Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video—nice to meet you! This is the Morotsuka Village Tourism Association. We will now share plenty of reasons to fall in love with Morotsuka Village in northern Miyazaki Prefecture. First, let us introduce Morotsuka Village. ◆◇◆About Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◆◇◆ Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture, sits nearly in the center of the Kyushu Central Mountain Range. About 90% of the village area is forest. There is almost no flat land; 84 small settlements dot the mountain slopes. Under the slogan of building a forestry-centered village, Morotsuka has promoted village development by protecting mountains, creating forests, and living in harmony with nature while benefiting from the forest. This is a village that lives with the forest, thinking not only about themselves but also about one another and not only about the present but about children and grandchildren. ◆◇◆Access◆◇◆ * About two hours by car from Kumamoto Airport * About two hours by car from Miyazaki Airport * From Miyazaki Airport take the train to JR Hyuga City Station (limited express about 65 minutes), then a route bus runs from Hyuga City Station to Morotsuka Village. If you use train and route bus, take the JR Nippo Main Line to JR Hyuga City Station, then a Miyazaki Kotsu route bus to Morotsuka village center, "Morotsuka," which takes about 90 minutes. * Please board a bus bound for "Kamishiiba" or "Tsukahara." (For route bus details, check the Miyazaki Kotsu website.) ※For current traffic restrictions, please check the Morotsuka Navi Website. ◆◇◆Tourist Spots in Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◆◇◆ ■Ecomuseum Morotsuka Shiitake Hall 21 This facility houses the Morotsuka Village Tourism Association office and Restaurant Donkotei. It used to be a place to learn about shiitake, but it has been renovated as a tourist information and community space. Across the Hotaru Bridge, on the opposite bank, stands the main statue of Kunugi Jizo carved from a sawtooth oak more than 100 years old. You can walk down to the river to enjoy a boxed lunch or play in the clear stream. ◇◆◇Accommodations in Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◇◆◇ ■Tenku no Mori Ikenokubo Green Park Perched around 800 meters above sea level in nature-rich Morotsuka, Tenku no Mori Ikenokubo Green Park offers log houses and a campsite. From the Hyuga direction the road is a single lane each way, so drivers who are not used to mountain roads can still feel at ease. The park features an athletic course, grass skiing, and putter golf, so families with young children can enjoy themselves together. A scenic cross-country course nearby makes for a pleasant, leisurely walk amid nature. The popular Akimasa Observatory, known for its views, is about a five-minute drive. We recommend rising early to watch the sunrise; with luck you may see a sea of clouds. Spring bursts with flowers, summer brings lush greenery and cool highland air, autumn ignites in brilliant foliage, and winter offers quiet days with occasional snow flurries. It’s a place to savor the changing seasons and relax in nature. ■Morotsukayama Mountain Stream Village One of the village’s two campgrounds is Morotsukayama Mountain Stream Village. Morotsukayama, one of Kyushu’s 100 famous mountains, towers here amid rich nature. Nearby is a river park next to a water-rich gorge, where you can enjoy river play and fishing in summer (fishing requires a permit). ■Forest Folk House Yamashigi Forest The Forest Folk House consists of two historic houses: "Shitashigi," built in the Taisho era, and "Nakashigi," built in the Meiji era. You reach them by climbing a winding mountain road, yet these homes once served as a transportation hub before roads and cars existed. Today they serve as an experiential exchange facility where city visitors and mountain residents deepen ties through farm work. Perched high as if touching the sky, the site preserves nostalgic scenes such as an irori hearth, a goemon bath, and a wood-fired stove. ■Forest Folk House Series These traditional houses let you fully enjoy the breath of nature. Surrounded by mountains, with the warmth of wood, the scent of earth, and a communal irori hearth, Morotsuka’s forest folk houses offer a relaxed pace and a restful place to experience human–nature coexistence. [List of folk houses] ・Yamashigi Forest ・Heida no Sato ・Sakura no Tsubone ・Yoshiya ◇◆◇Local Specialties of Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture◇◆◇ ■Shiitake Shiitake cultivated using 100% log-grown mushrooms from rich forests certified as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage. Morotsuka Village proudly offers these flavorful, aromatic log-grown shiitake—please savor them. ■Mori no Hyakkamitsu (Forest Wildflower Honey) This honey comes from Japanese honeybees cherished by Morotsuka’s honey hunters. Natural beekeeping in the mountains draws nectar from a wide range of flowers. The honey the bees diligently collect—called "mori no hyakkamitsu" or wildflower honey—is highly nutritious with a rich taste and aroma. A single bee produces only about a spoonful of honey in its lifetime, making it very precious. ■Yomogi Dango (Mugwort Rice Dumplings) Fresh yomogi gathered from the mountains, nurtured by clean air and water, are made into yomogi dango using traditional methods. These treats are a countryside-only luxury, full of yomogi fragrance and filled with expertly kneaded sweet bean paste. ■Mountain-Processed Foods Women’s associations active across the scattered mountain settlements prepare goods in local workrooms every day. They transform mountain-harvested ingredients into the village’s delicious products—miso, yuzu pepper, konnyaku, dressings, and more. We will continue to share the charms of nature-rich Morotsuka Village—stay tuned!

I took a picture of Nagasaki-kunchi held in Nagasaki City at a venue called Ryokusho. I took this photo because I wanted to be able to feel the power I felt with my eyes in the photo.

Breather Save Spot Save Spot in the Central Tokyo that can be seen from Shibuya, don't you 🍀 wonder what lies ahead* ゚

Jewel night view of Tokyo The night view of Tokyo seen from Shibuya Suka Squid, this city, which is always diverse and dazzling, will shine ✨ even brighter in the future

Photographed on March 8, 25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. I have a cold, and I am in bed. It's the change of seasons, so please take care of your body. 🤒

Tokyo Tower and Kawazu cherry blossoms 📸 This is the Kawazu cherry blossoms taken from the front of Azabudai Hills in Tokyo. Tokyo is in Best time to visit. It is crowded with many foreigners.

Nice to meet you all! This is the Chofu City Tourism Association Secretariat. Chofu City is located in the southeastern part of the Tama district, almost in the center of Tokyo, Located in 15 kilometers from the Shinjuku Vice Central Tokyo. It is a city full of charm where you can enjoy "movies", "Jindaiji Temple", "Ge no Kitaro", "fireworks", "Tama River", etc., where the charm of nature and the city are fused. ==Introduction to Chofu City== ■Jindaiji Temple The Jindaiji Temple area, blessed with abundant greenery and spring water, is loved as a place of relaxation. Jindaiji Temple is known as one of the one-of-the-best ancient temples in the Kanto region, and its Minamoto is said to have been founded by Manku Shoujin in the Nara period. Precious temple treasures such as the bronze Buddha Statue of Buddha (late Asuka period), which was designated as a national treasure in the 2017 (Heisei 29), are enshrinement. In front of the gate, there are tea houses where Worshippers can relax, and Specialties Jindaiji Temple Soba noodle stores. ■The city where Water Manga was born Chofu City is the "city where Water manga was born" where Shigeru Water, an honorary citizen of Chofu City, the creator of "Ge no Kitaro", lived for more than 50 years. Shigeru Water is loved and affectionately received by many citizens, so he was awarded the title of honorary citizen in 2008 (Heisei 20). You can meet Kitaro and his friends in various places in the city. ■ The City of Movies During the heyday of Japan films in the 1955 (Showa 30) era, in addition to Daiei and Nikkatsu, Chofu Film Studios Co., Ltd. (now around Tama River 2-chome), an independent production company, produced movies at three locations, and Chofu was likened to "Hollywood of the East." The film industry flourished in Chofu because of the Nature environment, which is suitable for both period and contemporary dramas, and because of the abundance of clean water, which is indispensable for film development. Chofu City, where about 40 film and video companies are still concentrated, has grown as a "movie town" and is used as a location for many movies and dramas. ■Chofu fireworks Chofu fireworks held in on the Tama River. In fact, it has a long history, and the first time it was held in was in Showa 8. After that, the history of the Chofu City Fireworks Festival began in Showa 57. Approximately 10,000 fireworks that are launched non-stop color the night sky of Chofu and are popular as Chofu Specialties Fun will Broadcast Tourist Information on Chofu City at COOL JAPAN VIDEOS!

This is Momo Minamoto Township! It was started by the people of the Kine district to liven up the area, and now as many as 2,000 weeping peaches are blooming. In the center, a pond and a weeping peach is projected, and those who visit it Gari a voice of admiration. The best time to visit seems to be mid-April next year. Ena City, Gifu Prefecture "Kineshi Weeping Momoen" *Last year's photo

Photographed on March 8, 25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on March 8, 25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Today at breakfast, I visited Mr. 168. It is a soy milk and onion egg sandwich. It's freshly made. All of the Taiwanese breakfasts look delicious, so I get lost every time. 😊

The Kawazu cherry blossoms in Kawazu Town were 🌸 in full bloom This is a row of Kawazu cherry blossoms that are in Best time to visit in Kawazu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture. Please 😊 visit to see the 4km long Kawazu cherry blossoms

Photographed on March 8, 25. It is a weeping Ume plum from Naritayama Kawagoe Betsuin. It is in full bloom. 🌸

Photographed on March 8, 25. This is Hanachozu of Chuin.

Original scenery of Japan Aso's crossing along the Okuaizu-Tadami River River fog streams thinly on the surface of the river, and mountains approach the village behind the rice fields, and fog rises Japan's Farming villages continue to protect small rice paddies inherited from their ancestors How many more years can we see?

Photographed on March 8, 25. It is the red Ume Plum of the Middle Hospital.

Manda Pit is also hugely popular as a cosplay photo spot! Arao City's symbol Manda Pit In 2015 (Heisei 27) it was registered as part of the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution World Heritage. The Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution—iron and steel, shipbuilding, and coal mining—represent the first successful spread of the Industrial Revolution from Europe to the non-Western world. Between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century, Japan achieved rapid industrialization in just over half a century. Now preserved as valuable industrial remains, Manda Pit has newly become extremely popular as a cosplay photo location!! Many cosplayers and photographers use the site. Visitors and staff alike find themselves captivated by the authentic costumes and makeup. Here are some precious off‑shot photos. When a shoot starts, the site feels different from the Manda Pit we usually see as staff, and that gives us a strange, wonderful feeling. Manda Pit is perfect for cosplay photography, offering everything from striking action shots to nostalgic scenes. You’re sure to get photos you’ll love—highly recommended. We look forward to your visit. Information Filming requires advance reservation and a photo shoot application form. Please download the application form from the Arao City website. For changing rooms and luggage storage please use the Manda Coal Mine Museum (paid). This also requires advance reservation. Please contact the Manda Coal Mine Museum for room availability. Manda Coal Mine Museum: Phone 0968-64-1300 If you have any questions, please contact Manda Pit Station. ◆ Manda Pit Station 〒864-0001 200-2 Haramanda, Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture ◆ Phone: 0968-57-9155 ◆ FAX: 0968-57-9156 ◆ Closed: Mondays (the following day if Monday is a holiday), and during the New Year holidays ◆ Hours: 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.) ◆ Admission fees: Manda Pit ruins / Adults: ¥410, High school students: ¥310, Elementary and junior high students: ¥210, Preschool children: free ◆ Access: Bus / 8 minutes from JR Arao Station ◆ Parking: 5 large buses, 3 medium buses, 72 passenger cars #Kumamoto #World Heritage #World Cultural Heritage #Miike Coal Mine #Manda Pit #Manda Coal Mine Museum #cosplay #photo spot #Arao City website

Photographed 3/1/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Exploring Japan goes beyond just stunning landscapes; it’s a journey steeped in rich traditions. Experiencing traditional Japanese style tea ceremony and making Wagashi with friends in Kimono or Yukata is just a wonderful experience which I will remember my whole life. This is the other side of cool Japan beyond the Natural beauty and mouth watering food. We enjoyed it in Asakusa area of Tokyo.

Zoom in on Tokyo Station at night! Zoom in Tokyo Station !

🌼🆕 Sakuhomachi, Nagano Prefecture brochure 🌼 Hello everyone 🌟 This is the Sakuhomachi Tourism Association in Nagano Prefecture. The Sakuhomachi, Nagano Prefecture brochure has been refreshed! 😸👏🏻👏🏻 From today, you can pick one up freely in the Sakuhomachi, Nagano Prefecture section of the Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen Visitor Center 🌼💫✨ We also carry brochures for Minamimaki, Kitaaiki, Minamiaiki, Koumi, and Kawakami. Feel free to stop by anytime ✨

Hello everyone—this is the Yamato City Event and Tourism Association. We talked about a temple the other day, so today we will introduce a shrine in Yamato. Fukami Shrine is a shrine located about a 15-minute walk from Yamato Station on the Odakyu Enoshima Line and the Sotetsu Line. The enshrined deities are Takemikazuchi no Kami and Takeminakata no Kami. Takemikazuchi no Kami is also known as the deity of Kashima Shrine, the head shrine Kashima Jingu, often called Kashima-sama. Both deities are powerful war gods associated with martial prowess, and they are indispensable for prayers for victory. Fukami Shrine is the only shrine in the city listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a register compiled in the Nara and Heian periods, making it one of the Engishiki-designated shrines. It has been recorded as one of the region’s representative shrines since ancient times. Fukami Shrine is also known for its harunire tree, selected as one of Kanagawa’s 100 notable trees and designated as a Yamato City historic site, scenic spot, and natural monument. This harunire reaches about 30 meters in height, which is rare in lowland areas like Yamato. Because its species was once unknown, locals originally called it the “nanjamonja tree,” and that familiar local name still endures. Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, Fukami Shrine makes a lovely stop on a walking route. Fukami Shrine 3367 Fukami, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture https://www.fukamijinjya.com//

Photographed 3/1/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 3/1/25. It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed on New Year's Eve 2024 This photo was taken from the newly established photo Spot "Aiko Shirahigedai" of Shirahige Shrine floating on Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. I was able to enjoy the scenery safely without crossing the national highway.

I went to Nishihirabatake Park and Aguri Park in Matsuda-cho, Ashigarakami-gun. The second photo is my favorite.

Kiyosato, Uryu Falls Located in the Kawamata River Valleys at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Water is a mysterious waterfall where water streams down like silk threads from between the rocks. Fresh greenery in Spring and Autumn leaves in autumn are also beautiful, and the feeling of coolness in summer is also exceptional.

Kiyosato, Uryu Falls Located in the Kawamata River Valleys at the foothills of Mt. Yatsugatake, Water is a mysterious waterfall where water streams down like silk threads from between the rocks. Fresh greenery in Spring and Autumn leaves in autumn are also beautiful, and the feeling of coolness in summer is exceptional.

Daylily of Kirigamine In July, daylily is in full bloom on the Kirigamine Highlands along the Venus Line. The photo was taken of the daylily communities of Kirigamine Fujimidai. During the flower season, the Venus Line is congested.

Daylily of Kirigamine In July, daylily blossoms in the Kirigamine Highlands along the Venus Line. The photo was taken of the daylily communities of Kirigamine Fujimidai. During the flower season, the Venus Line is congested.