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Iwata Tourism Association
May. 11, 2024
This is the Iwata City Tourism Association. Nice to meet you all!! Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture sits in western Shizuoka roughly midway between Tokyo and Osaka. Known as a “sports town,” it hosts professional teams such as J.League soccer club Jubilo Iwata, Nadeshiko League women’s soccer team Shizuoka SSU Bonita, and Japan Rugby League One’s Shizuoka Blue Revs. The city actively promotes community-building through sports and health initiatives centered on athletics. ◆What is Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture?◆ The population is about 160,000. The city has interchanges on both the Tomei Expressway and the Shin-Tomei Expressway, making it about a three-hour drive from Tokyo and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Nagoya. The shinkansen gateways are Hamamatsu Station or Kakegawa Station; transfer to the Tokaido Line and reach Iwata’s three city stations (Iwata Station, Toyodachou Station, Mikurigaoka Station) in 10–15 minutes. Since ancient times, Iwata has flourished as the center of Toei Province, home to the Tōtōmi Kokubun-ji and Toei Kokubu. With more than 900 kofun (ancient burial mounds) dating to the Kofun period, the city carries a long, living history. In the Edo period it prospered as Mitsuke inn (Mitsuke-juku), a post town on the Tokaido’s Fifty-Three Stations. In recent years, Iwata has developed as an industrial city with traditional textiles plus metalworking, automotive, and musical instrument industries. Its agricultural output ranks among the top in the prefecture, famous for greenhouse melons, tea, white leek, ebi-imo (taro), Chinese vegetables, and seafood such as shirasu. The city balances urban and rural development. ◆Tourist attractions in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ [Mitsuke inn] Located near the midpoint of the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (the 28th post town), this post town still preserves small side alleys off the highway, with many shrines and temples that evoke the former atmosphere and lodging-town charm. The area also features the Former Mitsuke School, Japan’s oldest surviving wooden pseudo-Western style school building, and Iwata Bunko (both national historic sites); Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine, the stage of the Mitsuke Tenjin Hadaka Festival and the site of the Shippeitaro spirit legend; and the Former Akamatsu Residence Memorial Hall, designated as prefectural and municipal cultural properties. In 2022, the Former Mitsuke School and Iwata Bunko were recognized as Shizuoka Heritage sites, celebrated as ‘‘the crystallization of Shizuoka people’s passion for modern education,’’ alongside Mitsuke inn and Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine. [Ryuyo Marine Park] A seaside park featuring a marine center with sports facilities and a multi-purpose lawn. The expansive grounds include tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground, a roller slide, and an auto camp ground, making it family-friendly. The adjacent Shiosai Ryuyo complex at the auto camp ground sells local products and offers a restaurant, BBQ facilities, and bathing amenities. The marine center also offers hands-on experiences such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). [Nagisa no Koryukan and Fukuda Fishing Port area] Nagisa no Koryukan sits within Fukuda Fishing Port, looking out over the vast Enshū Sea. It has a food court where you can enjoy fresh shirasu bowls, such as raw shirasu don and kama-age shirasu don, while gazing at the ocean. The area also features the “Minna no Sunaba” sand ground for beach soccer and beach volleyball and an event plaza for outdoor gatherings. A nearby fishing spot offers easy shore fishing, and adjacent Toyohama Coast is a surfing location that has hosted national competitions thanks to its excellent waves. Fukuda Fishing Port is known for shirasu fishing and also supports recreational fishing charters, serving as a base for offshore fishing in the Enshū Sea. Within one to two minutes from the port, several shirasu processing plants line up, attracting customers from far away. [Shishigahana Park] According to legend, Kobo Daishi founded this park, which has well-maintained walking trails and athletic play areas. In spring, cherry blossoms and azaleas bloom; in early summer you can enjoy fresh greenery for forest bathing and birdwatching; in autumn the foliage is beautiful. It’s ideal for hiking and walking. From the observation deck you can see the Enshū Sea in the distance, and the park is a popular spot to watch the first sunrise on New Year’s Day. [Yamaha Stadium] [Yamaha Motor Communication Plaza] Yamaha Stadium is the home ground for Jubilo Iwata (soccer) and Shizuoka Blue Revs (rugby). It is about a 15-minute walk from JR Mikuriya Station north exit, and on match days attracts many fans from Japan and abroad. Next to the stadium, within the Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. headquarters, the Communication Plaza corporate museum showcases Yamaha Motor products and history and serves as an engaging industrial tourism spot. [Ruins of Tōtōmi Kokubunji Temple] Excavations began in 1951, and the site was designated a Special National Historic Site the following year. The kokubunji layout once centered on a main hall (kondo) and included a seven-story pagoda, lecture hall, middle gate, and cloister. Major structures, including the seven-story pagoda site, were discovered, and the site received national special historic designation in Showa 27 (1952). In fiscal 2022 work restored the wooden foundation platforms for the lecture hall and monk’s quarters on the north side of the ruins, and in fiscal 2023 the wooden foundation platform of the main hall was restored. Plans call for reconstructing cornerstone stones that supported building pillars and the stone steps placed on the front of the platform. This valuable heritage testifies to Iwata’s role as a regional center. ◆Local specialties of Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ Iwata’s specialties let you taste the bounty of the land: ebi-imo, iwata tea, aroma melons, white leek, and dried persimmon rounds (koro-gaki). Locally grown ingredients are known for their freshness and flavor. Seafood such as shirasu, wild tora-fugu, and grilled white-cut eel are also popular; shirasu in particular are prized for their firm texture from swimming in the area’s swift coastal currents. These specialties are popular as souvenirs and as return gifts for hometown tax donations. ◆Festivals and events in Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ [Fu Hachiman-gu Shrine Festival] Held each year in the Nakaizumi area on the first Saturday and Sunday of October. Each neighborhood parades elaborately decorated floats. The festival is full of atmosphere, with drums, flutes, and spirited calls filling the air. [Mitsuke Tenjin Hadaka Festival] The grand festival of Mitsuke Tenjin Yanahiru Shrine is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It takes place on the Saturday and Sunday just before the 10th day of the eighth month of the old lunar calendar. The festival’s highlight is the nighttime procession of naked participants and mikoshi (portable shrines), which runs from around 9:00 p.m. into the early hours of the next morning, reaching a peak around 1:00 a.m. Naked men, grouped into four units called teidan, parade through the old Tokaido route within the Mitsuke area and proceed to the shrine’s worship hall. Inside the worship hall, the excitement builds each time a new group joins, and intense chants and vigorous dances (oni-odori) continue. In the deep of night, all lights in the area are extinguished, plunging the scene into pitch-black darkness as the mikoshi run in a breathtaking climax. ◆Sharing information about Iwata City, Shizuoka Prefecture◆ In Iwata you can feel history and culture nurtured over long time. In 2022, Iwata’s Teratani water was registered as a World Irrigation Structure Heritage, adding another chapter to the city’s proud historical story. In 2023 Iwata reclaimed the top spot nationwide in a ranking of municipalities most associated with the phrase “sports town,” helping to solidify its brand as a city of sport. Yet even now this post cannot fully capture all the charms and strengths alive in Iwata’s history, culture, sea and mountain nature, industries, and people’s lifestyles. We will continue sharing recommended information via Cool Japan videos, so please stay tuned!
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  • Iwata
  • Shizuoka Prefecture
  • Sports
  • Soccer
  • Rugby
  • Ancient burial mound/Ruins
  • 53 Stations of the Tokaido
  • Edo Period
  • History
  • Ryuyo Ocean Park
  • ...and 9 others
Maskman Tiger
May. 10, 2024
Ise Jingu Shrine that I went to for the First Pilgrimage to the Shrine! !! Both the outer and inner shrines are lush with greenery, and you can feel the natural taste and divinity from ancient times, and it is truly Power Spot, and I think that you should definitely go with someone who wants to have a relationship with you *^^* To get to the Inner Shrine, you need a bus from the Outer Shrine, but you can get to the Outer Shrine from Osaka Namba to Ise City without changing trains on the Kintetsu Limited Express, so I think it is easy to access from the Kansai area. If you also visit the Inner Shrine, it is also recommended to taste Specialties dishes such as Ise Udon noodles from Ise Specialties and beef skewers from Matsusaka beef at Okage Yokocho, which is a stone's throw away.
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  • History
  • Nature
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  • Mie Prefecture
  • oisemairi
  • Shrine
  • Sightseeing
  • Photography
Maskman Tiger
May. 9, 2024
This is one of the mountain trails in Hyogo Prefecture, the former Fukuchiyama Line Abandoned railway lines! It used to be a coal mine, and the site where the railway was used as a transportation route is now known as a mountain trail full of nature. While it is an abandoned railway line and you can feel the history and remnants of the past, it is an easy-to-walk mountain trail with plenty of nature and not many ups and downs, so I personally would like to recommend it to those who want to enjoy hiking with parents and children.
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  • Photo Contest
  • History
  • Architecture
  • Travel
  • Mountain Climbing/Hiking
  • Bucketlist
  • Abandoned railway
  • Hyogo Prefecture
  • Nature
  • Outdoors
  • ...and 1 others
ponpoco_photos
May. 8, 2024
Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture Kanou School Building This school was built in Meiji 12 1879. It is the oldest school building in the prefecture after the Nakagome School in Saku and the Kaichi School in Matsumoto, and the oldest school building in the Ueda and Oken regions. This school building was built by the enthusiastic love of education of the Japanese villagers. The aim was to cultivate a "Japanese soul and Western talent" type of person whose mind is Japanese and whose knowledge is Western culture. ⭐︎Key points ⭐of this photo︎  The roof is a structure that is often seen in temples and shrines, called a thatched main house, and the devil's face at the eaves is also characteristic Dragon Tiger Confucius Mencius.
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  • Photo Contest
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  • Nagano Prefecture
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ponpoco_photos
May. 8, 2024
Kitakuni Highway "Unno Yado" The townscape of Unno Yado is a traditional style of houses in harmony with the thatched-roof buildings of the Edo period and the robust silkworm buildings of the Meiji era and later. The irrigation water streams in the center of the road and the beautiful houses with lattice doors on both sides of it make you feel a quiet atmosphere reminiscent of a historical hometown. History of Unno Yado Unno Yado was opened in the 2nd year of Kanei 1625 as a inn station in Kitakuni Highway. The Kitakuni Highway is an important highway connecting the Nakasendo Highway and the Hokuriku Expressway. In addition to the transportation of gold mined in Sado and the change of attendance of the daimyo of Hokuriku, there was also frequent traffic with Edo, and there were many pilgrims to Zenkoji. After the adjacent Tanaka inn was damaged by the great flood in Kanho 2 and the main camp was moved to Unno Yado, it was very busy, with 59 denma houses and 23 hatago. After the Shukuba-juku function was lost in the Meiji era, it moved to a sericulture village. Since the traditional houses of Unno Yado have been preserved to this day, it was selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan" in 1986 Showa 61 and as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings" in 62. ⭐︎Highlights ⭐of this photo︎  In the Edo period inn-style building, the second floor is more protruding than the first floor. It is said that it is a consideration so that travelers do not get wet when getting ready on rainy days.
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  • Photo Contest
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  • Nagano Prefecture
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ponpoco_photos
May. 8, 2024
Speaking of famous warlords of the Sanada clan, "Sanada Yukimura Sanada Nobushige" Sanada Yukimura, who played an active role in chasing down "Tokugawa Ieyasu" in the "Osaka Natsujin" in 1615 Keicho 20, and "Sanada Masayuki" Sanada Masayuki, who defeated Tokugawa Ieyasu's large army twice, are famous. In addition, as a conspiracy general of "Takeda Shingen" bosho: a general who excelled in strategy, "Sanada Yukitaka" Sanada Yukitaka, who was said to be inferior to Takeda Shingen, can be mentioned. Prior to the establishment of the Shukuba town, Unno Yado was called "Unno-go" or "Umino-sho" and was the birthplace of the Umino clan, a branch of the Shigeno clan of Shinshu, which is said to be the root of the Sanada clan, from Heian to Kamakura and the Sengoku period. ⭐︎Key points ⭐of this photo︎ This is the current state of the main team. When you open the gate, you will be greeted by a magnificent tree. In addition, one of Sanada Yukimura's entourage, "Umino Rokuro" Unnorokuro, whose name also appears in the creative vassal group "Sanada Ten Brave Warriors" Sanada Ju Yuushi, is also said to have been from this area. In 1583 Tensho 11, Masayuki Sanada moved the shrine and town from Umino to Ueda when he built "Ueda Castle" Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. After that, the village was reduced and Unno Yado was established as an "inn station on the snow country highway".
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  • Photo Contest
  • History
  • Nagano Prefecture
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ponpoco_photos
May. 8, 2024
Kitakuni Highway "Unno Yado"  The townscape of Unno Yado is a traditional style of houses in harmony with the thatched-roof buildings of the Edo period and the robust silkworm buildings of the Meiji era and later.   The irrigation water streams in the center of the road and the beautiful houses with lattice doors on both sides of it make you feel a quiet atmosphere reminiscent of a historical hometown. History of Unno Yado Unno Yado was opened in the 2nd year of Kanei 1625 as a inn station in Kitakuni Highway. The Kitakuni Highway is an important highway connecting the Nakasendo Highway and the Hokuriku Expressway. In addition to the transportation of gold mined in Sado and the change of attendance of the daimyo of Hokuriku, there was also frequent traffic with Edo, and there were many pilgrims to Zenkoji. After the adjacent Tanaka inn was damaged by the great flood in Kanho 2 and the main camp was moved to Unno Yado, it was very busy, with 59 denma houses and 23 hatago. After the Shukuba-juku function was lost in the Meiji era, it moved to a sericulture village. Since the traditional houses of Unno Yado have been preserved to this day, it was selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan" in 1986 Showa 61 and as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings" in 62. ⭐︎Highlights ⭐of this photo︎  Design of traditional buildings  Pay attention to the protruding parts on both sides! It's called "Honudatsu" and it's from the Edo period. There is also a "sleeve udatsu", which is from the Meiji era. Neither of these was something that could only be done from a wealthy family. It is from this place that the phrase "depression does not rise" was born.
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  • Photo Contest
  • History
  • Nagano Prefecture
  • Tomi
  • Unnojuku
さすらいの旅人1971
May. 7, 2024
The Spring Takayama Festival Sanno Matsuri is an annual festival of Hie Shrine, the god of the southern half of the former Takayama Castle Town, and is held on April 14 and 15 every year. The Minamoto of the festival is said to have originated during the reign of the feudal lord Kanamori of Hida 1585-1692, and the food stalls are said to have originated around 1718, and the craftsmanship is alive and well, such as the karakuri Dedication that shows off the skillful movements of the puppets and the return car with the gimmick. It was the first time I saw it live, and I had only seen it on the news and videos until now, and I was able to experience a very fresh and fantastic world view, and although my photography skills are still immature, I want to convey the impression of seeing it...
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  • Photo Contest
  • Japan
  • History
  • Spring
  • Travel
  • Festival
  • Traditional culture
  • Old-fashioned cityscape
  • Mikoshi/Dashi
  • Hida Takayama
  • ...and 1 others
さすらいの旅人1971
May. 7, 2024
The Spring Takayama Festival Sanno Matsuri is an annual festival of Hie Shrine, the god of the southern half of the former Takayama Castle Town, and is held on April 14 and 15 every year. The Minamoto of the festival is said to have originated during the reign of the feudal lord Kanamori of Hida 1585-1692, and the food stalls are said to have originated around 1718, and the craftsmanship is alive and well, such as the karakuri Dedication that shows off the skillful movements of the puppets and the return car with the gimmick. It was the first time I saw it live, and I had only seen it on the news and videos until now, and I was able to experience a very fresh and fantastic world view, and although my photography skills are still immature, I want to convey the impression of seeing it...
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  • History
  • Photo Contest
  • Japan
  • Traditional culture
  • Gifu Prefecture
  • Hida Takayama
  • National treasure
ponpoco_photos
May. 7, 2024
The traditional townscape is a harmonious blend of travel basket buildings from the Edo period and sericulture buildings built during the Meiji era when sericulture was popular. The irrigation water streams in the center of the road and the beautiful houses with lattice doors lining both sides of the road give you a quiet appearance reminiscent of a historical hometown. ⭐︎Key points ⭐of this photo︎ The lattice on the second floor is called "Umino lattice" and is from the Edo period. On top of the roof, there is a small roof. This is called "unpretentiousness" and is a symbol of the construction of silkworms in the Meiji era. After it was no longer used as a travel basket, it was built to emit smoke from a fire that was burned to keep warm when the guest room was used as a silkworm room. It is a feature that tells the story of the transition from Shukuba-juku to sericulture. Details of Unno Yado: The Unno Yado was opened in 1625 as a inn station in Kitakuni Highway. The Kitakuni Highway is an important highway connecting the Nakasendo and Hokuriku Highways, and in addition to transporting gold mined in Sado and changing the attendance of various feudal lords in Hokuriku, there was frequent traffic to and from Edo, and many visitors visited Zenkoji Temple. Since the beginning of the Meiji era, sericulture has become popular. The characteristics of the building from that time still remain today. Since the traditional houses have been preserved to the present, it was selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan" in Showa 61 Showa 61 and as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings" in 1987 Showa 62.
View More
  • Photo Contest
  • History
  • Nagano Prefecture
  • Tomi
  • Unnojuku
ponpoco_photos
May. 7, 2024
The traditional townscape is a harmonious blend of travel basket buildings from the Edo period and sericulture buildings built during the Meiji era when sericulture was popular. The irrigation water streams in the center of the road and the beautiful houses with lattice doors lining both sides of the road give you a quiet appearance reminiscent of a historical hometown. Details: The Unno Yado was opened in 1625 as a inn station in Kitakuni Highway. The Kitakuni Highway is an important highway connecting the Nakasendo and Hokuriku Highways, and in addition to transporting gold mined in Sado and changing the attendance of various feudal lords in Hokuriku, there was frequent traffic to and from Edo, and many visitors visited Zenkoji Temple. Since the beginning of the Meiji era, sericulture has become popular. The characteristics of the building from that time still remain today. Since the traditional houses have been preserved to the present, it was selected as one of the "100 Best Roads in Japan" in Showa 61 Showa 61 and as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings" in 1987 Showa 62.
View More
  • Photo Contest
  • History
  • Nagano Prefecture
  • Tomi
  • Unnojuku
ponpoco_photos
May. 7, 2024
"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape.  This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.
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  • Shizuoka Prefecture
  • Photo Contest
  • History
  • Instagrammable
ponpoco_photos
May. 7, 2024
"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape.  This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.
View More
  • Shizuoka Prefecture
  • Photo Contest
  • History
  • Instagrammable
ponpoco_photos
May. 7, 2024
"Sea cucumber wall" in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture Sea cucumber wall is a technique in which square flat tiles are lined up on the wall surface, and the seams are plastered to form a kamaboko shape.  This exterior wall construction method was popularized in the Edo period for the purpose of fire prevention and wind protection, and has excellent fire prevention, heat retention, and moisture retention, and was seen in various places from the Meiji era to the early Showa period. A functional wall that combines appearance and practicality. A Sea cucumber wall structure that has become rare in Japan. Tradition stucco techniques and the thoughts of the townspeople. In this town, you can experience the "original scenery of Japan" that is being lost.
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  • Shizuoka Prefecture
  • Spring
  • Japan
  • Photo Contest
  • Nature
  • History
  • Sightseeing
  • Instagrammable

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