Tenkuu no Mori Ikenokubo Green Park Perched at about 800 meters above sea level in nature-rich Morotsuka Village, Tenkuu no Mori Ikenokubo Green Park features log houses and a campsite. The road from the Hyuga direction is a single lane one-way for much of the route, so drivers who are not used to mountain roads can feel at ease. The park offers an athletic course, grass skiing, and putter golf, so families with young children can all enjoy it together 😆. A scenic cross-country course nearby makes it perfect for a leisurely walk while soaking in nature 🍃. The popular Akimasa Observatory, known for its spectacular views ✨, is about a five-minute drive. Getting up early to watch the sunrise is recommended, and with luck you might even see a sea of clouds. Enjoy spring when flowers bloom 🌸, summer greenery and the coolness of higher elevations 🌳, fiery autumn foliage 🍂, and quiet winter with drifting snow ⛄. It’s a place to savor the ever-changing seasonal scenery and relax in nature. The village has two campsites, and Ikenokubo Green Park is one of them.

🌸 Gokase Cherry Blossom Photos 2025 — Featured Entries #3 🌸 We’re continuing our daily showcase of works submitted to the Gokase Cherry Blossom 2025 contest on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account. @bluesea12067 @code_name_cross_fire We received a wonderfully diverse set of entries.🤩 Scenes include the spring mountains and historic buildings tucked deep in Kuwanouchi, a moss-and-cherry blossom pairing, and cherry trees framed from a winery-style hall.🤗 Everyone enjoys hanami in their own way, and it’s such fun to see the variety.😆💕 Thank you to everyone who entered.🙇‍♀️ We’re still accepting submissions, so please capture your own way of enjoying hanami and enter the contest.🤗✨ -------------------------------------------------------------------- How to Enter Gokase Cherry Blossom 2025 Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken in Gokasecho on Instagram with two hashtags: #GokaseCherryBlossom2025 and #date of shooting (for example: #March 20).🤳❤️‍🔥 Gokase Tourism Association Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... Period: Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take care to avoid accidents while shooting photos.

[🌸 Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 — Featured Photos Vol.2 🌸] We’re back with another big batch of entries to the “#Gokase Flower Viewing 2025” contest now running on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account. We’ll be sharing many of the submissions today.💪🌟 @1230fuukeinoturishi These nostalgic shots capture not only the classic weeping cherry at Josenji Temple but also everyday cherry blossom scenes from the Kuraoka area.🥺 The photographer’s sensibility that turns your eyes not only to the cherry trees but also to the charming mountain flowers is something to admire and learn from…🙏✨ We’ll be featuring entries every day for a while, so please stay with us.🙇‍♀️ -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪#How to Enter: Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 ≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho. Add the two hashtags #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 and #date of shooting (for example: #March 20) to your Instagram post. 🤳❤️‍🔥 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. Please be sure to read them before entering. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️ Please take full care to avoid accidents when photographing.

[🌸 Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 — Featured Submissions, Part 1 🌸] We are sharing entries submitted to the Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 contest currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account.🫡✨ So many lovely entries arrived, and we’ll be showcasing them one after another.👏 @_yuta610 @a2o_yoshino @aaatkt6 (in no particular order) Photos feature the cherry blossoms at Josenji, the Harada family residence, Kijiya, and Mikasho Shrine.💡 The daytime blossoms and the night cherry trees are both truly beautiful.🥹💕 -------------------------------------------------------------------- ≪How to Enter the Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 Contest≫ Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags: Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 and the shooting date (for 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 terms 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 shooting photos.

🌳2025 Yamagakko Registration Open🌳 “Yamagakko” means pretending to go to school while spending the day playing in the mountains. Not so long ago, when children walked an hour or two to school, their love of play remained unchanged. They walked to school through mountains and along rivers, places that were their everyday playgrounds full of wonder. They would lose track of time chasing birds 🕊️ or discovering tasty greens 🌱. At times like that, back at school “Aitsu wa dongyashita tsuna?” “Yama gakkō shocchaga” (I wonder why that kid isn’t here) (Maybe they’re out playing in the mountains) were the sort of conversations you’d hear. These are the joyful memories many people once shared.✨ The ecotour “Let’s Do Yamagakko in Morotsuka!” takes its cue from those mountain school days and offers a chance to encounter the rich, untouched nature 🍃 and the everyday lives of the people who live there. Would you like to set off on a Morotsuka-only journey that lets you fully experience the forest life honored as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage? [2025 Program — 8 Courses] 🌸Spring Traditional hand-plucked, hand-rolled kama-iri tea making: Saturday, May 10 🍃Summer Climb Mt. Kurodake in summer to see the “flower that brings happiness,” kirengeshoma: Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24 🍂Autumn Get a head start on autumn flavors!! Chestnut gathering: Sunday, September 4 🍂Autumn Harvest summer vegetables and make pizza: Sunday, September 14 🍂Autumn Make local konnyaku: Saturday, October 4 🍂Autumn Yuzu picking and making yuzu kosho: Saturday, November 22 ⛄Winter Harvest seasonal shiitake from log-grown trees and make shiitake pizza: Sunday, December 14; Sunday, January 18, 2026; Saturday, February 14, 2026 ⛄Winter Handmade washi paper and mitsumata workshop: Sunday, March 8, 2026 ***************************************************************** ※For tour details, please check Morotsuka Navi.

Donko-tei A restaurant attached to the village information hub Shiitake Hall 21🍽️ Enjoy Morotsuka’s unique flavors made from seasonal mountain produce😋 *Please note: closed every Wednesday.* Every month on the 7th and 8th we hold the "Morotsuka Naba🍄 Days" event The numbers 7 and 8 read as "naba," giving the event its name, Morotsuka Naba🍄 Days, held monthly! What is naba🍄? In Morotsuka, shiitake mushrooms are called "naba." At Morocco House, Special Products Sales Office, dried shiitake go on sale at discounted prices, and at Donko-tei we offer shiitake-related specials and services✨ If you love shiitake, come to Morotsuka Village on the 7th and 8th!

Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots in Kuwanochi 🌸 Yesterday, Monday, April 7, the weather turned warm with a gentle breeze and clear skies☀️ It was truly a perfect day for hanami🌸🍡 When people think of cherry blossoms in Gokasecho, the Sanga area is especially famous, but Kuwanochi also hides some lesser-known blossom spots😌✨ Photos 1–3 show the cherry trees you see on the left just before you reach the top of the hill where the road from National Route 218 turns toward Yuhinosato Bridge and meets Prefectural Route 8📸 Two large, pale-pink cherry trees stand between tea fields and a vast blue sky stretching as far as the Aso caldera🌸 It’s the kind of serene satoyama landscape that takes your breath away🥹✨ This place seems to be a well-kept secret with many devoted fans🤭💕 Photos 4–5 show the cherry tree by a private house you’ll find right after descending the lane beside the fire station along Prefectural Route 8📸 A magnificent weeping cherry stands out against a carpet of rapeseed flowers at its feet and the bright blue sky behind it. It’s a vivid, springlike scene🤗✨ Beside it, vivid purple magnolia blooms in profusion, making this spot a joyful celebration of spring🤩 Finally, photos 6–8 show the cherry at Koshoji Temple📸 You have to view it from a bit of a distance to take in the whole tree — it’s very large😳✨ The pure white petals contrast beautifully with the red-and-white mottled camellias planted in front. The sight is stunning and powerful; this cherry tree is well worth a visit🙏💡 That brings us to the entrance of Kuwanochi and ends the cherry tree tour for now😌 Please tell us about your favorite cherry trees too✨ A note on the private houses I featured: these are private properties, so when viewing, please do not enter yards or make loud noises. Observe good manners to avoid bothering neighbors🙇‍♀️ Now, rain is forecast for this Thursday — will the blossoms be gone then? 🥲 It’s a little sad, but that fleeting beauty is part of their charm🫶 Cherry-blossom showers are poetic; let’s enjoy them to the fullest while they last🌸

🌸Bloom Update🌸 Cherry blossoms are now at their best across Morotsuka Village. Many cherry trees have opened at Ikenokubo Green Park, making it a perfect day for hanami. Everyone, please come and visit us 😆

[🌸 Night Cherry Blossoms Around Gokasecho 🌙] The weeping cherry trees across town are now in full bloom, and their night-time beauty is not to be missed ✨ So, I’ll share the night cherry blossom photos I took on Sunday, April 6th 📸🤗 Josenji needs no introduction, and the weeping cherry at the Harada residence overwhelms you with its powerful presence 😳 It was a clear day, and the moonlight paired beautifully with the blossoms 🌙 The weeping cherries around Josenji’s bell were a little behind, but they bloomed fully and created an elegant scene 👏 Kijiya has finally reached its peak, and the night cherry blossoms reflected on the pond are stunning 🥹✨ Daytime sakura are wonderful, but a night cherry blossom tour is lovely too 😌🌸 Fewer people are around, so you can enjoy them at a relaxed pace 💡 The light-up schedule is as follows: Josenji’s weeping cherry until Sunday, April 13th, and Kijiya’s weeping cherry until Wednesday, April 16th 😊 Please be quiet when viewing at night, since these trees are near private homes 🤫 Also, dressing in dark colors can make you hard to see from cars at night. Wear noticeable colors like yellow or white or use reflectors to avoid accidents 🙏 These weeping cherries will likely treat us to their beauty for a little while longer 😊 Let’s enjoy them safely and courteously ✨ We have received many photos for our ongoing #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 campaign on the association’s Instagram account (@gokae_kanko) — thank you so much 😭 Thank you 😭 We’re still accepting entries, so please do submit your photos — seriously, please!! 🙇‍♀️✨ https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...

Full bloom of flowers 🌸 Today, Sunday, April 6, brought warm sunshine and a distinctly springlike atmosphere 🌞 The town’s flowers are now at their best ✨ The cherry blossoms and camellias at Mikasho Shrine are also at peak, drawing many visitors 😊 Traffic is heavy, so please take care when passing through!

Morokko House Specialty Shop This warm, welcoming store along National Route 327 uses plenty of locally sourced timber from the village🌳. The shop sign was recently refreshed✨ When you visit, be sure to take a look at the charming illustration nearby🥰 We deliver safe, reliable mountain produce harvested in Morotsuka Village with heartfelt care💖. This is the place for Morotsuka souvenirs! You can choose the heat level for yuzu kosho and dressings, and, of course, Morotsuka’s signature dried shiitake—plus fresh shiitake are available in season from autumn through winter. Both types are grown on natural logs🍄. Longtime favorites include Nanatsuyama miso, yomogi (mugwort) dumplings, and handmade konnyaku. Quirky shiitake cookies🍪 make a fun souvenir pick. For game-meat fans, frozen venison and wild boar are also on sale! Every Friday we offer a limited-quantity, shop-exclusive shiitake sushi. Seasonal village-grown vegetables🥬 and flowers🌸 are also sold, letting you enjoy the flavors of the season and the unique highland produce of Morotsuka. You’ll also find locally produced shochu from the village’s two sake breweries and handmade crafts by residents. Both are rare items rarely found outside the village.

🌸 The weeping cherry trees at Josenji are now in bloom 🌸 In Gokasecho, the cooler-than-usual temperatures delayed the blossoms this year, but the weeping cherry at Josenji has now reached its peak viewing period 🤗✨ (It is not yet fully in bloom!) You should be able to enjoy the beautiful weeping cherry through the beginning of next week 🌸 The trees are also lit up after sunset, so please enjoy the night blossoms as well 👏✨ Please note that the Josenji illumination will end as soon as the peak viewing period passes 🙏 Expect heavy crowds, especially on weekends ⚠️ Follow the directions of traffic attendants around Josenji and take care when arriving by car 🚗 Nearby weeping cherries at the Harada residence and Kijiya are slowly coming into bloom as well, so enjoy them together 🫶 (And please consider entering photos you take in our association’s ongoing photo contest “#Gokase Hanami 2025” on Instagram 😘📸) https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...

Gokase Sakura Project: Cherry Blossom Festival🌸 On Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, a cherry blossom festival took place around the weeping cherry tree in Kijiya. This post shows scenes from Saturday, March 29. Despite the low temperatures, the morning brought sunshine, and the venue buzzed with a wide variety of food stalls and kitchen cars and many visitors. That evening, timed with the night illumination, members of Naniloa HULA studio performed a graceful hula dance. Although the stage was set under a cold sky, the dancers’ beaming smiles warmed everyone’s hearts. As of March 29, about 20–30% of the cherry trees were in bloom overall, so unfortunately they were not at full bloom. Still, the lights that the students of Miyazaki Prefectural Gokase Secondary School worked hard to install cast a gentle glow that made the venue beautiful even with fewer blossoms.

Today the Yoshino-miya Shrine Grand Festival, the Zatousan Festival, took place! I was captivated by a performance from satsuma-biwa player Kanako Kitahara 🥰 This year’s event concluded smoothly as well. Although strong gusts of wind blew at times, to everyone who came together thank you very much! #miyazaki #morotsukavillage #morotsuka #Miyazaki Prefecture #Morotsuka Village #Morotsuka Village Tourism Association #collecting goshuin #Miyazaki goshuin tour #Yoshino-miya Shrine #Zatousan Festival

Morotsuka Village is beginning to feel the arrival of spring. Morotsuka has topped 20°C! The weeping cherry in front of Morotsuka Clinic is about 20–30% in bloom. Yamazakura are also starting to bloom here and there. The peak cherry blossom season is nearly upon us! #miyazaki #miyazaki_countryside #morotsukavillage #morotsuka #Miyazaki Prefecture #patchwork village #Morotsuka Village #Morotsuka Village Tourism Association #weeping cherry #yamazakura #cherry blossom front #cherry blossom blooming

[🌸 Gokase Cherry Blossom Viewing 2025 🌸] From Thursday, March 20 to Sunday, May 11! (Surely) with the last of the snow behind us, the season of flowers is finally approaching Gokasecho ✨ We’re running a spring Instagram campaign too 🤩🙌 Follow the Gokase Tourism Association account (https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/)... and post photos of flowers taken in Gokasecho to Instagram using two hashtags: #GokaseHana2025 and #dateofphoto (e.g., #March20) 🤳❤️‍🔥 Every day during the campaign, one person will win a mini set of Gokasecho specialty products 🎁✨ This time, amazingly! During the nighttime illumination of Kijiya’s weeping cherry tree organized by students of Gokase Secondary School’s “Gokase Sakura Project” (March 23 [Sun]–April 16 [Wed] ※updated 4/2), entries featuring photos of Kijiya’s weeping cherry will have double the daily winning chance 😮✨!? Plus! Outstanding entries will receive a gift box of Gokasecho specialty products 🤩👏 And even more! This time there will also be a “Gokase Sakura Project Award”…🤭🌟!? Submitted entries will be featured on the Gokase Tourism Association and Gokase Sakura Project social media channels as they are selected 💡 [Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025 ⚠️Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before applying. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/index.html... ⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In spring in Gokasecho you can enjoy not only weeping cherry but also rhododendrons, akebono azaleas, and many other flowers 🌸 In the warm weather, how about a flower tour around Gokasecho 🤗? We sincerely look forward to your participation ✨

🌸 Enjoy spring in Nobeoka! Spectacular spots colored by history and nature 🌸 📍 Gokase River Levee (south side) 🌿 Kawazu cherry blossoms × rape blossoms At the Gokase River levee, you can stroll along Konohana Road lined with 300 cherry trees and one million rape blossoms! Now in its 17th year, Konohana Road features Kawazu cherry trees, which have a long blooming period. To let more people enjoy the blossoms through the end of March 2025, the site (Gokase River levee) will be open as the Konohana Sakura Festival. 📍 Nobeoka Castle Ruins / Shiroyama Park ⛩️ History × cherry blossoms × illumination Some 300 Somei-yoshino cherry trees bloom around the 19 m-high “stone wall of a thousand slaughters.” At night, the illuminated stone wall and cherry blossoms create a dreamlike scene. During the illumination period from Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, April 6, 2025, various events will be held. On Saturday, March 22, the Waiwai Gourmet Expo offers a wide range of foods, character shows, and music and comedy performances. 📍 Nobeoka Castle Ruins / Shiroyama Park 🌺 History × one of Japan’s three great wild camellia groves Nobeoka Castle Ruins Park hosts 3,300 wild camellia (yabutsubaki) trees across 108 varieties, flowering from late October through late April, with peak season from December to March. Its standout feature is the full spectrum of flower colors—red, white, pink, variegated, and edged. You can also enjoy famous camellia varieties such as Nobeoka, Kamei, Mokusuï, Shiroyama, and Naito, plus rare trees that bloom in three different colors on a single trunk!

【Flowering Information 1】Saitobaru We would like to inform you of the flowering status of Saitobaru on March 19 (Water). The rape flowers in Saitobaru have begun to bloom, albeit little by little. Cherry blossoms are still in buds. As in every year, it is expected to reach its best time to visit at the end of this month. ■ Information on Toilets and Car Parking in the Saitobaru Kofun Tumulus Group Saitobaru Guidance CenterIn addition to the Toilet of Konohanakan Saitobaru there are six public Toilet in the Kofun Tumulus (Imperial Tomb Square, Takatoriyama Parking Lot Car, Takatoriyama Parking Lot, Kofun Tumulus Car Parking Lot, Kofun Tumulus Car Parking Lot 2, Kofun Tumulus Car Parking Lot 3, and Saitobaru Sports Park, so please Use those as well. (with multi-purpose Toilet) * For details, please see the West City Tourism Association website.

[Announcement ❄️ of Winter Gokase 2025❄️ Results] Thank you for waiting! !️ Announcement 🥳🎉 of the results of "Winter Gokase 2025" This time, in addition to the followers of the Gokase Tourism Association's Instagram Account, we decided 👏✨ the winning item by voting by Facebook and Google Form Thank you to 🙇 ♀️💕 everyone who voted Now, let's announce the 👇👇👇 results [🥇 Gold Award] Mr. @mas8787a [🥈 Silver Prize] Mr. @fowafuwarin5 [🥉 Bronze Award] Mr. @yamabico_san The Gokase Highland Ski Resort, which has been revived in yellowtail three years, and the winter appearance of Josenji Temple, which enjoys beautiful scenery in both Spring and autumn, won prizes 🤩✨ It is raining today, but there was a lot of snow this year, so ❄️ there are many difficulties, but I am always amazed 👏 by the power of Nature that creates beautiful scenery and by the people who express themselves through the viewfinder Congratulations ㊗️🥳🎉 to all the winners And There is a to 😭❤️ 🔥 everyone who applied, voted, and participated Spring is finally here 🌸 We will inform you of the Spring campaign soon, so when you come to Gokase to enjoy cherry blossom viewing, please take many photos and cry when 😭💕 you participate 💫 Best regards

One week has passed since the ceremonial opening of MtMorotsukayama🏔️ Visitors participating in the stamp rally, which runs through Sunday, March 23, have been coming to the facility☺️ At Shiitake no Yakata, we are also displaying a timeline of the 40th MtMorotsukayama opening and distributing the pennants handed out at the opening🚩 Pennants are limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis, so hurry if you would like one🏃 We are also accepting entries for the stamp rally😆 #Morotsuka Village #Morotsuka #Miyazaki Prefecture #Morotsuka Village Tourism Association #morotsuka #morotsukavillage #miyazaki #miyazaki_countryside #MtMorotsukayama opening #pennant

Miyazaki Prefecture North: One of Spring’s Three Great Festivals — "Yoshinonomiya Shrine Grand Festival: Zatōkami Festival" This year it will be held again on March 28!! Come and visit Morotsuka Village as spring arrives Friday, March 28 9:00 AM – Festival ceremony and kagura offerings 11:00 AM – Performance by Satsuma biwa player Kanako Kitahara ＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ Taste the famous Zatō-san specialties: Zatō udon and Magohachi soba, and shop for Morotsuka Village local specialties One-day-only sale of goshuin (shrine stamps) and ofuda (talismans) Picture book "Yoshinonomiya Monogatari" by Taro Gomi will be on sale ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ In the mid-Ashikaga period, a blind monk traveling through the area was killed and enshrined here, and the community has held a festival on his death anniversary on March 28 at Yoshinonomiya Shrine Locally, the festival is called "Zatō-san," and it has continued without interruption to this day. #miyazaki #miyazaki_countryside #morotsukavillage #morotsuka #Miyazaki Prefecture #Patchwork Village #Morotsuka Village #Morotsuka Village Tourism Association #Goshuin collecting #Miyazaki goshuin tour #Yoshinonomiya Shrine #Zatō-san Festival #Zatō priest #Yoshinonomiya Monogatari

【Cotton Cafe】Relaxing, yarn spinning experience 🧶 Today, I would like to introduce ☺️✨ the "Cotton Cafe" held on the third Saturday of every month at the former Kuraoka junior high school "Kuraokakura" Feel free to Use the café only.☕💕 You can 😌 order delicious homemade cakes and drinks Today's cake was a cake with kumquat jam and a cake 🍰✨ with apple jam (I had a lot of it, but it was 🤤 insanely delicious) Everyone was having a relaxing time 🫶 while enjoying reading and chatting Of course! There is a fee, but you can 🧶✨ also experience yarn spinning Pick up cotton seeds with a "cotton gin" ↓ Use a tool called a "hand carder" like a large slicker brush to adjust the stream of fibers. ↓ When wrapped around a winding stick, a bundle of cotton called a "pony" is formed 😌☁️, which looks like a fluffy cocoon ↓ If you pull this out little by little with a tool called a spindle and twist it, you will get 😳👏 a magnificent thread as shown in the first photo It seems that 💡 you can adjust the thickness of the finished yarn by twisting the fiber and the amount of force You can make it thinner or thicker, or try to spin a single yarn with various thicknesses... There are There are fun of spinning your favorite yarn If 🤗✨ you are interested, please try 💪 it When you visit Cotton Cafe, you don't need to make a reservation or anything, so 👌 please feel free to stop by and enjoy 😌🌿 your own time 【Date & Time】3rd Saturday 13:00~15:00 【Place】Kuraoka Kurara (Staff Room) 〒882-1201 5929 Kuraoka, Gokase-cho, Nishiusuki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture 【Reservation】Not required 【Fee】Yarn spinning experience 1,500 yen, cotton (with seeds) 400 yen

❄️ "Winter Gokase 2025" Voting Now Open ❄️【Until Sunday, March 16, 2025!】 Thank you all for entering "Winter Gokase 2025"! We have conducted a careful first-round selection by the tourism association staff and chosen ten entries from all submissions.🙏✨ From these ten entries, we will ask everyone to vote to decide the prize winners.🤩👏 Among those who vote, ten people will be randomly selected to receive specialty products from Gokase Town as a gift.🎁💫 We appreciate your participation.🙇‍♀️ How to vote is explained below.💡 [Voting period: Until Sunday, March 16, 2025] ⚠️ Voting is limited to one method per person and one vote per account or individual. <To vote via Instagram> https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... ・Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account. ・From the posts marked with the hashtag "#Winter Gokase 2025 Vote," choose one of the ten featured entries and comment the photo number in that post's comment section.✍ ⚠️ If you are not following the account, message exchanges may be unreliable and you will be excluded from the gift drawing. Please be aware. <To vote via Facebook> https://www.facebook.com/gokase.kanko/?locale=ja_JP... ・Choose one of the ten featured entries in this post and comment the photo number. ・Voting is limited to one vote per account. ⚠️ If you win the gift drawing, we will contact you via Facebook Messenger. If there is no reply within two weeks, the prize will be forfeited. <To vote via the website> ・Go to the "Winter Gokase 2025 Vote" page from the Gokase Tourism Association website's news topics (https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1994.html...） ・Click the URL on the "Winter Gokase 2025 Vote" page to open the voting form. ・Enter your email address. ・Choose one of the ten entries, check the box for that entry, and submit your response. ⚠️ If you do not enter an email address, you will be excluded from the gift drawing. Please be sure to view the original posts by the applicants before voting.🤗 1. @yamabico_san (photo 2) 2. @gokase_entertainment (photo 3) 3. @photo_ay_umi (photo 4) 4. @mgm_1228 (photo 5) 5. @eco9syu_sekiryo (photo 6) 6. @goto0619 (photo 7) 7. @fowafuwarin5 (photo 8) 8. @thusandleavis (photo 9) 9. @mas8787a (photo 10) 10. @photo_ay_umi (photo 11) We look forward to receiving many votes from everyone 🥰

🎿 Ski Resort Final Event 🏂 Sunday, March 9 was the last day of operations for Gokase Highland Ski Resort ❄️ Under a clear sky, a big prize drawing took place from 11:00 AM 🎁 Cheers erupted each time the winning numbers for lavish prizes were announced, and the drawing ended in great excitement 😆✨ After the drawing, visitors immediately enjoyed the last runs of the season on the slopes 🎿 Gokase Highland Ski Resort, revived this season ❄️ Thanks to everyone, we were able to operate safely through today 😊 Thank you very much 🥰 We look forward to seeing you again next season!!

Inochi no Hi Project in Gokase Town On Saturday, March 8, I visited the "Inochi no Hi Project in Gokase Town" held at the Gokase Town Welfare Center 🤗 Although the event took a four-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has continued since the year after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake 😌 The beautiful event invited people to remember those affected by earthquakes and other disasters across Japan, to keep those memories alive, and to cherish life ✨ A donation box to raise funds for disaster recovery was placed at the venue, and visitors kindly contributed what they could ☺️ There were stalls selling tasty snacks and cute crafts, and the venue was lively 🥳 On stage, hosted by members of the organizing G Ongakutai, a full program of singing and dancing entertained the audience 🤩✨ Many songs in the lineup carried messages for disaster-hit areas, creating a program unique to a charity event 😌👏 The finale featured everyone joining in to sing "Hana wa Saku" together 🎶 At the end of the event, children lit wax balls in a lighting ceremony, and wrapped in gentle light, all attendees observed a moment of silence. May the thoughts from Gokase Town reach those in the disaster-affected areas…🙏

[❄️ Introducing photos submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Final installment ❄️] The Gokase Tourism Association held the “#Winter Gokase 2025” photo event on its Instagram account through February 28. This is the final showcase of the entries we received.🥹✨ @fowafuwarin5 @mas8787a @mgm_1228 (in no particular order) Making its long-awaited debut is Unoko Falls✨ These lovely photos capture the ski area where snow still lingers and the surrounding great outdoors.👏 Thank you all for so many submissions.😭 It was a harsh winter, but many of the winter photos felt warm and heartening.😊☀️

Mountain Opening Climb ⛰️ Participants Wanted! We will hold the 2025 Mountain Opening Climb. *Participation in the ritual alone is free of charge* ⭐ Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025 ⭐ Participation fee: ¥1,000 (includes insurance and a protective charm) *No registration is required for participation in the ritual only.* ⭐ Course: Tenson Kourin Course ⭐ How to apply: Please apply by phone or via the application form below. ⭐ Application deadline: Monday, April 7 Our staff will lead a slow-paced climb, so beginners 🔰 can join with confidence! 🥳 Important Notes * The age limit is set at 70, but people who exercise regularly may participate even if they are older than 70. * Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. * Please bring your own lunch and emergency rations. * After the ritual, participants will return to the trailhead (the Fifth Sabo Dam) by their own cars. * The event will proceed in light rain, but the secretariat will notify you by the evening of Friday the 11th if it is canceled. The ritual will be held even if the event is canceled. Application Form https://docs.google.com/.../1ik84ozPLmto7PgPEXKrGsPI.../edit... For applications and inquiries Takaharacho Tourism Association 0984-42-4560

A new spot for climbing Mt. Morotsuka: the ruins of Higashi-no-Kamimae Once a gathering place for ascetic practitioners, this site was known as Utsugi Plain. Members of the Morotsuka Village local history research group, Shidankai, investigated the area and installed a sign last year. About a five-minute descent from the summit along the ridge that extends northeast, the site sits on a rocky outcrop with excellent views. ◎The route can be hard to follow in places, so please check maps and other information before you go. #miyazaki #miyazaki_countryside #morotsukavillage #morotsuka #Miyazaki Prefecture #Patchwork Village #Morotsuka Village #Morotsuka Village Tourism Association #Mt. Morotsuka hiking #Mt. Morotsuka mountain opening 2025 #mountain opening #Mt. Morotsuka mountain opening

Today, Thursday the 13th, at 1:40 PM the Nanatsuboshi train 🚃 The Nanatsuboshi bus will also stop at Takahara Station 😝👌 Takaharacho tourist guides will lead a tour of the Oike and Kirishima Higashi Shrine course! Parking: Free

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!