Isehara Flower Report — Hinata's Red Spider Lilies 2024.9.26 This year the blooms are not opening all at once as in past years; flowering varies by location. Many shoots with buds were seen. Depending on the temperature, they may bloom rapidly. Hinata Yakushi is running late and only about one third of the flowers are open now, but it’s worth a visit during your shrine visit! *Red spider lilies special: Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin available* ※Limited to 500 copies (while supplies last) ¥500 Many people were taking photos and strolling around the Hinata Yakushi bus stop area again today. ※There are few buses, so please check schedules in advance. Parking lots may be crowded depending on the day and time. Please enjoy your walk while observing good manners. *Please use the Hinata red spider lily guide map placed inside the can by the restroom entrance in the Hinata Yakushi bus stop parking area and in the can in the back parking lot of the Skills Development Center (8:30–16:00).*

Nobeoka City Event Information ＼The season of Nobeoka’s suigo ayu-yana has arrived again this year!／ What is ayu-yana… Ayu-yana is a traditional fishing method that dams the river and creates an outlet in part of the flow, using the ayu’s instinct to swim downstream to spawn to guide them into a catch trap called otesu. While yana fishing is found across Japan, the Nobeoka Suigo Ayu-Yana stands out for its grand scale—constructed in spots where the river exceeds 100 meters in width—and for being set up close to the city center, a rarity elsewhere. On the Ose River, dining huts associated with the ayu-yana open, so you can enjoy a full course of freshly caught ayu—salt-grilled, miso-grilled, and more—while taking in the otherworldly scenery right before you. The sight of ayu being grilled on the riverbank has been selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 Fragrant Landscapes, and it is the only site in Miyazaki Prefecture to receive this recognition. Each year a pier is laid out so visitors can walk out toward the center of the river, offering a chance to see ayu fall into the otesu up close. 👀✨ Please come and visit us!

Hibita Shrine Antique Flea Market (canceled in case of rain) Sunday, October 20, 2024, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM Venue: On the grounds of Sannomiya Hibita Shrine 1472 Sannomiya, Isehara A wide selection of antiques that captivate collectors will be on display. You might find a thrilling discovery or a real bargain! Enjoy lively performances of taiko drumming, food trucks, and a free plant giveaway of flower seedlings from 11:00 AM for the first 100 visitors (one pot per person), among other attractions! Contact: Sannomiya Hibita Shrine 0463-95-3237

Isehara Flower Report: Higanbana in Hinata – September 24, 2024 This year’s bloom was delayed by the extreme heat, and flowering now varies by location. Depending on temperatures, they may all burst into bloom at once. Hinata Yakushi is currently largely not in bloom. Around Arouzu, many buds remain, so you should be able to enjoy them for a while. Near the Hinata Yakushi bus stop, some areas are in full bloom and look lovely (with some salvia as well), and many visitors with cameras have been coming. Parking lots may be crowded depending on the day and time. Please enjoy your walk while observing proper manners. Please make use of the Hinata Higanbana guide map found inside the can by 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). ※ The shaded path is currently impassable due to typhoon damage. ※ Bus services are limited, so please check schedules in advance. ※ We appreciate your donations to the Higanbana fund.

50th Isehara Commerce and Industry Festival / 18th ISEHARA Sole The 50th Commerce and Industry Festival and the 18th ISEHARA Sole bring performers and audiences together in a celebration of dance across many genres. Held at the same time as Isehara’s biggest event, the 57th Isehara Tourism Dōkan Festival, on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6, the area around Isehara Station promises even more excitement! Venue: Around Odakyu Line Isehara Station Contact: Isehara Chamber of Commerce and Industry TEL: 0463-95-3233

September 23 (Mon) Red spider lilies announcing the start of autumn 🍁 Hello everyone 🤗! Gokase Town had an intense thunderstorm yesterday ⛈️, and today dawned bright and clear with a refreshing breeze 😌☀️! The atmosphere has completely shifted to autumn 🍁 — it feels so pleasant… ✨ Along the roadside in Gokase Town, as autumn approaches, you can sometimes spot striking red flowers 👀 — red spider lilies ☺️💡 So today I photographed the red spider lilies blooming near Yuuhi-no-Sato Ohashi bridge in the Kuwanochi area 📸💫 As their name suggests, red spider lilies reach their peak around the equinoctial week and are known as flowers that announce the start of autumn; they are also called lycoris or manjusha-ge 🤔 Their vivid red color and distinctive shape really catch the eye 👏 When I was shooting, various swallowtail butterflies swirled around them, creating an incredibly beautiful scene 🥹✨ Because their bulbs are poisonous, people have long planted them around rice paddies, fields, and graves to deter moles, so they carry a traditional Japanese charm that stirs nostalgic feelings when you look at them 😌… Spring and autumn especially bring out the beauty of plants — they are wonderful seasons 🍁. Let’s continue enjoying Japan’s four seasons 🤩✨

CAMP at Kijiya on Wednesday, September 18th⛺ I tried a CAMP experience at Gokase Onsen Mori no Yado Kijiya🔥 We planned to start while it was still light, but the sun set early and we began at dusk🌆 Still, we had a lively barbecue with everyone while watching the sunset from Kijiya on the hilltop🥩 The autumn night breeze felt pleasant and there were fewer bugs, so this season is perfect for camping💡 Come and try camping at Kijiya—it's highly recommended✨

[Friday, September 13] Unoko Falls Today I visited the viewing platform at Unoko Falls. The waterfall had a strong flow today, and it looked impressive from the platform. Mt. Aso was clearly visible from the winery.

Pumpkin Contest A pumpkin contest will be held at Koushiobaru Park (Jinmu no Yakata)! What is the Pumpkin Contest?? This year marks the 18th Pumpkin Contest! For those who remember, it used to take place around the same time as the Higanbana Festival! Around June, the Takaharu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry distributes seedlings (four varieties) to people who will grow them! In September, pumpkins are delivered for inspection and judging (about 800 each year). From Sunday, September 22 to Monday, September 23 (a national holiday), a display and sale will be held at Koushiobaru Park! ---+---Admission to the pumpkin exhibition is free---+--- In the past, pumpkins over 80 kg have appeared, and we’re excited to see what kinds of pumpkins come this year! (*'▽') ---+---Edible pumpkins are available in addition to ornamental pumpkins---+--- We will also have edible varieties such as Fukuebisu, Butternut, and Colinky, so please buy them if you want to enjoy tasty pumpkins! ---+---Works by calligrapher Non-chan---+--- You can also purchase works by calligrapher Non-chan, known from Noyasobi Shima Shoya, on the day! They’re perfect as entrance decorations or gifts— you might find a wonderful piece!! Check the atmosphere in past photos! ---+---Contact---+--- Venue: Koushiobaru Park, 3-251 Kamamuta, Takaharacho, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture Display and sales: 9:00–16:00 Contact: Takaharu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry 0984-42-4560

Hinata Yakushi 2024 Higan-bana Limited: Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin Distribution ※Limited to 500 sheets (ends when sold out) Higan-bana Limited Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai Goshuin ¥500 Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 3 Take the "Hinata Yakushi" bus for about 20 minutes, get off at the final stop, then a 15-minute walk via the approach to the temple ※Bus service is infrequent, so please check in advance. For details, please see the Hinata Yakushi website.

[Yakushi Forest Road Partial Closure] Due to the effects of Typhoon No. 10, a section of Yakushi Forest Road (from the back of Hinata Yakushi to Nanasawa) is closed to all traffic, including pedestrians. There is no scheduled date for reopening at this time. For detailed information, please see the Kanagawa Prefecture website.

Isehara Flower Update: September 20 Gentle Hinata red spider lilies…their stems have grown and blooming has begun, and in some spots they are partially very beautiful! This morning’s view of the red spider lilies. Temporary Tourist Information Desk open at Hinata Yakushi Bus Stop Parking Lot September 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun), 23 (Mon, public holiday) 9:30–15:00 Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 3 Take the “Hinata Yakushi” bus, about 20 minutes, get off at the final stop During the red spider lily season, the parking lot behind the Human Resources Development Center is specially opened and a red spider lily guide map is provided, so please make use of it. Please refrain from parking on the street. The season gets crowded, so please enjoy the flowers while observing good manners.

The 57th Isehara Tōkan Tourism Festival The Isehara Tōkan Tourism Festival, held in memory of the local samurai lord Dōkan Ōta, is the city’s largest event! This year’s Dōkan will be played by actor Ryohei Odai, and Masako Hōjō will be portrayed by TV personality LiLiCo, in the traditional Dōkan Ōta falconry procession and Masako Hōjō’s pilgrimage to Hinata Yakushi. The festival also features an exhibition 3x3 basketball match and a new puzzle event, “Isehara Puzzle Walking Tour: Dōkan Ōta’s Treasure,” among many other attractions. Event Dates and Times Saturday, October 5 — 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM Sunday, October 6 — 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Venue: Around Odakyu Isehara Station, Isehara, Kanagawa Prefecture Contact: 0463-94-4729 Tōkan Festival Executive Committee (Isehara City Commerce and Tourism Promotion Division)

Isehara Flower Update: September 18 The spider lilies at Hinata are not yet in peak bloom. Some areas have already begun to bloom. A temporary tourist information desk will open at the parking area next to the Hinata Yakushi bus stop. It will operate on Saturday, September 21; Sunday, September 22; and Monday, September 23 (a public holiday). From the north exit of Odakyu Isehara Station, take the Kanachu Bus from platform 3. Take the bus bound for Hinata Yakushi; the ride takes about 20 minutes. Get off at the final stop. ※Bus service is limited, so please check schedules in advance. If the temporary desk is not open, unmanned spider lily information maps are available at the Hinata Yakushi bus stop (parking lot restroom entrance) and at the Vocational Development Center (rear gate parking lot, 8:30–16:00). They are in a can—please take as many copies as you need.

Ojibarako Park Spider Lilies in Bloom! There’s also an event announcement! (*'▽') At Ojibarako Park in Takaharacho, Miyazaki Prefecture, the spider lilies are now in bloom and at their best (*'▽') Legend says the first Emperor Jimmu was born and raised here, and the site is linked to the myths of Izanami and Izanagi and the story of the birth of the land. It’s about a 13-minute drive from Takahara IC and about a 10-minute drive from Takahara Station. The park has cottages on site! You can enjoy BBQs too! There are child-friendly facilities such as rainbow trout fishing, go-karts, and a wood-learning area, so kids can have fun❕ Besides the spider lilies, Ojibarako Park offers seasonal autumn foliage to enjoy throughout the year! Photos are from past seasons!! ★Event★ The 18th Pumpkin Contest will be held! Sunday–Monday, September 22–23, Reiwa 6 (2024), 9:00–16:00 Venue: Ojibarako Park (Jimmu no Yakata) Pumpkins will be available for purchase on site♪♪ Every year about 500–800 pumpkins are displayed at Ojibarako Park! You’ll see edible pumpkins and some unusually shaped varieties, and this year you might even spot a pumpkin over 100 kg!? Takaharacho’s calligrapher “Non-chan” will also sell cute brush-written pumpkins. They make nice decorations for entryways or gifts... Please come and join us (*'▽') You can find Non-chan the calligrapher’s homepage by searching online, so be sure to check it out❕

Takabeya Shrine Annual Festival On Sunday, September 15, 2024, the annual festival was held at Takabeya Shrine (2202 Shimokasuya, Isehara). The event opened with the “beach sand scattering,” which uses sand collected during the Shio-kumi purification ritual at Terugasaki Beach in Oiso as a substitute for purifying salt. Despite the heat, the festival became lively and energetic!

Hinata Yakushi Cluster Amaryllis (Higanbana) in Isehara 2024 *The shaded path is currently closed to through traffic due to typhoon damage* The higanbana season is finally here!! However, with this year’s lingering summer heat, peak bloom still seems a little way off. We have confirmed a few lone flowers blooming here and there in the rice fields. A temporary tourist information booth will open to coincide with the flowers’ best viewing. Saturday, September 21; Sunday, September 22; Monday (national holiday), September 23 Location: Hinata Yakushi bus stop terminus From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus Platform 3 Take the “bound for Hinata Yakushi” bus for about 20 minutes *Bus services are infrequent, so please check schedules in advance.* The rice paddies and fields where the higanbana bloom are open to the public thanks to the generosity of the landowners. Please follow proper etiquette and show your understanding and cooperation. We will post updates on the blooming status as they come in.

Hello, this is Jewelry Town. The hot days continue, but the dry heat has made the breeze pleasant. When you visit Senga Falls, you can feel plenty of negative ions that soothe both mind and body 🌳 Our shop also carries many stones that give off power rivaling the scenery of Shosenkyo Gorge. Rutile quartz remains very popular! There are not only gold rutile varieties but also red rutile! Lapis lazuli, famous as a September birthstone, displays a captivating deep ultramarine blue. Please stop by during your stroll and feel the power of the stones ☺️

The TARA-FUKU guidebook is now complete! Featuring 66 listed businesses With cooperation from restaurants and snack bars throughout Iwanai-cho we have compiled each shop’s recommended menu items, business hours, payment methods, and more! *The listed information is current as of August 2024* The back pages also introduce Iwanai-cho’s local specialties and outdoor spots. Please pick up a copy and take a look♪ Copies are available at Roadside Station Iwanai and participating businesses. *Additional distribution will be rolled out progressively.*

Takabeya Shrine Annual Festival The Takabeya Shrine (2202 Shimokasuya, Isehara) will hold its annual festival. Eve: Saturday, September 14, 2024 Main Festival: Sunday, September 15, 2024 On September 7, a “Shio-kumi” purification ritual was held to collect beach sand, seawater, and hondawara seaweed for use in the festival at Terugasaki in Oiso Town. The collected beach sand will be scattered around the shrine in the “beach sand scattering ceremony” as a substitute for cleansing salt. The seaweed will adorn the shimenawa rope at the torii gate, and the seawater will be used in prayers to prevent fires. Access: Odakyu Line Isehara Station 20-minute walk From the north exit, take the bus from Platform 5 toward Aikō-Ishida Station and get off at Kasuya-Kamijuku, then walk 2 minutes. From the south exit, take the bus from Platform 4 toward Tokai University Hospital and get off at Isehara City Hall North Entrance, then walk 9 minutes. For details, see the Isehara Takagami-kai website

Notice: Recruiting Participants for the Hinata Stone Glass Workshop Would you like to join a rare event where you can learn about the history and culture of Hinata stone, which supported Isehara’s industries from the Edo to the Showa periods, and try your hand at glassblowing? Date: Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, 2024 Location: Atsugi Glass Studio Co., Ltd. (2-13-8 Tsumaida Kita, Atsugi) *About 20 minutes from Hon-Atsugi Station on the Odakyu Line by bus and walking If you come by car, please use nearby paid parking lots Participation Fee: 5,000 yen Age Requirement: Fourth grade elementary school and above Details and Application: From the Hinata Stone Glass website Application Deadline: Sunday, September 15, 2024 (first-come, first-served)

Notice of the 2024 "43rd Ōyama Hi-matsuri Takigi Noh" Enjoy a bewitching world lit by bonfires, with local Ōyama Kyōgen troupe and Shingyōkai presenting kyōgen plays and shimai (dance pieces). Please experience Japan’s traditional performing arts at Ōyama. Date and time: October 1 (Tuesday) and October 2 (Wednesday), 2024 Doors open 15:30, performance starts 16:30 (scheduled to end around 19:30) Venue: Noh Theater, Office of Ōyama Afuri Shrine 355 Ōyama, Isehara, Kanagawa Please note the venue is not the lower shrine. Access: From Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus platform 4 bound for Ōyama Cable Get off at "Shamukyoku Iriguchi" (Office Entrance) and walk 1 minute ★All seats are reserved ★How to apply: Office of Ōyama Afuri Shrine 0463-95-2006 (phone reservations only) For details, see the official Ōyama Afuri Shrine website

Mount Isehara Market is on! The event will go ahead in light rain and be canceled in severe weather. Enjoy a feast of delicious food and fun experiences in Isehara! Sunday, September 15, 2024, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park (free admission) A full lineup of food tents and kitchen cars, locally grown vegetables for sale, and a wide variety of booths will be on site, along with stage performances to enjoy!! Access by train and bus 320 Nishitomioka, Isehara, Kanagawa 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 take routes I-34 or I-36, get off at Sogo Undo Koen (General Sports Park) ▪ If you take routes I-31 or I-37, get off at Sogo Undo Koen Iriguchi (General Sports Park Entrance) and walk 5 minutes Please use public transportation as crowding is expected. Contact: by email to the Iseharaichi Executive Committee iseharaichi@j4.gmobb.jp (Contact: Sakamoto)

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 this summer! “Azumino Summer Vegetable Curry” An original curry made with fresh, delicious summer vegetables from Azumino! Available at 13 local restaurants This project aims to introduce the summer vegetables grown locally to many people from both inside and outside the city Each restaurant adds its own twist—lightly frying or simmering pumpkins, eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, and more You’ll find a wide variety of dishes, from curry rice to pasta and curry ramen A rich lineup of menu options awaits! Serving period: Until Monday, September 30, 2024 *Please note that this may change depending on each restaurant’s circumstances

2024/9/5 Iinuma Rice Terraces Rice Harvesting

Yanagihara, a tourism support staff member of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Volunteers, wanted us to take many pictures of the scenery of Omu Town, so we set up "Photo Props" at the Roadside Station Omu Observatory and the Sunrise Cape Observation decks La Roux! In addition to the town character Ikura Sujiko-chan and Specialty Products Horsehair crab illustrations, there are more than 10 bottles such as original hashtags and speech bubbles. By all means, please use photo props to enjoy the scenery of Yubu and cute photos.

A typhoon has passed. In Tsukigase, Nara, there is Tsukigase Plum Valley, which was designated as Japan’s first nationally recognized Scenic Spot 100 years ago. During the Plum Festival, held from mid-February through the end of March, many photographers gather from early morning to capture the breathtaking views where the plum groves, the valley, and the sea of clouds meet. However the best time to see Tsukigase Plum Valley is not only in spring. Its fresh green in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy winter landscapes charm visitors through every season. This submission is not of the verdant summer valley but of the sunrise after a typhoon. At first the valley was shrouded in thick river mist, but the fog gradually lifted and the sun began to break through. The way sunlight pierces the shifting mist is truly dramatic. Photo: Yasunori Okamoto

The Katsuragawa Festival will be held in for the first time in five yellowtails. In addition to fully backing the Tourist Association of Uenohara City, we will Held in the 5th food, agriculture, wine, and market in front of the station in Uenohara at the same time Held in and add flowers.

A year-round scenic paradise: “Coral Eden”! The sea around Nobeoka City stays warm and clear thanks to the Kuroshio Current, making it easy to observe underwater life where about 100 species of coral thrive. An underwater park featuring seabed caves, colorful soft corals, and one of Japan’s largest Pavona (Osuribachi) coral colonies is famous as a top-class diving spot. With a drysuit, you can enjoy this marine paradise throughout autumn and winter. Snorkeling, which is easier than diving, also lets you get up close to colorful fish. The calm waters and shallow areas make coral and tropical fish feel within reach, so beginners and children can join with confidence 😊 The NPO Himuka Sensation Experience World, commonly known as Nobe☆Sta, brings together specialists who use Nobeoka City’s outstanding mountain, river, and sea potential—the best in Kyushu—to guide visitors through authentic, moving outdoor experiences across a range of fields. ※Inquiries regarding diving and snorkeling NPO Himuka Sensation Experience World (Phone) 0982-29-3835 (Closed) Tuesdays