Hello! This is Agematsu Tourism Association. Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture, sits in the southwest of Nagano, at the heart of the Kiso Valley along the upper reaches of the Kiso River. The town boasts rich history and beautiful nature that continue to charm visitors. ◆◆History of Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture◆◆ During the Edo period, Agematsu Town was the 38th post town on the Nakasendo, which linked Edo and Kyoto. The stretch from Koumatsu-juku to Suhara-juku is the longest on the Kiso Road, and the area thrived as a rest stop for many travelers. You can still feel that history at sites such as the Kiso Plank and Nezame-no-toko Gorge. Guided Nakasendo walking tours led by veteran guides are available to help you create lasting travel memories. Agematsu Town has long prospered as a forestry town producing high-quality timber, notably Kiso hinoki (Japanese cypress), and is known as the “village of hinoki.” ◆◆Popular sights in Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture◆◆ ◇Nezame-no-toko Gorge The Kiso River has carved the granite into squared formations that look like large boxes lined up. A local legend says Urashima Taro opened his tamatebako (treasure box) here. ◇Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest This recreation forest features natural Kiso hinoki trees over 300 years old and was an early site of forest protection measures some 400 years ago. Seven walking trails wind through the forest, and paid experiences such as forest therapy are available. Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest is regarded as the birthplace of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. The term “forest bathing” was coined in 1982, and that year the first national forest bathing event was held here at Akasawa. ◇Akasawa Forest Railway A 2.2-kilometer round-trip tourist trolley runs through Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest; it was once used to transport timber. You can enjoy forest bathing while riding the railway. The Forest Railway Memorial Museum displays a steam locomotive from the railway’s opening era. ◇Kiso Komagatake The highest peak of the Central Alps, Kiso Komagatake rises to 2,956 meters. A ropeway climbs to 2,612 meters, offering Japan’s greatest elevation gain by ropeway. ◇Kiso Old Road, a natural trail This route linked the north and south of Kiso before the Nakasendo was developed. A hiking course on the Kiso plateau at about 1,000 meters elevation offers expansive natural views. ◆◆Events and festivals loved in Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture◆◆ ◇Komagatake Shrine Annual Festival Held every year on May 3, the festival features the nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property performance “Daidai Kagura 13 Seats.” You can see pieces such as the four tengu dance “Shijin Gokae-hai” and the sword dance “Sanken no Mai.” ◆◆Local specialties of Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture◆◆ Local specialties include gohei-mochi, sunkki (fermented turnip), and hooba-maki (hoja leaf-wrapped dishes). These regional foods offer rich, distinctive flavors you can enjoy only here. ◆◆Why visit Agematsu Town, Nagano Prefecture◆◆ Agematsu Town charms visitors with its abundant nature and deep history. From the dramatic landscapes of Nezame-no-toko Gorge and Kiso Komagatake to the extraordinary forest bathing at Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest and the sense of history you feel walking the Nakasendo, Agematsu offers many attractions. Leave everyday life behind and enjoy a restorative trip filled with nature, history, and culture in Agematsu Town. Cool Japan Video will continue to share recommended information about Agematsu Town. Thank you for your support.

Sumiyoshi Shrine This shrine is located in Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture, and is said to have been founded on March 29, 1326 in the first year of the Kareki calendar Kamakura period by soliciting the spirits of Sumiyoshi Shrine in Kitsu Province present-day Osaka City. The cherry blossoms in full bloom on the approach road of about 100 meters are very impressive, and it is a hidden gem spot for hidden cherry blossoms.

At Nakami Shrine in Nakasho, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture, "wisteria" is blooming. In the sanctuary, I felt cleansed. From the wide variety of wisteria flowers that Mr. Miyaji has carefully cultivated, It smelled very good.

The Great Buddha 🌸 of Ushiku wrapped in cherry blossoms This is the Great Buddha 🐄 of Ushiku in Ibaraki Prefecture Every April, moss phlox and Someiyoshino cherry blossoms bloom on the lakeside. The moss phlox that blooms along the lakeside is a picturesque flower garden. It is a recommended spot, so please visit it 😊

Kakunodate Bukeyashiki Street Drooping cherry blossoms 🌸 in front of the Kakunodate Kabazai Tradition Museum The illuminated drooping cherry blossoms are 🌸✨ very beautiful

Someiyoshino 🌸 enveloping the Torii shrine gate gate This is a small temple in Saitama Prefecture. Every year, Japanese Someiyoshino blossoms from behind the Torii gate gate to envelop the Torii shrine gate. I'm 🤤 looking forward to next year

Hello! This is the Shosenkyo Tourist Association. Currently, the sacred tree "Kanazakura" at Kanazakura Shrine is in Best time to visit. The pale yellow cherry blossoms with a golden tinge are mysterious, and they are truly a power pot for rising fortune. The Double Cherry BlossomYae zakura in the foreground are also beginning to bloom, so you can enjoy the yellow and pink cherry blossoms together.

Nezu Shrine in the Azalea Forest

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. Most of the cherry blossoms in the Shingashi River have also scattered.

Koryo Shrine with a sense of history This is a Koryo Shrine in Saitama Prefecture The large drooping cherry blossoms are more spectacular than the thatched-roof building next door. The best time to visit is from the end of March every year, so next year may be as early as 🤔 usual

Every year, I can't stop getting excited about how to take pictures of Tsubosaka-dera Temple. Takatori Town, Nara Tsubosaka-dera Temple April 2024

Photographed 4/8/24.　 The drooping cherry blossoms of Kawagoe Hachimangu were in full bloom.

Choukokuji Temple 2024 Spring A glimpse of cherry blossoms in the back. Sakurai City, Nara Choukokuji Temple

This is one photo taken of a shrine near my workplace. I took a picture with a smartphone equipped with a pink lens filter. It is accented by the setting sun shining into the Torii shrine gate.

Photographed on April 6, 24. It is Hanachozu of Semba Toshogu Shrine. The rape flowers and pansies are vivid.

We share a paper cutout shuin stamps with the motif of Kushiro Marshland. From April, the lower paper has been changed to a gradation.

Photographed on April 6, 24. The cherry blossoms in the Shingashi River behind the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine were in full bloom.

After a long absence, I went to Atami City's Power Spot, Kinomiya Shrine. When I drew the fortune of the camphor tree, a natural monument that is over 2,100 years old, there were 🌿 cute leaves in it

A scene at Yuki Shrine in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. Since many Umejiro visit the Yuki Shrine every year, many photographers were visit this year as well. I've had a relationship with Umejiro since last year, and I was able to take a picture of it again this year. It just so happened that I got a line of sight when I clicked the shutter, so it was my favorite one. It has become a piece that feels dignified from the cute Umejiro. ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ Shooting location: Yuki Shrine, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture Shooting date and time: February 24, 2024 10:00 ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Cherry Blossom Shower🌸 Rinyoji Temple, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture March 2024

Ukiki Shrine ⛩️ in Lake Tazawa, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture In spring, the red Torii shrine gate, cherry blossoms in full bloom and beautiful lake water shine 🌸⛩️

Lake Tazawa Tatsuko Statue and Morning Sun The statue of Princess Tatsuko becomes a silhouette, and you can enjoy the mysterious scenery at this time of year.

While taking a walk to Makari Shrine, I found a cute Fukinotou in spring ^^!

"Shidarezakura weeping cherry blossoms" covering the temple Rinyoji Temple, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture

Ogawa Suwa Shrine in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture This photo was taken on April 3, 2018 A large tree of weeping cherry blossoms and a night At a shrine famous for its illumination Because it is on the south side of Fukushima Prefecture Cherry blossoms begin to bloom at the end of March. In the daytime, the vermilion color is vivid and good. At night, it is decorated with bamboo lanterns. It makes the atmosphere very good.

Festivals 🌸 to welcome spring in Chichibu This is the "Yamada Spring Festival" held in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture. It is held annually in the second week of March. Since it is a festival to welcome spring in Chichibu, festival floats go to greet each shrine, and fireworks go off 🎇 at night I'm 😆 looking forward to next year

Damn, I thought it was getting warmer.

Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture. March 4th. The snow is still going on. Thanks to you, the Shinto ceremony has a fantastic atmosphere.

The city today The Ume Plum Ume Plum Shrine is in full bloom.

Ōtōin The founding of Oto-in is unknown, but it is believed that it was built in the Nara and Heian periods, and that the monks of the Tendai sect lived there to pray to the dead. It is recorded that Daito-in became a Soto School temple in the first year of Keicho 1596. Otoin Temple is a family temple where the ancestors and deceased members of the Dan family are memorialized. In addition, as a temple open to the community, we are actively engaged in cultural activities such as concerts using the main hall temple con, art exhibitions in the gallery, history study groups, small Buddha carving classes, calligraphy classes, flower arrangement classes, etc., and we continue to be active as a temple open to the community as a family temple for the Dan family. [Basic information] Address: Kashiwa City Hananoi 1757 TEL：04-7132-5868 Business hours: 9:00~16:30 temple office reception Closed: open all year Parking: 40 cars ~Access~ 【JR Joban Line】Get off at "Kashiwa" station, west exit from the bus stop "Municipal Kashiwa High School", Bus bound for "Tokyu Village" Get off at the bus stop "Hananoi Shrine" and walk for 10 minutes. 【Tsukuba Express】Get off at Kashiwa Leaf Campus Station, from the bus stop Take the bus to "Tokyu Village" and get off at the bus stop "Hananoi Kido" 10 minutes on foot ~Attractions~ ・Ginkgo biloba The giant ginkgo tree, the symbol of Daitoin, is said to be over 450 years old. It is said that this large ginkgo was used as a landmark of Hananoi Village during the Tone River water transportation in the Edo period. Even now, you can see it well from the Ōtone Bridge. According to the "Chinju Forest Tree Survey Research" Implementation in 2004 Heisei 16, ginkgo biloba 5.32 m is considered to be the thickest trunk circumference in Kashiwa City. In 1981 Showa 56 1981, it became a designated protected tree designation number 290 in Kashiwa City. ・Bentendo Bentendo, built in 1864, was demolished due to deterioration in the Showa 50. The inauguration ceremony of the current Bentendo was held in November 1998 Heisei 10 1998. The Bentendo enshrines Benzaiten, an eight-armed statue with the god Uga and a Torii shrine gate gate above his head. In his hand, he holds a long halberd, an orb, and a key to the treasury. The crocodile mouth attached to the old Bentendo Hall is engraved with the names of 24 donors from the tenth year of Tenpo 1839, indicating that the Bentendo has existed since ancient times. This crocodile mouth is attached to the Shin Bentendo and still resonates with the sound of the Tenpo era.