Zen is alive and well in traditional Japanese culture. Zen has greatly influenced traditional Japanese culture, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, and martial arts. Zen has had a great influence on traditional Japanese culture. It is also said that modern etiquette is based on the The Ogasawara school of etiquette, which is said to have become the standard of modern etiquette, is said to have been established by relating Zen manners to the lifestyle of the samurai class. #teaceremony #japanesetea #calligraphy

I have found that bushido means to die He was willing to die for a certain purpose. If you always act with the intention of dying every morning and evening, and if you are willing to die, you will be able to fulfill your family duties without fail for the rest of your life.

Samurai fought fair and square in one-on-one battles, which was the samurai way of fighting. During this time, it was not acceptable for the adversary to initiate a fight. If they did, they were considered "cowards.

Martial arts and cultural arts emphasize the importance of learning kata, the basic movements of the school, as well as the learning of a predetermined form and at the same time the mental state at the time it is done.

The Way of the Brush Along with the martial arts, many other arts flourished, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, tea bowls, poetry, incense, and Noh drama, and a samurai needed to have knowledge of both the sword and the brush in order to be seen as a cultured gentleman.

The Way of the Brush Along with the martial arts, many other arts flourished, including calligraphy, tea ceremony, tea bowls, poetry, incense, and Noh drama, and a samurai needed to have knowledge of both the sword and the brush in order to be seen as a cultured gentleman.

The Tea Ceremony As a samurai, I must strengthen my character. As a human being, I must perfect my spirit.

On Sunday, September 8th, the children’s festival at Hotaka Shrine featured child-drawn boats pulled from three town districts. Each boat was paraded through its district, and before noon they gathered at Hotaka Shrine to be offered in dedication. Children from the districts acted as pullers as the boat-shaped floats, called ofune, moved through the streets of Azumino. On September 26th and 27th, the Hotaka Shrine Ofune Festival takes place. On the 27th, a hands-on tour organized by the tourism association lets participants, together with local residents, pull a large adult boat weighing over five tons. For details, please check the official tourism association website.

Limited to October and November “A Taste of Autumn in Azumino! Harvest Seasonal Apples, Enjoy an Exciting Bike Ride, and Try Making Apple Pie in the Orchard” [AM 3-hour Course] When the bright red apples hang heavy on the trees, spend a special time in the vast apple orchards A limited-time tour lets you savor apples at their peak♪ We look forward to your participation♪ For details and reservations, visit the Azumino City Tourism Association website

What is the most important thing for a samurai to know? To face what you want to accomplish, risking every minute and every second of your life for it.

Martial arts and cultural arts emphasize the importance of learning kata, the basic movements of the school, as well as the learning of a predetermined form and at the same time the mental state at the time it is done.

Japanese calligraphy is a symbol of Japanese culture and has an exotic appeal to foreigners who feel a sense of harmony, and there exist characteristics that lead to the root of Japanese “politeness

When a young man who aspires to be a samurai crosses the threshold of my house, he will not cross it again until he has made a name for himself in the world.

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video!! This is the Saikai City Tourism Association. Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, sits in the northern part of the Nishisonogi Peninsula, roughly halfway between Nagasaki City and Sasebo City. It’s a place where you can feel rich nature and history. The city is bordered on three sides by the Goto-nada Sea, Sasebo Bay, and Omura Bay, and most of the area consists of complex ria coastlines. Saikai City is surrounded by a beautiful coastline and abundant nature, making it an attractive destination for visitors. We will introduce recommended information about Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Cool Japan Video, so please enjoy. ◇◇◇ Access to Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture There is no train network in Saikai City, so you can reach it by car or bus. ◇ Access by car from Nagasaki city center It takes about one hour to drive from Nagasaki city to Saikai City. Use the Nagasaki Expressway and follow the Saikai Pearl Line to reach the city. This route offers a scenic drive along the beautiful coastline. ◇ Bus access from Nagasaki Station From Nagasaki Station, take Nagasaki Bus or Saikai Kotsu to Saikai City Hall; the trip takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. ◇ Bus access from Sasebo Station Take Saihi Bus to Saikai Bridge West Exit; the ride takes about 50 minutes. ◇◇◇ About Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture The population is about 25,000 people (as of 2024), and the area is characterized by a rich lifestyle lived in harmony with nature. Agriculture and fishing thrive here, and you can enjoy fresh local produce. Saikai City is especially known as a mandarin orange producing area, harvesting many crops thanks to its warm climate and fertile soil. ◇◇◇ History of Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture The western part of the Nishisonogi Peninsula and nearby islands prospered as whaling bases from the 1630s. From the Meiji era onward, coal mining began and the area enjoyed great prosperity. Later, in 2005, the five towns of Seihi, Ooshimacho, Saikai, Oseto, and Sakito merged to form the present Saikai City. ◇◇◇ Popular sightseeing spots in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture Saikai City has many popular attractions. Here are some of them. ◇ Nagao Castle Ruins Observatory From the observation deck you can take in the islands of the Goto-nada Sea, and the fiery red sunset sinking into the sea is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s a popular spot for spectacular photos. ◇ Hachiningatake Park This park sits on the central ridge of the Nishisonogi Peninsula, and the lookout at the summit offers panoramic views of Omura Bay. The distant sea and mountains show different faces each season. ◇ The smallest park in Japan On Matsushima, floating off the west side of the Nishisonogi Peninsula in the Goto-nada Sea, there is “the smallest park in Japan,” with a natural wooden bench and a single palm-like shuro tree. From the park you can gaze across the open ocean. ◇ Sakito Seaside Park Sakito Seaside Park features clear waters and white sandy beaches. With toilets and showers available, it’s a recommended spot for summer visitors. ◇ Nanatsugama Cave Nanatsugama Cave is a limestone cave that rose from the seabed about 30 million years ago. Part of the cave is open to visitors. Admission: Adults 800 yen per person, Junior high students 400 yen per person, Elementary students 200 yen per person Infants (age 4 and over) 100 yen per person So far 35 cave sites have been discovered, but this vast cave system still has many aspects that remain unexplored. ◇ Roadside Station Saikai Roadside Station Saikai is a popular spot where you can buy local specialties and souvenirs. The original gelato and soft serve ice cream are especially recommended. The facility features a large semi-spherical dome shaped like a mandarin orange, offering visitors a fun experience. ◇◇◇ Experiences you can enjoy in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture In Saikai City you can enjoy a variety of experiences broadly categorized as sea experiences, mountain experiences, and craft-making experiences. Here are some examples. ◇ Mandarin-picking experience Saikai City is known as one of the prefecture’s leading mandarin producing regions, and during the harvest season (typically November) you can enjoy mandarin picking. Picking fresh mandarins yourself is popular with families, and you can savor their juicy flavor right away. ◇◇◇ Local specialties of Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture ◇ Unshu mandarins (Satsuma mandarins) Saikai City’s Unshu mandarins enjoy a high reputation nationwide. There are early varieties such as Haraguchi early mandarin orange (late October to early December) and extra-early varieties such as Iwasaki early mandarin orange (late September to October). Grown in a warm climate and fertile soil, these mandarins are sweet and juicy and signal the arrival of winter. ◇ Oshima Tomatoes Saikai City’s Oshima Tomatoes are known for intense sweetness and acidity and are a popular local specialty (season: February to early May). Their high sugar content makes them taste almost like fruit. These specialties are also popular as hometown tax return gifts. ◇◇◇ Tourist information for Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture Surrounded by rich natural environments with a variety of attractions and experiences, Saikai City offers new discoveries each time you visit. We will continue to share more recommended information about Saikai City on Cool Japan Video, so please look forward to it!!

[Sanbashi Festival 2024] The 3rd "Sanbashi Festival" will be held in! In the seaside park "Sanbashi Hiroba", a large gathering of beer festivals, stalls, and kitchen cars! In addition to a lot of stage events, the port's unique "Night Show on the Water with Light and Music" will be the Finale ♪ again this year The "Children's Ohamaori" Going down to the beach Held in at the same time, and you can also enjoy the Events of taking pictures of children wearing portable shrine in happy clothes. ■Venue: Sanbashi Plaza (in front of K's Harbor) ■ Access: 5 minutes walk from JR Keiyo Line / Chiba City Monorail "Chiba Minato Station" towards the sea ■Address: 1-20-1 Chuoko, Chuo-ku, Chiba Prefecture Chiba City ■ Admission: Free * For details, search for "Sanbashi Festival"!

Wasshoi Festival Experience Tour—an annual celebration The towering floats parade at Hotaka Shrine’s "Ofune Festival" Let’s pull the ofune together! …We have started selling tickets for this hands-on tour! Held every year on September 26 and 27 at Hotaka Shrine, this festival features boat-shaped floats pulled through a landlocked prefecture On the main day, the 27th, the spectacular "Ofune Battle" draws crowds as massive five-ton hulls collide in a fierce display This tour offers the rare chance to help pull one of these ofune Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the Ofune Festival in person! Tour perks 1. Try pulling the huge adult ofune—normally handled only by locals—up to Hotaka Shrine! 2. Receive a stylish Ofune Festival T-shirt and wear it proudly during the event! 3. Enjoy a special limited-edition "Ofune Festival" goshuin paper as a keepsake! 4. Watch the climactic moment when the two adult boats collide from reserved seats right next to the action! 5. Boost your luck at Hotaka Shrine, a powerful local power spot! For details, please check the official Azumino City Tourism Association website

Baikoan Located in Tsukigase, Nara, Baikoan is Japan’s sole maker of karoubai (processed plum) that has preserved a production method passed down there for about seven hundred years without alteration. Karoubai refers to processed ume fruit, introduced to Nara as a medicine some 1,300 years ago by envoys to Sui and Tang China. Around seven hundred years ago, during the Nanbokucho period, it reached Tsukigase as a mordant for safflower dyeing. From the late Edo period through the early Meiji era, karoubai reached its heyday as a mordant for cosmetic red dye, and some 400 karoubai workshops operated, but demand plunged after the invention of chemical dyes. By the early Showa era only a few producers remained; after the war Baikoan became the sole manufacturer and continues to this day. Baikoan cultivates plums, rice, and vegetables and processes food across 30,000 square meters of verdant land and rich nature. Although the plums in Tsukigase were originally planted to make karoubai, the sight of plum trees in full bloom reflected on the valley and river of the Satsukigawa captivated people and made this area Japan’s first officially designated scenic spot. During the plum festival from February through the end of March, our shop offers dining and hanami from scenic box seats filled with the scent of plum. In Reiwa 6 (2024) we built the Nara Beni Workshop. This Japanese-style building incorporates traditional Japanese craftsmanship throughout. Inside the workshop, where you can feel delicate, advanced techniques and Japanese aesthetics, visitors can experience safflower dyeing using karoubai. We hope the experience becomes an opportunity to rediscover the wonders of Japanese culture. Watching the ever-changing colors of nature and the early-morning sea of clouds spreading across the Tsukigase valley can create the illusion of being in a plum paradise. Early spring light, tranquil fresh greens, the bounty of autumn, the scents of winter. We live and work with the seasons in the strict yet warm nature of Tsukigase.

Romantopia Tsukigase Plum Valley ~Experience the seasons at Romantopia~ In spring there’s a plum festival, in summer you can pick ume plums and try tea leaf picking. You can also enjoy year-round activities such as mochi pounding and black tea making. ◇RV Park Enjoy Romantopia Tsukigase Plum Valley in a campervan. Experience the extraordinary in hills and fields that reveal different faces with the seasons. ◇Tent Camping Relax with tent camping at Romantopia Tsukigase Plum Valley. Experience the extraordinary in hills and fields that reveal different faces with the seasons. ◇Hands-on Learning Have fun trying things you’ve never done before at Romantopia Tsukigase Plum Valley. ◎Mochi Pounding Experience Enjoy freshly pounded mochi made with a kine mallet and usu mortar. After the experience you can eat some on site and take the rest home. 18,000 yen / per mortar session ※Includes experience fee, equipment fee, and ingredients (2 sho rice) Available for groups of 4 or more. ◎Konnyaku Making Experience Enjoy freshly made handmade konnyaku. After the experience you can eat some on site and take the rest home. 2,000 yen / per person ※Includes experience fee and materials (konnyaku yam 1 kg yields 10 blocks) ※Additional portions negotiable; available for groups of 4 or more. ◎Tea Picking & Factory Tour Tea picking season begins when the tea fields flush with the young green of new leaves. Includes one-pack tea to take home. 1,500 yen / per person ※Includes experience, tour, and souvenir. [Experience season] Mid-May – October (contents vary by timing) ◎Hand-rolled Tea / Black Tea Making Make hand-rolled tea or black tea using a hot plate. You can take the tea you make home. 2,500 yen / per person ※Includes experience, tour, and souvenir. [Experience season] Mid-May – October (contents vary by timing) ◎Miso Making Experience Try the full process of making miso. You can take the miso you make home. 8,000 yen / per person ※Includes experience fee, materials, and take-home container. [Experience season] January 10 – mid-February ◎Matcha Experience Under preparation ※Consultation required ◆Romantopia Tsukigase◆ 707-10 Tsukigase Nagahiki, Nara, Nara Prefecture Open days (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday)
Available only from 9:00 to 17:00 0743-92-0810

[A large gathering in a tree dream until night! ] 】 Held every year in July, Kimu Culture Night. Extending the closing time to 8 p.m. From children to adults, non-Village residents can enter for free. This year, it coincided with the morning class day for elementary school students. It was lively after noon. The children were gathered Workshop on making puppets and to experience the behind-the-scenes of puppet shows. Children use work gloves to make dolls such as cats and rabbits. When the shape is formed, the decoration is made with cloth or felt. It is a doll making that exceeded the expectations of the organizers, but it was exciting. In addition, the puppet show started Nature with the puppets I made. It was a venue full of smiles. Elementary school students in the upper grades showed interest in the musical instruments used in the puppet show. They helped me set the stage for the puppet show at night. Even the lighting settings... Reliable! And at night, a performance by the Nishinaka brass band and Performed by the puppet theater Circle Doremi. The music, the dolls' voices, and the children's voices A night of resounding tree dreams. available for a wonderful time! #Komu Museum of Art #Nishiokoppe Village #Culture Night #Open until night #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi #Nishinaka Brass Band Club #Children's Theater #Gun Hand Puppets

【Chiba City Science Museum】 Chiba City Science Museum is popular as a participatory science museum that can be enjoyed by both children and adults. In particular, the dome-shaped planetarium has a reputation for being a place where you can realistically experience the beauty of the starry sky and the mystery of the universe, and there are plenty of programs for a wide range of ages. And 140 hands-on devices on the permanent exhibition floor, Workshops and Events are held in, mainly on weekends. This facilities is the perfect Spot for family outings and school trips, available as well as a place to nurture future scientists. 〇 Introduction of Events currently Held in Science de Mysterious Summer Festival "Kagaku Expedition Sama~School" "Science Classes for Adults" "Science at Home" * For details, search "Chiba City Science Museum"! ■ Access: ・About a 5-minute walk from Chiba Monorail Yoshikawa Park Station ・About 6 minutes on foot from Keisei Chiba Chuo Station ■Address: 4-5-1 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba City Kiboru 7F ■ Admission: Paid ■ Parking lot: available (charged) The Chiba City Science Museum is surrounded by attractive Spots such as Chiba Shrine, Chiba City Museum of Art, and Chiba Castle (Chiba City Township Museums) within walking distance. Enjoy a stroll through these facilities after visiting the Science Museum.

Atami Sun Beach Water Park is getting rave reviews every day! Come and join us! Event period / Saturday, July 13, 2024 – Sunday, August 25, 2024 Venue / Atami Sun Beach (east side) – approximately a 30m by 30m area offshore (check-in on the nearby sandy beach) Address / Higashikaigancho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture (offshore, east side of Sun Beach) Hours of use / 10:00–16:00 (check-in ends at 15:15) *Strict time-slot system (including turnover and break times) 10:00–11:00 11:00–12:00 12:00–13:00 13:00–14:00 14:00–15:00 15:00–16:00 Fees / High school and older: 2,000 yen per hour; Elementary and junior high students: 1,500 yen per hour. Children below elementary school age are not permitted. Inquiries / Atami City Tourism Association Tel: 0557-85-2222 Access / About 5 minutes by bus from Atami Station toward Atami Port → get off at Sun Beach → 3-minute walk ●Check-in is available only on the sandy beach at the site on the day (no phone or online reservations) *Check-in opens at 9:30 on the sandy beach on the day (advance phone reservations are not accepted). At check-in you may purchase a time slot that still has availability for that day. *Even during operating hours, check-in will end once capacity is reached. *All users must wear a life jacket (loaned on site). *Extension of time slots is not allowed. (Consecutive slot purchases are prohibited as a heatstroke countermeasure.) *Children in grades 1–3 may enter only when accompanied by a guardian. (Accompanying guardians must be adults.) *Entry may be restricted in severe weather (strong winds, etc.) or when advisories (such as lightning) are issued. (Restrictions apply even during booked time slots.) *In advance of an approaching typhoon, equipment may be temporarily removed and use suspended. *If entry is suddenly restricted under the above conditions, refunds will be issued for uses under 30 minutes; no refunds will be given for uses of 30 minutes or more. Please understand in advance. *Lifeguards will be on duty and an AED will be available. *If Sun Beach swimming area is closed, the Water Park will also be canceled.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Rental Tent Sauna Enjoy Gokase’s nature in a tent sauna!! You can rent a tent sauna in Gokasecho. Would you like to enjoy a sauna whenever you want, wherever you want, with whomever you choose? Assembling the tent sauna is simple! The stove is iron, so the temperature rises in no time! You can even do löyly (steam poured on hot stones), leaving your mind and body refreshed! Detailed instructions for assembling the tent sauna are on Instagram at @kikor_i78. Come experience the ultimate relaxation, or “totonou,” in Gokase! Fees: Tent and stove rental ・Weekdays 10,000 yen / Holidays 12,000 yen ・Relaxation chair 500 yen Contact ・Instagram: @kikor_i78 ・Phone: 070-2381-0320 (available only from 5:00–7:00 p.m.)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Cotton Cafe Cotton Cafe meets on the third Saturday of every month. Here you can try spinning yarn from organic cotton grown in Gokasecho. The homemade cakes are also very popular. Relax and chat while trying your hand at spinning yarn. No prior registration required. Opening days: Every third Saturday of the month Hours: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM Location: 5929 Kuraoka, Kuraoka Kurara Staff Room, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, 882-1201

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Pizza-Making Workshop At Villa corasita (Villa Corasita), you can take a cooking class while looking straight down at the Italian tomato fields (greenhouses) completed in March 2022. Set in a stylish villa reminiscent of rural towns in France and Italy, you can make pizza using a wood-fired stove. Hours Day session 11:00–14:00 Evening session 17:00–19:00 Duration About 90 minutes (one lesson: from 4 to 8 guests) *If more than 8 guests participate, a rotation system will be used. Price Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥3,850 Children ¥1,650 *Reservation required (at least 5 days before your preferred date). Groups of 4 to 8 guests. Reservation: Villa corasita 1473-18 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishi-usuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 0982-83-2017 (weekdays 9:00–17:00)

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience] Cast-Iron Kettle Pan-Frying Tea Experience Pan-fried tea, now produced in only small quantities nationwide. It pours a clear golden color, offers a fragrant aroma, and tends to be less astringent and bitter than steamed green tea. You can try making this pan-fried tea yourself. <Price> Pan-frying experience: 2,000 yen ※Reservation required / varies by season <Booking> Miyazaki Chabo Co., Ltd. 4966 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 ・Hours: 9:00–16:00 ・Phone: 0982-82-0211 ・Fax: 0982-82-0316

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience] Tea Tasting Experience Miyazaki (Tatsu Saki) Sabou produces the rare kamairicha (pan-fried tea) Here you can enjoy a tasting experience featuring several kinds of tea. Even among kamairicha, different tea leaf varieties produce distinct aromas and flavors. If you find a tea you like, you can buy it on the spot. Price: Tea tasting experience from ¥1,000 (reservation required) Booking: Miyazaki Sabou Co., Ltd. 4966 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 Hours: 9:00–16:00 Telephone: 0982-82-0211 Fax: 0982-82-0316

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Yamame Natural Fishing Pond Yamame Natural Fishing Pond centers on a wild, hands-on experience: catch creatures with your own hands, kill them, prepare them yourself, and cook and eat them. The pond is deep and designed with many fishing points spread across the whole pond to avoid crowding. No concrete or other man-made structures are used; the fishing area remains in its natural state. Admission Fee 1,500 yen per person (tax included; includes fishing rod, bait, keep-net, and fishing permit set). You may take home caught fish up to 500 g free of charge. For fish over 500 g, please purchase at 250 yen per 100 g. Fish you catch can be gutted at the BBQ garden and taken home (free). The reception desk is at the ryokan Enohanoya. Reservations: Enohanoya (9:00–17:00; closed in stormy weather) Postal code 882-1201 4615 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture Phone: 0982-83-2326 Fax: 0982-83-2324 Yamame BBQ Self Garden We expanded the eaves of Enohanoya across from the fishing pond to create a BBQ garden. It includes a cooking area, a charcoal hearth, and wooden tables for free use. Facility Use Fee 500 yen per person (tax included; includes charcoal, burner for lighting the fire, various cooking utensils, seasonings, bamboo skewers, etc.). At the BBQ garden, you can enjoy your caught fish grilled with salt, pan-fried with butter, smoked, or prepared in other ways. The reception desk is at the ryokan Enohanoya.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Canoeing & Sauninging Canoeing in winter? Isn’t it cold? Not at all — winter brings its own way to enjoy canoeing. This is "Canoeing & Sauninging." After paddling and entering the sauna, your body and mind will feel refreshed and balanced. Would you like to try this in the great outdoors? The sauna meal is a Gokasecho specialty. Season: January to March Price: Adults (high school age and older) JPY 9,000 (includes sauna meal: special horu hotpot) Booking: Shizenya Kawajin (Email: ag1967@gray.plala.or.jp)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Snow Trekking & Sledding An activity unique to Gokasecho, a town with a ski resort! Snow mountain climbing and sledding! The rush of sliding down snowy slopes on a sled is addictive! We provide a warming lunch. *Subject to snow accumulation from January to March* Price 10,000 yen per person; minors must be accompanied by a guardian Lunch included: hot sandwich and soup (menu may change) How to apply Shizenya Kawajin (email: ag1967@gray.plala.or.jp)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Footpaths A footpath refers to a route where you can walk while enjoying unspoiled nature, old townscapes, rice paddies and other pastoral scenery. Each footpath comes with a dedicated map, and directional signs are posted along the course, so you follow those as you walk. You can enjoy this footpath simply by following the map and signs, but its appeal is greatest on a guided tour. A local guide who knows the settlement’s history, culture and natural features will multiply the footpath’s interest many times over. <Fees> ・Adults (junior high school and older) ¥3,000 ・Elementary school students ¥2,000 *Operated for groups of two or more (elementary students must be accompanied by a guardian) <Booking> Gokase Nature School Postal code 882-1201 6452-Otsu Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture Phone: 0982-73-6366 ●Course Introductions● 1. Footpath: Gokasecho Miyano-hara District Miyano-hara is an old settlement dotted with many weeping cherry trees, led by a roughly 300-year-old shidarezakura at Josenji Temple. Sankasho Shrine, which has an inner sanctuary on Mt. Futagami—said to be the landing place of the heavenly grandson—features beautiful rhododendrons and the shrine building is adorned with superb carvings of hippocampi. The river is crossed by a stone-built megane (arch) bridge, and the course includes the “Bird’s Nest” terraced rice field selected among the Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields, stepped fields, bamboo groves and mixed woods—a sunny, peaceful route worthy of recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage. We recommend walking here in spring when the cherry trees are in full bloom. <Schedule> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Onsen Kijiya (9223 Hirokino, Sankasho, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) ◎Special offer: discounted admission to Gokase Onsen Kijiya (Adults ¥500→¥300, Children ¥300→¥200) 2. Footpath: Gokasecho Kasabe District A small hamlet of about ten households located on the northern edge of Mount Gion-yama, considered the birthplace of the Gion tradition in Kyushu. The spring water that wells up from Gion-yama is true famous water. To make use of this water for community development, locals built a log-house pavilion from local cedar and named it Kasabe Water Station. The highlight is a giant hinoki cypress said to be 700–800 years old. It is nicknamed “God’s Hand” because it resembles a powerful man’s left hand, and it draws many visitors. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Kasabe Water Station (Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) 3. Footpath: Gokasecho Kuwanonai District Kuwanonai is a village with spectacular views of Mt. Aso from anywhere and beautiful sunsets. With many tea fields, it traditionally produces pan-fried tea that has won imperial awards. Recently, black tea made from Japanese tea leaves has become popular, and the area also cultivates flowers, cherry tomatoes and grapes, and raises domestic black Wagyu cattle—farming and livestock remain the core industries. The cozy farm-stay program promoted by the Sunset Village Development Council is popular; students from across Asia visit on school trips. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Winery (4847-1 Kuwanonai, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) 4. Footpath: Gokasecho Habu District Historically active in trade with Bungo Province (Oita Prefecture), this area once served as a logistics hub. Today it is the inner retreat of Kuwanonai, backed by steep terrain and Kyushu’s magnificent mountains, including Mt. Aso. Photographers and painters favor many spots here, and you can find quintessential rural scenery that feels truly countryside. The course has many ups and downs, offering a bit of a hiking experience. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Town Coexistence Welfare Facility (1514-5 Kuwanonai, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required)