wow!! The creator is now a first-year junior high student, and we look forward to what comes next 😊

2023. At the Shuri Castle Reconstruction Festival

Fukiji Temple in Bungotakata City, Oita Prefecture During the autumn foliage season, there is a weekend-only illumination. I visited for the first time in four years, but this time I was able to go at the height of autumn leaves.

Preparations are underway for Tokachigawa Onsen’s major winter event, “Sairinka.” This time, the viewing platform is built in two tiers so visitors can enjoy the view from above 😊 Further details about Sairinka will be released later! [Schedule] Saturday, January 27, 2024 – Sunday, February 18, 2024 [Hours] 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM [Location] Tokachigaoka Park

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video, nice to meet you! We are the Izena Island Tourism Association. Izenami Island lies north of Okinawa’s main island. The island’s coastline measures 17 kilometers, and you can drive around it in about 20 minutes. The village of Izena in Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture, consists of the main island Izena and three uninhabited islets: Yagaji Island, Gushikawa Island, and Furuji (Orikami) Island. The population of Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture, was 1,322 at the time of the 2020 survey. The island is also known as the birthplace of King Sho En, the first king of the Second Sho Dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In this first post, we introduce Izena Island and highlight its attractions, sightseeing spots, and activities. ■■Sightseeing spots on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆Futamigaura Coast (a dramatic view of two neighboring Gitara rocks) “Gitara” means a sheer rock or cliff. The prominent rocks on the sea and on land are called “umi Gitara” and “agi Gitara.” The approximately 1-kilometer-long Gitara Coast hosts many of these sea and land Gitara formations. With the pairing of sea Gitara and land Gitara and the pleasing arrangement of broadleaf trees, this coast has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Beaches. Also in the Gitara Coast area, Mattera Beach is a hidden gem with white sand and crystal-clear blue water. A campsite is available there as well. ◆Gitara Observatory Located in the Gitara Coast area, the Gitara Observatory is a popular lookout point. It offers a rare panoramic view of the two opposing sea and land Gitara formations. At night, the starry sky and town lights are a must-see. ◆Izena Castle Ruins The Izena Castle Ruins sit 70 meters above sea level in the southeast of Izena Island. They are said to have been built in the Gusuku period (11th–14th centuries) by Samekawa, the ancestor of King Sho En. The site rises in a pyramid shape with cliffs on three sides, and it was once called an impregnable fortress. From the summit of the Izena Castle Ruins you can enjoy spectacular ocean views. At the foot of the ruins stands Izena Tamaudun, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. ◆Izena Beach (Izena no Hama) On the island’s south side, this beach opens onto cobalt-blue waters. It’s a popular spot for swimming and camping, with toilets and showers available. ※From July 2023, some areas are closed due to coastal reinforcement work. ◆Shoen-ō Oniwa Park (Park commemorating King Sho En) This park opened in 1996 to commemorate the 580th anniversary of King Sho En’s birth. Visitors still come to Shoen-ō Oniwa Park frequently. The park includes Sunjaagar, the tidal spring said to have been used as King Sho En’s baby bath. It’s a sightseeing spot where you can feel the history of the Ryukyu kings. ◆Mekaru Family Residence The Mekaru family residence, designated as a nationally important cultural property, was the home of the direct line of the Mekaru family. Because it escaped war damage and was well preserved, it was rebuilt in 1906 (Meiji 39). ◆Samuree Path The Samuree Path is a 2-kilometer ancient road used from the 12th to 13th centuries as the only living route connecting the Izena settlement with the island’s southwest. In the Ryukyuan dialect, “Samuree” refers to warriors associated with the royal family. The path’s siliceous rock paving resembled the footprints of warriors, which is how the Samuree Path got its name. The Samuree Path also served as a pilgrimage route for the Mekaru family, relatives of the Sho clan, when performing the ancestral grave-visiting ceremony called the Kōji Shimeisai (shīmī). It links to Izena Tamaudun, the royal tomb. ◆Shirasagi Observatory Facing the sea, Shirasagi Observatory offers wide views of Gitara Coast (Futamigaura) and the ocean. It’s a popular viewpoint where you can also see the Izena Castle Ruins and Yagaji Island. ■■Activities on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆Bicycle rentals Because Izena Island is mostly flat, renting a bicycle is a great way to tour the sights. Enjoy the island as you ride through its tranquil scenery. ◆Diving and snorkeling With its clear waters, Izena Island is perfect for marine activities. You’ll find coral reefs, luminous caves, and plenty of underwater attractions. Beginners to advanced divers can all have a great time. ◆Sea fishing Izena Island has many good spots for catching black sea bream (kurodai). The Izena Island Tourism Association’s official website publishes an Izena Island fishing map, so please make use of it. ■■Gourmet information for Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆Awamori Awamori, produced throughout the Ryukyu Islands, is also brewed on Izena Island. Please enjoy the mellow flavor of locally produced awamori. ◆Izena-style Okinawa soba You can enjoy Okinawa soba made with plenty of mozuku seaweed, or noodles made using rice grown on Izena Island—unique local takes on Okinawa soba. ■■Festivals and events on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆Izena 88 Triathlon This is Izena Island’s largest event, drawing about 600 athletes each year. Anyone aged 18 or older and in good health may participate regardless of nationality. The intense 7-hour competition is a sight to behold. ◆Unna Festival Unna is Izena Island’s traditional festival praying for a bountiful rice harvest. The event features dramatic displays such as tug-of-war with a giant rope, the snai match fought on carried boards, and Okinawan-style sumo tournaments. ■■Accommodation information for Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ Izena Island offers a variety of lodging, including hotels, minpaku guesthouses, and guesthouses. You can choose places that overlook the beach or stay in cozy, homey accommodations to suit your preference. ■■Traditions of Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ One of Izena Island’s charms is a tradition called Ihyajutee. Ihyajutee means “the people of Izena are compassionate.” Historically, islanders welcomed visitors from elsewhere without distinction and shared the bounty of their catches, a longstanding hospitality tradition. You can still experience Ihyajutee on the island today. Hosts may invite you into a garden where tea waits on the engawa veranda; you can sit, sip tea, listen to island stories, and enjoy slow, relaxed time—the unique hospitality of Izena Island. ■■Access information to Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture■■ ◆By private car From Naha Airport, take the expressway and drive north for about two hours, then take a car ferry from Unten Port (Nakijin Village) for about one hour. ◆By taxi From Naha Airport, take the expressway and drive north for about two hours (fare: about 16,000 yen). From Nago city to Unten Port about 25 minutes (fare: about 2,400 yen and up). You can also use buses and express buses from Naha Airport. For details, please check the Izena Island Tourism Association official website. On Izena Island you’ll find rental shops for cars, bicycles, and mopeds. They are useful for sightseeing. We will continue sharing information about Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture on Cool Japan Video, so thank you for your continued support!

A harvest prayer festival held in four hamlets on Izena Island, Okinawa Prefecture In 2024, the festival is scheduled to take place in each hamlet on July 20, July 27, July 30, and August 3.

Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture Famous Kinosaki Onsen It is my favorite place in Hyogo Prefecture, and the number of people from overseas is increasing 😌. Kinosaki Onsen in summer

Japan has not only natural beauty but also it has very rich cultural events and festival. Few days ago I attended Ikebukoro Yasakoi dance festival. It was really amazing. May be better to say I was amused to see the dance. Hope next year all the page member could attend this event. Location: Ikebukoro