Nice to meet you! We are the Kimobetsu Tourism Association. We would like to share the many charms of Kimobetsucho in Hokkaido with everyone watching Cool Japan videos. This is our first post, so we will briefly introduce Kimobetsu’s history, sightseeing spots, and local specialties. In future posts we will provide detailed information on events and hidden gem attractions, so please stay tuned. Kimobetsu has a long history and retains strong influences from Ainu culture. The town’s name comes from the Ainu word Kim-o-pet, meaning “river with many mountains.” As the name suggests, Kimobetsu is crossed by 41 rivers of various sizes, including the Shiribetsu River and Kimobetsu River. The town lies at the foothills of MtYotei, a 1,898-meter peak nicknamed Ezo Fuji for its resemblance to Mt. Fuji, and is a nature-rich town about a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Sapporo City. The annual average temperature is a relatively cold 5.9°C, and the area receives heavy snowfall—sometimes nearly 150 cm. The large day–night temperature swings create a fertile environment for agriculture, and crops grown here are shipped across Japan. Kimobetsu has developed into one of Hokkaido’s leading agricultural regions. In particular, asparagus is known as one of the places where commercial cultivation began in Japan. Its generous size, crisp yet tender texture, and natural sweetness are exquisite, so be sure to try it. Other recommended souvenirs include high-quality Baron potatoes and sweet corn. At Nakayama Pass, Roadside Station Boyou Nakayama offers specialties like age-imo (deep-fried potato) and a restaurant serving dishes made with local ingredients, as well as a shop selling regional products. From Kimobetsu Town Park you can view both MtYotei and MtShiribetsu and fully experience Kimobetsu’s great outdoors. Kimobetsu also actively operates an empty house bank as part of municipal initiatives to encourage relocation. This program makes effective use of vacant homes in town and is available to people hoping to move here, settle permanently, or stay regularly, contributing to local revitalization. If you are considering relocating to a place with abundant nature, please check Kimobetsu’s official website. Kimobetsu combines rich nature, tourist attractions, and history, and offers a sense of slow, peaceful time. You can find a pleasant respite away from the daily hustle and bustle. Unknown beautiful landscapes, new experiences, and fresh encounters await you in Kimobetsu, Hokkaido. We will continue to share Kimobetsu’s charms, so please come and visit Kimobetsu!

The Japan sake "Tatsunosen" is aged in the Toma Bell Cave in winter. It is a rare liquor sold only in the town in a limited number. Junmai Daiginjo's sake is fruity but has a refreshing taste. This year's sales will go on sale on April 22. It will be almost sold out around the end of August, so be early.

[English/Japanese] Tengu-yaki, a souvenir I bought on a field trip to Mt. Takao. It is shaped like a tengu, a demon said to live in Mt. I thought the filling was red bean paste, but it was made of crushed black beans, and the elegant sweetness was very delicious. Our school is located at Nishi-Hachioji Station, next to Takao Station. It took first place in the recently announced "Really Comfortable City to Live in Ranking". Nishi-Hachioji is located along the Chuo Line, which connects to Tokyo and Shinjuku, between Hachioji, which is convenient for shopping, and Takao, which is rich in nature. It is recommended for its many supermarkets and hospitals, and inexpensive rent 😊. The souvenir "tengu yaki" that I got when I went on an excursion to Mt. Takao. It is in the form of a yokai tengu who is said to live on Mount Takao. I thought the filling was bean paste, but it was crushed black beans, and the elegant sweetness was very delicious. Our school is located at Nishi Hachioji Station, next to Takao Station. In the recently announced "Really Livable Cities Ranking", we took first place. Nishi Hachioji is located along the Chuo Line, which connects to Tokyo and Shinjuku, between Hachioji, which is convenient for shopping, and Takao, which is rich in nature. There are many supermarkets and hospitals, and the rent is cheap, so it is 😊 recommended.

The crayon exterior cookie I got as a souvenir from a friend before ゚∀゚ Unique and the box was not 🖍 thrown away

[English/Japanese] Continuing from last week, I would like to introduce the rules of Japanese companies. 1 Is everyone wearing the same clothes? Job hunting When international students are looking for a job, the first thing they do is to buy a recruiting suit. This is because the suits that foreign students bring from their home countries are all shiny and cannot be used for job hunting. When looking for a job in Japan, a black suit with a white shirt is the standard. In addition to this, students who dye their hair should make it the same color as their natural hair, and students with beards should shave their beards. Accessories should be removed and shoes should be low heeled. Women should wear light makeup and wear their hair in a bun. If you do all of these things, all job hunters will look like the same person. Job hunters use the same appearance to show off their individuality. Some students from foreign countries think that their appearance is also their personality and refuse to shave their beards. Depending on the type of business, you may not have to wear a recruiting suit, but most companies will first look at your appearance to see if you can follow Japanese rules. You should polish your Japanese language skills so that you can appeal your personality in your speech. 2 Japanese companies are still old-fashioned. For a long time, Japanese people have had a negative image of working too much, working too much overtime, increasing salary with age, male dominated society, and difficulty in taking vacations. In modern times, this is gradually improving, but there are still many companies that have this tendency. For example, let's say you have plans to go on a trip on your day off. You tell the people at work about it. Do you know what you should do the next time you go to the office? Usually, Japanese people buy as many souvenirs as the number of employees in the company the number of employees in the department. Also, when you give out souvenirs, you give them out to the people with the highest positions first. Furthermore, if the trip was not on a holiday, but on a paid holiday, you would say to the other employees, "I apologize for the inconvenience." It is very difficult to understand the unique culture within a company from the beginning. First of all, you should look at the Japanese people around you and observe what they are doing. Also, many Japanese companies have a system where senior employees teach newcomers their jobs when they join the company. As a newcomer, you may want to ask your senior employees a lot of questions. 3 On and off I once heard this story from an international student. "I was invited to a drinking party at my part-time job. I don't drink alcohol, so I refused, but they kept inviting me, so I went. I was able to have a good time at the party. Some of us became good friends. The next day at my part-time job, I was talked to in a fun way as I had been at the drinking party, but I was given a cold attitude. Did I do something wrong?" Why do you think this happened to her? Japanese people don't chat much during work, but after work, they sometimes communicate over drinks. This is called "Nominication". It is a word coined from the Japanese words "nomu drink" and "communication. At drinking parties, people drink happily regardless of age or position. However, this is only for drinking parties. Also, when we meet at work, we switch to work mode. It is considered bad to go to the office in the same atmosphere of a drinking party. Try to think of it as a clear distinction between on and off, not a sudden coldness. This is only a small part of what I have covered in this blog. The unique culture of the company is something that even Japanese people have to get used to. Let's learn them little by little. Don't forget to keep a "memo" in your pocket when you learn. This is also a part of Japanese culture. Continuing from last week, I will introduce the rules of Japan company. 1 Are we all wearing the same clothes? Job hunting When international students are looking for a job, they start by buying a recruit suit. This is because all the suits brought by international students from their countries are shiny and cannot be used for job hunting. When you get a job in Japan, you basically wear a white shirt and a black suit. In addition to this, students who dye their hair should have the same color as their natural hair, and students with beards will shave their beards. Remove accessories and wear shoes with low heels. Women also lighten their makeup and tie their hair together. If you put all of this in place, job hunting students will all look the same person. Job hunting students show off their individuality with similar appearances. Some international students refuse to shave because they think that their appearance is their personality. Depending on the industry, you may not be required to wear a recruiting suit, but most companies will first determine whether you can follow the rules of Japan based on your appearance. Hone your Japanese skills so that you can show off your personality in your speeches. 2 A company with a Japan that is still old Traditionally Japan people have had negative images such as "working too much," "working a lot of overtime," "salary increases with age," "male society," and "difficulty taking vacations." In modern times, improvements are being made little by little, but there are still many companies that have this trend. For example, let's say you plan to go on a holiday trip. I told the people at the company about it. Do you know what to do the next time you go to work? Usually, Japan people buy as many souvenirs as there are employees in the company the number of employees in the department. Also, when handing out souvenirs, they are distributed in order of position. In addition, if you went on a trip not on a holiday and used paid leave, we will hand out souvenirs with the words "We apologize for the inconvenience." It is very difficult to understand the unique culture of a company from the beginning. First of all, look at the Japan people around you and observe what they are doing. In addition, Japan companies often have a system in which senior employees teach newcomers about work when they join the company. If you are a newcomer, you may want to ask various questions from senior employees. 3 On and Off I have heard this story from international students. "I was invited to a drinking party at my part-time job, and I refused because I couldn't drink, but I was invited many times, so I went. We had a good time at the drinking party. Some people have become good friends. The next day, when I was happily talked to like I had at a drinking party at my part-time job, I was treated coldly. Did I do something wrong?" Why do you think this happened? Japan people don't chat much at work, but they sometimes communicate over drinks after work. This is called "nomination." It is a coined word that combines the words "drink" and "communication" in Japanese. At drinking parties, people enjoy drinking regardless of age or position. However, this is only for drinking parties. Also, when you meet at work, it switches to work mode. It is considered bad to go to the office in the atmosphere of a drinking party. It's not that you've suddenly become cold, but rather that there is a clear separation between on and off. This is just a small part of what I have put on my blog. The unique culture of a company is full of things that you can't understand unless you are a Japan person. Let's remember it little by little. Don't forget to keep a note in your pocket when memorizing. This is also a culture of Japan.

Wow, it's awesome watching these cups come together. I love watching videos of craftsmanship like this. Don't see a lot of this anywhere else these days. Japan always has the coolest traditional crafts too. I really enjoy sake so I should consider getting one of these probably. I'd also like to get some Edo Kiriko as well, but they're a bit more pricey and I'm really pick about which one I want lol. I love seeing all the specialized tools used in each craft too. Some you can just tell that there's no other possible use and you can get an idea of just how much knowledge has been handed down to reach this point. Really awesome stuff

Koedogawagoe Walk Japanese candle HAZE Be healed by candlelight It's not about things to give Lighting time Japanese candles bought as memories Seasonal Japanese candle "See you tomorrow" I want to visit again after corona Japanese candle HAZE "See you tomorrow." Instead of saying goodbye, the word "see you tomorrow" is a wish for a reunion. The time when all mankind communicates with each other True peace comes. “See you tomorrow” Not to mean “good-bye” but a word that looks forward to a “reunion.” When we exchange the words “See you tomorrow” between all mankind, this is when true peace comes.

Located in Suo Oshima, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Setouchi Jam's Garden is a delicious jam shop. The terrace outside is also fashionable, and it is one photo that I took with a snap! There is a wide variety of jams, which is perfect for buying souvenirs!