【Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary of Town Incorporation WEB Photo Contest Results Announcement🎊】 Thank you very much for the many entries to the “Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary of Town Incorporation WEB Photo Contest.” We received many stunning shots that captured the town’s scenery and charm, and this contest became a wonderful opportunity to highlight Reihoku’s appeal.🙇 From a total of 81 submissions, we carefully selected the following winners and are pleased to announce them! 📸【General Category】High school age and above The Grand Prize goes to the nickname “2984”! (second photo) The title is “Chasing the Ball,” taken at the Tomioka Castle Festival. The entrant commented, “The dragon dance that breathes smoke feels unique to Amakusa.”🎶 “2984” will receive a prize of 10,000 yen and Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen at a later date.🎁 The following two entrants won Special Awards👏; each will receive 3,000 yen and Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen.💝 First is nickname “Sora” (third photo), titled “Shining Tomioka Castle”🏯. This photo was taken at Tomioka Castle during the castle festival; the entrant wrote, “I climbed up during a break in the festival. The contrast between the white walls and blue sky was very beautiful.” Second is nickname “Green and White and Purple” (fourth photo), titled “Children of the Seaside Town”🌊. The entrant wrote, “Children working together and the glittering sea — it was the perfect moment.”🎶 The following four entrants received Honorable Mentions👏; each will receive Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen.🎁 First is nickname “dSuke” (fifth photo), titled “Blooming at Tomioka Castle”🎆. The entrant described: “The sky shifts from dusk to night in a deep blue. Lights reflect on the sea surface, the castle ruins sit on the hill, and large fireworks bloom overlapping that scene.”👍 Second is nickname “Hijikata Tonza Buro” (sixth photo), titled “Mukaizuki Aoi,” and the entrant wrote, “I photographed the Kumamoto-maru docked at Tomioka Port against the background of the annual Jatto Festival fireworks I watch every year!”📸 Third is nickname “Manakan” (seventh photo), titled “Sunset Reflected in the Rice Fields Before Planting,” taken in the castle town. “Water fills the paddies before planting; with no wind the surface is calm. You only see this special scene on a day with a beautiful sunset when everything lines up. I look forward to seeing this view every year,” the entrant wrote.🎶 Fourth is nickname “Arisa” (eighth photo), titled “First Sunrise 2025,” taken at the Tomioka Marine Park observation area🌅. “I visit this spot every year to see the first sunrise. It’s not an exaggeration to say this light powers me through the year. It’s my power spot,” the entrant shared. 📸【Junior Category】Elementary and junior high school students Next are the winners in the Junior Category! The Grand Prize goes to nickname “Melon and Watermelon” with the title “Bustling Castle Festival”! (ninth photo) Congratulations on your win🎊 The entrant said, “I was chatting with friends at the castle festival venue when I suddenly noticed this scene.” “Melon and Watermelon” will receive a 5,000-yen book gift card.🎁 The following two entrants won Special Awards👏; each will receive a 3,000-yen book gift card.🎁 First is nickname “Haru” (tenth photo), titled “Beautiful Sunset,” taken on National Route 324 (Sakasegawa)☀️. “Riding home from cram school, I sat beside my driving mother and the sky was so beautiful I took a photo. I was happy when my mother said, ‘It’s beautiful,’” the entrant wrote.🎶 Second is nickname “Reo” (eleventh photo), titled “Godzilla,” taken on National Route 324 (Kozufukae). The entrant wrote, “Riding in my mother’s car, I saw clouds heading toward the sea that looked like Godzilla.”✨ After a rigorous screening, the works above were chosen as winners. We deeply thank everyone for so wonderfully expressing Reihoku Town’s charm! We appreciate your continued support of Reihoku Town.🙇 Also, the 4th Amashin Photo Contest is currently open! Please check the Notices section on our website for details.📸 🏯【Contact】Reihoku Jatto Festival & Tomioka Castle Festival Executive Committee, Photo Contest Section Address: 4535-2 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku Town, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2502, inside the Reihoku Chamber of Commerce TEL: 0969-37-1244 E-mail: pc@amakusa-kankou.com

The "From the Information Desk" section on the Kawayu Onsen website has been updated 📝🆙 "Calm your mind and take a fresh look. Autumn at Kawayu Onsen." has been posted. With poor weather across the prefecture right now, take a breather and have a slow look 👀✨ You may rediscover how to enjoy the healing waters of Kawayu Onsen. https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/feature/autumn/...

Early morning on December 14 at Lake Akanko I quite like the crisp cold — I might even love it.

The best season to visit Yōki-sō is unquestionably autumn. The maple trees in the garden turn vivid red, creating a striking contrast with the historic buildings; you can enjoy a unique autumn scene where the red of Taisho-era romantic architecture and the red of the maples come together.

Horyuin Temple is close to Higashiyama’s famous autumn foliage sites like Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Philosopher's Path, Anrakuji, and Eikando Temple, yet it sees few tourists; in the early morning you can enjoy quiet moments and even have this painterly gradation of autumn colors all to yourself.

The charm of Horyuin Temple lies in its moss and thatched gate. From the approach, the gradation of autumn colors seen beyond the thatched gate looks like a painting framed by the gate.

The highlight of autumn leaves at Daikakuji is undoubtedly the scenery around Osawa Pond. Around Osawa Pond, Japan’s oldest promenade-style garden, about 700 maple and cherry trees have been planted. At the peak of the fall colors, the pond’s surface becomes a beautiful mirror, vividly reflecting the red and yellow foliage and the vermilion Heart Sutra Pagoda floating on the water. This “water mirror” scene is Daikakuji’s most photogenic sight.

Gionji Temple is famous as a Kyoto spot for autumn leaves not because of the crimson beauty of the trees themselves, but for the way the fallen leaves form a truly red carpet across the moss as they drop.

Today I attended the monthly festival at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I will be able to work in Kawagoe again next year. The practical exam I took in Tokyo last week ended with a disappointing result, but I will do my best again next year. Thank you for your encouragement. 😊

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s Basque cheesecake inspired by tarte Tatin.

Photo taken on December 12, 2025. This is a caramel latte from LEC COFFEE. It features Christmas tree latte art. 🎄

The autumn colors in Mizumoto park in Tokyo looks amazing during sunrise. The early morning view of the metasequoia forest with the soft sunlight looks amazing. Its a Mystic view. I had an amazing experience during my trip to the Mizumoto park.

Introducing the third installment of our alcohol tourism series 😊 On Saturday, January 17, 2026, we will host “Taste the Terroir (Day Trip): A Wine, Gin, and Beer Tasting Tour with a Choice of Lunch.” At Aizawa Winery, you will tour the vineyards and winery set in expansive nature and learn about the grapes and winemaking traditions nurtured by the Tokachi soil 🎵 At Tokachi Plain Distillery, known for its craft gin, you will observe the distillation process and sample its aromatic gins 😍 The tour concludes with lunch at CAFÉ＆BAR NUPKA 🍴 Pairing three drinks that color the journey—beer, wine, and gin—you will experience Tokachi’s craft alcohol culture with all five senses 🤗 https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/news/taxi-tour02-04/...

Gurutto Daffodil Stamp Rally is now underway. A QR stamp rally is currently taking place in Kyonan Town. There are seven stamps placed around the town. Participants who collect all of them will receive a small gift. Guests staying overnight will receive a gift after collecting one stamp. If you collect stamps from 30 participating shops around town and submit your entry, you will receive an original tote bag on the spot (first 200 people). As a second chance, a lottery will award local specialties and other prizes. Small gifts are distributed at Michi-no-Eki Kyonan Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), Hota Station Tourist Information Center (closed December 31 and January 1), and Michi-no-Eki Hota Elementary School. The event runs until February 1. Entry sheets are available at Hota Station Tourist Information Center and Awakatsuyama Station Tourist Information Center.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is LEC COFFEE’s quiche plate. It includes a spinach, shrimp, and bacon quiche, a prosciutto cheese ball and salad, daikon potage, and homemade bread.

Photographed on December 12, 2025. This is Hanatetsu's hanachōzu (flower water basin).

Today, the Kawagoe Tea Festival in Rinsinji Temple is running until 3:00 PM. I bought Chabudai’s chai and a Taiwanese castella from Sweets Workshop Hiro. 😊☕️

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, December 14th, the 56th Hiroo Hair Crab Festival will take place😊 This is a gourmet event where you can savor plenty of Hiroo’s fresh seafood!! The main attraction is a live sale of boiled hair crab prepared in a two-meter cauldron!! You can also enjoy a hair crab speed-eating contest and delicious stalls offering snow crab miso soup, deep-fried shishamo smelt, seafood curry, and more🎵 At the direct-from-producer market you’ll find seasonal hair crab and shishamo, autumn salmon and hachikaku (sagefish), vegetables, and specialty products from Hiroo as well as local specialties from our sister cities Memuro Town and Saikai City in Nagasaki Prefecture, so please stop by if you like😀 The event’s finale is a fun raffle where Hiroo specialty products are awarded by lottery😍 Come and enjoy the flavors of the season🎶 It’s getting colder, so please dress warmly for the day🤗 https://hiroo-kanko.jp/2025/12/01/56-keganimatsuri/...

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower-filled basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

＼ ＼ The Kushiro Local Products Festival has begun〜😊／／ Starting today! The 54th Kushiro Local Products Festival🐟 A long line formed even before the doors opened‼︎ Local specialties from Kushiro, nearby towns, sister cities and sister city partners are all laid out in a row ^ ^ A winter tradition in Kushiro. You can't welcome New Year's Eve without coming to this. The festival runs for three days starting today. Please come and visit us 😊 📍Kushiro City Tourism & International Relations Center 1F Main Hall (3-3 Saiwai-cho, Kushiro City) 12/12 (Fri) 10:00–16:00 12/13 (Sat) 9:00–16:00 12/14 (Sun) 9:00–15:00

“Teshikaga Eco Passport” service confirmed to run in winter 2026🚌💨 The Mashu–Kussharo sightseeing loop bus, Teshikaga Eco Passport, which tours scenic spots around Teshikaga, offers 2-day and 3-day passes—please reserve in advance and make use of them. It’s recommended for those who feel unsure about driving and for anyone who wants to enjoy sightseeing in Teshikaga with ease❣️ For details, see Teshikaga Navi✨ https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/...

⋆⸜ ⭐️<Daisen Park Japanese Garden> Wa Light Nights ⭐️ ⸝⋆ [Special Winter Evening Opening]💫 On winter nights, this tranquil Japanese garden comes alive with the soft glow of Japanese-style lights. Forget the everyday and spend a warm, luminous moment with someone special✨☺♡⃛ <Daisen Park Japanese Garden ( @daisenteien )> 🔶Event Period ・ Saturday, December 20 – Sunday, December 21 ・ Wednesday, December 24 – Thursday, December 25 ・ 5:00 PM–8:00 PM (last admission 7:30 PM) 🔍For details, search “Daisen Park Japanese Garden Special Winter Evening Opening”! 🔗 https://www.daisenteien.jp/event/tw2wj5c1lke1... https://www.daisenteien.jp/event/tw2wj5c1lke1...

Ogata Sanja Kawagoe Shimatsuri was held On December 6, 2025, the Ogata Sanja Kawagoe Shimatsuri took place around Harajiri Falls in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The Kawagoe Shimatsuri is an annual festival when the deities of the three Ogata shrines (Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, and Sannomiya) come together. The portable shrine from Ichinomiya Shrine and the portable shrine from Sannomiya Shrine gather at Ninomiya Shrine. The event was shortened from two days to one this year. Despite challenges such as a shortage of people to carry the mikoshi, the organizers’ determination to keep the festival alive has preserved the tradition. At night, young men wearing traditional loincloths carry the Sannomiya mikoshi through the cold river, guided by torchlight. Their calls of “Essa hoisa” echo as they pass through the torii above the falls and wade across the river, creating a breathtaking spectacle. ■■■ Access from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture and other areas to central Bungoono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the flower-filled hand-washing basin (hanachozu) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. It features Christmas colors. 🎄

Hello. This is En'emon Folklore Museum 😃 Winter has finally arrived at Shosenkyo Gorge! In the crisp, clear air, the contrast of the blue sky with Aoyama's green and brown makes the natural beauty stand out even more ✨ Even though it's cold outside, sunlight feels warm and cozy ☀️😊 It's nice to spend the year-end slowly while basking in the sun👍 Right now, En'emon Folklore Museum welcomes visitors with Christmas decorations. We have many gift-perfect items, so it's nice to warm up in the shop while you browse♪ We look forward to greeting you with smiles 😃✨✨

Photographed on December 8, 2025. This is the hanachozu (flower water basin) at Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

The autumn leaves at Oidaira Park in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture The scene of bright red maples lit by the morning sun, rising into view, was breathtaking From Takamidai along the river, I used an ultra-wide lens to fill the frame with autumn.

Autumn in Japan is very beautiful but the view of 1st sun kissed metasequoia forest in Mizumoto park looks completely different. To see this view I went there very early in the morning by taking the first train and first bus. The view I got was completely worthy. Also it is paradise for bird watchers. Location: Mizumoto park, Tokyo

On November 19, we held the fourth workshop to develop a sightseeing walking route that lets visitors enjoy “Reihoku’s Literary Treasures,” turning the literary spots and heritage remaining in Reihoku into new tourism resources. This workshop was the final session. Based on the feedback and ideas we have received so far, we reviewed the proposed route and the draft guide manual again and exchanged opinions with the participants. We also read works related to Reihoku—Fumiko Hayashi’s Amakusa Nada and Ryōtarō Shiba’s Kaidō o Yuku 17—so participants could feel how the literature still connects with Reihoku today. Going forward, we aim to develop this into an actual sightseeing tour. We will post progress updates on our website, so please look forward to them. Note: We are also collecting ideas and useful tips from people who could not attend the workshop to help shape the walking route. Please take part in the survey on our company website’s news section. Contact: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (Incorporated Association), Ogata ☎0969-31-1136 This workshop was held as part of the FY2025 Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Grant project.

[Reihoku Sunset Marche] December Announcement📣 This is an announcement for the Reihoku Sunset Marche in December♪ 👀Highlights of this Sunset Marche👀 ❣Reihoku Sunset Marche sells agricultural products, processed goods, and prepared foods from Reihoku, and this event marks its first anniversary since it began🎊 To celebrate the first anniversary, we will hold a lottery for the first customers who spend 700 yen or more! A Veg Check screening that awards health points will also be available, so please come by❣ We look forward to seeing you😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ [Planned produce for sale] ・Turnips🫜 ・Pumpkin🎃 ・Cabbage ・Cucumbers🥒 ・Rice (new harvest)🌾 ・Red leaf lettuce (sunny lettuce) ・Potatoes🥔 ・Garland chrysanthemum (shungiku) ・Zucchini ・Daikon radish ・Carrots🥕 ・Chinese cabbage ・One-character scallion (wakegi) ・Green peppers🫑 ・Beni Haruka sweet potato ・Spinach ・Mandarin oranges🍊 ・Mizuna ・Cherry tomatoes (Aiko, fruit types) ・Lettuce 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche [Date] Sunday, December 14, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM ※Veg Check screening: 12:30 PM–3:30 PM [Location] Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (Reihoku Town Product Center facility: 4535-1 Kozufukae, Reihoku)