Saturday, August 17 — National Mountain-Stream Fishing Tournament 🎣🔥 Here’s another fishing tournament story 💪 Today the National Mountain-Stream Fishing Tournament took place on the Mikasokawa tributary of the Gokase River 🤩 This was the second time, following last year 👏 About 70 children and around 100 adults gathered at Mikasokawa — a great turnout 😚 Like at the Kuraoka fishing tournament, I was reminded that fishing is an activity for all ages and genders. So many people were enjoying themselves — it was wonderful 😳✨ This time the children also had a fish-catching event where they grabbed fish by hand 😆 Surprisingly, eels were mixed in, so both kids and the adults watching were fired up 🔥🔥🔥 The vibe was “Bring one back for sure!” 🤣 haha After the excitement there was weighing and an awards ceremony 🏆✨ There were awards for highest total catch from 1st to 3rd place, plus a separate big-fish prize 🙌 The 1st-place total-catch winner landed 4.16 kg of fish 🎉👏 That’s a bit more than two 2-liter PET bottles worth of fish 😲‼ Amazing 👏 Congratulations to the champion 😆💕 The big-fish prize went to a second-year junior high student who caught a hefty 34 cm fish and placed admirably 🤩 Where could such a big fish have been hiding?! Congratulations 🥳👏 The raffle afterward featured a row of luxurious prizes 🫢 With kids and adults smiling, the fishing tournament wrapped up 🙌 Now that Obon and the fishing tournament are over, the weather is slowly starting to cool… When it’s hot you want summer to end quickly, but once you sense its end you feel a bit wistful 😌 Let’s stay well and keep going strong despite Obon fatigue and the heat 🕺✨

Thursday, August 15 — Fishing Tournament in Kuraoka District🎣🔥 Today, Thursday, August 15, a fishing tournament took place in the Kuraoka district👏 About 350 kg of yamame and rainbow trout were released into the river🐟 The event opened with a fishing class for children🥳 The kids picked things up incredibly fast, and the adults watching around them kept saying, “Wow, this isn’t just ‘they’re good’… their casting spots are perfect…” in amazement🤣🤣🤣 The fish the children caught were grilled and eaten right away, just enough for each family🤤💕Fresh fish they had caught themselves must have tasted extra delicious🥰 After that came the adult fishing tournament💪! Veterans who know all the best spots and techniques kept reeling fish in one after another😯👏Truly impressive… They put away the caught fish so quickly that it was hard to capture good photos😂 While the adults fished earnestly, there was also a grab-and-catch contest for children…🫳🐟 Kids grabbed the slippery fish non-stop until there were none left, and some families ended up taking home full plastic bags of fish😂 Older elementary and middle school kids seemed put off by the sliminess, so the smaller children fearlessly caught the most — which was amusing to watch🤭✨ By midday, even the adults had nets full of fish🤣 The day ended with a raffle for luxurious prizes like sweets, daily necessities, and sake👏 This summer event, a family-friendly fishing tournament at the end of Obon, must have given participants a wonderful summer memory😌🌻

August 11 (Sun) Tenohira Gion Market ⛩️👜✨ Today, August 11 (Sun) from 9:00 to 15:00, the Tenohira Gion Market was held at Gion Shrine in the Kuraoka area.🙌 Products from Kyoto, Nara, and shops and craftsmen from Gokasecho and nearby gathered at Gion Shrine.😯👏 Everything was very charming, and each item showed clear dedication and passion.😌✨ A visitor said just looking at them was restorative and soothing, and that was exactly right.🥹 Some items were priced beyond what many could usually spend 😂, but after hearing the creators’ stories, it made sense… each product overflowed with care and love.👏 In the food area, the cool older gentlemen from Kuraoka were grilling yakitori and corn on the cob, which were popular, and while I was filming they kindly shared some with me. 🤤🍗 Thank you for the treat.🥰 There were also fish sushi, takoyaki, karaage, fries, udon, and other kid-pleasing menu items, and the lunch hour was bustling.🥳 Since it was just before Obon, locals and returning visitors called out “Long time no see!” here and there, creating a warm, smiling atmosphere.😆💕 I splurged a bit, so from tomorrow I’ll live frugally while enjoying the things I bought today.🤣🤣🤣

【Friday, August 9 — Yoichi Okumura’s Toybox-Like Solo Exhibition 🧸🪁⭐】 You may have noticed his soft, rounded sculptures around town — at Furutono Shrine, the winery, Chuo Nursery School, and other spots — catching your eye with their gentle presence. The artist behind those works, Yoichi Okumura, is holding a solo exhibition in the assembly hall at Furutono Shrine while continuing his studio practice through the summer.✨ Although he usually lives in Miyazaki City, he stays in Gokasecho for about 40 days each summer, and this year marks his 28th season here.😯💡 Each visit he places works somewhere around Furutono Shrine, so roughly 28 pieces are now hidden around the grounds.😆 Finding them all is said to be quite a challenge…😏 The owl in the third photo is still unfinished, but it will join the collection at Furutono Shrine this year. A treasure-hunt-style stroll around the shrine sounds like fun.😊 His sculptures brim with playfulness: sometimes they carry a single color accent, other times they wear bold hues, and sometimes the stone’s natural color becomes part of the piece’s charm. Using a 6 mm chisel, he essentially paints on the stone with tiny dots — the detail is astonishingly delicate. He also paints, producing gentle, picture-book-style illustrations — truly lovely work.😌 (He has actually published a picture book.) Okumura said that whenever he makes work in Gokasecho he can’t help adding stars to them. The Gokase night sky finds its way into his pieces.⭐👏 We were able to observe him working; the scene felt like he was breathing life into the stone, conversing with each piece as he shaped it. The unworked stones placed near him seemed eager to be made into something, as if quietly asking to be transformed.😊✨ He will remain in Gokase through the end of August, so please consider visiting while you can.🙌 He will also hold a solo exhibition at gallery roof for in Miyazaki City from October 16 to 20. If you have the chance, do go see it.😌

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Event Information This week, Gokasecho is packed with events✨ Some events are being held for the first time, so come and visit Gokasecho for a great time😆

Friday, August 2 — The grapes of Gokase Wine🍇✨ Today, while I was out, I visited a local vineyard in town and had a look at the grapes🍇📸! The variety in the photos is Niagara🍷 Large clusters of plump berries hung everywhere, and they looked so beautiful🥹👏 In the fifth photo, the sunlight shines through the grapes so they look translucent😲—they have a jewel-like beauty👏 Though these berries aren’t fully ripe yet, their fresh green color feels cool, and the vineyard somehow looked stylish to me😳✨ They’ll grow riper and the fragrance will start to float through the air…😌💕 I was told that the earliest varieties will begin to be harvested starting this month… I’m already looking forward to the grapes and the wine🤤🍇✨

December 20, 2024 Gokase Highland Ski Resort OPEN🎉 On Thursday, August 1, at Gokasecho Town Hall, a press announcement confirmed that Gokase Highland Ski Resort is scheduled to open this season👏✨ The access road to the ski resort collapsed in the 2022 typhoon and became impassable, forcing Gokase Highland Ski Resort to close for two seasons. At last this season! “The winter of revival begins.” 🥳🎉 Under the banner “Reopen – Reunite –” we look forward to reuniting with many people from inside and outside the town, from other prefectures, and from abroad 🥰 Let’s enjoy this winter at the ski resort ⛷️🏂✨ OPEN dates: December 20, 2024 – early March Hours: 8:00–16:30

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Camping: Guesthouse & Bar ELCAMPO This is a private tent site limited to one group per day. We offer a wide range of rental gear. You can also enjoy drinks at the adjoining bar. (The bar is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.) Fees ・2,500 yen per night site fee ・Admission: Adults (13 and over) 500 yen ・Children (ages 3–12) 300 yen ※During Golden Week and the Obon period, the site fee is 3,000 yen per night. Facilities: power supply, sink, shower room, separate toilets for men and women, Wi-Fi available Check-in: 15:00–20:00 Check-out: by 11:00 ※Not available in winter (November–March). ※Pets are not allowed. Contact ・Phone: 080-9799-0094 (phone hours 9:00–21:00)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Camping: Kijiya de CAMP A campsite where you can also enjoy hot springs, “Kijiya de Camp” Solo camping and small-group use are available. There are sites A through D. Check-in time: 12:00–17:00 on the day of arrival (If your check-in will be after 17:00, please be sure to contact us) Check-out time: by 11:00 the following day Reservations and inquiries 9223 Mikasho, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1203 Phone: 0982-82-1115 Fax: 0982-82-1145

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Camping] Gokase no Sato Camp Village Gokase no Sato Camp Village sits in a luxurious spot with panoramic views of the Aso caldera and surrounding mountains. The site offers Wi‑Fi‑equipped bungalows where you can stay with pets, and tent sites for enjoying camping. You can also use the facilities in the management building. With few streetlights, clear nights reveal a sky full of stars. Hours: 9:00–18:00 Closed: Tuesday and Wednesday Contact 141-1 Mikasyo, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1203 Phone: 090-4475-5005

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation: Auberge corasita Limited to two groups per day, CORASITA is a stayable restaurant run by a tomato farmer CORASITA comes from the Gokasecho dialect phrase “Yo~ korashita ne~,” meaning “welcome, you have arrived,” and it greets guests warmly. Enjoy traditional Italian home cooking taught by an Italian mamma, prepared by the owner who holds a qualification as an Italian cuisine researcher—dishes you can only taste at CORASITA. Check-in: 16:00–18:00 Check-out: by 10:00 Rates: 1 night with two meals included ※Adults (junior high school students and older) 1 person / 1 building: JPY 35,400 (tax excluded) and up 2–8 people / 1 building: JPY 23,000 (tax excluded) per person and up Contact 2847-1 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 0982-83-2017

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation: Guesthouse & Bar EL CAMPO EL CAMPO offers four cottages reserved for one group per day: Cottage Brown (for 1–4 guests), Cottage Blue (for 1–8 guests), Cottage Red (for 1–2 guests), and Cottage Peach (for 1–2 guests). Each is a log house that radiates the warmth of wood, providing a relaxed stay. In summer, guests can pick blueberries beside the guesthouse, enjoy barbecues under a star-filled sky, and play with handheld fireworks. In winter, we light a Chilean wood-burning stove before check-in to welcome you, so you can enjoy a comfortable stay even in the bitter cold of Gokasecho. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ● Cottage Brown … From ¥4,500 per person per night (capacity 4) This two-story cottage lets you relax like you would in a holiday home. The first floor is a living room with a small kitchen. A unit bathroom combines a toilet and bathtub. The second floor serves as the bedroom. *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥5,000* *Pets are not allowed* ● Cottage Blue … From ¥25,000 per night for the two rooms (capacity 8) A central kitchen and living area separates rooms on the left and right. Each room has two bunk beds, accommodating four guests per room. Each room also has a toilet, shower room, and a separate wash basin. This layout is ideal for large groups or two families traveling together (up to 8 guests). *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥30,000* *Pets are not allowed* ● Cottage Red … From ¥6,500 per person per night (capacity 2) All facilities are on the first floor: kitchen, dining area, toilet, wash basin, shower room, and bedroom. The bedroom has two Simmons single beds. The loft offers books and a comfortable chair to relax in. *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥7,000 per person per night* *Pets are not allowed* ● Cottage Peach … From ¥7,500 per person per night (capacity 2) This cottage features a spacious dining area and a full bathroom where you can stretch out and soak. The bedroom is in the loft and includes one Emma Sleep queen-size bed. Please note that the loft requires climbing a steep ladder; guests with small children, elderly guests, or those with a fear of heights should take care. *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥8,000 per person per night* *Pets are not allowed* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check-in: 15:00–20:00 Check-out: by 10:00 Contact 872-1 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 080-9799-0094 (Phone hours 9:00–21:00)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation — Fureai no Sato Fureai no Sato serves not only as lodging for families and group travelers but also as a multipurpose training facility used as a summer retreat and for winter ski training camps and other group stays. <Contact> 8663 Mikasho, Gokasecho, 882-1203 Phone: 0985-32-1234 (Reservations: Kenmin Kyosai)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation: Aya Minshuku Yuuyake On clear days, Aya Minshuku Yuuyake offers an outstanding location with a full view of the Aso Five Peaks Just a short drive from Gokase Winery! It is the only minshuku in the Kuwanochi area. Their dinners, made with local ingredients, are also well regarded. Contact: 0982-82-0140

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation] Morinoyado Shiraiwa They take great care with the salt, dashi, and every ingredient used in their cooking. Please enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Yamame trout, wild boar hot pot, and homemade cheesecake are especially popular. <Rates> One night with two meals from ¥6,000 <Contact> 4763 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 0982-83-2820

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Lodging: Woody House Mokumoku From your room you can enjoy the beautiful, ever-changing nature that spreads out before you. Guests are free to use the refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances in the shared kitchen. Free Wi-Fi up to 1 Gbps is available not only in the common areas but in all rooms. We provide discount tickets for Gokase Highland Ski Resort (winter only; conditions apply). Check-in: from 16:00 Check-out: by 10:00 Rates Accommodation is room-only (no meals). 1) Japanese-style room 4.5 tatami: ¥3,500 per person 2) Japanese-style room 6 tatami: ¥3,500 per person 3) Room with loft: ¥4,000 per person Contact 4388 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 090-8830-8580

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation: Rest House & Guesthouse Shima This place offers not only lodging but also serves lunch. Their champon, rich with the savory flavors of seafood, is a recommended dish. Contact 4871-1 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 0982-83-2837

Accommodation in Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture — Takachiho-ya Ryokan Takachiho-ya Ryokan stands in the Gionmachi area of Kuraoka in Gokasecho The inn focuses on its cuisine and enjoys a high rate of repeat guests. Rooms have heating and cooling, and the baths are large, making for a satisfying stay. Please consider staying with your family or for training camps. Contact: 0982-83-2825

Miyazaki Prefecture, Gokasecho Accommodation: Enoha no Ie Enoha no Ie is a mountain home-style restaurant located at 700 meters above sea level along Nagirikawa River, the source of the Gokase River. In Kyushu, yamame trout used to be called “enoha.” An irori hearth sits on the wooden floor beside the entrance and serves as the restaurant area. You can also enjoy a wide variety of yamame dishes here. Rates 1) One night with two meals: 7,000 yen 2) One night with breakfast only: 4,500 yen 3) Kiridatake Pass trekking, one night with three meals, guided with pick-up and drop-off: 9,000 yen Contact Phone: 0982-83-2321

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation: Gokase Onsen Mori no Yado Kijiya Gokasecho’s only ryokan with a hot spring, Gokase Onsen Mori no Yado Kijiya Enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The hot spring’s water is well regarded and is even called a “beauty spring.” Located within the Gokasecho General Sports Facility, it’s ideal for sports training camps. Check-in: 15:00–24:00 Check-out: until 10:00 Day-trip bathing hours: 10:00–21:00 (Every Tuesday maintenance hours: 15:00–21:00) Guest bathing hours: 6:00–9:00 / 15:00–22:00 ※From October to March mornings start at 6:30 Contact 9223 Sangasho, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1203 Phone: 0982-82-1115 Fax: 0982-82-1145

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation: Hotel Forestpia Hotel Forestpia sits along a gorge at the headwaters of the Gokase River in the Kyushu Mountains This hotel features authentic cottage-style log houses Here you can enjoy yamame trout dishes raised in the clear waters of the Gokase River When it gets cold, the lobby fireplace is lit, creating a luxurious moment to relax <Base Rates> ●Room Charge ・Suite (price for 2 people) 16,000 yen ・Twin room (price for 2 people) 12,000 yen ・Maisonette (price for 4 people) 20,000 yen ●Rate with Breakfast (per night) ・Room for 3–4 people: 6,000 yen per person ・Room for 2 people: 7,000 yen per person ・Suite: 9,000 yen per person *Meals at "Enoha no Ie" range from 1,000 to 3,000 yen (tax excluded) <Contact> 4615 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, 882-1201 ・Phone: 0982-82-2321 ・FAX: 982-83-2324

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Rental Tent Sauna Enjoy Gokase’s nature in a tent sauna!! You can rent a tent sauna in Gokasecho. Would you like to enjoy a sauna whenever you want, wherever you want, with whomever you choose? Assembling the tent sauna is simple! The stove is iron, so the temperature rises in no time! You can even do löyly (steam poured on hot stones), leaving your mind and body refreshed! Detailed instructions for assembling the tent sauna are on Instagram at @kikor_i78. Come experience the ultimate relaxation, or “totonou,” in Gokase! Fees: Tent and stove rental ・Weekdays 10,000 yen / Holidays 12,000 yen ・Relaxation chair 500 yen Contact ・Instagram: @kikor_i78 ・Phone: 070-2381-0320 (available only from 5:00–7:00 p.m.)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Cotton Cafe Cotton Cafe meets on the third Saturday of every month. Here you can try spinning yarn from organic cotton grown in Gokasecho. The homemade cakes are also very popular. Relax and chat while trying your hand at spinning yarn. No prior registration required. Opening days: Every third Saturday of the month Hours: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM Location: 5929 Kuraoka, Kuraoka Kurara Staff Room, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, 882-1201

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Pizza-Making Workshop At Villa corasita (Villa Corasita), you can take a cooking class while looking straight down at the Italian tomato fields (greenhouses) completed in March 2022. Set in a stylish villa reminiscent of rural towns in France and Italy, you can make pizza using a wood-fired stove. Hours Day session 11:00–14:00 Evening session 17:00–19:00 Duration About 90 minutes (one lesson: from 4 to 8 guests) *If more than 8 guests participate, a rotation system will be used. Price Adults (junior high school students and older) ¥3,850 Children ¥1,650 *Reservation required (at least 5 days before your preferred date). Groups of 4 to 8 guests. Reservation: Villa corasita 1473-18 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishi-usuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 0982-83-2017 (weekdays 9:00–17:00)

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience] Cast-Iron Kettle Pan-Frying Tea Experience Pan-fried tea, now produced in only small quantities nationwide. It pours a clear golden color, offers a fragrant aroma, and tends to be less astringent and bitter than steamed green tea. You can try making this pan-fried tea yourself. <Price> Pan-frying experience: 2,000 yen ※Reservation required / varies by season <Booking> Miyazaki Chabo Co., Ltd. 4966 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 ・Hours: 9:00–16:00 ・Phone: 0982-82-0211 ・Fax: 0982-82-0316

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience] Tea Tasting Experience Miyazaki (Tatsu Saki) Sabou produces the rare kamairicha (pan-fried tea) Here you can enjoy a tasting experience featuring several kinds of tea. Even among kamairicha, different tea leaf varieties produce distinct aromas and flavors. If you find a tea you like, you can buy it on the spot. Price: Tea tasting experience from ¥1,000 (reservation required) Booking: Miyazaki Sabou Co., Ltd. 4966 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 Hours: 9:00–16:00 Telephone: 0982-82-0211 Fax: 0982-82-0316

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Yamame Natural Fishing Pond Yamame Natural Fishing Pond centers on a wild, hands-on experience: catch creatures with your own hands, kill them, prepare them yourself, and cook and eat them. The pond is deep and designed with many fishing points spread across the whole pond to avoid crowding. No concrete or other man-made structures are used; the fishing area remains in its natural state. Admission Fee 1,500 yen per person (tax included; includes fishing rod, bait, keep-net, and fishing permit set). You may take home caught fish up to 500 g free of charge. For fish over 500 g, please purchase at 250 yen per 100 g. Fish you catch can be gutted at the BBQ garden and taken home (free). The reception desk is at the ryokan Enohanoya. Reservations: Enohanoya (9:00–17:00; closed in stormy weather) Postal code 882-1201 4615 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture Phone: 0982-83-2326 Fax: 0982-83-2324 Yamame BBQ Self Garden We expanded the eaves of Enohanoya across from the fishing pond to create a BBQ garden. It includes a cooking area, a charcoal hearth, and wooden tables for free use. Facility Use Fee 500 yen per person (tax included; includes charcoal, burner for lighting the fire, various cooking utensils, seasonings, bamboo skewers, etc.). At the BBQ garden, you can enjoy your caught fish grilled with salt, pan-fried with butter, smoked, or prepared in other ways. The reception desk is at the ryokan Enohanoya.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Canoeing & Sauninging Canoeing in winter? Isn’t it cold? Not at all — winter brings its own way to enjoy canoeing. This is "Canoeing & Sauninging." After paddling and entering the sauna, your body and mind will feel refreshed and balanced. Would you like to try this in the great outdoors? The sauna meal is a Gokasecho specialty. Season: January to March Price: Adults (high school age and older) JPY 9,000 (includes sauna meal: special horu hotpot) Booking: Shizenya Kawajin (Email: ag1967@gray.plala.or.jp)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Snow Trekking & Sledding An activity unique to Gokasecho, a town with a ski resort! Snow mountain climbing and sledding! The rush of sliding down snowy slopes on a sled is addictive! We provide a warming lunch. *Subject to snow accumulation from January to March* Price 10,000 yen per person; minors must be accompanied by a guardian Lunch included: hot sandwich and soup (menu may change) How to apply Shizenya Kawajin (email: ag1967@gray.plala.or.jp)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience: Footpaths A footpath refers to a route where you can walk while enjoying unspoiled nature, old townscapes, rice paddies and other pastoral scenery. Each footpath comes with a dedicated map, and directional signs are posted along the course, so you follow those as you walk. You can enjoy this footpath simply by following the map and signs, but its appeal is greatest on a guided tour. A local guide who knows the settlement’s history, culture and natural features will multiply the footpath’s interest many times over. <Fees> ・Adults (junior high school and older) ¥3,000 ・Elementary school students ¥2,000 *Operated for groups of two or more (elementary students must be accompanied by a guardian) <Booking> Gokase Nature School Postal code 882-1201 6452-Otsu Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture Phone: 0982-73-6366 ●Course Introductions● 1. Footpath: Gokasecho Miyano-hara District Miyano-hara is an old settlement dotted with many weeping cherry trees, led by a roughly 300-year-old shidarezakura at Josenji Temple. Sankasho Shrine, which has an inner sanctuary on Mt. Futagami—said to be the landing place of the heavenly grandson—features beautiful rhododendrons and the shrine building is adorned with superb carvings of hippocampi. The river is crossed by a stone-built megane (arch) bridge, and the course includes the “Bird’s Nest” terraced rice field selected among the Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields, stepped fields, bamboo groves and mixed woods—a sunny, peaceful route worthy of recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage. We recommend walking here in spring when the cherry trees are in full bloom. <Schedule> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Onsen Kijiya (9223 Hirokino, Sankasho, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) ◎Special offer: discounted admission to Gokase Onsen Kijiya (Adults ¥500→¥300, Children ¥300→¥200) 2. Footpath: Gokasecho Kasabe District A small hamlet of about ten households located on the northern edge of Mount Gion-yama, considered the birthplace of the Gion tradition in Kyushu. The spring water that wells up from Gion-yama is true famous water. To make use of this water for community development, locals built a log-house pavilion from local cedar and named it Kasabe Water Station. The highlight is a giant hinoki cypress said to be 700–800 years old. It is nicknamed “God’s Hand” because it resembles a powerful man’s left hand, and it draws many visitors. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Kasabe Water Station (Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) 3. Footpath: Gokasecho Kuwanonai District Kuwanonai is a village with spectacular views of Mt. Aso from anywhere and beautiful sunsets. With many tea fields, it traditionally produces pan-fried tea that has won imperial awards. Recently, black tea made from Japanese tea leaves has become popular, and the area also cultivates flowers, cherry tomatoes and grapes, and raises domestic black Wagyu cattle—farming and livestock remain the core industries. The cozy farm-stay program promoted by the Sunset Village Development Council is popular; students from across Asia visit on school trips. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Winery (4847-1 Kuwanonai, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required) 4. Footpath: Gokasecho Habu District Historically active in trade with Bungo Province (Oita Prefecture), this area once served as a logistics hub. Today it is the inner retreat of Kuwanonai, backed by steep terrain and Kyushu’s magnificent mountains, including Mt. Aso. Photographers and painters favor many spots here, and you can find quintessential rural scenery that feels truly countryside. The course has many ups and downs, offering a bit of a hiking experience. <Meeting time> 9:30–12:00 (about 2.5 hours) <Meeting place> Gokase Town Coexistence Welfare Facility (1514-5 Kuwanonai, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture) <Notes> Footpath bento ¥700 and up (reservation required)