This year, various spots around Sakai City are once again brightened with illuminations✨ This time, we're featuring the illuminations at Sakai Risho-no-Mori! 👀 Don't miss its nighttime appearance♪ 🌟 "Sakai Risho-no-Mori Illuminations" ⛄ 📅 Period: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Monday, February 16, 2026 🎄 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM 📍 Location: In front of the main entrance of Sakai Risho-no-Mori (2-1-1 Shukuincho-nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai) 📞 Contact: Sakai Risho-no-Mori (tel: 072-260-4386)

Window Art at Kamu On display until around noon on Friday, December 26th! 📍Roadside Station Nishiokoppe Kamu Throughout December, the windows inside the facility are filled with drawings.🖍 With a Christmas and sweets theme, children from the nursery, elementary and junior high students, and adults have decorated the windows. The windows beside the karakuri organ feature impressive works by five villagers! We hope you enjoy seeing how each piece combines Christmas and sweets. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #window art #Roadside Station #Kamu #winter #Christmas #sweets #drawing

[Announcement] Odakyu Family Fun Festa 2025 An event bringing memorable, fun times to children and families raising children The Odakyu Family Fun Festa returns this year! Enjoy a packed lineup for the whole family, including a railway staff job experience booth, workshops, and character stages! Date and time: Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 10:00–16:00 Venue: Ebina Central Park (right next to ebina station) For more details, please check the official website. https://www.odakyu.jp/oyako/info/17837/...

[Daffodil Festival Begins] The Daffodil Festival runs from December 6 through February 1 of next year. In Kyonan Town, one of Japan’s three major daffodil sites, you can enjoy abundant daffodils mainly along Ezuki Narcissus Road and at Okukuzure Narcissus Field from mid-December to the end of January. During the festival, we will hold the Gurutto Daffodil QR Stamp Rally, a photo contest, the Daffodil Marche, a Game Meat Marche, and more, so please join us. #Chiba Prefecture#Kyonan Town#Boso Peninsula#One of Japan’s Three Major Daffodil Sites#Gurutto Daffodil QR Stamp Rally#Daffodil Marche#Ezuki Narcissus Road#Okukuzure Narcissus Field

CAPO Marche We visited Ooyachi CAPO in March, and we’re going again this month! The CAPO Marche runs for four days from Friday, December 12th to Monday, December 15th. On the first two days, booths will feature Rausucho, Makubetsu, Shibecha, Rankoshicho, Shikaoicho and Nishiokoppe Village. On the last two days, delicious products will arrive from Toyoura-cho, Kembuchicho, Shimokawacho, Nayoro City, Moseushi Town and Shibetsu City. Opening hours vary by day, so please check the announcements. From Nishiokoppe Village, we’ll bring popular items from last time such as milk and cheese, wild vegetables, and canned venison and bear meat. Four days filled with proud specialties from around Hokkaido. Come to Ooyachi CAPO. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Ooyachi CAPO #CAPO Marche #Delicious #Winter

The 20th Higashi Fureai Cultural Festival will be held! Two days to enjoy local culture and the arts✨ A packed program including wind band and dance performances, a history lecture titled "Warlords of the Sengoku Era and Their Connections to Sakai", and the Sakai suzume odori (sparrow dance)! There will also be extensive exhibits: flower arrangements, paintings, and works by children to admire🌸 📅 December 14 (Sunday) and 15 (Monday), 10:00–18:00 (exhibits only on the 15th) 📍 Sakai City Higashi Cultural Hall, Cultural Hall (2-minute walk from Kitanoda Station) Free admission! Please come and join us 😊 🔍 For more details, search for "Higashi Fureai Cultural Festival" 🔗https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/.../r7/20hureaibunkasai.html... #Sakai events #Higashi Fureai Cultural Festival #Sakai City #cultural festival #suzume odori #wind band #dance #art exhibition #art activities https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/.../r7/20hureaibunkasai.html...

Tomoya Kaneko Solo Live in Nishiokoppe Born in Shimokawacho, Tomoya Kaneko is active not only as a singer-songwriter but also as a radio host and variety show personality. In Nishiokoppe Village, there was someone who attended the same high school and belonged to the same soft tennis club as Kaneko. That person invited Kaneko and organized the live event. As part of Nishiokoppe Village’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the concert used village subsidies and received support from the organizing committee members as well as many villagers and people from outside the village. At the entrance and in front of the hall at Hotel Rimu, the live venue, life-size (slightly smaller) panels of Kaneko and a welcome board greeted guests. Inside the venue, Tomoya Kaneko fans’ uchiwa fans were placed on each table, and the stage featured illuminated letters reading KANEKO TOMOYA. Kaneko’s humor-filled talk and passionate singing electrified the audience. During the show, as people approached to take photos, a sweaty Kaneko was nearby. Standing alone on stage in front of 110 guests, he shone as he entertained the crowd. He joyfully responded to segments that brought children onstage, and the excited children, even when they weren’t onstage, stood toward the back of the hall and swayed happily. Thank you to everyone who helped with video production and the raffle, and to all who came to the venue. Tomoya Kaneko, thank you for coming!! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Tomoya Kaneko #Live #Setoushi-kun #100th Anniversary of Village Founding #Music #Live

Dance, Dance, Dance Dance is closer to strength training than I thought…! I realized that when I joined a dance lesson held in Nishiokoppe Village. The instructor who taught us was Toshimasa Miya, a teacher at EOS DANCE STUDIO in Asahikawa City. This was the second time Miya came to Nishiokoppe Village. I couldn’t attend the first lesson, but when I heard a second session would be held, I went to loosen my exercise-starved body. As soon as the lesson began, music started playing. I was surprised and thought, “Are we already dancing?” but we began with stretches set to the music. It seems they teach you to get into the habit of moving to the rhythm from the stretching stage. They say dance isn’t about moving your body as fast or as much as possible; what matters is moving to the rhythm. They also explained that if you get better at moving specific parts of your body, you can express more delicate whole-body movements in dance. The smaller the movements, the more your muscles and mind work. To keep your center steady while making various motions, you also need to strengthen your core. Not being a regular dancer, I moved my arms and legs with all my might and ended up soaked in sweat. It’s hard to move smoothly like the teacher or snap into sharp motions at times, but when you move your body fully and use your limbs the way you imagined, it feels great. While learning dance basics, people from elementary school age to adults enjoyed trying out dance. A dance lesson is scheduled again after the New Year. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to get moving, or if you want to feel soothed watching people move joyfully, come and join the next lesson. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #dance #dance lesson #EOS DANCE STUDIO #Asahikawa #winter #exercise

The Tokachigawa Onsen Kohaku Night and Marche runs at Roadside Station Gardens Spa Tokachigawa Onsen through Sunday, December 7. Centered on the amber color of the mall hot spring, the event features a symbolic tree inspired by Tokachi’s nature, Tokachi sake and snacks, and daily-changing markets and live music. Come and visit us! 😊 Kohaku Night and Marche Period: November 1, 2025 – December 7, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM–9:00 PM Admission: Paid from 6:00 PM Adults: ¥1,500; Elementary school children: ¥600

The Ehime Prefectural Office in Osaka will host the "Ehime Saijo Fair" for three days, from Wednesday, December 3 through Friday, December 5, 2025. We will offer seasonal local fruits and vegetables; anpo persimmons, a specialty of Shuso (semi-dried persimmons); rich carrot juice made from Saijo-grown carrots; Ishizuchi kurocha (Ishizuchi black tea); jams; local sake; nori seaweed; and other products from Saijo. Also making their debut are fragrant aonori financiers (financiers made with aonori, a type of green laver). We will also promote Saijo City's attractions and provide tourist information. If you live in or near the Kansai region, please stop by! [Ehime Saijo Fair] ・Event Period Dates: Wednesday, December 3 – Friday, December 5, 2025 Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closes at 5:00 PM on the final day, Friday, December 5) ・Location Ehime Prefectural Office in Osaka 1st Floor, Higobashi Center Building 1-9-1 Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0002, Japan ・Details Sale of Saijo City specialty products and tourism promotion

Winter Flower Tour Stamp Rally in Shimoda is now on! Shimoda City in Shizuoka Prefecture keeps the winter season blooming with flower events. 1) Until December 14, Little Angel Festa 2025 is happening on Mt. Nesugata — yay! https://ropeway.co.jp// Please take the ShimodaRopeway from Izukyu Shimoda Station to the summit. ⇓ 2) From November 30 to January 4, the Aloe Flower Festival is held in Izu Shirahama — yay! https://www.izu-shirahama.jp/?p=4552... Bright red, cone-shaped aloe flowers bloom boldly against the backdrop of Shirahama Beach. ⇓ 3) From December 20 to January 31, the 60th Daffodil Festival takes place at scenic Tsumekizaki! https://www.shimoda-city.info/suisen... Enjoy the winter flowers that color Shimoda while taking part in the stamp rally (^○^). You can still collect stamps even outside each event period, so please visit Shimoda by January 31. After the Daffodil Festival ends, neighboring Minami-Izu Town and Kawazu Town will hold cherry blossom festivals! Izu overflows with flowers all year round! We warmly invite you to come and visit.

A packed winter of events! Introducing December's event lineup ✨ 1. Nagano Christmas Market 2025 The Nagano Christmas Market, which drew many visitors last year, returns this year! Traditional Christmas decorations and a market that evokes authentic German charm await you. Date: Friday, December 12 – Thursday, December 25 Hours: Weekdays: 15:00–20:00 Weekends: 11:00–20:00 Venue: Nagano Station East Exit Park *See the official website for details* 2. Togakushi Ski Resort Opens With a variety of runs, both beginners and advanced skiers can have fun. Enjoy a full program of events and a wide selection of slope-side dining for even more fun! Planned opening date: Saturday, December 13 Hours: 8:30–16:15 Venue: Togakushi Ski Resort *See the official website for details* 3. Zenkoji Omotesando Illumination Zenkoji Omotesando and the Nagano Station area will be magically lit with illuminations ✨ Period: Saturday, November 15 – Monday, February 23, 2026 Hours: 17:00–22:00 Area: Zenkoji Omotesando (Nagano Station Ekimae Crossing to Zenkoji Crossing) Christmas tree locations: Nagano Station Zenkoji Exit Station Square Seisen University Higashiguchi Campus Nagano Tokyu Department Store Front Plaza *Christmas trees will be on display until Thursday, December 25.* *See the official website for details* 4. 100th-Edition Commemoration: Zenkoji Binzuru Market This handmade market celebrates its 100th edition this December! A variety of food and craft stalls will gather, creating a market that makers, buyers, locals, and tourists alike can enjoy. An original commemorative novelty item is also planned. Dates: Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 Hours: 10:00–15:00 Venue: Shiroyama Park *See the official website for details* #Nagano City events #Nagano events #Event information #Nagano City #Nagano Prefecture #Nagano tourism #Nagano travel #nagano #naganocity

[Nishiokopper Live] GA.KOPPER Event Announcement📢 Friday, December 19 Doors open at 6:30 PM / Show starts at 7:00 PM At GA.KOPPER Guesthouse, Nishiokoppe Village Nishiokopper Live is coming up! This event is organized by villagers of Nishiokoppe Village who call themselves "Nishiokopper," and it's for the Nishiokopper community. Enjoy both light-hearted and wholehearted performances that will warm your body and soul on a cold winter night. Drinks and light snacks will be available for purchase. Free admission. For inquiries, please call 090-6446-7689 (Asano). #NishiokopperLive #Nishiokopper #GAKOPPER #Guesthouse #Nishiokoppe #Hokkaido #Christmas #Winter

[ISEHARA Bread Festival Wheat Fest Announcement] The popular annual event returns this year. Delicious bakeries, confectioneries, and food trucks will be on site! Come with your family and friends. Date and time: Sunday, November 30th, 2025, 10:00–15:00 Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park Admission: Free Please note that parking will be very crowded on the day. When coming, please use public transportation.

📢 Kofun Fest HaniCotto (@hanicotto) will feature a Sakai City booth🎉 This Sunday, November 23rd, the Kofun Fest HaniCotto takes place in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture, and Sakai City will have a booth there!✨ It’s a chance to pick up tourist information about Sakai City! We’ve also prepared a photo spot featuring the city’s new “hot air balloon” attraction, which has been in the news recently♪ Be sure to take a commemorative photo! Admission is free, so please come by— we look forward to seeing you!💕 Kofun Fest HaniCotto (@hanicotto) Date and time: Sunday, November 23rd, 10:00–16:00 ※Held rain or shine (canceled only in severe weather such as official warnings) Location: Imashirozuka Kofun, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture (48-8 Gunge-Shinmachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture) 🔍For details, search “Kofun Fest HaniCotto” https://hanicotto.com/category/news/page/3/...

Hashi Watashi Fest running through Saturday, November 29 An event to help you learn more about and fall in love with Sakai City's central moat-ring area Hashi Watashi Fest is back this year✨ Take on the stamp rally visiting shops and facilities within the moat-ring area! Show the map or your card to receive discounts, gifts, and other perks🎁 A market will be held at the former Sakai Fire Station on Saturday, November 29♪ Various events will take place across the moat-ring area as well🎉 ★Stamp rally and perks available from Saturday, November 1 through Saturday, November 29 ★Hashi Watashi Market and prize drawing 📅 Saturday, November 29, 11:00–16:00 📍Former Sakai Fire Station (Ichinocho-nishi 1-chome 1-27, Sakai Ward) This autumn, explore Sakai's moat-ring area and experience its appeal😊✨ 🔍Search for “Hashi Watashi Fest” for more details! 🔗 https://cango-sakai.com/free/5th-cango-fes... https://cango-sakai.com/free/5th-cango-fes...

♬ Sophia Sakai Planetarium Concert ♬ Join saxophonist TSUBO-KEN as you look up at the starry sky and enjoy the beautiful sound of the saxophone 🎷✨ Register online via the website 😊 📅 Date and time: Saturday, December 13, 7:00 PM–8:00 PM (Doors open 6:45 PM) 📍 Venue: Sophia Sakai Planetarium (@sophiasakai_pla) 💰 Fee: ¥1,000 👥 Capacity: 140 people (first-come, first-served) 🔍 For details, search “Sophia Sakai Planetarium Concert”! 🔗 https://www.sofia-sakai.jp/news/...プラネタリウムコンサート/ #Sophia Sakai #Planetarium #Planetarium Concert #PlanetariumConcert #Sakai City #Saxophone #Sakai City Event https://www.sofia-sakai.jp/news/...プラネタリウムコンサート/

🎉 Enjoy the Christmas spirit in Shimoda! 🎄 On Saturday, December 20th, Shimoda Civic Culture Hall hosts “Shimodadada”! A volunteer-run Christmas event in Shimoda City returns this year following last year’s success🎄🥂 A Christmas market, concerts, and workshops for both children and adults fill the day⛄❄️ Participate in the Shimoda Ultra Quiz on the day for a chance to win luxurious prizes🌟 Come and experience something that will make you love Shimoda even more🎅💝 More details→https://www.instagram.com/shimodadada_/... Coinciding with the same day (12/20), Tsumekizaki opens its Narcissus Festival with an opening event! Don’t forget to check out the Narcissus Festival too✨

Christmas Wreath Making Onesmanorgarden, which designs and builds gardens, invited garden planner Yuka Sato as an instructor to host a fun hands-on crafting session. What we made was a Christmas wreath using eucalyptus leaves and other foliage. In April we made wreaths from dried hydrangeas, but this time a row of fresh, live leaves was laid out. Surrounded by the scent of nioi-hiba, we first trimmed long branches into shorter lengths. From there we made the components to attach to the ring, glued them together, and tied them onto the ring with wire. We repeated that process over and over until the ring was covered. The steps are very simple. However… from start to finish you have to keep the volume consistent, bundle while considering the balance of leaves and berries, and skillfully fill in gaps so none remain. It really makes you think. Our fingertips turned dark from the leaf oils as we worked in silence, and after about three to four hours we finished a lush, full wreath! Adding gold or silver pine cones and wrapping ribbons changed each piece’s final impression during the finishing touches. Participants took their finished works home and seemed to hang them on walls and elsewhere in their homes. As time passes and they dry, their color and texture change. It was a project that let us enjoy qualities different from dried pieces. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Wreath making #Christmas #Eucalyptus #Pine cone #Handicraft

[Applications Open] “The 4th Amashin Photo Contest” is now accepting entries! Thank you for the many submissions to the “Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary Web Photo Contest.” After judging, we will announce the selected works. This is an announcement for the “The 4th Amashin Photo Contest,” which opened for entries on Monday, November 17. The theme is “Amakusa’s Best Spots You’ll Want to Share.” Feel free to photograph Amakusa’s landscapes, streets that evoke its history and culture, festivals, light-ups, and more, and submit as many entries as you like! For details, please see our company announcements page or the attached flyer.👀

Held in front of Sakai City Hall! SAKAI Sorairo Disaster Prevention Fest — Feel and Learn the Power of Disaster Preparedness ✨SAKAI Sorairo Disaster Prevention Fest✨ A family-friendly disaster preparedness event where parents and children can enjoy hands-on experience in being ready for emergencies will be held in Sakai! 🚒 Vehicle displays from the Fire Department, Police, Japan Self-Defense Forces, and Japan Coast Guard 🎮 "Metaverse Disaster Prevention" where you can learn through games 🎤 A disaster prevention forum with disaster prevention expert Yukiko Okamoto alongside representatives from the Fire Department, Japan Coast Guard, and Ground Self-Defense Force 🍔 Numerous food trucks 🎁 Win prizes in a stamp rally! Children are very welcome 👶 Spend a day with your family enjoying activities while learning disaster preparedness knowledge. 📅 Date and time: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11:00–16:00 ※Event will proceed in light rain; cancelled in severe weather 📍 Location: Plaza in front of Sakai City Hall, Mina Sakai Free admission! Please share with your friends 😊 🔍 For details, search "Instagram SAKAI Sorairo Fest"

#018 It has gotten cold enough that you’ll need a jacket. Tsunocho hosts a variety of events in the coming season. In this post, we’ll introduce the main events taking place through the end of the year all at once. Tsunocho Events: Autumn 🍂 to Year-end 1. Classic Car Festival Car Festa Miyazaki in Tsuno This classic car festival is held at Tsuno Winery every year on the fourth Sunday of November. Cool, cute, nostalgic — many precious classic cars from those days gather here. Although there are no stage performances at the venue, numerous food and craft stalls attract many car enthusiasts. Even people who aren’t normally into cars will likely find themselves saying, “Wow, that brings back memories.” Date and time: Sunday, November 23, 2025, 10:00–15:00 Location: Tsuno Winery Plaza Admission is free. Everyone is welcome. 2. Tsuno Town Industry Festival Following the summer festival, the town’s major event, the Industry Festival, will be held again this year. This year the venue changes to the Tsunomachi Nakamachi Market Site (next to Kikuya Kashiho). On the day there will be a mobile petting zoo, stage shows, and a performance by Miyazaki Prefecture’s local hero, Tenson Kourin Himkaiser. There will also be many food trucks and tent vendors. At the end of the stage program, a big raffle will award popular game consoles, sought-after smartwatches, and specialty products from the local area, sister city Itoman City, and friendship city Saromacho. Date and time: Sunday, November 30, 2025, 9:00–15:00 Location: Tsunomachi Nakamachi Market Site (next to Kikuya Kashiho, in front of Honjin Akagike Residence) Admission is free. We look forward to welcoming you on the day.

[Event Information] In November we will exhibit at events in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture and in Tokyo. On Sunday, November 23, we will take part in “The 5th Nagoya Castle Grand Tea Gathering ✖️ Traveling! Castle EXPO at Hizen Nagoya Castle” in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, and on Saturday and Sunday, November 22–23, we will join “JOIN Migration, Exchange & Regional Revitalization Fair 2025” in Tokyo with a booth from Reihoku Town and our company. At both events we will sell Reihoku Town specialties. At the Castle EXPO we will also sell the Tomioka Castle goshuin-style castle seal🏯, and at the JOIN migration fair we will offer Reihoku mandarin oranges, now in season🍊. Please come and visit us✨ For more details about each event, search the event names below: “The 5th Nagoya Castle Grand Tea Gathering ✖️ Traveling! Castle EXPO at Hizen Nagoya Castle” “JOIN Migration, Exchange & Regional Revitalization Fair 2025” Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) 4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2502 TEL: 0969-31-1136 E-mail: info@amakusa-kankou.com

SHINTOKU SHUTTLE BUS Shintoku Shuttle Bus —A shuttle bus linking the Shintoku town area and the Sahoro area— A free shuttle runs from Shintoku Station to the Sahoro Resort Area and from the Sahoro Resort Area back to Shintoku Station. Buses are available 🚌 Service runs nine times a day every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. After skiing or snowboarding, why not relax with a spa or the Tokachi sauna at Sahoro Resort, or enjoy the resort at Club Med Sahoro Hokkaido? If you’re staying in the Sahoro Resort Area, you can shop in Shintoku Town, stop by a cafe, or visit local restaurants, izakaya, and bars.💡 SHINTOKU SHUTTLE BUS How will you use it? ◇ From Thursday, December 4, 2025 to Thursday, February 26, 2026 ◆ Running every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during this period ※ No service on December 30 and January 1–3 for the New Year holidays ◇ Departures and arrivals at Shintoku Station ※ Daytime services run to Sahoro Ski Resort Night services turn back at Club Med Sahoro Hokkaido 2025–2026 season Enjoy all the fun Shintoku Town has to offer 🏂⛷️🛷⛸️❄️⛄️🏔️

Komu Christmas Party! Saturday, December 6 Christmas Festival at Komu – Forest Art Museum🎄 ☆ Performance by the Nishiokoppe Junior High School Brass Band🎶 11:30–12:00 @ Mokumu Island The band’s annual performance returns! ☆ Riku Nakanishi Christmas Live 13:00–13:40 @ Santa World🧑‍🎄 Riku will come to Komu with just his guitar♪ ☆ Sumikko Sumi-chan Storytime📖 First session 11:00 Second session 14:00 @ Building Block Room She will read Christmas picture books. Gather wherever you can hear Sumi-chan’s voice! Events will take place throughout the museum. You’re sure to soak up the Christmas spirit! We look forward to your visit🙌🎄 Komu – Forest Art Museum Winter hours: 10:00–16:30 Last admission accepted until 16:10 Admission fees: Adults and high school students 500 yen 4th grade to junior high school students 300 yen Ages 3 to 3rd grade elementary 100 yen Under 3 years old free Inquiries: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu – Forest Art Museum #Christmas #December 6 #Nishiokoppe Junior High School Brass Band #Riku Nakanishi #Sumikko Sumi-chan #Board of Education

Christmas Window Art Would you like to paint on the large windows of Michi-no-Eki Kamu? Sunday, November 30 10:00–11:30: Join our window-painting event! Location: Michi-no-Eki Nishiokoppe Flower Park Kamu. The flower park closes for winter, making the roadside station a bit quiet. We planned this event to fill the windows with art and brighten the day of everyone who visits. Everyone is welcome, both villagers and visitors, children and adults alike. Participants will receive a Setoushi-kun baked treat and string cheese. Capacity: 20 people. Spots are first come, first served, so please sign up early. Apply / Inquiries: Tourist Information Center Satom 0158-85-7125 Komata 090-1384-4167 Michi-no-Eki Nishiokoppe Flower Park Kamu Opening hours: 9:00–16:00 (November–February) Closed: Every Tuesday (if Tuesday is a holiday, closed the following day) Phone: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Hanamu #November 30 #Window Art #Painting #Christmas #Gift #Setoushi-kun baked treat #String cheese #Yumeura Mori no Garden #Milk Design

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Amakusa Area designation within Unzen-Amakusa National Park on July 20, 2026, the two-day cycling event "Amakusa Round! Amaichi Granfondo 2025" will be held in Amakusa 🚴 Granfondo is an Italian term for long-distance cycling events. Rather than racing the clock, participants ride at their own pace, enjoy rest and meals at aid stations, and take in spectacular views on this relaxed cycling event♪ Event Overview Dates: December 13 (Sat)–December 14 (Sun), 2025 Location: Amakusa area, Kumamoto Prefecture (Amakusa City, Kami-Amakusa City, Reihoku) Capacity: Up to 200 riders per day, totaling 400 riders over two days. Applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Courses: (1) Shimashima Trial Course Saturday, December 13, 2025. Start and finish at Tomioka Port in Reihoku. A roughly 140-km route around Amakusa Shimashima (Amakusa City and Reihoku) for 30 riders experienced in cycling around the Amakusa area. (2) Shimashima Main Course Saturday, December 13, 2025. Start and finish at Tomioka Port in Reihoku. A roughly 80-km route around Amakusa Shimashima (Amakusa City and Reihoku) for 170 riders. (3) Kamishima Course Sunday, December 14, 2025. Start and finish at the Hiwado Regional Promotion Center, Kami-Amakusa City Hall. A roughly 80-km route around Amakusa Kamishima (Amakusa City and Kami-Amakusa City) for 200 riders. For registration details and more information, search for "Amaichi Gran" and visit the event website provided by Local Gain Co., Ltd. (080-7577-2505), or check the announcements section on our company website! Why not spend this December enjoying Reihoku’s food and nature while having a refreshing cycling experience around Amakusa? E-bike rentals are also available, so please take a look!

Green Woodwork A workshop used freshly cut, still-damp “green wood” to make everyday items. Participants used only simple tools like knives and shaving horses. For middle school students and older they offered sessions to make wooden spatulas, mini spoons, and small plates. Elementary school children could also join a session to make house ornaments. Under the instruction of Mariko Kusakari, four classes were held in total. I peeked into the house ornament session. The elementary children cut and shaved the wood themselves with support from parents and staff. They touched the wood’s end grain to confirm it was still damp and noticed that different species gave off different scents. Handing tools to children can be nerve‑wracking, but adults stepped in when needed and otherwise watched as the kids did the work. Pieces that started round gradually took on angular, almost pentagonal shapes. After cutting each piece to a chosen size, participants painted them and added a string or wire to finish the ornament. The display included a variety of shapes and colors, each full of personality. We live in a world where many things are easy to buy, so having the chance to make everyday items yourself is truly rewarding. I think I’ll join the wooden spatula workshop next time. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Green Woodwork #green wood #handicrafts #everyday items #mokuiiku (wood learning) #Komu Museum of Art

Reihoku Sunset Marche — November Event Notice📣 This is the announcement for the Reihoku Sunset Marche taking place in November♪ 👀Highlights of this edition of the Sunset Marche👀 ❣Reihoku Sunset Marche will feature agricultural products, processed foods, and prepared dishes from Reihoku. This time it will be held on the same day as the 10th anniversary and olive harvest thanksgiving festival of the neighboring Fukuda Family Olive Orchard.❣ We look forward to seeing everyone 😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag 🛍✨ 🙇Please note that parking is expected to be crowded, so you may also use the Chamber of Commerce parking lot.🙇 【Planned produce for sale】 ・Cucumbers ・Rice (new crop, late-season) ・Taro ・Sweet potatoes ・Zucchini ・Onions ・Mikan (mandarin oranges) ・Cherry tomatoes ・Peanuts ・Lettuce (sunny, leaf) 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche 【Date】Sunday, November 9, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM 【Venue】Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (general incorporated association) ※Reihoku Town Product Center facility (4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku)

We will hold the 4th “Amakusa Reihoku Literary Walk” tourist route creation workshop 🎊 On Wednesday, November 19th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association will host the 4th “Amakusa Reihoku Literary Walk” tourist route creation workshop♪ This session will use the proposed tourist walking routes developed from ideas and discussions in previous workshops to finalize the route🔥 A recap of sessions 1–3 is included, so drop-in participation for this workshop is perfectly fine! If you are interested in literature, history, tour guiding, or community development, please feel free to join us ✨ Date and time: Wednesday, November 19th, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM Venue: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association, 2nd floor (4535-1 Kozufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture) Registration deadline: Monday, November 17th 👉 Please check the announcements section on our website to apply! This workshop is held as part of the FY2025 Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Grant program. Contact: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association Secretariat, Ogata TEL: 0969-31-1136 E-mail: info@amakusa-kankou.com