This is a photo of the maple and gate of Oyada Shrine in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture Autumn leaves bathed in sunlight were well photographed.

Commemorative Celebration for the Registration of Gokase Ara-odori as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Today, Sunday, December 1, a celebratory gathering was held at the Ara-Odori Hall in the Sakamoto district to mark the registration of “Gokase Ara-odori” as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in February of Reiwa 3 (2021).👏✨ Because the registration around Reiwa 3 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, holding a celebration then was difficult, so today’s event was finally realized.🥹 After the opening, the ceremony proceeded smoothly with greetings from the Ara-Odori Preservation Society and congratulatory messages from guests, followed by kagami-biraki (sake barrel opening) accompanied by the powerful sounds of Ara-odori drums, bells, and matchlock gun volleys.🍶🔨 Later, Mr. Fujimoto, the lead dancer, gave the toast and the banquet began.👏 It was a wonderful gathering where members of the Ara-Odori Preservation Society, the dancers and their families all shared their various feelings about Ara-odori.😌 During the banquet, the host conducted interviews in which, somewhat shyly, everyone spoke passionately about Ara-odori.🤭✨ When people had enjoyed enough sake and conversation, the event concluded with three cheers of banzai.🙌🙌🙌 In Miyazaki, a land that preserves many traditional performing arts such as kagura, the registration of Gokase Ara-odori as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage truly felt like a great achievement.😳 Going forward, we hope these traditional performing arts, preserved and passed down in each district, will continue to be treasured.✨

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. It is a Shichi-Go-San shooting spot. Today, we and the water of Precincts and the festival of Shimahime Shrine. It is a shrine related to water. If I have time, I will attend.

⛩ Gion Shrine Niiname Festival and Final Kagura Performance 👹 On November 23rd, the Niiname Festival and the final kagura performance were held at Gion Shrine in the Kuraoka district.⛩ First a Shinto ceremony took place, followed by a kagura dedication at the kagura hall.👹 Today we welcomed visitors from overseas and guests who came from Tokyo.😮 The gingko trees at Gion Shrine had turned color, creating a carpet of yellow.😆✨ Gokase Town is getting colder, and it looks like winter is finally arriving.⛄

Ikuta Shrine. I found autumn.

Autumn leaves frame The thirteen-storied pagoda is surrounded by maples. Anyway, it's beautiful, so it's definitely a Spot you want to visit in autumn. Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture "Tanzan Shrine" 2024/11/28

Prayer at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine before work. A pigeon was eating rice on top of Isehikari. 🕊️🌾

Photographed 11/23/24. Yesterday, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Shinji Festival. It is a Shichi-Go-San shooting spot.

[Event: Report on the November 9 (Sat) Salt Road Walk!] Here is a report on our autumn Salt Road Walk, where participants felt history underfoot. The walk began in the Sha district at Nishina Shinmeigu Shrine. The morning started shrouded in mist, but the sky cleared into perfect blue as the day progressed. Participants enjoyed walking while gazing up at the snow-capped Northern Alps. Thank you to everyone who joined us 😍 A brief introduction: we plan to hold this event again around the same time next year. If you’re interested, please check our association website in the fall. Omachi City Tourism Association

【Inagako Autumn leaves】 R6.11.14 Autumn leaves are getting warmer than last week. Lake Inagako, the ginkgo at Suwa Shrine, and the ginkgo at Kushigata General Park are in Best time to visit! Enjoy the warm color gradients.

The reason why foreigners are interested in the Japanese language is "The beauty of the Japanese language. I often hear that the reason why foreigners are interested in the Japanese language is "the beauty of the Japanese language. Using the calligraphy skills learned through the calligraphy experience, students write their favorite kanji characters on fans and hanging scrolls of their choice. The master calligrapher will then take the kanji back to your bag with his expert brush strokes. Since each kanji character has multiple meanings, it is important to know what other meanings they have. Knowing the meaning will make the bag shine.

Photographed 11/6/24. It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. It is a sea bream lottery.

Aerial view of Seihoji Temple (2023/12) It is a very nice temple with a walking garden Gari under the covered tree and an upside-down maple in the pond there. Please go there this fall. Fujiwara Towns, Inabe City, Mie Prefecture "Seihoji Temple"

Photographed 11/12/24. The front of the Kokoku-sama of the Minbu Inari Shrine in the Precincts of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine was new.

Photographed 11/9/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on 11/11/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 11/9/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Calligraphy masters apply Japanese kanji characters to the native language names of foreign customers. Since each kanji character has its own meaning, enjoy this traditional cultural experience, including the meaning of the kanji used in your name. You can take home the engraved wooden Dojo-fuda as a souvenir to remember your visit. #calligraphy #kanji #shodo #travelmemories #culturalexperience

The sword is the soul of the samurai; it cannot be sold even if it starves to death. Bushido made the sword a symbol of his power and valor. From an early age, one is taught how to use a sword. He started with a wooden sword, and when he reached the age of 15, he was allowed to carry a serious weapon. At that time, he became aware of his self-respect and sense of responsibility for carrying a dangerous weapon in the street

Fortune tellers are also autumn colors 2024.11.08 #Dazaifu Tenmangu

Photographed 11/6/24. This is Kawagoe Kumano Shrine's autumn pilgrimage. Even from the side, it is very pretty. 🍁 The priestess takes the time and effort to make Koitemizu every time. It is said that the autumn pilgrimage is until the second half of November.

At Engaru Shrine, also known as a famous landmarks for autumn leaves, You can still see 🍁 the beautiful Autumn leaves Today, 11/7 (Thursday) is winter. With the onset of winter on the calendar, it snowed this morning even ⛄️❄️ in Far Light The cold days will continue from now on, so while preparing for snow, Please 🧣 take care of your physical condition and stay warm

This morning, I went to see Yabusame at Izumo Ihabi Shrine. It was so fast that I couldn't take a picture of the arrow. 😭

Photographed 10/19/24. It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It's a vermilion color for a limited time, but when mixed with red, it's hard to tell. 😅

[Notice of Temporary Parking Lots for Oyama Autumn Foliage Season 2024] * Weekends and public holidays from Saturday, November 2 to Sunday, December 1 * Oyama is expected to be very crowded during the autumn foliage season. On weekends, the Municipal No.2 Parking Lot may fill up as early as dawn. If you come by car, please note that temporary parking lots are available only on weekends and public holidays during the season from Saturday, November 2 to Sunday, December 1; check in advance. Allow plenty of time for your trip. Road congestion is expected, so please use public transportation whenever possible. Access: From Isehara Station North Exit, Bus Stop No. 4 (bound for the Oyama Cable), about 30 minutes by bus Get off at the final stop and walk about 15 minutes to the cable car station. The Odakyu-issued Tanzawa-Oyama Free Pass is very convenient to use. For details, visit the Isehara City Tourism Association website.

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery. It was taken on October 8th, and there were fewer yellow sea bream lottery tickets today.

Photographed 10/26/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. Pumpkins are Halloween-like. 🎃👻👿

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Videos! This is the Kikuchi Tourism Association in Kumamoto Prefecture! Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture sits upstream along the Kikuchi River in the northern part of the prefecture, surrounded by clear river waters and lush green scenery. With a population of about 45,000, Kikuchi City attracts many visitors with its hot springs, beautiful gorges, and long-standing historic sites. Known as a “town of water,” its pure spring water supports the production of many local specialties. [History of Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] Kikuchi City has a long history: during the Sengoku period (1070–1532), the Kikuchi clan flourished in the region for roughly 450 years. Saigo Takamori, a statesman from the late Edo to early Meiji period whose statue stands in Uenokouen, is said to be a descendant of the Kikuchi clan. At their height, the Kikuchi clan controlled much of Kyushu and made their name known across the country. [Popular Tourist Spots in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi Gorge Kikuchi Gorge is one of Kumamoto Prefecture’s most beautiful natural attractions. You can enjoy pristine streams and seasonal scenery, with refreshing summers and autumn foliage as particular highlights. The gorge has earned recognition such as Japan’s Top 100 Forest Bathing Sites and Japan’s 100 Remarkable Waters. It’s ideal for forest bathing and hiking, offering a soothing experience on every visit. ■Kikuchi Shrine Kikuchi Shrine honors the famed warrior Kikuchi Takemitsu and lets visitors feel the depth of the city’s history. You can worship amid a beautiful shrine building and a solemn atmosphere that conveys historical weight. At the history museum, you can view cultural artifacts such as ancient documents related to the Kikuchi clan. ■Kikuchi Park Perched on a gentle hill, Kikuchi Park offers panoramic views over the city. It’s one of the city’s top cherry-blossom viewing spots, where around 3,000 cherry trees bloom in spring and draw many hanami visitors. ■Ryumon Dam Ryumon Dam ranks among the largest dams in Kumamoto Prefecture. This multipurpose dam on the Kikuchi River created Lake Hanjaku, which is maintained as a boating site. The lakeside plaza is set up for camping and events. Dam tours are also available. ■Kikuchi Onsen Kikuchi Onsen, discovered in 1954 (Showa 29), is famed for its smooth water, earning it nicknames like “bathing spot for beautiful skin” and “cosmetic bath.” A variety of facilities offer day-use baths and overnight stays for full relaxation. You can enjoy the hot springs alongside dishes made from local ingredients. ■Mt. Kuradake Mt. Kuradake rises to 1,118 meters and is popular for mountain climbing and hiking. From the summit you can take in spectacular views of Aso Mountain and the Kumamoto Plain, with panoramic scenery stretching far on clear days. It is listed among Kyushu’s 100 Famous Mountains and chosen for the National Top 100 Walks. ■Roadside Station Kyokushi Roadside Station Kyokushi, located along National Route 325, is a popular stop where you can buy fresh local produce and processed goods. A restaurant using Kyokushi beef and locally grown vegetables also offers takeout. [Local Specialties and Gourmet Foods of Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi Rice Kikuchi City is also famous for its delicious rice. Kikuchi Rice, grown with abundant water and fertile soil, is known for its large grains and pronounced sweetness. It has earned high acclaim nationwide, including a gold prize at a past competition. ■Kikuchi Paddy-grown Burdock The popular local specialty “Kikuchi Paddy-grown Burdock” is cultivated in rice paddies, giving it a tender texture and strong sweetness. It tastes great simmered or as tempura and adds a distinctive touch to dishes. [Events and Festivals in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] ■Kikuchi White Dragon Festival The Kikuchi White Dragon Festival, traditionally held in August, was moved to October in 2024 due to warming temperatures. Two white dragons—the adult dragon and the young dragon—are carried by many bearers in a powerful performance. The festival culminates in a fireworks display that colors Kikuchi’s night sky. [Tourist Information for Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture] Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture is a charming area of rich natural scenery and deep history. With beautiful gorges, hot springs, and historic shrines, the city offers diverse attractions and fresh discoveries in every season. It is easily accessible—about 60 minutes from kumamoto station and about 30 minutes from Aso Kumamoto Airport. We will continue to share recommended information full of Kikuchi City’s attractions, so please follow us!

Photographed 10/26/24. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It's Halloween 🎃👻👿.