Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya Natsumōde 2025 On this day, glutton Kasai brings you fresh, hot-off-the-press information. Have you heard of Natsumōde? This seasonal ritual offers a chance to savor an evening that avoids the daytime heat, letting you enjoy the cool dusk air, quiet atmosphere, and the shrine’s charming summer mood. Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is holding a Natsumōde event!!! During the festival, the shrine will be illuminated. Shrine maidens will perform kagura, local performers will present bugaku dances, the Shimosuwa Koyō High School brass band will play, and Tsugaru shamisen performances will take place each night from 19:00. On weekends, special attractions such as festival stalls and food trucks will appear! For details ⇒ https://shimosuwaonsen.jp/event/21644/... Goshuin collectors, take note! Limited-edition Natsumōde goshuincho and special nighttime Natsumōde goshuin will be available at Akimiya during the event. A nighttime-only “Yo-Yo Omikuji” will be offered from 18:30 to 21:00 each day, so please come and enjoy!!! Fans made of bamboo will be distributed to visitors only. They are elegant bamboo hand fans perfect for the occasion 🎶 ※ This is Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya, so please be careful not to confuse it with other shrines! Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya Nighttime Natsumōde ◎ Period: Thursday, August 7 – Thursday, August 14, 2025 ◎ Time: 18:30–21:30 ◎ Shinano-kuni Ichinomiya Suwa Taisha (Shimosha Akimiya) 📍 5828 Shimosuwa-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture ☎ 0266-27-8035 (Natsumōde inquiries) ◎ Homepage : https://suwataisha.or.jp// Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya – Nighttime Natsumōde 2025 Gluttony Kasai is here to bring you fresh, hot-off-the-press news! Have you heard of Natsumōde? While the slow, lingering summer heat has its own charm, Natsumōde offers a chance to avoid the midday heat and instead enjoy the cool evening air, the quiet atmosphere, and the magical scenery of the shrine at night. This summer, Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya will once again host this special evening event. During the festival period, the shrine grounds will be beautifully illuminated, and visitors can enjoy sacred kagura dances performed by shrine maidens, traditional bugaku court dances by local performers, music by the Shimosuwa Kōyō High School brass band, and live Tsugaru shamisen performances. On weekends, food stalls and kitchen cars will also make a special appearance. Special Limited Items • Limited-edition Natsumōde Goshuincho (temple seal book) • Nighttime Natsumōde special Goshuin (temple seal) • “Yo-Yo Omikuji” (balloon yo-yo fortune), available 18:30–21:00 during the event If you are a Goshuin collector, you won’t want to miss this! Dates: August 7 (Thu) – August 14 (Thu), 2025 Time: 18:30–21:30 Venue: Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya – Shinano-kuni Ichinomiya (First Shrine of Shinano Province) 📍 5828 Shimosuwa-machi, Suwa-gun, Nagano Prefecture ☎ 0266-27-8035 (Natsumōde Inquiries) * Homepage : https://suwataisha.or.jp// ・ Distributed to visitors only; a traditional hand fan made from bamboo, perfect for enjoying the summer evening in style 🎶 ※ Please note: This event is held at Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya.

Ogijima Island is not just an island of cats, an 📌 island that plays in the gaze of tourism When I first set foot on Ogijima Island, most of the words that came to mind were "This is the island of cats" that I often see on social media. It is true that the island is small and can be circled in less than two hours, and the appearance of cats can be seen everywhere. However, when you actually visit, you will find that this island is not only about cats. During the field survey on August 1, we interviewed Yamato Fukui, the director of the Ogijima Life Research Institute. The regional revitalization he is promoting is not only based on the tourism effects of the Setouchi Art Festival, but also on returning to the educational foundation, which is the basis of the sustainable development of the region. He is starting with the reconstruction of his alma mater and is trying to rekindle the spark of hope on the island. In his words, "Only the laughter of children can bring hope to an island that is aging." Based on this philosophy, Ogijima has seen an increase in new residents in recent years, many of whom are digital nomads who work remotely. They seek a relaxed rhythm of life where they can live on foot and Outbound to Downtown by boat, and they find opportunities to interact with people and the warmth of everyday life in this land. However, the presence of "cats" has also brought new challenges to the island. Squid cat packs brought by humans have required many adjustments to the daily lives of the original inhabitants due to differences in hygiene and cultural values. Even cat-loving residents are not necessarily in favor of promoting cats as a tourist attraction. Matsumoto, another Subject reporter, runs a guesthouse and café called "Sunset and Cat House," which actively embraces the image of cats, attracting the attention of overseas travelers, and has become a daily intersection where new residents meet and interact with each other. He said, "Because of these cats, people can have a common topic and Gari of life on the island." Beyond the tourist gaze, Ogijima shows the warmth of everyday life that is not just about pleasing someone. It is the temperature created by the accumulation of cultures, and it is a new chapter that the island is quietly writing at the intersection of the old and the new – Ogijima is not just an "island of cats" but an "island of hope and culture." [Photo and text: Cai Bing-hsiang, Wang Luhua, Huang Zhicheng] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ogijima 不只是貓島 📌 觀光stare 下的重生島嶼 初次踏上Ogijima,腦中浮現的多半是社群裡那句「這是貓的島」。 確實,島不大,兩小時內可走完,貓蹤隨處可見。 但真正走進來,才發現這座島嶼的樣貌,遠不止於貓。 On August 1st, Dr. Yamato Fukui, the responsible person of the Ogijima Life Research Institute. 他所推動的地方創生,並不單以瀨戶內海藝術祭所帶動的觀光效益為出發點,而是回歸地方永續發展最根本的核心——教育基礎建設。 他選擇從讓自己的母校復甦著手,重新點火島上的希望。 正如他所言:「唯有孩子的笑聲,才能為高齡化的島嶼注入hope。 在這樣的理念引領下,Ogijima recent years suction 愈來愈多新住,其中不少是從事遠距工作的數位nomad ethnicity。 他們嚮往步行即可生活、搭船便能往返市區的緩慢節奏,也在這片地上找到與人交流的機會與日常的溫度。 然而,「貓」的出現,也為島嶼帶來新的挑戰。 這些因「人」而來的貓群,為原有居民的日常增添了不少管理上的考驗,在衛生維護與文化觀念之間,出現了不同立場的磨合空間。 即便是喜歡貓的居民,也不一定支持將貓作為觀光主軸。 另一位受客者松本先生,所經營的guesthouse與咖啡廳「Sunset and Cat House」,則展現出另一種possibilities。 他選擇擁抱貓的形象,吸引國際旅人的目光,也成為新住彼此相遇與交流的日常交會點。 他說:「這些貓,讓人們在島上有了共同的話題與生活的連結。 在觀光視之外,Ogijima Exhibition 現出一種不為取悅而活的日常感,那是文化累積而來的溫度,也是新舊交會之中,島嶼正悄然書寫的嶄新篇章——它不只是「貓島」,更是「希望與文化之島」。 [圖、文/蔡炆璇、王璐hua、黃志成]

📣＼ Writer Recruitment! ／ Discover, interview, write about, and share the charms of Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture We are recruiting members for the "Shobara Travel Editorial Team" ✍️ ✅Love Shobara ✅Write at least one article per month ✅Experienced writers warmly welcomed 📌Application deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 For details and to apply, click here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/special/special/4765... <What is the Shobara Travel Editorial Team?> The editorial team experiences and broadly shares seasonal topics, the latest information, classic spots, popular local food, and little-known attractions. <What will you do?> Each member will plan, structure, research, photograph, and write articles about attractive spots, local food and sweets, events, and other aspects of Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, that they find appealing. You will also join a planning and editorial meeting about once a month to confirm future coverage and schedules and to discuss ideas like "I want to try this kind of project!" with the whole team. [Experienced writers encouraged to apply] We welcome applicants who can make the most of their writing experience by proactively engaging in planning, structuring, reporting and photography, and writing. From timely seasonal pieces to in-depth reads, if you are interested in creating community-focused articles that boost Shobara City, please apply! [Beginners also welcome] If you worry, "I have no writing experience" or "I've never planned, reported, or photographed before…", that's okay! We will discuss submitted ideas in the monthly meeting to improve them and support you as a team. Start with articles you can write at your own pace and get comfortable step by step◎ Contact Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO), Attn: Okutani TEL 0824-75-0173 Email kanko@shobara.net Details URL https://www.shobara-info.com/special/special/4765...

[Notice] Event information♪ ★ Iwanai Lions Club Beer Garden🍺 Two days only: August 9 and 10! At the event plaza in front of Roadside Station Iwanai Lions Festival celebrates in town🦁 Local restaurants will join and support with stalls There will also be events like a shaved-ice eating contest♪ Wondering where to go for the three-day weekend? If so, come to Iwanai-cho! 😊 Event organizer Iwanai Lions Club ★ Bon Festival 2025 August 11 (Mon) to August 16 (Sat) The "Bon Festival" will be held at the event plaza in front of the Roadside Station❗️ *August 11 and 12 are a pre-opening.* August 13–16 18:30–19:15 Children’s Bon dance 19:15–20:00 Hokkaido Bon dance Final day, August 16 From 18:30 Bon dance and costume dance Food stalls available🍴 Free karaoke and surprise guerrilla events too! Make summer holiday memories❗️Make hometown return memories❗️ Organizer: Bon Festival Children’s Festival Executive Committee

[Notice] This year’s lodging fireworks will again take place on August 10th. Launch site: IWANAI RESORT ※There is no parking available. Launch time: 8:30 PM. Postponed in case of severe weather. Organizer: Iwanai-cho Lodging Fireworks Executive Committee Inquiries: 0135-62-2222

Photographed on August 7, 25. It is the Tanabata Festival of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Since the festival is held according to the lunar calendar, it is Tanabata one month late.

We celebrated the end of the training and exams. ㊗️ Chillax soda peach and blueberry cream donuts.

If you are coming by car, the Hokuriku Expressway’s Nanjo Smart IC is about a five-minute drive away, making access from the highway extremely convenient. From Nagoya and Osaka it takes about two to three hours by car or train, making day trips ideal. You can also use the Hapiline Fukui Imadate Line stations Imadzo Station and Nanjo Station, which make rail travel from the Kansai and Chukyo areas comfortable and convenient. We also sell a one-way taxi ticket to the destination for 500 yen. At Roadside Station Minami-Echizen Sankairi and Hapiline Imajo Station you can rent electric bicycles, so a relaxed cycling tour around Minami-Echizen Town is a popular way to sightsee.

Minamiechizen Town, Nanjo District, Fukui Prefecture, located almost in the center of Fukui Prefecture, is a town where sea, mountains, and countryside blend together and where history and culture live on. The town covers about 344 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 9,000 people (as of May 2025), offering abundant nature and a peaceful way of life. Minamiechizen was formed in 2005 by the merger of the former Nanjo Town, Imajo Town, and Kono Village, and each area contributes its own character and attractions. Stretching north to south, Minamiechizen presents a variety of living landscapes, from coastal settlements to mountain farming villages, each rooted in its own culture and customs. Along the coastline you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sea of Japan, and inland you can see satoyama landscapes woven from mountains and clear streams! Minamiechizen is also known as a region that preserves Japan’s original rural scenery, where you can experience a lifestyle in harmony with nature as it changes through the four seasons. In the tranquil rice-growing areas, agricultural experiences such as rice planting and harvesting are popular and delight many visitors.

Welcome to Shimoda’s top summer event! The Shimoda Hachiman Shrine Grand Festival (Shimoda Taiko Festival) will take place. Feel the powerful beat of the taiko drums, the melodies of the shamisen, and watch portable shrines parade through town. This festival lets you experience the energy and traditions of Japan! 📍Location: Shimoda Hachiman Shrine and the surrounding area 🕒Dates: August 14 and August 15 🎆Fireworks: August 14, 7:50 PM–8:00 PM (scheduled) 📸 Don’t forget your camera! It’s a once-a-year special experience. Join the volunteers in shouting “Horya! Horya!” and help keep the excitement going.💪🔥 https://www.shimoda-city.info/shimoda-taiko...

In August, various Events will be Held in in Nagano City! Participate in Events and Get ✨ Original Goods (1) Friendship Campaign in Nagano City, Kingdom of Thailand This is a special campaign where you can feel close to Thai culture through food! During the period, you can also purchase "Thai Nagano Friendship Seven Flavors" supervised by the Royal Thai Embassy × Yawataya Isogoro at Subject stores! 【Held in】7/17(Thu)~10/31(Fri) 【Held in Place】8 Thai restaurants in Subject in Nagano City [How to participate, gift details] 1 Meals at Subject Restaurants 2 Say "Kop'nkar (female)" or "Kop'nklap (male)" (Thai for "thank you") at checkout 3 Get Original Stickers! * Original goods of the Tourism Authority of Thailand will also be won by lottery! (2) Animal Look! Riddles and Kiss tamps While solving the riddle of the facilities around Zenko Temple Collect stamps and Original novelty will be presented! Join your family and friends and enjoy the thrilling riddles and Kiss Tanpralee! 【Held in】7/19 (Sat) ~ 9/15 (Mon) 【Held in Place】Zenko Temple, Nagano Prefectural Museum of Art, Shiroyama Zoo [How to participate, gift details] ・ You can get Original stickers → two Collect stamps! ・ You can get a Original badge or Original acrylic key chain → 3 Collect stamps in 3 places! ・ Original answer the 2D code questionnaire displayed at the time of exchanging novelties→ you may be able to win a facilities gift by lottery! [Mount installation location] Zenko Temple Precincts Information Center in front of "Rokujizo" Nagano Prefectural Museum of Art Soba of giraffe works installed in the special exhibition "Living Creatures Forest" (free space on the 1st floor) Shiroyama Zoo Zoo Billion Hilux Gauge Nagano City Tourist Information Center Central Square, etc. (3) Togakushi / Iizuna Highlands "Marugoto Experience! Stamp Rally" Stamp by participating in the subject experience content! Enjoy the refreshing green season of the Highlands to the fullest! 【Held in】8/1(Fri)~10/31(Fri) 【Held in Place】Iizuna District, Togakushi [How to participate, gift details] 1 Subject experience content (camping Accommodation, E-bike rental, Nature experience, Soba-making experience, etc.). 2 Get two Collect stamps → Original stickers! You can apply for a lottery to win Collect stamps → Premiums in both the Togakushi and Iizuna areas! [Mount installation location] Togakushi Campground Iizuna Nagano Forest Village Togakushi Tourist Association Iizuna Highlands Tourism Association Nagano City Tourist Information Center, etc. (4) Photo Quiz in Onimuri While strolling around Onimusato, Nagano City, where there is abundant Nature and various attractive spots here and there, find various symbols and items in the area on the question paper, and take a photo of the symbol or item with the participant with a digital camera or smartphone to accumulate points and aim for the top! 【Held in】8/1(Fri)~8/31(Sun) 【Held in】Onimusato District [Mount installation location] Onimusato Tourism Promotion Association (Onimusato Branch) Onimusato Hometown Museums Soba Onimusato Direct sales Onimuri no Yu Irohado main store, etc. * You can also download it from FM Nagano's website. Home page Publication provides detailed Information about Events. #Events #Stamp Rally #Nagano City Events #Nagano Prefecture Events #Nagano City #Nagano #Nagano Tourism #Nagano Travel #Nagano #Nagano City

I'm in Tokyo for work today. Prayer at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. This is Suzu Araragi wind chime.

Accommodation at Hoshinoya Karuizawa, when I woke up early in the morning, the summer-like scenery was spreading, so I took a picture.

Event Announcement📣 August 11 is Mountain Day!!🗻 This year, to celebrate the first anniversary of designating the Hidaka Mountain Range, Erimo and Tokachi as a national park, we are holding an outdoor music festival to introduce the charm of the Hidaka Mountain Range to many people while promoting safe mountain climbing🎵🎵 Performances by the Nakasatsunai Junior High School Wind Ensemble, the Obihiro Symphony Orchestra, and the Hokkaido Police Band will be joined by a Hidaka Mountain Range panel exhibition and a VR mountain-climbing experience, so you can enjoy the Hidaka Mountain Range along with the music🎼🎼🎼 Relax and enjoy a peaceful moment with music and the beauty of nature🤗 Date and Time: Monday, August 11, 2025, 11:00–14:30 Location: Front garden of the Nakasatsunai Cultural Creation Center (special venue) and Harmony Hall https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/information/information-5836/...

Photographed on July 19, 25. It is a wind chime at the edge of the north approach to the temple of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

"Summer in Japan" In this day and age, air conditioners have become mainstream, and the use of fans has decreased. When I went to a certain café, I and a very retro fan, and I couldn't help but feel nostalgic. It's not cold at all, and a lukewarm breeze is sent, but that's also good.

"Summer in Japan" Oyster ice on hot summer days. It is called "Calendar" in Kagawa Prefecture, which is famous for Udon noodles Oyster ice in a café. Both syrup and milk (condensed milk) are handmade. Fluffy Oyster ice was very tasty.

Photographed 8/1/25. This is CAFE ANDON's iced café latte.

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Bakkansai returns to Otofuke, the town that leads Japan in wheat production, bringing another celebration of the new harvest 😊 This is Otofuke’s wheat harvest festival, where you can enjoy the year’s freshly harvested wheat “earlier, tastier, and more joyfully” than anywhere else. The festival takes place across three spots along the town road known as the Otofuke Melody Line, running from Otofuke-Obihiro IC to Tokachigawa Onsen!! 📍Michi-no-Eki Otofuke Natsuzora no Furusato 📍Miura Farm 📍Tokachigawa Onsen Garden Spa Local eateries and famous restaurants traveling from Osaka, a culinary hub, will offer one-day-only menus using freshly harvested wheat! Families can also enjoy plenty of activities, including a balloon ride that offers panoramic views of a giant wheat art installation 🎵 A stamp rally that visits all three venues will also take place!! Collect stamps for a chance to win prizes on a first-come, first-served or lottery basis 😍 ※Please note that prizes are limited and may run out. Finish your day by relaxing in the mall hot spring at the Michi-no-Eki Garden Spa and soak in the soothing waters 😊 Bakkansai is an event where you can experience Otofuke’s deliciousness, fun, and warm hospitality through wheat 🎵 Bring your family and friends and come join the fun 🤗 Date and Time: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 10:00–15:00 Venues: Michi-no-Eki Otofuke Natsuzora no Furusato Miura Farm Michi-no-Eki Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen https://tokachibare.jp/event/xo_event-22310/...

A serene summer moment at Kyoto’s Tenryu-ji Temple, where the reflections of nature and tradition blend in harmony. 📍 Tenryu-ji Temple, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan @zw.lens

Karikachi Pass will be featured on a local Osaka TV show. Discovering Town Pride! Announcer Yamazaki’s Bicycle Journey Osaka broadcaster Mainichi Broadcasting System’s Yoncahn TV (television) Announcer Yamazaki, from Kumamoto, embarks on a multi-day cycling documentary focused on the Kansai region Major summer project: 550 km crossing of Hokkaido Over several episodes, the bicycle journey covers 550 km from Obihiro to Wakkanai and Cape Soya in Hokkaido! They enjoy town pride shared by local residents, recommended spots, delicious food, and spectacular views, then ride on until sunset. I had noticed people with cameras filming on the first floor of the Tokutoku Community Center, and then— it seems Shintoku Town will be shown a little on Osaka local TV. If you’re interested, check it out on TVer or similar services. Date and time: Thursday, August 14 Time: Around 5:00 p.m. #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku #shintoku #Karikachi Pass #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku Station #Tokutoku station-front complex facility #tuktuk #tokutoku #cycle tourism #yonchan tv #Discovering Town Pride Bicycle Journey #hokkaidō #hokkaidotrip #hokkaidotourism #tourism #tokachi #shintoku #welcomeshintoku #discovershintoku

Photographed 8/1/25. Shortcake with peaches and apricots from CAFE ANDON. It's so delicious that I'm going to visit it again. 😊🍑

Photographed 8/1/25. This is CAFE ANDON's Andon chicken curry.

We will hold the 2nd “Amakusa Reihoku Literary Walk” tourism route creation workshop🎊 On Thursday, August 21, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, the Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association will host the 2nd “Amakusa Reihoku Literary Walk” tourism route creation workshop♪ Based on feedback from the first session, we will consolidate and refine the tourism walking route into a single plan! It’s perfectly fine to join for the first time, so if you’re interested in tourism guiding or community development, please join us✨ Date and time: Thursday, August 21, 1:30 PM–3:30 PM Venue: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association, 2nd floor (4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture) 👉To register, go to the Notices section on the homepage in our profile👀 Registration deadline: Friday, August 15 Contact: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association, Ogata ☎ 0969-31-1136 *This workshop is held as part of the FY2025 Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Subsidy project.*

🍂Autumn Mountain School — Casual Participants Wanted🍁 🌰—Get a Head Start on Autumn Flavors! Chestnut Gathering Experience—🌰 Step on the spiky chestnut burr with your shoe and a glossy chestnut will pop out. Pick it up with tongs and drop it into the basket. You’ll get lost in the satisfying rhythm of the whole process. Would you like to enjoy chestnut gathering while soaking up autumn nature? 🍱Lunch includes a Donkotei special menpa bento♪ 📅 Date: Sunday, September 7 — 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM 📍 Meeting place: Shiitake no Yakata 21 🌲 Venue: Old Forest House “Sakura no Tsubone” 👥 Capacity: 4 people minimum to 10 people maximum per day 💰 Fee: ・Adults: ¥5,000 per person ・Children (age 3 and over): ¥4,000 per person *Village residents receive a ¥500 discount *Price includes experience fee, guide fee, lunch, and consumption tax 📝 Registration deadline: Sunday, August 31 🚶 Accompanying staff: A tour attendant or local guide will accompany the group 🧤 What to bring and what to wear ・Work gloves ・Towel ・Water bottle ・Hat ・Long pants ・Long-sleeve shirt ・Sturdy, easy-to-move-in shoes that can get dirty *For applications and details, please check Morotsuka Navi. Spend a day filled with autumn flavors and hands-on experiences to satisfy both your heart and your stomach. We look forward to your participation!

Photographed 8/1/25. After prayer to Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, I relaxed at the Starbucks Bell Ring Street store. Chillax soda peach and peach & milk cake. 🍑

Kumagaya Fan Festival 🪭 This is the [Kumagaya Fan Festival 🪭] Held in in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. Lively atmosphere envelops Kumagaya, the hottest place in No.1 in Japan, for three days on July 20, 21, and 22 every year. In particular, the large procession on the last day was and powerful. Summer in Japan is all about 🫡 festivals

Yorii Tamayodo Water Tengu Festival Fireworks Festival 🎆 This is a fireworks festival held in every year in Yorii Town, Saitama Prefecture. The Mikoshi of each town floats on the river and creates 🤤 a summer atmosphere

Swallowtail butterflies. Meals with flower nectar. Fujimino, Saitama Prefecture

Large-flowered summer flowers. Mango gradient petals from sunset ⇒ withered flower central aggregate. Fujimino, Saitama Prefecture