Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Gourmet: Bar EL CAMPO (Bar Eru Kanpo) A hidden retreat in the forest: Bar EL CAMPO You can unwind in a log-house venue surrounded by mountains and enjoy a slow pace of time. The owner’s carefully crafted cocktails and the wide selection of whiskies are a highlight. Try the unique “El Campo Burger,” made with deer meat and available only here. Hours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 3:00 PM–12:00 AM Note: Monday–Thursday are by reservation only. Please consult us by the day before. Contact: 872-1 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 080-9799-0094

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Gourmet — Enoha no Ie Enoha no Ie sits right beside the clear stream where yamame trout thrive. Here you can enjoy yamame dishes made from Gokase’s pure water. Alongside grilled salt-roasted yamame and sweet-simmered yamame, you can also taste yamame sashimi, which requires the freshest fish. A yamame fishing pond nearby lets you try yamame fishing casually. Hours: 11:00–17:00 Closed: Open daily Contact: 4615 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, 882-1201 Phone: 0982-83-2321

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Gourmet: Shoku no Sato Gogo At lunch, enjoy hearty, filling meals; in the evening, the restaurant fills with locals at Shoku no Sato Gogo. You can dine while looking out over the upstream of the Mikasho River. The house specialties are charcoal-grilled local chicken and kama-age udon. Hours: Lunch 11:00–13:30 (last order 13:15) / Dinner 17:30–21:30 (last order 21:00) Closed: Monday Contact: 1287-3 Mikasho, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1203 Phone: 0982-82-0635 (Reservations are recommended for dinner)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Gourmet: Cloud Above the Grapes Cloud Above the Grapes is a restaurant located on the grounds of Gokase Winery Enjoy a buffet of dishes made with local ingredients and freshly caught yamame trout. The curry made with Gokase wine is also popular. Help yourself to a wide selection of dishes from salads to desserts as much as you like! Hours: 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30) Closed: Wednesday and Thursday Contact: 4847-1 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 Phone: 0982-73-5470

Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture Gourmet Restaurant Gose (Itsuse), located inside Gokase Onsen Mori no Yado Kijiya You can enjoy a variety of seasonal dishes. Using 100% Gokase-grown grapes for Gokase Wine, the locally acclaimed Takachiho Beef—a brand honored at the National Wagyu Ability Competition—salt-grilled yamame (mountain trout), tempura of wild mountain vegetables, and other carefully chosen seasonal ingredients, the restaurant offers a menu that highlights the best flavors of each season. Hours: Lunch 11:00–15:00 / Dinner 17:00–21:00 Closed: Every Tuesday. Please check the official website for holiday closures. Contact: 9223 Mikasho, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1203 Phone: 0982-82-1115 Fax: 0982-82-1145

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Shopping & Souvenirs: Yuuhi no Sato Local Products Center Yuuhi no Sato Local Products Center sits on the grounds of Gokase Winery In addition to freshly harvested morning vegetables brought in by local residents, the center offers a wide selection of kamairi tea and processed goods Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Thursdays Contact: 0982-73-5471

Nice to meet you all and welcome to COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! This is the Shinshu Tateshina Tourist Association. Tateshina Town, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, Tateshina Town, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture is an area with spectacular Nature landscapes such as Mt. Mount Tateshina, Hot Spring, and ski resorts. During the summer season, many people visit it as a summer resort, and you can enjoy sports such as tennis, Putting golf, archery, and fishing in the Highlands area around Lake Megami. In addition, there are three ski resorts and the Tateshina Town, and in the winter season, you can enjoy a wide range of Winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, from families to advanced skiers. Throughout the year, we will introduce the charm of Tateshina Town in various ways, so please look forward to it. 【 Specialty products and gourmet food of Tateshina Town 】 In Tateshina Town, the clear underground water stream from Mount Tateshina grows delicious crops. Specialty products such as "Koshihikari rice produced in Tateshina" and "Tateshina apples" have been well received by many people. In addition, "Tateshina beef" raised on a highlands at an elevation of 800 meters in Tateshina Town is a brand beef that Shinshu is proud of with plenty of umami. Specialty products created by the Blessed natural environment of the region are also lined up at "Roadside Station Goddess Village Tateshina NokimuraMegami no sato". How do you like it? as a Souvenirs of sightseeing in Tateshina Town? 【 Sightseeing spot full of charm of Tateshina Town 】 『 Mount Tateshina 』 "Mount Tateshina" is one of the 100 Famous Mountains of Japan towering on the border between Tateshina Town and Nagano Prefecture Chino City. Elevation 2,531 meters. Restrooms available is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, but it is a popular mountain where even beginners can enjoy climbing. It takes about 4 hours round trip, so it is also recommended as an introduction to Introduction to Yatsugatake. Lake Megami The Lake Megami in the birch Highlands of the foothills of Mount Tateshina is also Restrooms available in the photo Spot, which is popular for its reflections that beautifully reflect the Mount Tateshina on the surface of the lake. Activities such as boating and canoeing are also available. "Lake Shirakaba" It is a lake with a circumference of 4 kilometers at an elevation of 1400m, and it is a spot where you can enjoy various ways throughout the year, such as fresh greenery in Spring, summer getaways in Summer getaway, Autumn leaves in autumn, and snow in winter. The area around the lake is well maintained with a promenade surrounded by pure white birch trees, so you can enjoy walking. 『 Gosensui Nature Park 』 From Tateshina Ranch, you can take the gondola Lift and get there in about 5 minutes. Elevation 1,830 Meters, you can see about 300 kinds of alpine plants and many wild birds. 『 Tateshina Teddy Bear Museum 』 There are 11,000 teddy bears on display from all over the world, which can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages. The exhibition is divided into 18 themes from 15 countries around the world. "Venus Line Onna no Kami Observatory" Driving route in Yatsugatake Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Since it runs in the Highlands, it is recommended for summer driving and touring. Located Elevation 1700 Meters, the Onna no Kami Observatory overlooks the Yatsugatake and Southern Alps mountains. "Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Family Land and Ikenotaira Hotel" Shirakaba Resort Ikenotaira Family Land is an amusement park where you can enjoy merry-go-rounds and Roller coaster, and there are also Putting Golf, horseback riding, and Athletic. The 2024 season will open on Saturday, April 20, 2024. It is also recommended as a base for sightseeing at the Ikenotaira Hotel Tateshina, which is attached to Ikenotaira Family Land. 『 Roadside Station Goddess Village Tateshina Nokimura（Megami no sato） 』 At the sales office "Nongi Village" in the Roadside Station, there are many products recommended for Tateshina Products Fresh Agricultural Products and Souvenirs. It is a recommended Spot where you can take a break while looking at the superb view of Mt. Asama. A trip to enjoy the Nature, culture, and gourmet food of Tateshina Town will be a special time for everyone. Enjoy the experience that can only be experienced in Tateshina Town. We will send out Recommendations for Tateshina Town, so please follow us!

Hinata Mushiokuri Join us for the Mushiokuri! Mushiokuri, a traditional ritual dating back to the Edo period, prays for a bountiful harvest, the driving away of crop pests, and protection from disease. Torchlight reflects on the rice paddies’ water, creating an eerie, otherworldly scene. Date and time: Saturday, July 20, 2024, 5:00 PM– Meeting point: Hinata Yakushi From Odakyu Line Isehara Station North Exit, Kanachu Bus platform 3 Take the “Hinata Yakushi” bus for about 20 minutes and get off at the Hinata Yakushi terminal; walk 15 minutes along the approach to the temple. Participation fee: Free. If you carry a torch, an additional fee of 500 yen applies (junior high school students and older). Contact: Hinata Mushiokuri Preservation Society Office 0463-95-0234 (Yamaguchi)

July 7 (Sunday) Sunset Village Kids Festa – Tanabata Festival– On Tanabata day, July 7, the Sunset Village Creation Promotion Council and the Childcare Support Center teamed up to hold the Sunset Village Kids Festa – Tanabata Festival – in the Wind Hall at Gokase Winery👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎋✨ True to the Wind Hall’s name, the wind blew strongly, but the sky was perfectly clear and blazing sunny—a day with no better weather🥵☀️ That didn’t bother anyone: the children were full of energy💪✨ A water play area was set up at the venue! Kids blasted water pistols in the pool, sent all kinds of bubbles into the air, and played with water-balloon yo-yos… the fun continued from morning until the event ended, always packed and lively🔫👏 On stage, children moved their bodies to music in a rhythmics session, sang together at a mini concert, and listened intently to picture-book readings and a panel theater. A special collaboration with the local wind ensemble, G Music Band, brought an electrifying hula dance that thrilled the crowd🥳🙌 There were also hands-on experiences with wind and percussion instruments and the koto, and the children were ecstatic to touch live instruments they rarely get to try🎺🎶 Vendors lined up, including BLANCO Ice Cream from nearby Yamatomachi, offering drinks and treats for kids and adults and fun lottery games. The place was bustling🌭🥤🍧 Upstairs in the cool Wine Hall, Midori Kakuda’s photo exhibition and photo session were held, capturing many lovely and new scenes of Gokase in beautiful shots📸✨ On the same floor, a nursing room and a rest area provided considerate support for visitors with small children🍼💕 In the afternoon, everyone wrote wishes on tanzaku and tied them to the bamboo. The once bare bamboo became brightly decorated, creating a very atmospheric scene😌 The children’s heartfelt, unique wishes felt cleansing to the heart🥹✨ The venue was arranged with parents’ comfort in mind, and the children, who had played to their hearts’ content and ended up soaked from head to toe, left wearing satisfied smiles😊🥰👏 Places and opportunities where children can laugh and play freely are precious😳✨ It was a perfect day, and I hope many more wonderful events like this will be held in the future👍👍👍

Hello! This is the Fukui Prefecture Tourism Federation. Fukui Prefecture has become one of the most talked-about regions now that the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension has made access from Tokyo much easier. We will share information about Fukui’s sightseeing spots, gourmet food, and more. Please look forward to it! ◆About Fukui Prefecture Fukui Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan in the Chubu region. On March 16, 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended between Kanazawa and Tsuruga, reducing the fastest travel time from Tokyo to 2 hours and 51 minutes. About 80 percent of Japan’s dinosaur fossils have been excavated in Fukui Prefecture, earning it the nickname “Dinosaur Kingdom” and making it home to many dinosaur-related facilities. Facing the Sea of Japan, Fukui is one of Japan’s premier fishing grounds, where you can enjoy fresh seafood. Especially Echizen crab, Wakasa fugu (pufferfish), and Echizen Flounder are high-quality specialties you can only taste here. Fukui is also one of the world’s leading eyewear production centers, manufacturing 95 percent of Japan’s frames. ◆Popular sightseeing spots in Fukui Prefecture Fukui is broadly divided into four areas: ◇Awara, Sakai, and Fukui City area ◇Eiheiji and Okuetsu area ◇Wakasaji area ◇Tannan area Below are recommended spots in each area. ◇Awara, Sakai, and Fukui City area ・Tojinbo Tojinbo, a cliff-lined coastline stretching about one kilometer, is often used for dramatic climaxes in suspense dramas. It is recognized as one of the world’s three great scenic wonders, a National Natural Monument, one of Japan’s 100 geological sites, and one of Japan’s 100 best sunsets. In recent years it has become popular as a spot to see the “green flash,” when the sun briefly glows green as it sets into the Sea of Japan. ・Fukui Castle Ruins The castle ruins were built in 1606 by Hideyasu Yuki, the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Stone walls remain, and the site is a popular cherry-blossom viewing spot. ◇Eiheiji and Okuetsu area ・Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum One of the world’s three great dinosaur museums, it displays about 50 dinosaur skeletons along with fossils, specimens, dioramas, and reconstructed models. It is a spot that delights both children and adults. ・Daihonzan Eiheiji A Zen training monastery founded by Zen Master Dogen, it still hosts many practicing monks. ◇Wakasaji area ・Mizushima A small uninhabited island off the tip of the Tsuruga Peninsula, Mizushima is reachable by a daily ferry that operates during the swimming season. Its beauty has earned it the nickname “Hawaii of the Hokuriku region.” ・Mikata Five Lakes The five lakes—Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, Lake Suga, Lake Kugushi, and Lake Hiruga—span Mihama Town and Wakasacho in Fukui Prefecture. They are also called the “five colored lakes” because each has a different shade of blue. ◇Tannan area ・Murasaki Shikibu Park Named for the Heian-period author Murasaki Shikibu, who spent time in Takefu City, the park features a gilded statue of Murasaki Shikibu wearing a twelve-layered kimono. ・Kazurabashi (Vine Bridge) A rare vine suspension bridge measuring 44 meters long. A legend says couples who vow their love on the bridge will find eternal happiness. ◆For touring Fukui Prefecture, we recommend the Happibus To visit popular spots in Fukui Prefecture, we recommend Happibus. Happibus offers scheduled sightseeing bus tours that take you comfortably and safely to attractive attractions scattered across the prefecture. Choose from seasonal specialty routes or courses that let you compare Fukui’s delicacies. Tours operate for solo travelers, and admission fees are included in the price. A guide accompanies the tour so you can fully enjoy your trip in Fukui. For details, please visit the Happibus website. ◆Fukui’s representative festivals ◇Mikuni Festival Held every May, this historic festival dates back to the Edo period. As one of the three major festivals of the Hokuriku region, its procession of float-mounted warrior dolls standing 6.5 meters tall parades through town in a powerful display. ◇Toro Nagashi and Grand Fireworks Festival Held every August in Tsuruga City, this festival fills the sea with colorful floating lanterns against the backdrop of Kehi no Matsubara, while about 8,000 fireworks light up the night sky above the ocean. ◇Tsuruga Festival, Kehi Jingu Shrine Annual Festival Held every September in Tsuruga City, this festival is famous as the “Long Festival of Kehi” because it spans 14 days. ◆Sharing recommended information about Fukui Prefecture We introduced Fukui Prefecture’s seasonal natural beauty, historic sites, delicious food, and traditional culture. Fukui has ranked first overall five times in a row in the “Happiness Ranking of All 47 Prefectures.” We will continue to introduce Fukui’s highlights on Cool Japan Video. Thank you for your support!

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Shopping and Souvenirs: Baba House Baba House sits on the grounds of Miyazaki Sabou. Here you can buy Miyazaki Sabou tea and sweets from Baba Club. Contact 4805-4 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 Phone: 0982-82-0211

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Shopping & Souvenirs: Gokase Winery Wine Hall At Gokase Winery, we use 100% grapes grown by local farmers who work closely with the region’s strict yet generous natural environment. These proud wines are gathered in the Wine Hall. Niagara Premium, the Wine Hall’s exclusive, ages Niagara grapes in tanks to develop a calm aroma and a smooth taste, and it is our number one favorite. Hours: 9:30–17:00 Closed: during the New Year holidays Contact: Phone number: 0982-73-5477

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Shopping & Souvenirs Speciality Center Gokase Located along National Route 218 on the border between Miyazaki Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture, Speciality Center Gokase Local specialties from Gokasecho and fresh vegetables grown by nearby farmers are displayed here. In the diner you can enjoy Gokase udon or soba topped with a whole simmered yamame trout in sweet soy glaze, and Tokuhoru-don, which won the grand prize at the Miyazaki B-grade Gourmet Contest. Hours of operation Shop: 9:00–18:00 Diner: 11:00–16:00 Closed days Shop: Open year-round Diner: During the New Year holidays Contact Phone: 0982-82-1400 Fax: 0982-82-1252

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Mountaineering and Trekking] Karasudake Karasudake sits at the northern tip of the Kuwanouchi district The summit offers a full 360-degree view where you can take in sweeping scenery Each May, the azalea festival is held

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Hiking and Trekking: Kabakidake Rising at the heart of the Kuwanouchi district, the mountain is known locally as Shiroyama, or Castle Mountain, because an ancient mountain fortress called Kabakidake Castle once stood there. It is cherished by the local community. With Mt. Masugata to the east as its backdrop, the mountain offers wide views to the west, south and north. Its shape—easy to defend but hard to attack—has made it famous as the representative mountain of Kuwanouchi.

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Mountaineering and Trekking] Mt. Masugata Mt. Masugata in the Kuwanochi area The summit offers a full 360-degree panorama, with views of the Aso mountain range, Kuju mountain range, Mt. Sobo, Mt. Unzen Fugen, and the gorge of the Gokase River all visible at a glance. You can also see a sky full of stars at night, but be aware that the trail to the summit is rugged and there are no streetlights.

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Mountaineering and Trekking] Gionyama This mountain is said to be the birthplace of Kyushu, first emerging from the sea as the current Kyushu rose from tectonic movement, and fossils dating back 430 million years have been excavated here. During the mountain opening season, you can enjoy flowers such as the fully blooming akebono azaleas. Some sections require using ropes to advance.

Traditional Performing Arts of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture — Usu-daiko Dance The Usu-daiko dance performed at the autumn grand festival of Gion Shrine was once offered on the lunar calendar date of September 9, so it is also called the "kunchi dance," and it has been passed down for more than 400 years. It is said to have begun when members of the defeated Taira clan, driven from Kyoto and wandering in exile, reached the mountain hamlet of Shiiba on their way to safety and, while remembering the glittering capital, danced in the village of Kuraoka. The dance shows a poised, dignified movement within its grace, evoking the hearts of people from the capital, and it is offered each year at Gion Shrine’s autumn festival. <Legendary Events>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the first year of Bunji (1185), near the end of the Genpei conflicts, remnants of the Taira clan who were defeated at the Battle of Dan-no-ura fled into the interior to evade the Genji pursuit. They reached the village of Kuraoka and, on their way to Mt. Shiiba, left the weak, women, and children in the mountains near Kuraoka Hakki because of the steep, treacherous roads. In Genkyu 2, the Kamakura shogunate did not ease its pursuit of the Taira remnants and ordered Nasu Daihachiro Munenaga to hunt down the clan that had fled into the Kyushu Mountains. Receiving the order, Nasu Daihachiro's party entered Kuraoka intending to head for Shiiba, and finding the Taira fugitives in Kuraoka lacking the will to fight, they staged a dance of shared company to comfort them after the long journey, setting aside the victors' arrogance to show compassion for the defeated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The dance described above became the foundation of the Kuraoka Usu-daiko dance, which, after cycles of prosperity and decline and several relocations over the ages, is said to have survived in its present form. Dancing to the beat of drums and bells, performers display dignified movements within an overall elegance. In recent years, the Gion Shrine Usu-daiko Dance Preservation Society, with the cooperation of children from Gokase Nature School and local parishioners, has carried on the dance. Schedule for the Usu-daiko dance: every year on October 9.

Traditional Performing Arts of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture: Kuraoka Staff Technique The Kuraoka staff tradition follows the Ōkuruma school, said to be a martial art founded by Marume Kurando (one of the four greats of the Shinkage tradition) from the Higo Sagara domain. Also called Shinkage Ōkuruma Musō-ryū, documents show the earliest mention of Kuraoka in the early Edo period. After that, the art passed through Mamimahara and Omae in Shiiba Village before returning to practitioners in Kuraoka at the local end of the line. Kuraoka staff techniques use two kinds of staff: the long staff, 6 shaku 2 sun (about 188 cm), and the short staff, 3 shaku (about 91 cm). The forms are basically defensive. There are over thirty paired forms, including long staff versus short staff and staff versus sword. Forms that employ the sword are commonly called shiraha (white-blade). The Kuraoka Staff Preservation Society offers a shiraha dedication at the summer grand festival of Gion Shrine and provides instruction to students at Kuraoka Junior High School.

Traditional Performing Arts of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture: Murono Yoi Kagura The Murono Yoi Kagura at Mikasho Shrine is said to have been handed down during the Meiji era from the Iwato Kagura lineage, specifically the Kuwanouchi Shrine Kagura and the Furudono Shrine Kagura. The sake-straining dance has become a merry performance portraying a farming couple. In the mid-Meiji period, Minosuke Kai, the first head of the Murono district, brought kagura from Furudono to the Konpira-yama festival, central to the Murono and Akatani districts, and passed it down to the present day. The tradition once died out, but it was reformed when kagura was requested for the Tsuhana Tunnel breakthrough ceremony in 1972 (Showa 47). Murono Yoi Kagura schedule: the second Saturday in December

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Traditional Performing Arts] Kuraoka Gion Kagura Kuraoka Gion Kagura is a kagura preserved at Kuraoka’s Gion Shrine. Its origins are said to trace back to dances performed in the broad courtyard of the ancient Kogamure Shrine recorded in the Engishiki. In Genryaku 2 / Juei 4 (1185), after the Heike clan’s defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, members of the Heike fled through the Kyushu mountains and reached Kuraoka, then pressed further into the remote mountains toward Shiiba. At that time, court entertainments and sacred music from Kyoto—gigaku, gagaku—and Ise-style kagura that the Heike brought with them blended into the existing local kagura, and over time this fusion developed into a distinctive form. The kagura’s sound is said to have been shaped by a drum made from the trunk of a walnut tree grown in the hidden recesses of Mt. Shiraiwa, stretched with deerhide taken from the remote mountains and bound at both ends with hemp twine; a flute made from bamboo with holes bored in it; and graceful, capital-style rhythms and hand clapping. These elements combined into the unique musical pulse of the Kuraoka kagura. In July 2023, the Kuraoka Gion Kagura Preservation Society revived this ancient kagura drum. Kuraoka Gion Kagura schedule: mid-July (Gion Shrine), early October (Gion Shrine), mid-November (Amanatsu Shrine)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Traditional Performing Arts: Kuwanouchi Shrine Kagura Kuwanouchi Kagura is believed to have begun in the early Meiji era. A surviving costume is dated Meiji 3, and the shrine’s relocation to Habu in the same year suggests the kagura started around that time. The masks used are mainly the hannya mask, more frequently employed than in other kagura, and the performance is characterized by a faster tempo. The whole community works together to pass the tradition to future generations, putting great effort into training successors. In spring and autumn, the kagura is offered at the Kuwanouchi Shrine grand festival. In January, a night-long kagura dedication prays for a bountiful harvest and the well-being of residents. Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura Schedule…Every year on the second Saturday of January

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Traditional Performing Arts] Furutono Shrine Kagura During the Muromachi period, local jinkagura and Iwato kagura were offered together here for rites, but through several revivals Ise kagura became blended in, producing a slower-tempo (roku-choshi) kagura that continues to the present day. The origin of this kagura is the “Amano-Iwato Opening,” and it was performed to pray for a bountiful harvest and household safety. From Taisho 6 (1917) it also included prayers to calm fires; today it additionally includes traffic safety prayers, and a night kagura festival is held every January. Furutono Shrine night kagura schedule…mid-January

Traditional Performing Art of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture: Ara-Odori (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) The Ara-Odori of Gokase is a style of elegant festival dance that was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on January 8, 1987 (prefectural designation: May 15, 1962). In February 2021, a group of 41 nationwide “furyu odori” (elegant festival dances), including Gokase’s Ara-Odori, was selected as a candidate for inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. A nomination dossier was submitted to UNESCO in March of the same year, and the dances were officially inscribed on November 30, 2022. “Furyu odori” embodies the spirit of flamboyance and eye-catching elegance. Performers wear elaborate costumes and carry decorative props as they dance to songs and the sound of flutes, drums, and small gongs. Across Japan, 42 furyu odori entries (covering 25 prefectures and 43 municipalities) are designated National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties. In Miyazaki Prefecture, Gokase’s Ara-Odori is the only designated example. These dances carry prayers from local communities for protection from calamities, memorials for the dead, prosperous harvests, and rain. Villagers of all ages take part during festivals and annual events. Each locality’s history and natural environment are reflected in its performance, and the dances serve as a vital source of community energy. The Ara-Odori of Gokase is said to have begun in the Tensho era (1573–1592) when Sakamoto Iga no Kami Masayuki, lord of Sakamoto Castle (upstream of the Mikasho River), started the dance to raise his troops’ morale before going to war. Later, in the Keicho era (1596–1615), his grandson Sakamoto Yamashiro no Kami Nyudo Kyukaku established a ritual code for offering the dance to the guardian deity Futakami Daimyojin (now Mikasho Shrine). At that time, it is said that a successor from the temple called shinbochi oversaw funerary rites, and a monkey kept at the temple was also made to join the dance. One theory holds that the dance originated in Sakamoto, in Ōmi Province (modern Shiga Prefecture). However, the Nisshu Takachiho Kokon Jiran-ki (collected in Volume 4 of the Hyuga Local Historical Materials) records that descendants of Sasaki Rokkaku Takayori from Ōmi fled to Takachiho and served the Mitai clan; their descendants later took the names Saho, Sakamoto, and Masaki. The Sakamoto mentioned here is not the Sakamoto of Sakamoto Castle but the Sakamoto from Mukoyama to Kanegase, a separate lineage with its own origins distinct from the Minamoto, Oogami, or Fujiwara clans. Ara-Odori schedule: every year on the fourth Sunday of September

[Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture Tourist Spot] Myoken Shrine Founded about 1,100 years ago in the 11th year of Jōgan (870) during the reign of Emperor Seiwa, it has been venerated as a water deity. The spring water emerging from a limestone cave layer on Mount Gion and flowing into a corner of Myoken Shrine is called “Four Hundred Million-Year Drop: Myoken Sacred Water.” It has long been known as the sacred nursing water and was selected as one of the 100 Famous Waters of the Heisei era. Autumn festival: early November

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: The starry sky of Gokasecho According to the International Dark-Sky Association, Gokasecho has a Class 2 night sky. You can see many stars with the naked eye throughout the town. They are especially clear on clear winter nights. Some locations can be dangerous at night, so caution is necessary. Gokase Nature School holds occasional "Star Parties" where astronomy enthusiasts from inside and outside the town gather.

Gion’s Great Hinoki in Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture This hinoki was hidden from public view for a long time but came to attention during Gokasecho’s “Search for Local Treasures” in 2000. Its large trunk splits into eight distinctive branches partway up, creating a striking shape. Located inside an old cemetery, it is believed to have been planted as a guardian tree.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Gion Shrine Gion Shrine was founded around the 16th year of Emperor Kinmei’s reign (around 525 AD) when an epidemic swept the Chihogō area in central Kyushu. It was established in Kuraoka, at the heart of the region, as a protector deity prayed to for the removal of disease and misfortune. Locals affectionately call it “Gion-san.” On the shrine grounds stands a zelkova tree said to have been planted by Nasu Daihachiro and Munemasa when they visited in Genkyu 2 (1205). Designated a town natural monument, this giant tree is about 37 meters tall and has an estimated age of roughly 800 years. Deities enshrined: Sobo no Kami / Susanoo no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Oonamuchi no Mikoto, Kushinadahime no Mikoto, Itsuse no Mikoto, Somin Shorai, Kotan Shorai, Tenman Tenjin, Ashinazuchi no Kami, Tenazuchi no Kami, Inari Daimyojin

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Furuto-no Shrine The founding date is unknown. According to shrine tradition, when the loyal retainer Shibahara Matazaburo Nyudo Shotora of the Yoshino court moved from Shibahara in Osekata Village to Kuwanochi Yokodori, he is said to have brought the three deities of Kumano that had been worshipped in Shibahara to this site. Since ancient times the shrine has been revered as the Shrine of the Fire God. When a parishioner’s house faced fire, mysterious sounds would reportedly arise within the shrine to warn of it, and the parishioners would stay at the shrine to perform rituals to avert the fire. On the grounds stand three giant cedar trees about 580 years old and over 30 meters tall, designated as town natural monuments. A kaya tree likewise designated as a town natural monument is a giant estimated at about 600 years old and 34 meters tall. Spring Festival: Early April Grand Annual Festival: September 23 Night Kagura: Early January Deities enshrined: Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Kagutsuchi no Mikoto, with Fujiwara no Michizane also enshrined.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Uge Falls There is a legend about Uge Falls. “Long ago, when people hosted celebrations or received guests, they would ask the waterfall pool, ‘Please lend me a bowl,’ and by the next morning a bowl would be floating in the pool. Once, someone returned a bowl with a piece missing, and the gods became angry and stopped lending bowls.” To protect the water of Uge Falls, a water deity is enshrined at the foot of the falls. The site has been cherished by previous generations as an important water source for Ohara Iseki Park and the Mikasa Sakamoto district, and it continues to be carefully preserved.