The 15th Futako-Tamagawa Oyama Road Festival 2024 Futako-Tamagawa shopping street follows the Oyama Road, and this year’s festival is themed "Learn about, Talk about, and Feel the History of the Oyama Road." The Isehara City product fair will bring delicious local treats, including cheesecakes from Kashiwagi Farm, fresh vegetables, and Miyatani Tofu Shop’s 'Oyama Pilgrimage Tofu.' Sanno University, which has campuses in Isehara and Setagaya, will also participate with a variety of events for you to enjoy. Please come and join us!! Date and Time: Saturday, October 26, 12:30–15:00 (Opening ceremony starts at 12:00) ※Event will be scaled down in case of rain Location: Futako-Tamagawa Elementary School grounds and gymnasium (4-6-1 Tamagawa, Setagaya) ※No parking or bicycle parking available Organizer: Futako-Tamagawa Oyama Road Festival Organizing Committee

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video—nice to meet you! This is Ina Town Tourism Association. Ina Town, Kitaadachi District, Saitama Prefecture, sits in the central-eastern part of Saitama Prefecture and boasts a beautiful natural environment. Known as the Rose Town, it attracts many visitors to the prefecture’s largest rose garden. Leave the city’s noise behind and enjoy a leisurely pace—Cool Japan Video brings you recommended sightseeing information for Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture. Thank you for watching! [Access from Tokyo to Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ By car From central Tokyo, you can reach Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture in about one hour via the Shuto Expressway or the Tohoku Expressway. ▼ By train Train access is also convenient. From Tokyo Station, take the Ueno-Tokyo Line and transfer at Oomiya Station to the NewShuttle. The NewShuttle runs directly to Uchijuku Station, and the trip takes about one hour. Buses also run from ageo station and lotus field station, providing access into Ina Town. [Rose Town, Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture is widely known as the Rose Town. The town’s Town Establishment Memorial Park, opened in 1972, contains the largest rose garden in Saitama Prefecture. Some 400 varieties and 5,000 rose bushes bloom in a riot of color, delighting visitors. You can see Ina Town’s original varieties, including Ina Hime, a charming pink climbing rose that continues blooming into autumn; Ina Rose, a deep crimson large-flowered rose whose shape becomes antique-like as it opens; and Ina no Tsuki, a pale yellow medium-flowered rose created to commemorate the town’s 50th anniversary. The best viewing seasons are early May to early June and late October to mid-November. Rose-themed events and festivals are also held, letting you fully enjoy the charm of roses. Ina Town is a member of the Rose City Conference, which includes 29 municipalities nationwide (as of May 2024). In 2024, the 33rd Rose City Conference in Ina was held on a grand scale, welcoming municipal leaders from across Japan. [Popular sightseeing spots in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Around the Ina Clan Residence Site The Ina Clan Residence Site is the former estate of Ina Bizen-no-kami Tadayoshi, a retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was active from the Sengoku Period into the early Edo Period. Tadayoshi earned Ieyasu’s deep trust and contributed to flood control, civil engineering, and new paddy development, using Ina as a base to help lay the foundations of the Edo Shogunate. Earthen ramparts, moats, and roads from that time still remain, and the residence is designated as a prefectural commemorative monument (historic site). ▼ Green Trust Conservation Area No. 13 “Musenyama – KDDI Forest” Musenyama – KDDI Forest is a conservation area with rich nature, featuring a native deciduous broad-leaved woodland centered on konara oak. It hosts the cherry festival, and many hanami visitors come during peak season. ▼ Cultural properties of Ina Town Ina Town is home to many cultural properties. Representative examples include nationally registered tangible cultural properties (buildings) such as Oshima Family Residence Main Building and Saito Family Residence Main Building; Saiko-ji Temple’s wooden seated Amida Nyorai statue, designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property (sculpture); and the Shiku no Mikoshi, a town-designated tangible folk cultural property. Thanks to local efforts, these items remain today and hold high historical value. They are scattered throughout the town, so visitors can enjoy historical exploration and cultural property tours. [Local specialties of Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Wine A recommended souvenir from Ina Town is wine made from 100% locally grown Kyoho grapes or pears. These wines feature rich flavor and aroma and pair well with meals. ▼ Sake Another specialty is sake. This sake uses 100% Saitama-brand rice from Ina Town called Sainokagayaki as the polishing rice, producing a concentrated, rich rice flavor. It is brewed at Shinkame Shuzo in Hasuda City, a brewer famous nationwide for producing only junmai sake. [Events and festivals in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Cherry Festival A lesser-known but beloved cherry spot, the cherry avenue in Green Trust Conservation Area No. 13 hosts an annual festival. On festival weekends, farm produce direct sales and various events take place. This area is called Musenyama because it once stood where the antenna array of Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd., the predecessor of KDDI, soared. Although there are relatively few cherry trees, about 200 meters of tunnel is formed by ancient cherry trees over 80 years old, creating a breathtaking sight for visitors. ▼ Rose Festival The Rose Festival, held in May during the peak rose season at Town Establishment Memorial Park, is one of Ina Town’s signature events. Tree roses, climbing roses, old roses, and English roses bloom in a rainbow of colors, filling the park with a sweet fragrance that delights visitors. On weekends, programs such as rose weddings and mini concerts add variety to the festival. ▼ Ina Festival Ina Festival, held every August at the Town Establishment Memorial Park, is a major summer event enjoyed by families and tourists. Traditional taiko drumming, bon odori dancing, food stalls showcasing local specialties, and stage events provide plenty of entertainment. The festival concludes with a vivid fireworks display. ▼ Autumn Rose Festival – Rose Festa – The Autumn Rose Festival – Rose Festa –, held in late October, lets visitors savor the beauty and scent of autumn roses. Though autumn roses tend to be smaller, their fragrance is said to be stronger. Like the spring Rose Festival, it features various rose-related events, local vegetable sales, food stalls and kitchen cars, and stage performances. [Tourist information for Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture is an attractive town with beautiful nature and a rich history. With good access from central Tokyo and a reputation as the Rose Town, we bring you plenty of recommended information about Ina Town’s history, nature, and more. We hope you enjoy it!

On October 14 and 19, we held the Atami Offshore Fireworks Festival! Thank you for attending. The next event is on Monday, November 4, 2024.

Isehara Halloween 2024 — Held in light rain; canceled in severe weather Isehara Halloween 2024, organized by the Isehara City Merchant Association Federation, will take place on Sunday, October 27, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Come in costume and say "Trick or Treat" to staff at participating shops to receive sweets (while supplies last). There will be face art, a fortune-telling corner, retail booths, and game booths—plenty of variety to keep the excitement high! At the same time, a proud-flavor food truck festival will run across six areas of the shopping street (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM). We look forward to seeing you there!!

Isehara Daijingu Annual Grand Festival 2024 On Sunday, October 20, the Isehara Daijingu Annual Grand Festival took place, drawing many visitors and creating a lively atmosphere!

Gokase Winery Harvest Festival 2024 Yesterday, Sunday, October 20, following last week’s events, Gokase Winery held the "Gokase Winery Harvest Festival 2024" to celebrate the release on Saturday, October 19 of the 2024 vintage new wines 🍷🎉 Although the rain from the day before was gone and the sky cleared, it turned sharply cold from the morning, and as the name suggests the Wind Hall felt chilled by strong, cold breezes today 🥶💦 Still, the crowd warmed up with a lineup of lively, exciting stage programs 🤩✨ Taiko drumming, hula dance, singing, and a raffle… and the familiar Hikari hosted the event 💡 Her light, bright hosting energized the audience greatly 🥳 She was so busy she kept appearing on stage again and again 🤣🤣🤣 Food stalls offering pizza, sausages, Kitaura scallops (hiougi kai), and various sweets that paired well with the new wine filled the venue and kept everyone happy 🤤💕 The highlights were the sashimi servings of sakuramai kampachi and tuna 🐟🍴✨ Fresh sakuramai kampachi, alive that very morning, were filleted on site and served to attendees 😍 Sakuramai kampachi raised on nutrient-rich pomace—the leftover pressed grapes from winemaking at Gokase Winery—have no fishy odor and less of the greasy taste typical of farmed fish, making them especially delicious 🤤💡 Lines snaked through the venue for the kampachi and tuna 😳 I managed to grab some myself; it had no off-putting smell, a smooth, mellow texture, and was truly delicious 🥰 The finale featured the main guest, Reiwa’s Showa-era pop song young star Kokoro Umetani, on stage 🎤✨ Kokoro appeared in an outfit that matched the wine-themed atmosphere 🤩🍷 Despite her cute appearance, her powerful, glamorous voice stunned the audience 😳✨ Fans had come from afar, including from Saitama Prefecture, to support her 👏 With fans and townspeople together, the stage reached a spectacular peak of excitement 🎉🎉🎉 At last, the newly released Gokase wines are now available. Although the summer heat had raised concerns about the harvest, the tireless efforts of local grape growers paid off. They harvested higher-than-usual sugar levels and aroma, producing exceptionally fine grapes and very tasty wine 🥹👏 I haven’t had a chance to drink it yet, so I can’t wait to taste it 🍷✨ Everyone, please enjoy the season’s wines.

Hibita Shrine Antique Flea Market 2024 The Hibita Shrine Antique Flea Market took place on October 20, attracting great praise. The memorial dedication taiko drums rang out clearly across the crisp autumn sky!

Terukuni Children's Halloween Fair 2024 Various stalls will open, and the fair will be lively with live band performances and a raffle. Supported by the Women’s Disaster Prevention Club Hiratsuka Powers and the Isehara City Planning Department Crisis Management Section, there will also be disaster-preparedness activities such as building cardboard toilets to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters. Free admission. Costumes are very welcome—please come and join us. Date and time: Friday, October 25, 15:30–20:00 Venue: Terukuni Parking Lot (937-1 Higashi-Otake, Isehara)

Bear Sighting Report 2024 Around 4:00 AM on Tuesday, October 15 — Koyasu area A bear was sighted near the Oyama lookout on the morning of Wednesday, October 16. Residents and visitors in the area are advised to take precautions in advance. If you spot a bear or find signs of one, please contact the City Hall Agricultural Promotion Division at 0463-94-4664. [Safety Guidelines for Encountering a Bear] 1 Do not approach the bear and avoid eye contact. 2 Do not shout or attempt to threaten the animal. 3 Do not feed bears or show them food. 4 Leave the area promptly. 5 Secure doors and windows to prevent bears from entering homes or other buildings.

“Takaharu Mystery Puzzle” —The Stolen Era and the Prince of Beginnings—” A puzzle-solving experience set in Ojibaru Park, Takaharamachi, starts next week on Saturday, October 5, 2024.♪ This content lets you immerse yourself in a story where Takaharamachi’s history and fantasy intersect.🙋‍♀️ People of all ages, from adults to children, can enjoy this experience! Take this chance to visit Takaharamachi! We look forward to welcoming many visitors! ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー Event Overview Event Title Takaharu Mystery Puzzle — The Stolen Era and the Prince of Beginnings Event Period: Saturday, October 5, 2024 – Participation Fee: 500 yen (tax included) Puzzle Kit Sales Location: Okukirishima Kojyoharakoen Campground Management Office Recommended Age: 9 years and older (no age limit when accompanied by a parent) Estimated Duration: Approximately 60–90 minutes

Event announcement‼️ Be sure to check it out👀‼️ "Mountain Day Event" ‘Oujinooniwa’ ◯ Event Dates Sunday, November 3 Monday, November 4 (substitute holiday) It runs for two days! Location: Koushiobaru Park, Takaharacho Okukirishima Koushiobaru Hutte (former rest house) *Vendor event only on the 3rd. *The 4th is a mountain tour. November 3 We invite mountain-related vendors for sales, workshops, and body maintenance services. Under the title “Connecting Kirishima’s Walking Trails,” we will hold a talk show about mountaineering centered on Takaharacho and the Kyushu Nature Trail. A pleasant-sounding DJ will also perform at the venue♪ November 4 A trekking tour along the “Tenson Kourin no Michi” (the Path of the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild). Guided by Mr. Ishikawa from Kirishima Geopark, participants will hear valuable stories about Kirishima, and at the summit enjoy a tasting and lesson on mountain coffee. After descending, you can soothe your tired body at Takahara’s hot springs. Although not listed on the flyer, there will also be a display of Toyota custom cars and some extra surprises. We will post more detailed information little by little, so keep checking for updates(^^) On November 3 and 4, come and visit the event ‘Oujinooniwa’ at Koushiobaru Park☆

[🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 🍁] Until Saturday, November 30! Of course, autumn too!! Instagram campaign 🥳✨ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post photos of autumn leaves taken in Gokase town on Instagram with the two hashtags: #Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 and #Date of shooting (example: #October 31).👍💕 During the campaign, one person will receive a local specialty product from Gokase town every day as a gift 🎁❗ Outstanding works will receive a gift set of Gokase town specialties as well 🤩👏 Submitted works will be introduced on the Gokase Tourism Association’s social media and other channels as needed.🙇‍♀️ [Period] From Wednesday, October 16, 2024 to Saturday, November 30, 2024 ※Other terms and conditions are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before applying. ※Please take care to avoid accidents when photographing. In particular, Shirataki is difficult to pass oncoming vehicles, and the road often has collapses and uplifts, so we do not recommend passage for those who are not confident driving or who do not want to risk damaging their vehicle. ------------------------------------------ Today I visited Unoko Falls, Yuhino Sato Bridge, and Gokase Gorge by car 🚗💨 From the Kuraoka area, it felt like Kuwanouchi and Sangasho areas had more advanced autumn colors.💡 The third photo is Unoko Falls that I took today! It looked like the leaves were just starting to change color. We will continue to update autumn foliage information on Instagram, Facebook, and our website, so please check them out.🤗 We look forward to many autumn leaf photos 🍁✨ Please send your entries enthusiastically—thank you 📸🙏

[Yama no Isehara Ichi Held!] The event will go ahead in light rain (cancelled in severe weather). Enjoy lots of delicious food and fun in Isehara! Sunday, October 20, 2024, 10:00–15:00 Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park (free admission) Food tents and kitchen cars, local vegetables for sale, and a wide variety of booths will gather, and you can also enjoy stage performances like kids’ dance!! *Photos are from the September event. ● Access by train and bus 320 Nishitomioka, Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture Get off at Odakyu Line Isehara Station Take the Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu bus from North Exit Platform 3 bound for Nanasawa, about 10 minutes, 240 yen ▪ If you board routes I-34 or I-36, get off at Sogo Undokoen (General Sports Park) ▪ If you board routes I-31 or I-37, get off at Sogo Undokoen Iriguchi (General Sports Park Entrance) and walk 5 minutes *Crowding is expected, so please use public transportation. [Contact] By email to the Isehara Ichi Executive Committee iseharaichi@j4.gmobb.jp (Contact: Sakamoto)

Daisen Wild Game (Gibier) Fair Please take this opportunity to savor Daisen’s famous gibier dishes! ◆Event Period: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 – Monday, March 31, 2025 ◆Stamp Rally Collect stamps by ordering gibier dishes at participating shops during the fair period Gather three stamps and the first 100 people will receive a wonderful commemorative gift For details, please contact each participating shop. *Gibier is a gift of nature. Because supply can be unstable, we recommend contacting shops in advance even if reservations are not required.* ◆Inquiries about the fair Isehara City Department of Economic and Environmental Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Division (0463-94-4729)

Reiwa 6 Isehara Daijingu Annual Grand Festival Usually held in September, this year the sacred rites will take place on Saturday, October 19 (ceremonies only) The main festival will be held on Sunday, October 20 from 11:00. At 17:30 there will be a mochi scattering, and at 18:00 a must-see powerful performance of Iwami Kagura! Street vendors will also be present. Please come and join us! *Isehara Daijingu* (0463-96-1611) 3-8-1 Isehara, Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture About a 10-minute walk from Odakyu Line Isehara Station

【October 13 — First Clear Sky in Seven Years!? Sunset Village Festa】 Yesterday, Sunday, October 13, the “Sunset Village Festa” took place at the Gokase Winery event square 🥳👏 Blessed with gloriously sunny weather that felt almost hot ☀️, the Sunset Village Festa had been plagued by rain for years, and this was the first time in seven years the event could be held in the square 😮❗ Vendors from neighboring Takachiho and Yamato towns joined in, and the venue was lively from the very start 🤗 On stage, familiar host “Dancing MC Nagisa Mama” led the program, which featured many acts—drums, dance, kagura, banba dance, practical karate, a performance by Gekidan Munno, a raffle interlude, and more—creating nonstop excitement 🤩💫 Nearby, a sweet potato digging experience ran alongside the festival, with children and adults getting happily muddy as they dug in 🍠✨ It felt like a true autumn event—take your harvest home and enjoy it deliciously 🤤💕 And of course, the headline guest MICA gave a live show that got everyone on their feet 🎤🌟 The crowd kept calling for encores—proof that everyone had a great time 🥳 MICA even said she’d love to come back 🎶 Everywhere you looked, the event was full of smiling faces—truly wonderful and so much fun 😆❤️‍🔥 More events are coming up, so let’s keep enjoying them to the fullest 🤩💪💕

TOKAI Glocal Festa 2024 Saturday, October 12, 10:30 AM–3:00 PM; event proceeds rain or shine Admission and participation: Free Venue: Tokai University Shonan Campus A 15-minute walk from Tokai University Station on the Odakyu Line This open-campus style event invites the local community to the university, in collaboration with Hiratsuka City, Hadano City, Isehara City, Nakai Town, and Nemuro City, aiming to promote exchange with area residents. In front of Building 1, the Isehara City booth will offer a ukiyo-e printmaking experience to promote its designation as a Japan Heritage site, sell Oyama specialty Suzuki chili peppers, and operate a Kururin garapon (prize lottery). Please come and join us!! Contact: Office of the President, General Affairs (Community Relations) Phone: 0463-50-2406 (direct)

Oyama Jazz & Latin Friendship Concert The Oyama Sekison Arts Festival, a long‑running celebration that blends tradition with innovation and Japanese with Western styles, returns with the much‑anticipated Oyama Jazz & Latin Friendship Concert—an event music fans look forward to each year! If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, now’s the time! Saturday, October 12, 2024 — Doors open 12:00, Concert starts 13:00 Venue: Nohgakuden at Oyama Afuri Shrine Office Access: From Isehara Station North Exit, Platform 4 (for the Oyama Cable Car) Get off at “Shamukyoku Iriguchi” (Shrine Office Entrance); the venue is immediately nearby Admission: Adults ¥1,500 (advance) / ¥1,800 (at the door) Junior and senior high school students ¥500; elementary school children free Tickets are also on sale at Eki‑naka Kururin House, Isehara Station Tourist Information (0463‑95‑5333) They’re selling fast—don’t miss out! For inquiries Oyama Summer Jazz Concert Executive Committee 090‑8441‑5467 (Nakamura)

Gion Shrine Autumn Festival “Okunchi” Today, Wednesday, October 9, the Gion Shrine in Kuraoka District held its autumn festival “Okunchi.”🤗 The light rain that fell until yesterday felt like a distant memory under a clear, delightful autumn sky.☀️ Gion-san’s power is truly amazing.👏✨ Even though the festival fell on a weekday this year, visitors from outside the prefecture and local children gathered from the start of the ceremony.😊 We were allowed into the main hall and were able to see the “Urayasu no Mai” dance.🥹 It was a beautiful dance that radiated tradition.✨ The Gion kagura also came with detailed explanations about how it differs from other kagura, which made it even more enjoyable.🤩 The Usu-daiko drum dance invited everyone, including the general public, to join in lively dancing, and the playful exchanges of the Yamaboshi question-and-answer skit added a comedic touch that made people chuckle.🤣 Traditional events can sometimes seem formal and stern, but this festival was anything but that—it was a truly entertaining celebration.💫 After the Usu-daiko dance there was a mochi-throwing event, and the festival concluded with a dedication of the Gion kagura, keeping the atmosphere lively from start to finish.🤗🎉

Japan Origin Site Festival‼️ About Matsuri Takahara 2024🎆 Date: 2024.10.20 (Sunday) Venue: Takaharacho General Sports Park ◎Japan Origin Site Festival 11:00–17:10 Stage Events 11:00–15:00 ⭐︎Shinonome Taiko Drums ⭐︎Karaoke Contest ⭐︎Preschoolers’ Stage Show ⭐︎Junior Chorus ⭐︎Speed Drinking Contest ⭐︎Raffle and more On-site Events 11:00–15:00 ⭐︎Calligraphy Performance ⭐︎Blood Donation ⭐︎New Sports Experience ⭐︎Inflatable Play Equipment ⭐︎Mobile Petting Zoo ⭐︎Working Vehicles Exhibition ⭐︎Miyazaki Beef Yakiniku ⭐︎Sports Corner ⚽️ In collaboration with Miyazaki Jingu Shrine 16:00–17:10 Matsuri Takahara 2024 Evening Stage Events 17:10–19:40 ⭐︎Junior High School Wind Ensemble ⭐︎Break Girls ⭐︎Hyuganokuni Eisa Drum Troupe Amaterasu Takahara’s Divine Dance (Sano Kagura) Fireworks Display 🎆 20:00–20:20 The exhibition of works will be displayed at the Town Gymnasium on the 19th and 20th, so please be sure to take a look‼️ The event is packed with activities! The program will be posted as soon as it is ready, so look forward to it♫ Also, there will be timed traffic restrictions around the venue; please check the flyer for event details and traffic regulation information‼️ #Miyazaki events #Miyazaki fireworks festival #Japan Origin Site Festival #Matsuri Takahara #Matsuri Takahara 2024 #Jimmu-sama #Jimmu-sama collaboration #Shishi-mai (lion dance) #Miko dance #Junior high collaboration #Fireworks Display🎆

The 57th Isehara Dokan Festival / The 50th Isehara Commerce and Industry Festival 2024 At last, the city’s biggest event, the Dokan Festival, will be held around Odakyu Line Isehara Station for two days starting tomorrow, Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6! The cast for the “Ota Dokan Falconry Procession and Hojo Masako Pilgrimage to Hinata Yakushi” features talent and actor Ryohei Odai as Ota Dokan and talent and film commentator LiLiCo as Hojo Masako! A variety of events will take place, including the traditional Hinoki Tree Climbing ceremony (shigi nobori) at Hinata Yakushi (Hinata in the same city). Enjoy the festivities to the fullest and get excited! We look forward to seeing you there! ※Please be aware of traffic restrictions. For the Dokan Festival program and other details, please see the Isehara City website. [Notice from the Station Kururin House] Special Dokan Festival sale prices (until the end of October) Dokan Festival tote bag 1,000 yen → 850 yen Dokan Festival tenugui (hand towel) 800 yen → 650 yen (tax included) ※During the festival, they are also sold at the Tourism Association booth in the festival plaza! Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit · on the stairs Station Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information) OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open year-round)

Autumn feeds the horses and the sky runs high ☀️🐴 This morning the Nobeyama Highlands felt exactly like that 📡

Thursday, October 3 — G Class: Tea Pan-Frying Experience at Miyazaki Sabou🍵 Today, third graders from four elementary schools across Gokase Town gathered at Miyazaki Sabou for a G class✍️💡…so I was able to observe their visit👀✨ We had considered skipping the tea-picking experience because of light rain, but the kids’ energy cleared the sky enough for a short session, so we did a little picking👏👏👏 Chanting “one bud, two leaves!” everyone happily hand-picked tea leaves🌿 After that, the group split into three teams to do 1) a factory tour, 2) a pan-frying experience, and 3) a tasting session✍️✨ 1) The factory was full of first-time sights! Different tea aromas drifted through the air, and just watching the tour felt soothing🤤💕 When told that a single tea leaf can become green tea, oolong tea, or black tea, the kids gasped “Whaaaat!?” with perfect reactions😳💮💮💮 lol 2) The pan-frying experience stemmed from what they heard on the tour: machines roast leaves at 200–300°C, so the kids nervously asked, “Is it hot!?”🤣 But trying it turned out to be fun🤩 They watched, fascinated, as the leaves dried and released a pleasant aroma, commenting “I like this smell!” and “But it’s tiring~💦” while learning the pan-fried tea production process😊 3) They learned about types of tea utensils and how to use them, the ideal water temperature for brewing, and other tips for making tasty tea, then each brewed and tasted pan-fried tea themselves🍵✨ One child said it smelled like corn soup, which surprised me, but apparently pan-fried tea is often said to have a corn-like flavor😮💡 The children’s sensitivities never cease to amaze me👏 They compared four teas by taste and tried to identify which was pan-fried tea, oolong, hojicha, or black tea. Many struggled, confused by the familiar colors and aromas🤣 Did you know? Taiwanese and Gokase oolong teas are closer in color to green tea rather than brown😏✏️ At the end, during the Q&A, the children asked sharp questions to the producers and summarized what they had learned✍️💫 The kids experienced the full charm of Gokase’s pan-fried tea and felt the producers’ passion😌 I hope they take pride in this local specialty and help weave the future of Gokase Town✨

Isehara Flower Update 2024.10.3 The red spider lilies in Hinata are coming into full bloom around each bus stop. Blooming has also started at Hinata Yakushi. Many visitors continue to come to the area around Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop. Here are the red spider lilies near Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop as of yesterday. There were many buds near Takahashi Bus Stop, and while some early bloomers are fading and being replaced by new ones, the flowers should remain beautiful for about a week, so please come soon! Yesterday, at the Oyama Fire Festival bonfire Noh performance, I enjoyed the mystical world lit by the torches! The red spider lilies along the Oyama Shindo are also at their best! Don’t miss them!! ※There are few buses, so please check the schedule in advance. Parking lots may become crowded depending on the day and time. Please observe good manners and enjoy your walk. *Please use the Hinata red spider lily guide map placed inside the can at the restroom entrance in the Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop Parking Area and in the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center (8:30–16:00).

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage "Ara Odori" on Sunday, September 29 Ara Odori took place on Sunday, September 29 🐵💫 The sunny weather was almost hot and great for photos, but I imagine it was truly tough for everyone who spent the whole day dancing in costume. Well done to all of you 👏 I was amazed to see so many people each memorizing their roles, dances, and songs to perform a single dance together 😳✨ Elementary school students joined in and danced Ara Odori partway through, and it moved me to see this tradition being passed down to people of all ages 🥹 I heard that Ara Odori used to ban women long ago, but even as the form has changed with the times, I felt a strong community spirit to protect the tradition together 💪✨ Today, students from Gokase Junior High School, who hope to share more of Gokase Town’s charm and traditions and make the town more vibrant, spent the whole day filming the Ara Odori on video for us 📸💡 We should be able to share that video soon, so look forward to it 🤗💕

"Summer Stars, Beyond Mt. Shichimen" Even though it was still hot during the day, the air became much cooler as the night wore on. A month ago, the Milky Way, the Great Triangle in summer, and the mountains to the west, which were directly above my head, are tilting faster and faster, and I can see that the direction of the triangle has changed compared to the time of Tanabata.

“The 1st SpoGOMI Tournament in Isehara” 2024 On Saturday, September 28, we took part in a team-based litter-picking competition at Isehara Daijingū, organized by the Isehara Heisei Rotary Club (President Yoshiaki Miyamoto). Forty-six teams and many more people joined, united by the slogan “Cleaning is a sport!” Teams competed by the weight of the litter they collected, and awards and prizes were presented, making this an enjoyable event that promoted both environmental cleanup and community service. With the Dōkan Festival scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6, Isehara is now clean and ready to welcome visitors from near and far!

Isehara Flower Update: September 30, 2024 The higanbana (red spider lilies) in Hinata are at their peak. The cosmos field in front of the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center in the Arouzu area is also beautiful. The parking area beside Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop is full, and many visitors continue to come. This shows the current condition of the higanbana near Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop today. According to local residents, many buds remain, so the flowers should stay beautiful through this week and next. Please note that bus services are limited, so check schedules in advance. Parking lots may become crowded depending on the day and time. Please enjoy your walk while observing proper manners. A map of the Hinata higanbana is available inside cans at the restroom entrance in the Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop parking area and inside the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center (8:30–16:00). Please make use of it.

The Way of the Brush For those of us living in today's busy world, learning about the samurai spirit can give us insight into our attitude, attention, and focus, and foster the determination needed to achieve our goals to the fullest. #kangi #calligraphy #kimono #osakacastle

[Notice from Ekinaka Kururin House] Kururin fans and collectors, thank you for waiting! Introducing our new merchandise. Kururin canvas tote bag ***1,800 yen (tax included) Spacious with an inner pocket, it’s highly functional! It will make going out feel more cheerful. We look forward to seeing you! On the stairs at the north exit of Odakyu Line Isehara Station Ekinaka Kururin House (Isehara Station Tourist Information Center) OPEN 9:00–17:00 (open year-round)