【🌸 Gokase Hanami 2025 — Featured Photo Submissions Part 11 🌸】 It’s been a while, but we’re resuming introductions of the works submitted to “#Gokase Hanami 2025,” currently hosted on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account 🤩💫 @sayasyoto They submitted many photos of the rhododendrons at Mikasho Shrine and a rare bamboo called kikkouchiku.✨ They also showcased the beauty of the leaves remaining on the cherry trees after blooming.🌸🌿 Since we can, please enjoy comparing these with the cherry blossom photos we introduced earlier.☺️💕 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Now then, the long-running “#Gokase Hanami 2025” is finally in its final stretch.💪💡 The event runs through Sunday, May 11, so if you took flower photos in Gokase during Golden Week, please do submit them.🤗✨ ≪#How to Enter Gokase Hanami 2025 ≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post flower photos taken within Gokasecho to Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #date of photography (example: #March 20).🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... Period: From Thursday, March 20, 2025, through Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️ Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.

🌊 Impression experience in 1 hour from Tokyo! Zushi diving 🐠✨, a paradise in the sea Hello! This is 😊 Hokule'a Shonan This time, we will introduce the Scene of the diving tour in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture! 📍 Zushi is famous as a sightseeing spot, but it is actually a popular Spot for divers. Due to the intensity of the fish shadow and the good Access, it has Fascination many divers. We also went diving into the sea of Zushi! 🐟 The shadow of the fish is so dark! It's like a Water Water house One of the things that surprised me when I entered was the number of fish! The moment when you are surrounded by sparkling schools of fish is truly a "paradise in the sea" 🏝️✨ The transparency is good, and the light in the water is very fantastic. Forgetting the hustle and bustle of the city and simply drifting with the fish is a healing moment 🫧 that resets the mind and body 🚗 Excellent Access! Arrive in about 1 hour from Tokyo Zushi is only 40 minutes by car from Hokule'a Shonan shop (30 seconds walk from the south exit of JR Hiratsuka Station)! It can be accessed from Tokyo in about 1 hour, so it is 👌 a perfect area for day trip diving Many ☺️ customers are surprised that there is such a wonderful sea without having to go far 🤿 Safe for beginners! Hokule'a Shonan's Courteous Support Hokule'a Shonan is Held in a diving tour with a small number of people and beginners welcome! Experienced instructors will support you firmly. "It's my first time and I'm anxious..." "I'm worried that there is a blank ..." You can ✨ also participate with peace of mind Let's enjoy the world of the sea in a relaxed atmosphere! 🌟 Summary: Experience your own impression in the sea of Zushi The intensity of the fish shadows, the beautiful Water middle world, the goodness of the Access The sea of Zushi is full of 💙 charm that you will want to visit again and again Why don't you experience your own Impression diving in the Shonan Sea? All of our staff are looking forward to 😊🌊 your participation #ZushiDiving #ScubaDivingJapan #DiveNearTokyo #UnderwaterParadise #ColorfulMarineLife #HiddenDiveSpot #OceanLovers #HokuleaShonan #SmallGroupDiving #BeginnerFriendlyDiving

Hello everyone! This is Kōshū Inden, Yamanashi Traditional Crafts Village, located in Shosenkyo Gorge. Right now, Shosenkyo Gorge is wrapped in vivid fresh greenery around the fountain, and it’s truly the season when nature’s beauty stands out. On clear days, the deep blue sky contrasts beautifully with the lively green, making you stop in your tracks to take it in. The sound of the fountain and the pleasant breeze add to the atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for a Golden Week stroll. At our shop, we showcase many traditional crafts from Yamanashi. One highlight is the recently launched natural stone polishing experience! Choose your favorite natural stone and gradually polish it—the process feels like discovering a little treasure. Watching the stone become shiny is so absorbing that both adults and children get completely caught up in it. Create a travel memory or enjoy it while waiting for your meal. Come and try it for yourself. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.

It's now the season when it's easy to take a walk. I was visiting a park in Sapporo city. The cherry blossoms are very beautiful.

Mount Jōnen as seen from Azumino under a stretch of clear weather If you look closely, you can spot the snow pattern called “Jōnenbō” on the mountain’s slope Can you make out the figure of a monk wearing a kasaya robe and carrying a sake flask? People long ago used this snow pattern as a seasonal cue for tasks such as sowing seeds and planting rice seedlings, weaving it into their daily lives Azumino is now just entering the rice-planting season

The only outdoor activity of its kind in Hiroshima Prefecture!?😲 Enjoy Shobara Satoyama Rafting amid fresh green foliage this Golden Week!!✊ Rafting is a thrilling activity where you ride a rubber boat down river rapids! It’s not an exaggeration to call this the only rafting experience in Hiroshima Prefecture (according to our survey), and you can try it here in Shobara City. Groups, families, friends, couples, and solo participants are all very welcome💕 While July and August are peak season, June is also recommended for higher water levels✨ We’re taking lots of reservations for May too!! Reservations for Golden Week are open✨ Search for "Shobara Satoyama Rafting" for details🔍 = Shobara Satoyama Rafting Information ========== [Experience Name] Shobara Satoyama Rafting [Overview] On the Saijo River in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, rafting experiences are held annually from mid-April through October. The eligible ages range from 7 to 70. An instructor rides along, so beginners can feel at ease. Using special paddles, participants paddle together to descend the river. The full course is about 3.5 km long, with thrilling stretches of rapids and rocky sections. Rafting lets you enjoy Shobara’s beautiful nature with all your senses and is a noteworthy water activity. [Meeting Point] Meet at the Ayu no Sato Park boathouse (1641-1 Nagata, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima 727-0114, Japan). [Dates and Times] April 26, 2025 (Saturday) – October 31, 2025 (Friday) Morning session: 9:30 AM Afternoon session: 1:30 PM [Fees] ◎ Individual Plan Adult per person: 6,000 yen (tax included) Child (junior high school students and under) per person: 4,000 yen 🌟Fees increase by 500 yen each during peak season! ◎ Private Charter Plan One group (up to 6 people — same fee) Participation fee: 30,000 yen (tax included) [What the fee includes] Guide fee, insurance, full equipment set, and entrance fee for Ayu-no-Sato Onsen [Conditions] ◎ Eligible ages: 7–70 years old ◎ Height: 110 cm or taller ◎ Minimum participants to run: 2 persons [Program Schedule] 1) Change clothes (10 minutes) 2) Safety briefing (10 minutes) 3) Transfer to the start point (15 minutes) 4) Boarding and paddling instruction (15 minutes) 5) Rafting experience starts (120 minutes) 6) Finish-line photos 7) Changing and dismissal (10 minutes) Afterward, soak and relax at the Ayu no Sato Park Takase no Yu hot spring to ease your muscles!♨ [Conditions for operation] The program may be canceled depending on weather or river conditions. [What to bring] Swimsuit, T-shirt, change of clothes, towel, water-friendly shoes (water shoes available for separate rental). Beach sandals are not allowed. Please be sure to check the travel terms, personal information handling, and cancellation fees before applying. ======================================== Make fun outdoor memories in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture!🎶 We hope you give it a try!

Clouds rose in the high-rise Wetlands, and a gradation of light appeared in the Grassland. Shinshu Yunomaru Highlands "Pond Wetland is Elevation 2000m!" A boardwalk stretches "in a vein". It's like a Suspension Bridge over a paradise in the sky. Favorite scenery

[Diving in Nishi-Izu and Tago! ] To a blue world with a transparency of more than 15 meters] Hello! This is 🌸 Hokule'a Shonan The other day, I went to the popular diving spot "Tago" in Nishi-Izu! Tago is a particularly popular area in Nishi-Izu, which is known for its rich nature and dynamic terrain. Access is a little far, but it is still understandable that there are many repeat customers who say, "It's worth going!" The sea on this day was more than 15 meters transparent! The moment you enter, you can't help but exclaim, "Wow!" at the beauty of the water. Just swimming in the clear blue sea with sparkling sunlight was a feeling that soothed my heart. And the highlight is a flock of snapdragons. Against the rocky backdrop, countless orange fish dance like a blizzard of flowers in the water. The water temperature was stable, the seaweed was growing, and the "water landscape only just now" was ✨ spreading At Hokule'a Shonan, we will guide you to diving spots that are "in season now!" at that time of year and on each day. Of course, the selection of points according to the request and the polite guide with a small number of people are also popular. Even first-timers and those with blanks can participate 😊 with confidence "Even if it's a little far away, I want to be healed by seeing the beautiful sea." "I want to encounter a scenery that can only be seen now." For such people, Tago diving is highly recommended! 🌟point🌟 ✔️ Day trip possible from the suburbs of Tokyo (early morning departure) ✔️ Safe and comfortable diving with a small number of people ✔️ Guided by an experienced instructor For those who want to be healed by the beauty of the sea, the current Tago no Kai is really recommended! Let's 🏝 go together and enjoy the view of the sea that you can only meet now #TagoDiving #NishiIzuDive #ScubaDivingJapan #HiddenGemsOfJapan #ExploreJapanUnderwater #HokuleaShonan #SmallGroupDiving #DivingNearTokyo #ColorfulReefFish #AnthiasParadise

[Event Information] The 11th Nippo Coast Rock Oyster Festival 2025 is being held again this year! Unlike true oysters that peak in winter, rock oysters are at their best in summer! Enjoy large, rich, creamy rock oysters! Period: Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Sunday, August 31, 2025 (Hyuga City, Kadogawa Town, Nobeoka City = from May 1; Saiki City = from May 9) Organizers: Nippo Coast Rock Oyster Festival Executive Committee (Hyuga City Tourism Association, Kadogawa Town Tourism Association, Nobeoka Tourism Association, Tourism Town Development Saiki) Inquiries: 0982-29-2155 (Nobeoka Tourism Association) 🎁 Gift Campaign 🎁 During the period, dine on rock oysters at participating stores and submit the entry postcard with the participating store’s stamp to enter a drawing for luxurious prizes! 1st prize: Luxury spiny lobster set × 5 winners 2nd prize: Local premium gourmet set worth 5,000 yen × 4 winners 3rd prize: Local premium gourmet set worth 3,000 yen × 10 winners Entries are valid if postmarked by Monday, September 1. *This event does not include sightseeing facility stamps. *The lottery will be held after the event ends, and only winners will be contacted. ★⭐Introducing Nobeoka City Participating Stores⭐★ 1. Kitaura Rinkai Park Kakiya Address: 2501-60 Furue, Kitaura Town, Nobeoka City, Kitaura Rinkai Park Phone: 0982-45-3039 Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Last order 14:00) Closed: Every Friday *Hours may change due to weather and other conditions 2. Roadside Station Kitaura Restaurant Kaisenkan Address: 3337-1 Furue, Kitaura Town, Nobeoka City Phone: 0982-45-3811 Hours: 10:30–16:00 (Last order 15:00) *Rock oysters available from May 12 Closed: New Year holidays 3. Fuku Fuku Address: 6-5 Shinmachi, Maru Building 1F, Nobeoka City Phone: 0982-32-0629 Hours: 17:00–22:00 Closed: Every Sunday 4. Ajidokoro Kokugikan Address: 2-3-4 Kasuga-machi, Nobeoka City Phone: 0982-32-5729 Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Last order 14:00) 17:00–22:00 (Last order 21:30) *Evenings on Fri and Sat only 17:00–22:30 (Last order 22:00) Closed: Every Monday *Open on national holidays and busy periods

Tsutsubetsu Pass Among the four passes around Lake Kussharo, Tsutsubetsu Pass stands highest in elevation. The road is narrow and steep, climbing like a mountain trail, and each bend opens onto a new view that makes you feel excited just by driving through. As the season approaches, we recommend Tsutsubetsu Pass for a scenic drive. https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/tubetutoge/...

Golden Week finally starts tomorrow🎌!! Here is a roundup of events taking place in Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture🙌 We present the Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour🌸 and the Minato Oasis Tomioka Fair⚓✨ Be sure to stretch your Golden Week plans to include a visit to Reihoku this year! ~~~~~ Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour🌸 During the event, you will find new works on display and for sale, special discount sales, and a variety of other attractions. Take this opportunity to visit and enjoy the beautiful Amakusa ceramics and the stunning scenery of the Amakusa West Coast. Two stamp rallies run at the same time! ※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📃) Period Five days from Friday, May 2, 2025 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Venues (Five kilns in Reihoku Town) Uchida Sarayama Pottery, Kobo Kaze, Mugen Kiln, Tenjiku Pottery Kiln, Unshū Kiln (Two kilns in Amakusa Town) Takahama Ware Juhogama, Amakusa Karatsu Juro Kiln Inquiries: Amakusa Pottery Stone Research and Development Promotion Council Secretariat (inside Reihoku Town Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division) TEL: 0969-35-3332 ~~~~~ Minato Oasis Tomioka Fair⚓ On Sunday, May 4, 2025 (national holiday), the 7th Spring Outing Minato Oasis Tomioka Fair will take place across Tomioka Port in Reihoku Town🎵 The event lineup includes Tomioka Port dolphin-watching cruises🐬, tours of Tomioka Castle🏯 and walks around Tomioka Town, plus a Kizuna Marche🎪 selling practical training products from Takushin High School Marine Campus and local agricultural, marine, and processed goods—there’s plenty to enjoy! Advance registration for dolphin watching and town walks has ended, but dolphin-watching still has available slots, so please come to the reception desk when you arrive! Inquiries: Reihoku Town Hall General Affairs Division TEL 0969-35-1111 FAX 0969-35-2454 ✉️ REIHOKU@town.reihoku.lg.jp

[Amakusa West Coast 🌸 Spring Kiln Tour Opening] ⁠ Known as the source of one of the world’s finest porcelain raw materials, Amakusa Toseki, the Amakusa West Coast hosts seven scattered kilns. The 30th Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour runs for five days from today, Friday, May 2, through Tuesday, May 6. The final kiln introduced is Takahama Ware Juhogama. The Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour finally begins today. This Golden Week, please come out to the Amakusa West Coast and enjoy the season 😊 *You can view previous kiln introductions from this account’s profile!* 🌸Takahama Ware Juhogama Located in the Takahama district of the Amakusa West Coast, Takahama Ware Juhogama boasts a long history dating back to the mid-Edo Period when Amakusa Toseki was first quarried and pottery production began. Its signature products are pure white, translucent porcelain and a distinctive painted motif called mirumon, inspired by seaweed. You have likely seen pieces with this pattern around Kumamoto Prefecture. Just before the Spring Kiln Tour, the workshop buzzes with preparation to put items out for sale. During the event, you can find bargain-priced items and chances to unearth real treasures. The painted pieces are whimsical and charming, and this season many designs feature sake motifs, which makes them especially fun. Mariko Ueda, the managing director, recommends a large-capacity café au lait bowl. It’s perfect for long morning drinks or for enjoying cereal—an ideal morning vessel. On the premises stands the former Ueda family residence, once the local headman’s home. A stroll through the garden brings dazzling spring greenery into view. If you pause feeling watched, you might find a large tanuki statue sitting among the bushes. That tanuki is still awaiting a name, so why not become its namesake when you visit? 📍Takahama Ware Juhogama (Instagram 👉 @takahamaware_kilnjyuho) 598 Takahama Minami, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2804 TEL: 0969-42-1115 ____________________ 🖌️During the Spring Kiln Tour, Takahama Ware Juhogama offers painting experiences on an ongoing basis. 🎪From Friday, May 2 to Monday, May 5 (approximately 10:00–15:00), a market, guided history and architecture tours of the Ueda family and Shiraso, mochi pounding, and various other events will take place! Details: check Takahama Ware Juhogama’s Instagram (@takahamaware_kilnjyuho). 🚗When you visit the Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour, please be sure to stop by. ♩ ____________________ [Amakusa West Coast 🌸 Spring Kiln Tour] During the event, you’ll find new works on display and sale, special discounts, and a variety of activities. Take this opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Amakusa ceramics and the splendid scenery of the Amakusa West Coast. Two stamp rallies run concurrently! *A digital stamp rally qualifies for Kumamoto health points📱* *A paper-entry stamp rally at participating kilns gives you a chance to win products from your chosen kilns (entry forms are available at each kiln)📃* [Period] Five days from Friday, May 2, 2025 through Tuesday, May 6, 2025 8:30 AM–5:00 PM [Venues] (Five kilns in Reihoku) Uchida Sarayama Pottery, Kobo Kaze, Mugen Kiln, Tenjiku Pottery Kiln, Unshū Kiln (Two kilns in Amakusa Town) Takahama Ware Juhogama, Amakusa Karatsu Juro Kiln [Inquiries] Amakusa Pottery Stone Research and Development Promotion Council Secretariat (inside Reihoku Town Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division) TEL: 0969-35-3332

Thank you very much for waiting! We will begin the light-up tonight, May 2.🔦 6:00 PM–10:00 PM The period will be determined based on when the blossoms fall. Since temperatures are still low, please bring warm clothing when you visit.💁‍♀️ Approximately 2,300 Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees on Mt. Shintoku Shrine will be lit from the shrine office area up the steps toward the precincts and around the shrine grounds. Mt. Shintoku Shrine is one of the prefecture’s premier cherry-viewing spots. @shintokujinja When in full bloom, the view is truly impressive! * The event period may shift slightly depending on the timing of petal fall. Please check @welcome_shintoku on social media before coming. * To avoid stressing the flowers, we use LED floodlights for an environmentally considerate illumination. We look forward to your visit.🌸 #Hokkaido #Hokkaido gourmet #Hokkaido sightseeing #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Tokachi #Tokachi sightseeing #Tokachi gourmet #Shintoku Town #Shintoku #Soba town Shintoku Town #Cherry-viewing spot #Night cherry blossoms #Night cherry blossom illumination #hokkaido #hokkaido_lovers #hokkaido_love #ilovehokkaido #hokkaidotrip #hokkaidolikers #hokkaidolove #hokkaidosgram #hokkaidofood #hokkaidotravel #tokachi #shintoku #welcomeshintoku

Golden Week is a magnificent mountain range, a sea of clouds, Why don't you spend a luxurious time in a perfect location with a beautiful starry sky? Yutorist Park Otoyo will be open open all year during GW! 🎉 and cottages, log House, camping, RV parks, you can Accommodation in favorite style. In addition, the restaurant café is also open! Take-out is also available, so enjoy coffee and dessert while looking at the ☕️ scenery < business hours > 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. (restaurant open from 11 a.m. ~ 4 p.m.) < check-in > Campsite / Log House: 14 o'clock ~ Cottage: from 3 p.m. Please check the reservation site for reservations and details! We look forward to seeing you there.

🌸 At Higashikawa-cho’s famous cherry spot, Kitoushi Forest, cherry blossoms are a little late this year. They usually peak during Golden Week, but as of May 2 they are still in bud. It looks like it will take a little longer before full bloom. 🌱 In the meantime, the forest offers spring wildflowers like katakuri and ezohengosaku. Pale purples and blues of these delicate blooms herald the arrival of spring. 🐤 Kitoushi Forest is also a haven for wild birds, making it a perfect spot for birdwatching! ❄ And Higashikawa’s symbol, Mt. Asahidake, is once again a world of silver. The contrast of the snowy peak against the blue sky is stunning, offering spectacular views. 🌿 Come and enjoy the nature-filled town of Higashikawa during Golden Week! 🚗

Kam Flower Park Snow still paints the surroundings white, but flowers that welcome spring have begun to show their faces. The flower park attached to the Roadside Station "Kam" had been closed for winter, but it opened on Saturday, April 26. The park is free to enter through Golden Week. After that, normal admission fees apply. Here are a few flowers photographed on Friday, April 25. azumaichige ezōengosaku katakuri kibananomana Christmas rose daffodil chionodoxa puschkinia (white, blue) European katakuri (still in bud. The yellow flowers will bloom in a little while) When you stop by Kam, why not take a short walk out to the flower park? Roadside Station "Kam" CAPO Marche in Nishiokoppe Village runs May 3 (Sat) to May 5 (Mon)! Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a public holiday, closed the day after the holiday) Admission: Roadside Station ⇒ free Flower Park ⇒ 200 yen for high school students and older Contact: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Kam #Flower Park #flowers

It becomes a wonderful scenery like houses streaming through the Paddy Field. A special scenery unique to this time of year.

Hello 😃 This is Enemon Denshokan. While the news often says the Kofu Basin is hot, a crisp spring breeze still sweeps through Shosenkyo Gorge, where ukonzakura (ukon cherry) blooms in full glory and fresh green leaves brighten the ravine! In fact, Enemon Denshokan has a marble chessboard on display. The natural stone’s beautiful patterns give it the presence of a work of art. In the quiet gallery, you can relax as you hold the chess pieces and enjoy a peaceful moment. It’s also highly photogenic, so please stop by as a memento of your sightseeing. Also, from April 27th we began a new polishing experience led mainly by Mr. Fukuda, a Yamanashi Master First-Class Gemstone Polisher. In a one-hour course you can become a “gemstone polishing artisan” and create a unique travel memory just for you. We look forward to welcoming you to the museum!

It snowed recently, but the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom little by little. Snow still dresses the mountains, and on clear days you can enjoy beautiful mountain views, so here are a few highlights. ■Tokachi Millennium Forest @tokachi_millennium_forest From the vast grounds you can see the Hidaka Mountain Range. During Golden Week, May 3–6, the Spring Garden Festa takes place. ■Tokachigaoka Observatory Located near Tokachigawa Onsen, it offers views of the Tokachigawa River, the hot spring town, and the Hidaka Mountain Range. It’s also a lovely spot for watching the sunset. ■Shinarashiyama Sky Park Observatory The Tokachi Plain spreads below like a patchwork quilt, making it a perfect panorama point, with the Hidaka Mountain Range visible behind. ■Obihiro Shrine @obihirojinja Cherry trees along the approach and within the shrine grounds are beginning to bloom. The hanachozu (flower-filled water basins) are decorated with pink, white, yellow, and other flowers, creating a festive scene. ■Nupuka no Sato @nupukanosato Located within Daisetsuzan National Park at an elevation of 600 meters, Nupuka no Sato offers sweeping views of Tokachi. With cottages and camping areas, it’s a place for outdoor experiences. At night you may be treated to a beautiful moon and starry sky. Events are also held during Golden Week! For event details, please check the URL below. Why not come visit Tokachi? You might even catch the cherry blossoms. https://tokachibare.jp/event/...

Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour 🌸 The Amakusa West Coast is famed as one of the world’s premier sources of porcelain stone, Amakusa touseki. Over five days, from Friday, May 2 to Tuesday, May 6, the 30th Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour invites you to visit seven scattered kilns along this coast. Amakusa Karatsu Jurou Kiln Located in the Shimoda-minami area of the Amakusa West Coast, Jurou Kiln sits right by the sea where you can feel the ocean breeze. The kiln owner, Goh Kameyama, shapes and fires his pieces with a powerfully refined technique that gives the work a quiet tension. Meanwhile, Sanae Kameyama’s painted brushwork is delicate and graceful yet carries a distinctively modern sensibility that lends the vessels a soft expression. From sturdy, no-nonsense wares to charming, smile-inducing painted scenes, the couple’s contrasting sensibilities resonate to produce pieces that gently speak to both viewers and users. Location: Amakusa Karatsu Jurou Kiln 426 Shimoda-minami, Amakusa-machi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto 863-2802 TEL: 0969-42-3143 _______________________________ On Sunday, May 4 at Takahama-yaki Juhou Kiln! Sanae will perform an impromptu whale painting and in-situ blue-and-white underglaze dyeing, “whale painting 🐳 impromptu dyeing.” Please feel free to drop by and watch 👀 For details, search Instagram: Takahama-yaki Juhou Kiln @takahamaware_kilnjyuho ⚠️ Please note this event will not take place at Amakusa Karatsu Jurou Kiln. _______________________________ This is the final introduction to the participating kilns tomorrow 😿 Please be sure to take a look 💁‍♀️💁‍♂️💁 Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour 🌸 During the event, each kiln will offer new works for display and sale, plus special discount offers and other activities. Take this chance to visit, enjoy the beautiful Amakusa porcelain from each kiln, and savor the stunning scenery of the Amakusa West Coast. Two stamp rallies run at the same time! ※ A digital stamp rally qualifying for Kumamoto health points📱 ※ A stamp rally to win products from your chosen kiln (entry forms available at each kiln📃) Period Five days from Friday, May 2, 2025 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Venues (Five kilns in Reihoku Town) Uchida Sarayama-yaki, Kobo Kaze, Mugen Kiln, Tenjiku Kiln, Unshu Kiln (Two kilns in Amakusa Town) Takahama-yaki Juhou Kiln, Amakusa Karatsu Jurou Kiln Inquiries: Amakusa Porcelain Stone Research and Development Promotion Council Secretariat (inside Reihoku Town Hall, Commerce and Tourism Division) TEL: 0969-35-3332

14th Teshikaga Photo Contest Winning Works On display at Tancho Kushiro Airport📷✨ _________________________ A collection of outstanding works awaits you❣️ Please take a look when you visit. Location: Tancho Kushiro Airport, 2nd-floor waiting lobby Period: May 1, 2025 to May 30, 2025

One after another, Water are entering ☀️ the rice fields of In the town The Northern Alps reflected in the water mirror are unique 🏔️ to this time of year

NICE TO MEET EVERYONE WHO WATCHES COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! It is the Tourism Development Association of Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture. Otoyo Town is located in the central part of Shikoku, north of Kochi Prefecture, and is a mountainous area surrounded by the rich nature of the Shikoku Mountains. With this Account, we will deliver the charm of Otoyo Town to everyone. Thank you very much! ■How to Access to Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture The Otoyo is located just a short distance from Kochi Expressway Otoyo Interchange, There is a it is very convenient to Access in Car. Use Osugi Station and Otaguchi Station on the JR Dosan Line are also available, and it takes about 30 minutes from Kochi City. 【Access by plane】 ・From all over Japan to Kochi Ryoma Airport ・From Tokyo (Haneda): Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes ・From Tokyo (Narita): Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes ・About 55 minutes from Nagoya (Chubu) ・About 1 hour from Nagoya (Komaki) ・ About 45 minutes from Osaka (Itami) ・About 45 minutes from Kobe ・About 50 minutes from Fukuoka 【Time required to JR Osugi Station (approximate)】 ・ About 2 hours from Tokushima Station ・From Takamatsu Station: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes ・ About 2 hours from Okayama Station ・From Tokyo: Approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes ・From Shin-Osaka: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes ・From Hiroshima: Approximately 2 hours 35 minutes ・From Hakata: Approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes ・From Kagoshima: Approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes ・About 30 minutes from Kochi Station 【Access by Car to Otoyo Interchange】 ・From Nagoya IC: Approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes ・From Suita IC in China: Approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes ・From Okayama IC: Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes ・From Hiroshima IC: Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes ・ About 6 hours from Fukuoka IC ・From Tokushima IC: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes ・ About 1 hour from Takamatsu Chuo IC ・From Matsuyama IC: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes ・ About 25 minutes from Kochi IC ■Basic Information of Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture The population of Otoyo is about 2,900 (as of April 2025), and about 90% of the town is made up of mountain forests, and the Yoshino River that stream the In the town, the beautiful Valleys and the scenery of terraced rice fields make it a town where visitors can feel the Healing and Impression, and the tranquility and the change of the seasons away from the hustle and bustle of the city. ■History of Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture Otoyo Town has prospered as an important place for transportation since ancient times. In particular, the Toyonaga and Otaguchi districts were crowded with people and Supplies as Post Towns of the Tosa Domain during the Edo period. Buraku Temple Yakushido, founded in 724, and many other spots where you can feel the taste of history. In 1955, "Higashi-Toyonaga Village", "Nishi-Toyonaga Village", "Osugi Village", and "Amatsubo Village" merged to form "Otoyo Village", and the town was named after the "Dai" of Large cedar and the "Toyo" of Toyonaga. ■Recommended Sightseeing spots in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture ・Japanese cedar Great Cedar Tree Special Natural Monument of the country. With a circumference of 13.5 m and a height of 56 m, it is one of the largest giant trees in Japan, boasting an estimated age of 3,000 years, and is a symbol of Otoyo Town. There is also a Song Monument of singer Hibari Hibari Misora, and it is a popular Spot for fans. ・Buraku Temple Yakushido The Heian period architecture remains intact, and it is the only national treasure building in Kochi Prefecture. The hall, tucked away in the mountains, calms the hearts of those who visit. ・Kajika Forest Elevation Mountain Climbing Spot of 1,400 m. And Kajika Forest, a mountain villa at the 8th station, has an astronomical observatory and is popular for stargazing, camping, and trekking. ・Yone rice terraces Beautiful terraced rice fields that can be said to be the original scenery of Japan. The Water in Spring, the golden Rice Ears in autumn, and the superb scenery of the Four Seasons Unfolds. ・Yutorist Park Otoyo Spot where you can enjoy Barbecue and camping in Nature. It is also recommended for families and groups. ■Introduction to Roadside Stations in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture The "Roadside Station Osugi" is very close to the Japanese cedar Great Cedar Tree, There is a is a convenient resting Spot where you can get Local Specialty products and Tourist Information. Goishicha tea, ginburo beans, and other items unique to Otoyo Town are also available. ■ Gourmet and specialty products introduced at a roadside station in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture 【Gourmet】 ・Tachikawa Soba Hand-made Country Soba with a high aroma of 100% Soba flour. You can taste it at Meals or Roadside Station in the In the town. ・Konchin A simple local sweets that makes use of the flavor of burdock. It is a nostalgic taste of home. 【Specialty products】 ・Goishicha tea Tea made by completely fermenting tea leaves. Ands has a unique sour taste and aroma, and it is also attracting the attention of health-conscious people. ・Ginburo beans A rare bean that is said to be a symbol of longevity. It is processed into boiled beans and Japanese sweets, and is perfect as a souvenir. ・Yuzu products Ponzu sauce and jam made with yuzu harvested in Otoyo Town are popular. It is also popular as a thank-you gift for Furusato Nozei tax payment. ■Events and festivals in Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture ・Adonis Flower Festival 【Held in period: mid-February to early March】 It is festival to be Held in at the time when the town flower "Adonis Ramosa Flower" reaches its Best time to visit. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the flowery village. ・Otaguchi Yakushi Summer Festival, Noryo Fireworks Display 【Held in: August 19】 In addition to a variety of programs such as accordion playing, hula dancing, and Yosakoi Naruko Dance, the summer night will be colored by a fireworks festival. ・Segaki Lantern Floating 【Held in: August】 The shape varies from region to region, but it is a fantastic Buddhist event in which bamboo is erected in the center of a boat-shaped lantern and 200~300 lanterns are lit around it. ■To Otoyo Town, where Nature and culture come to life Spring flowers, summer starry sky, autumn rice terraces, winter game dishes. Otoyo, where Nature and history and culture fuse, is an ideal destination where you can refresh your mind and body. Please come and look for the scenery and experiences that can only be encountered here. We will continue to Broadcasting the charm of Otoyo Town, so please follow us!

　About 25 minutes by car from Hida Takayama Downtown, this kominka house stands quietly. In the house built by the master craftsman of Hida, Kiso horses are still bred. It is a historical building where you can see the scenery of a former Farming village, but even small children There are fun elements everywhere. There are days when it is temporarily closed, but in a place that has become a Sightseeing spot If you are bored, it may be a place that sticks. 　

Kawayu Onsen accommodation discount available (from May 7 – for residents of eastern Hokkaido only) A discount campaign for stays at Kawayu Onsen is being offered to residents of Kushiro, Nemuro, Okhotsk and Tokachi in eastern Hokkaido. The campaign runs from Wednesday, May 7, and is available every day except Saturdays. Come to Kawayu Onsen while this opportunity lasts. (The offer ends when the budget runs out, so act quickly!) <Kawayu Stay Discount 2025 Overview> [Eligible Period] Weekdays and Sundays from Wednesday, May 7, 2025 to Friday, July 18, 2025 [Discount Amount] 2,000 yen per adult and 1,000 yen per child per night [Eligibility] Residents of Kushiro, Nemuro, Okhotsk and Tokachi [How to Apply] ・Check each facility’s official website for details. ・Applications open on Thursday, May 1. ・The campaign ends when the budget is exhausted, so please apply early! <Participating Facilities> To make a reservation, click the name of each accommodation to view its official website. ・Kawayu Kanko Hotel 015-483-2121 ・KKR Kawayu 015-483-2643 ・Oyado Kinki-yu 015-483-2211 ・Oyado Kinki-yu Bettei Suikazura 015-486-9701 https://masyuko.or.jp/news/20250430/...

【Now Happening! Golden Week Special】Teshikaga Town Museum Stamp Rally During Golden Week, a stamp rally will take you around four museums in Teshikaga Town! From Saturday, April 26, 2025 through Sunday, May 11, 2025, a stamp rally visiting four museum facilities in Teshikaga will be held. The participating facilities are Teshikaga Town Kussharo Kotan Ainu Museum, Taiho Sumo Memorial Museum, Kawayu Visitor Center, and Teshikaga Town Furusato History Museum. Collect stamps at any three of these four museums to receive a lovely commemorative gift! This Golden Week event is fun for both adults and children and is perfect for making travel memories. [Event Period] Saturday, April 26, 2025 – Sunday, May 11, 2025 * Please note each museum’s closed days. * On April 30 and May 7, two of the participating museums will be closed. [How to Participate] 1) Pick up a stamp card at the reception desk of any participating facility. 2) Visit three or more participating facilities and collect stamps. 3) Fill in the required information on the stamp card and hand it to staff. 4) Exchange your stamp card for an original postcard. 5) Ten entrants will be selected by lottery to win a prize: an assortment of local specialties. * Winners will be notified by shipment of the prize. * Prize shipments are limited to addresses within Japan and are scheduled for mid-June or later. - Stamp Rally Participating Facilities - 1) Teshikaga Town Kussharo Kotan Ainu Museum (open every day during the event) ■ Address: 1-14, 1-jo-dori, Kussharo Shigai, Teshikaga Town ■ Phone: 015-484-2128 2) Taiho Sumo Memorial Museum (open every day during the event) ■ Address: 2-1-20, Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga Town ■ Phone: 015-483-2924 3) Kawayu Visitor Center (closed: April 30, May 7) ■ Address: 2-2-6, Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga Town ■ Phone: 015-483-4100 4) Teshikaga Town Furusato History Museum (closed: April 29–30, May 4–7) ■ Address: 3-3-1 Mashu, Teshikaga Town (inside Mashu Tourism and Culture Center) ■ Phone: 015-482-2368 Contact Information Teshikaga Town Board of Education, Social Education Division, Social Education Section Postal code 088-3211, 2-3-2 Chuo, Teshikaga Town, Kawakami District, Hokkaido Phone: 015-482-2948 https://masyuko.or.jp/news/2025gw_museum/...

Hoshitoge (Niigata Prefecture)2024.06.05 About 200 Paddy fields of various sizes Unfold on the slopes like fish scales, and it is a terraced rice field where a sea of clouds easily appears, and in 2022 it was certified as a "Tsunagu Terraced Rice Heritage" by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water. In May-June, Water enter the Paddy Field and become Water mirror. There is also a teahouse, which opens at dawn and you can enjoy freshly cooked rice balls.

National Government Park Alps Azumino Horigane-Hotaka area is reaching peak bloom for tulips and rapeseed flowers! A tulip field of 117 varieties totaling 320,000 bulbs and a five-million-strong carpet of yellow in the satoyama terraced-rice-field zone stretch as far as the eye can see. For details, visit the official website of National Government Park Alps Azumino https://www.azumino-koen.jp/horigane_hotaka/...

This morning, Azumino chilled down to 3 degrees. Under a high-pressure system, the blue sky spread above a breathtaking scene. The white peaks of the Northern Alps reflected in a mirror-like sheet of water. Azumino is now entering its most beautiful season.

Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour 🌸 ⁠ The Amakusa West Coast is famed as one of the world’s premier sources of porcelain stone, Amakusa tōseki. Over five days, from Friday, May 2 to Tuesday, May 6, the 30th Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour will take place across seven kilns dotted along this scenic shore. This time we introduce one of the participating kilns, Mugen Kiln. Please take a look 💁‍♀️💁‍♂️💁 In upcoming posts we will also introduce the two kilns participating from Amakusa Town! 🌸 Mugen Kiln Mugen Kiln is the creative studio where potter Seiko Tanaka, who once aspired to be a poet, nurtures her distinctive artistic vision. Inspired by poetry and the arts, her pieces serve as everyday tableware while carrying the presence of true works of art. Tanaka’s unique motifs, born of her deep knowledge of earthenware and mingei folk crafts, give each piece a sense of story and message. Her work gently sparks the imagination of whoever holds it and leaves a lingering, mysterious afterglow. Mugen Kiln’s vessels speak in quiet tones, each quietly infused with Tanaka’s sensibility and poetic spirit. 📍 Mugen Kiln 588-1 Shirakio, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto 863-2506 TEL: 080-1703-6886 Amakusa West Coast Spring Kiln Tour 🌸 During the event we will offer a variety of attractions, including exhibitions and sales of new works and special discount sales. Please take this opportunity to visit, enjoy the beautiful Amakusa ceramics from each kiln, and take in the wonderful scenery of the Amakusa West Coast. Two stamp rallies run at the same time! * Digital stamp rally eligible for Kumamoto Health Points 📱 * Stamp rally to win products from your chosen kiln (entry forms are available at each kiln 📃) Period Five days from Friday, May 2, 2025 to Tuesday, May 6, 2025 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Venues (Five kilns in Reihoku) Uchida Sarayama-yaki, Koubou Kaze, Mugen Kiln, Tenjiku Kiln, Unshuu Kiln (Two kilns in Amakusa Town) Takahamayaki Jubou Kiln, Amakusa Karatsu Juro Kiln Inquiries: Secretariat of the Amakusa Porcelain Stone Research and Development Promotion Council (inside Reihoku Town Hall, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division) TEL: 0969-35-3332