Kikuchi City’s largest festival, the Kikuchi Souhakuryu Festival, takes place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, along the shopping street and at Kikuchi City Furusato Creation Civic Plaza in Kumamoto Prefecture. Four dragons—the two called the male dragon and the female dragon, plus two young dragons carried by children—perform a bold and vigorous routine together with their carriers. In Kikuchi City, legends say the ancestor of the Kikuchi clan rested beside Kikunoike and a white dragon appeared, marking the beginning of Kikuchi. Another tale tells that when Kikuchi Onsen was discovered, a white dragon spoke in a dream. The city therefore has sightseeing spots linked to dragons. The Souhakuryu Festival began in 1994 based on those legends to revitalize the local community. The white dragon measures 50 meters in length and weighs a total of 500 kilograms. To the shouts of “Seiya! Seiya!” it parades through the shopping street. Men carry the white dragon, making its large body writhe as it charges forward with powerful, heroic movement. The dramatic dragon dance is a must-see. At the end, about 3,000 fireworks burst into the night sky right before your eyes. Enjoy the full-on atmosphere of the Souhakuryu Festival with the carriers’ rousing shouts, the dragon’s winding motion, and the close-up fireworks. Kikuchi Souhakuryu Festival official website https://kikuchi-hakuryu.com//

Nikko Toshogu Shrine covered in fog on a rainy day ✩.*°

[👒 Summer Gokase 2025 Entry Photo Showcase ④ 👒] Thank you for entering the “Summer Gokase 2025” campaign 😆 Thanks to you, we received many submissions ✨ Here are some of the photos submitted to “#Summer Gokase 2025”! @kakigoori2020 @gokase_pan @chika_narita @niidome2110 @tae_gerbera35 @narunaru918 @kokoyukeip There were many other wonderful entries besides the ones shown 😆 We will now begin judging! Please wait a little while for the announcement of the results 😁

[Limited] 10 sets a day! Seasonal Halloween dessert plates will be served 👻 with drinks such as coffee and tea Please enjoy the special marriage of playful Sweets and Aroma drinks only in autumn. Period: Friday, October 24, 2025 ~ Friday, October 31, 2025 Time: 11:30 a.m. M.～5:00P.M. Fee: ¥3,000 Contents: Dessert plate + drink (you can choose from the following) Drink menu: Hakodate Misuzu Coffee, Ronnefeldt (tea), Mari Senjo Hana Ai (Jasmine Tea) Contact: 0154-31-1277 (9:00A. M.～6:00P.M.)

Photographed 9/16/25. It is an early dinner (breakfast) of Mr. 168. It is Taiwanese rice balls and black tea soy milk. Taiwanese rice balls are filled with takuwan, mustard greens, omelets, fried bread, and pork, and are nutritious.

[Isehara Flower Update] 2025.09.16 Every year from mid to late September, the cluster amaryllis in the Hyuga area reach their peak bloom. As of today, they have begun to bloom in the colony behind the Hinata Yakushi bus stop. Please note that the amaryllis colony is on private property. Observe the rules when viewing. For access and future updates, check the Tourism Association website. https://isehara-kanko.com/news/flower/10942/...

[👒 Summer Gokase 2025 Photo Entries Spotlight ③ 👒] Thank you for entering the "Summer Gokase 2025" campaign 😆 Thanks to you, we received many submissions ✨ Here are some of the photos posted to "Summer Gokase 2025"! @kakigoori2020 @machieri9.3 @fouzan_839 @totalrelaxation_salon_spring @gokase_pan We will now begin the selection process! Please wait for the results to be announced 😁

Light and Shadow, and Jellyfish This is the Kamo Water Museum Located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture Jellyfish greet you from a 5-meter-diameter water tank. When I looked up, it was 🤤 a beautiful view

Tone River Fireworks Festival 🎆 This is one of the Tone River Fireworks Festival held yesterday. It was held jointly by Four shrines, and the night sky of Arakawa blossomed in vivid colors. I would like to 🤤 outbound again next year

Photographed 9/8/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It is a wind chime with red thread.

Photographed 9/8/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The wind chime shelf is also a sight to behold.

Today is the last day of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine's rim musubi wind chime. The wind chime corridor is also a sight to behold.

The “Town’s 70th Anniversary Ise-ebi Festival” reopened registrations from 9:00 on Saturday, October 11, but due to a large number of applications it was closed on October 12. Minamiizu Town 70th Anniversary “Ise-ebi Festival” To celebrate the town’s 70th anniversary this year, we are offering a 3,000 yen discount per stay on accommodation rates so you can enjoy Minamiizu Town’s Ise-ebi, the prefecture’s top catch, at a better value. Period From Saturday, October 4, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025 ※Check-out by Monday, December 1, 2025 Reservation application: Saturday, September 20 – Monday, November 17 ※Apply via the dedicated form: https://ws.formzu.net/fgen/S84600026/... ※Applicable for stays of two or more people (per one night) ※Limited to the first 500 applicants ※Discount applies to adults (junior high school students and older) and children (6 years and older) at 3,000 yen per person ※One free parking voucher for Irozaki Ocean Park will be given to one eligible group of guests per stay ※Cannot be combined with other coupons or discounts Overview ◉Accommodation reservations are accepted until Monday, November 17. ◉Rooms for stays on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15 may be unavailable due to overlap with town events. ◉Ise-ebi will be provided only to adults (junior high school students and older) and children (6 years old through elementary school). ◉Each guest may select one cooking method for their Ise-ebi. ※Choose one of three cooking methods for the Ise-ebi: sashimi, boiled, or grilled in the shell. ※Cooking methods and options may vary depending on the accommodation. ◉The discount is available for the first 500 people. ※If you cancel and reapply after the quota is reached, you will not be able to apply. ◉Discount applies to adults and children (6 years old through elementary school). ※Infants (2 years to under 6 years) and babies (0 to under 2 years) are not eligible. ◉Applications will close once the discount quota is reached. ◉Only those who book accommodation through the tourism association are eligible for the discount. ◉When you pay the reservation deposit, we will mail you a reservation deposit receipt. ◉Office hours are 9:00 to 17:00. Accommodation procedure ◉Submit your accommodation application via the reception form, email, or phone. ◉Once the tourism association arranges your accommodation, we will mail the accommodation information letter. ◉After you receive the accommodation information letter, please transfer the listed accommodation fee to the specified account. ◉After confirming your transfer, we will mail the reservation deposit receipt. ◉After you receive the reservation deposit receipt, please proceed directly to the accommodation. From reservation to stay 1. Apply (via form, etc.) 2. Accommodation arranged (rooms may be unavailable) 3. Accommodation information letter mailed (shows discounted amount) 4. Guest transfers the accommodation fee 5. Reservation deposit receipt mailed 6. After receiving the reservation deposit receipt, go to the accommodation Cancellation fees 〇 From 7 to 4 days before the scheduled stay: 20% of the accommodation fee 〇 From 3 days before to the day before the scheduled stay: 50% of the accommodation fee 〇 On the day of the scheduled stay: 100% of the accommodation fee 〇 If you cancel before the scheduled date after paying the accommodation fee, a 1,000 yen handling fee will be deducted from any refund How to apply Apply via the dedicated form: https://ws.formzu.net/fgen/S84600026/... Ise-ebi Festival page → https://x.gd/Y2SYw...

Today, I attended the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Monthly Festival. Today is the last day of the Enmusubi wind chime. The red thread wind chime is also a sight to behold.

Photographed 9/8/25. It is a sky blue rim musubi wind chime of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Rim Musubi wind chimes are open until September 15th.

Photographed 8/25/25. It is a wind chime at the edge of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photographed 9/8/25. This is LEC COFFEE's Kawagoe matcha latte. It contains Okinawa black molasses.

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Feel secure with this! A Directory of Shimanto River River Activity Operators! ★The Appeal of River Activities★ You can enjoy the Shimanto River with your whole body in 360°, and nothing captures that feeling better than river activities! The Shimanto River has a gentle current, so beginners and children can take part. On canoe tours you can sometimes go where no man-made structures are visible, offering a true escape from everyday life. Shimanto City is home to many river activity operators, with a variety of options that let everyone from small children to seniors enjoy themselves with peace of mind. Take this chance to find an operator that interests you♪ 1. Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawaracco Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawaracco sits beside the Shimanto River, surrounded by rich natural scenery. In addition to campsite facilities, the site includes well-equipped bungalows and a Shimanto hinoki cypress house. It also serves as a terminal for the Rinrin Cycle rental service. Operating season: Year-round Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, closed Tuesday) *Open during the period around Golden Week and from July 1 to September 30 Pets allowed to ride together (tandem kayaks). *Please bring a life jacket for your pet. Depending on size, joint riding may be unavailable. 2. withRIVER withRIVER is located at the foot of a Shimanto River chinkabashi (submersible bridge). The current is gentle here, so beginners and small children can feel safe. At the end of the tour you can even try jumping from the chinkabashi. In addition to canoe and SUP experiences, withRIVER offers horseback riding. Besides ordinary rides, there is a course that lets you ride within the Shimanto River. Because the horse stands where you can touch the bottom, children and non-swimmers can participate safely. Operating season: March to mid-November Dogs may ride along (on SUP or two-person canoe). Dog life jackets are available to rent (500 yen per jacket). Free photo sharing available 3. Shimanto River Lodge Yuubetei Shimanto River Lodge Yuubetei is a rented villa-style accommodation on a hill overlooking the Shimanto River, available to one group per day. Families, groups, and couples can relax here. Rooms include a terrace where you can barbecue while watching the sunset. River SUP experiences are available from Yuubetei. The owner customizes courses to match guests. SUP board rentals are also offered. Please request when booking your stay. *SUP experiences operate only in the summer season. 4. Okera Adventures Shimanto Okera Adventures Shimanto centers on “bikerafting,” a combination of cycling and packraft (inflatable boat) river descent. They are the only operator in Japan to run regular guided bikerafting tours. (*Survey by Okera Adventures, March 2022) They operate by private-group bookings only, so you and your group enjoy the tour alone. One appeal is that guides tailor the tour to participants, weather, and conditions. Operating season: Year-round Dogs may ride along (dog life jackets available for rent). Free photo sharing available 5. Shimanto – River Station Canoe Center Shimanto – River Station Canoe Center is known for the spectacular natural scenery in the latter part of its tours. The attached Shimanto Hiroba Auto Campsite offers toilets and barbecue sites so you can camp beside the Shimanto River. (Advance reservation required) There is a beginner-friendly canoe school where instructors lead basic half-day and full-day courses. You can paddle an 8 km canoe touring course to the famous Iwama Chinkabashi Bridge featured on TV and in magazines; the latter 4 km of the course shows almost no man-made structures, letting you fully enjoy the Shimanto River’s wilderness. The Canoe Center also serves as a river station exhibiting canoes from around the world and as a terminal for the Shimanto River Rinrin Cycle rental service. Operating season: Year-round Free photo sharing available 6. Shimanto Rakusha Shimanto Rakusha is a former school repurposed into a place where you can stay and play. The lodging uses spaces such as the school infirmary as bedrooms, and classrooms have bunk beds. You can even stay in the broadcasting room that still runs the school PA system or in the principal’s office. Because canoe experiences here do not involve long downstream runs, you can set your own experience time. Families can take turns, play in the river, and enjoy canoeing freely. In addition to canoeing, you can try stream trekking (shower climbing), raft play, and relaxed fishing in the Shimanto River. Closed: Every Wednesday *Open daily in July, August, and September Free photo sharing available 7. Canoe Shimanto Base Canoe Shimanto Base runs tours using sit-on-top canoes that you sit on the deck rather than inside. You can choose a half-day course with a 3 km downstream stretch (morning or afternoon) or a shorter course without downstream paddling. All canoes are single-person, and two sizes are available so you can pick the right fit. The half-day course is available from third grade elementary school and up; the short course is available from first grade elementary school and up. The short course is a private booking for groups of 1–10 people. Operating season: March to November Dogs may ride along. *Please be sure to bring a life jacket that fits your dog’s body size. Free photo sharing available 8. Good River Shimanto At Good River Shimanto you can enjoy a full Shimanto River canoe tour. They instruct you from canoe boarding and paddle technique to how to enjoy canoeing. The downriver course follows the river current and reveals little in the way of man-made structures, letting you relax in expansive nature. You can take commemorative photos at the popular Iwama Chinkabashi Bridge. They also run rafting tours, letting you drift downstream in a raft boat on the gentle Shimanto River in relaxed comfort. Guests from age three through seniors can participate. Operating season: Mid-March to early November Children and dogs may ride along Free photo sharing available How was it? Try experiencing Shimanto City’s river activities!

Photographed 9/8/25. After Prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, we visited LEC COFFEE. It's a quiche plate. It is a quache with pumpkin and bacon, a salad with homemade ham and okra, and a cold soup with Butter Nut Pumpkin. 🎃

Commemorating the 1,270th Anniversary of Daisenji Temple’s Founding: Secret Buddha Exhibition The special exhibition at Daisenji Temple, which ran until June 1, has been so well received that it will be held again. The following three hidden Daikokuten statues will be revealed. ・Three-Faced Daikokuten (ancient style) ・Daikokuten (by Goto Saigu) ・Three-Faced Daikokuten (by Takamura Koun) Notably, the Three-Faced Daikokuten (ancient style) will be shown to the public for the first time. Please take this opportunity to see them. Special Exhibition Period: Sunday, September 28, 2025 – Monday, December 8, 2025 Hours: 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM Admission: 500 yen Inquiries: Daisenji Temple Tel: 0463-95-2011

Photographed 9/8/25. This is CAFE ANDON's morning. Chinese-style Spring rain soup, campagne, and iced café latte. I'm looking forward to opening in the morning. 😊

Photographed 8/23/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 8/23/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

This is one of the photos when I was traveling to see the cherry blossoms in Yamanashi Prefecture in Spring this year. I visited this temple when I heard that there was a magnificent Cherry Blossom Tree-lined Path. Local grandpas were enjoying a banquet under the cherry blossoms in full bloom. When I saw everyone looking up at the beautiful cherry blossoms overhead, I thought that Spring had come for everyone, and I clicked the shutter.

Event Announcement 📣 On Thursday, October 30th this year, the Doto Expressway will mark its 30th anniversary since opening, and we will hold a commemorative event for the Tokachi-Shimizu IC to Ikeda IC section 😊 The event will feature stage shows by local groups along the route, character greetings, a photo panel exhibition covering the 30 years since opening, and a grand lottery with prizes for 30 winners, including accommodation vouchers for Tokachigawa Onsen!! 📌Stage Shows by Local Groups Along the Route 📍10:10–10:30 Calligraphy performance by the Calligraphy Club of Obihiro Hakuyo High School 📍10:50–11:20 Local hero show of Obihiro City 📍11:30–11:50 HIP HOP dance show by the JOYFIT Dance Circle 📌Special Guest: Talk Session with Hiroyuki Morisaki 📍13:00–14:00 We invite Hiroyuki Morisaki, a member of the theater unit TEAM NACS, for a talk session themed “30 Years Since Opening: Toward the Future.” 📌Character Greeting 📍NEXCO East Japan’s manners-promotion characters Manaty and Ikanzame will appear, along with Ushikun, the mascot of the Obihiro Tourism & Convention Association, and Onigiri Shian, a local VTuber from Kushiro who also serves as a COOL Kushiro City tourism ambassador. They’ll be visiting—please take photos with them! 🎵 📌Grand Lottery with Luxurious Prizes 📍Among visitors on the day, 30 winners will be chosen by lottery to receive luxurious prizes. 🔸Tokachigawa Onsen accommodation voucher (worth 50,000 JPY) 🔸Tokachigawa Onsen day-use bathing tickets 🔸Pair tickets to see the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (for the game on September 22, 2025) Other regional gourmet items from along the Doto Expressway will also be available 😍 *Lottery participation tickets will be distributed on the day.* 🎵 Date and Time: Monday, September 15, 2025 (public holiday) 10:00–15:00 Venue: Tokachi Plaza, 1st Floor Atrium and Large Assembly Room Please come with your family and friends!! We look forward to seeing you 🤗 https://www.e-nexco.co.jp/pressroom/hokkaido/2025/0808/00015203.html...

The cosmos of "Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park Cosmos Garden" is in full bloom and is in Best time to visit! This season, the flowers bloom better than every year, and it is a very beautiful cosmos field. Please come and ♪ see it "Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park Cosmos Garden" Address: Marudai, Engaru Town, Monbetsu District, Hokkaido

Hello, this is Waraji, a Koshu local cuisine restaurant. 😄 September is drawing near mid-month, but the late summer heat remains strong and the sun is intense. ☀️ Even so, Shosenkyo Gorge is wrapped in clear air, making it a season to enjoy nature’s beauty. Near our shop, the Crystal Fountain sprays glittering mist and offers a cool, refreshing sight. It’s the perfect soothing spot for this time when summer’s traces still linger. 💧✨ At Waraji, our craftsmen carefully prepare each eel by cleaning, steaming, and grilling it until it turns fragrant, and we serve it as a traditional unaju box. The aroma of our secret sauce whets the appetite, and once you taste it, you’ll want it again—our proud specialty. By the entrance, the seasonal hibiscus (mukuge) blooms beautifully, making it a lovely walk after your meal. With nature, flowers, and delicious food, we hope to refresh both your body and spirit. 🌸 We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.

[Reihoku Sunset Marche] Announcement for the September event📣 This is the Reihoku Sunset Marche September announcement♪ 👀Highlights of this Sunset Marche👀 ❣All-you-can-pack small onions🧅 and newly harvested rice from Reiwa 7! In addition to farm produce, there will also be prepared foods and various breads❣ We look forward to seeing you all😊 Don’t forget to bring your own bag🛍✨ [Planned agricultural products for sale] ・Asparagus ・Okra (round okra) ・Pumpkin ・Cucumber ・Water spinach ・Rice (newly harvested) ・Korinqui (kolinqui) ・Early-season mikan ・Onions ・Garlic ・Banana peppers 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche [Date] Saturday, September 14, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM [Location] Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) @reihokukankou ※Reihoku Town Products Center facility (4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku)

Amakusa West Coast 🍁 Autumn Kiln Tour Announcement The 36th Amakusa West Coast Autumn Kiln Tour will take place over five days from Thursday, October 9 to Monday, October 13 (national holiday), hosted at six kilns in Reihoku and Amakusa City 😊 During the event, new works will be exhibited and sold, and items will be offered at discounted prices. Take this chance to visit, enjoy Amakusa Ceramics, and soak in the Amakusa West Coast scenery 🌊🌅♪ The Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association account will introduce participating kilns one by one in the coming days. We will share photos 📸 of preparations for the kiln tour and ask about the new works 📝. Look forward to it! ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ The 36th Amakusa West Coast 🍁 Autumn Kiln Tour Period: Thursday, October 9 – Monday, October 13 (national holiday) 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Venues: Reihoku: Uchida Sarayama Pottery, Kobo Kaze, Mugen Kiln, Unshū Kiln Amakusa City: Takahama Ware Juhogama, Amakusa Karatsu Juro Kiln (Goyama Kame Kiln) 🍁Two stamp rallies will run simultaneously! ※A digital stamp rally eligible for Kumamoto Health Points 📱 ※A stamp rally where you can win products from your chosen kilns (entry forms are available at each kiln 📃) Contact: Amakusa Pottery Stone Research and Development Promotion Council Secretariat (inside Reihoku Town Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division) TEL: 0969-35-3332

The soba in Imajo district of Minami-Echizen Town is superb. Come and taste the fragrant, exquisite soba for yourself!