Takaharacho 90th Anniversary Branding Project Okukirishima Onsen-kyo—What a Nice Bath! Ground Golf Tournament ⛳️ Now Accepting Participants!! Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025 Time: Registration 8:00 AM—Opening Ceremony 8:30 AM—Competition Begins 9:00 AM Eligibility: Residents and non-residents (junior high school students and older) Participation Fee: 200 yen per person Capacity: 200 participants (All entrants receive a bathing voucher redeemable at local facilities) A free shuttle bus to the onsen will be available on the day. Application Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025 Venue: Takaharu Town General Sports Park 709-9 Nishifumoto, Takaharu, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki 889-4412 ————————About Applications———————— You may fill in the application section on the back of the flyer and submit it in person at the Takaharu Town Tourism Association (inside Takaharu Station). Applications are also accepted by fax, mail, or via the web form links below. [Flyer front] http://www.takaharu-tourism.jp/wp.../uploads/2025/01/1.jpg... [Flyer back] http://www.takaharu-tourism.jp/.../2025/01/image11.jpeg... [Google Application Form] https://docs.google.com/.../1jcXJI-P-N-niYcStgJ05N.../edi... ————————Application Details———————— Teams should consist mainly of 4 to 6 players. Three-player teams are allowed, but they may be combined with others to form mixed teams. Contact Information Organizer: Takaharu Town Tourism Association TEL: 0984-42-4560 Cooperative Organizer: Okukirishima Onsen-kyo Ryokan Association Managed by: Takaharu Town Ground Golf Association

Okukirishima Onsen-kyo Presents ♨️ The Birthplace of Japan Dash Through Takaharacho’s Sano Shrine! Recruiting Participants 🎉 This event, held as part of the town’s 90th anniversary celebrations, returns for its second year following last year’s event! This year, every participant receives a day-use bathing ticket redeemable at a local onsen facility as a gift 🎁 Limited to 300 people, with perks such as complimentary hot cocoa!! Who will claim the title of this year’s lucky man or lucky woman of fortune!? 🤩 We hope you’ll apply! ⭐︎Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (National Holiday) ⭐︎Participation Fee: Free ⭐︎Venue: Sano Shrine ⛩️ (South Approach) Those who reserved should check in by 8:20 AM on the day ⭐︎Application Deadline: Thursday, February 6, 2025 ⭐︎How to Apply: Fill out the application form on the back of the flyer and send it by FAX or email (please include name, gender, and grade). Preschool children and elementary school students must be accompanied by a guardian. If applying online, please use the application form below. [Application Form] https://fsmk.co/t/HRngF4-syzaow?openExternalBrowser=1... [Divisions] ※Those who have previously won the same division may enter but are not eligible for the title of lucky man or lucky woman. Elementary School Grades 1–3 (Boys’ Division) (approx. 300 m) Elementary School Grades 1–3 (Girls’ Division) (approx. 300 m) Elementary School Grades 4–6 (Boys’ Division) (approx. 300 m) Elementary School Grades 4–6 (Girls’ Division) (approx. 300 m) Adult Division (Men’s) (approx. 300 m) Adult Division (Women’s) (approx. 300 m) A total of six divisions. [Elementary Divisions] 300 m 1st Prize: Bookstore Gift Card ¥5,000 2nd Prize: Bookstore Gift Card ¥3,000 3rd Prize: Bookstore Gift Card ¥1,000 [Adult Divisions] 300 m 1st Prize: Gift Certificate ¥30,000 2nd Prize: Gift Certificate ¥20,000 3rd Prize: Gift Certificate ¥10,000 For details, please see the website (flyer) ☺️✨ https://fsmk.co/t/XexOJk-syzaow?openExternalBrowser=1... ⭐︎On the day, the Kigensai ceremony for National Foundation Day will be held at Sano Shrine at 10:00 AM, with the formal ceremony scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM. Please join us 😊✨

Welcome to Gokase Town in winter ✨ Answer our survey and get local specialties 💪 (Response deadline: Friday, February 28 ⚠️) A notice from Gokase Entertainment Co., Ltd. 💡 Right now, visitors to Gokase Town who complete a short survey will be entered into a drawing. Fifteen winners will receive local specialties from Gokase Town 🤩✨ This survey aims to make Gokase Town an even more attractive tourist destination, so we would greatly appreciate your cooperation 🤗 Here’s your chance to win a set of wine and kama-iri tea (pan-roasted tea) 💪❤️‍🔥 The response deadline is Friday, February 28 ⚠️ When you stop by Gokase Town, we look forward to your visit 🥺🙏

【Ski Resort Photos】 Today in Gokase the sky is overcast☁️ and it’s been raining and snowing since morning, so it’s still cold🥶 By the way, Gokase Highland Ski Resort finally opened the Paradise Course for a 1,000 m run the other day⛷️✨ Unfortunately, only a 500 m run is available right now due to a lift malfunction, but repair work is underway, so please wait for its reopening 🥹🙏 I took some photos at the ski resort the other day, so I’ll share them here📸💫 The blue sky and pure white rime are incredibly beautiful😳 This season the ski resort’s conditions are excellent compared with usual years, so please come and visit Gokase Highland Ski Resort 🤗 Also, the Gokase Tourism Association is collecting winter photos of Gokase as “Winter in Gokase 2025” on its Instagram account❄️ Photos of the ski resort are welcome, and any snapshots of winter scenes are fine📸 For details, please see the pinned post on our profile🙏 We look forward to many submissions ✨

Gokase Highland Ski Resort I climbed up to Gokase Highland Ski Resort today to shoot some material📸❄️ At 7:00 this morning the temperature was a whopping -14°C🤣 It was such an odd kind of cold that it made me laugh🤷‍♀️ lol That said, the slopes were in perfect condition ⛷️✨ The wind was light and the snow was powdery and dry 🤩 Local junior high students were here today as part of their school activities, and they were happily enjoying skiing and snowboarding 🥰 The view of the ski area under the blue sky is truly beautiful 🥹✨ It feels like another world, and staring at it makes you feel drawn in…😳 You can see the distant mountains stretching far away, and the view from Gokase Highland Ski Resort is exceptional 👏❗ Tomorrow, Saturday, January 11th, at 10:00 the long-awaited Paradise Course 1,000 m run finally opens 🤩 Can’t wait 💪 The Gokase Tourism Association is currently running the "Winter Gokase 2025" campaign on their Instagram account and collecting winter photos from the area 🤗 There are prizes, so when you visit the ski resort or travel there, please take lots of winter photos within safe limits and enter the contest 🙏✨ For details, see the post pinned to the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram profile page 💡

[🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 🍁 Results Announcement] Thank you for waiting‼️ Here are the results of “Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” 🥳🎉 This time, the winners were chosen by votes from followers of the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account 👏✨ Thank you to everyone who voted 🙇‍♀️💕 Now, let’s announce the results👇👇👇 [🥇 Gold Prize] Unoko Falls Instagram: @san.shimako.1105 (second photo) [🥈 Silver Prize] Josenji Temple Instagram: @gokase_pan (third photo) [🥉 Bronze Prize] Shirataki Instagram: @niidome2110 (fourth photo) Unoko Falls, Josenji Temple, and Shirataki… these representative Gokase autumn-leaf spots each took home an award 👏❗ Each entry highlighted the beauty of the scenery and revealed expressions different from usual—truly wonderful work 🥹✨ Congratulations to all the winners㊗️🥳🎉 And to everyone who submitted entries, voted, and took part—thank you so much😭❤️‍🔥 The campaign is still ongoing as “Winter in Gokase 2025,” so please join us 🥰 We appreciate your participation 💫

【Saitobaru Archaeological Museums】Exhibition III. Trinkets of Beauty and Rights ~Miyazaki's Kofun Tumulus Culture Reflected by Jade~ This is an announcement from the Saitobaru Archaeological Museums. From Saturday, January 18th, we will held in a special exhibition to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the museum, "History of Exchange of People, Things, and Hearts Across the Sea" as Exhibition III. Jewelry of beauty and power ~ Miyazaki's Kofun Tumulus culture ~ reflected by jade (tama) will be held. Since more than 10,000 years ago, "jade" has been a fascination to people. The "jade" of the Kofun period is not only beautiful in itself, but also a status symbol that shows the social status and role of the time by dressing it as an accessory, and it is also an item that shows "beauty" and "authority". In this exhibition, we will decipher the Scene of the formation and prosperity of society at that time hidden in the glittering world, the characteristics of Miyazaki's Kofun Tumulus culture, and the exchange of people, things, and hearts through the sea. ■ Duration 2025 (Reiwa 7) January 18 (Sat) ~ March 23 (Sun) ■Venue Miyazaki Prefecture Saitobaru Archaeological Museum Exhibition Room ■ Admission fee free ■ Inquiries Miyazaki Prefecture Saitobaru archaeological Museum 〒881-0005 Miyazaki Prefecture Nishi City Oaza Miyake Saitobaru Nishi 5670 TEL：0983-41-0041 FAX：0983-41-0051 Opening Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Entry to the exhibition rooms until 17:00) Closed: Monday (the next day if it coincides with the national Holidays), the day after the national Holidays (excluding holidays) #Miyazaki Prefecture #West City #Saitobaru Kofun Tumulus #Japan Heritage #Saitobaru Archaeological Museums #勾玉 #Jade

Fire Department New-Year Review Ceremony Today, Sunday, January 5, the fire brigade held its New-Year review ceremony at the Town Hall Parking Lot 🚒✨ The car thermometer read minus 4°C as we headed to the scene 😂 It was a freezing ceremony ❄️ Although I was fully bundled up and cheekily stood near the heater to take photos… The firefighters formed ranks with a poised, unfazed bearing that made them look truly impressive…👏 The squad training demonstration showed sharp, disciplined movements born of daily practice, which was extremely reassuring 🥹✨ The mass water discharge that followed sent colorful columns of water high into the sky and was incredibly powerful 🤩 They moved a fair distance to prepare before the discharge, and thanks to everyone’s perfectly synchronized, efficient actions it proceeded smoothly; I’m truly grateful for the fire brigade’s daily efforts 🙇‍♀️！ The ceremony concluded without issue after awards were presented to firefighting personnel, brigade members, distinguished contributors to firefighting, and families who support the brigade 🏆💫 To the fire brigade, who always protect our town and keep residents safe in their daily lives, thank you so much ✨

New Year Greetings Thank you very much for all your support last year. I look forward to your continued support this year. How did you spend the New Year? 😌 I hope the seasonal influenza and other circulating illnesses didn’t affect you. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead. 🙇‍♀️

[❄️ Winter in Gokase 2025 ❄️] Until Friday, February 28, 2025! Yes — winter too!! Instagram Campaign 🥳✨ After following the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko), post a wintery photo taken in Gokase town on Instagram with these two hashtags: #Winter in Gokase 2025 and #Date and place of the photo (for example: #Unoko Falls) 🤳❤️‍🔥 One winner will receive a Gokase specialty product every day during the campaign period 🎁✨ Plus! The best entries will receive a gift set of Gokase specialties 🤩👏 Entries you post may be featured on the Gokase Tourism Association’s social media and other channels 💡 [Period] From Monday, December 30, 2024 to Friday, February 28, 2025 ⚠️ Other terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before entering. https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html... ⚠️Please take care to avoid accidents while photographing. ------------------------------------------ …Actually, the voting period for “Gokase Autumn Foliage 2024” is still underway, so I thought mixing them might be confusing and planned to announce this after the New Year, but… I really want you to post New Year photos too 🥺🙏!!! I couldn’t wait and posted early 😂 We look forward to many beautiful winter photos of Gokase ☃️💕 Please keep the entries coming — thank you 📸🙏

Year-end Greetings Everyone, were you able to finish your work for the year safely😌? Some of you might not care about New Year’s at all😂 We at Gokase Tourism Association and the Gokase Specialty Center will, out of our own convenience, be closed for the year-end and New Year holidays as follows. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ <Monday, December 30> Cafeteria: closed Shop and produce: open mornings only <Tuesday, December 31 – Thursday, January 2> Closed <Friday, January 3> Cafeteria: opens at 11:00 Shop and produce: opens at 10:00 <Saturday, January 4 onward> Regular business hours resume ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Gokase Tourism Association will also be closed from Tuesday, December 31 to Thursday, January 2. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. We have also compiled the January events we know about so far into a calendar to help you plan outings for next year🤗 And there’s more! We are accepting votes for “Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko ). We would be delighted if you and your family take your time over the New Year to pick photos and vote🥺✨ We truly appreciate your support🙇‍♀️‼️ We will be open tomorrow, so this is one day early, but… 🤣 Thank you very much for your support this year. We look forward to your continued support next year. Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve🤩👋✨ *We’ll say it again: we are open through tomorrow. Just kidding*

Year-end and New Year opening hours for the Takaharacho Tourism Association! Takaharacho Tourism Association and Station Sighting Market (shop) Closed from December 31 through January 3, 2025 We will be closed during this period, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Kita Kirishima Photo Contest Now Open‼️ Entry Period: 2024/12/11–2025/2/21 How to Enter: Instagram only. Please check the details for the entry procedure! [Grand Prize] 1 winner ◯ Assortment of Kita Kirishima local specialties (worth ¥20,000) ◯ Poster production [Excellence Awards] 3 winners ① Kobayashi Award (worth ¥10,000) ② Ebino City Award (worth ¥10,000) ③ Takahara Award (worth ¥10,000) ◯ Poster production [Honorable Mentions] 10 winners ◯ Poster production *Posters are scheduled to be displayed by the tourism association. For entry requirements and other details, please check the following website and sources. ◯ Website https://kobayashi-machi.com/16056... [Contact] Kita Kirishima Regional Tourism Promotion Council Kobayashi Community Development Co., Ltd. Tourist Information Center Phone: 0984-22-8684 #Photo Contest #Miyazaki Prefecture #Kobayashi City #Ebino City #Takaharacho #Kobayashi Community Development Co., Ltd. #Takahara Town Tourism Association #Photography #Miyakonojo City #Free Entry #Scenery #Landscape #Photos #Kita Kirishima Regional Tourism Promotion Council😁

Notice of "Japan's Oldest Love Rumi 2024" Held in Held in "Japan's Oldest Love Ami" for the fourth time this year. 　Projection mapping, which is rare in the prefecture, is a highlight, and a fantastic world of light with the motif of mythology unique to the western city Unfolds. 　It is an Events that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, so please stop by. ■ Lighting period Saturday, December 14, 2024 ~ Sunday, February 2, 2025 ■ Lighting time 18:00~21:00 Projection Mapping 18:00~22:00 Illumination ■Venue Aisome Square (next to Community Plaza PAO) ■ Organizer / Inquiries West City Office, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division, Town Planning Promotion Section Phone number: 0983-32-1011 ■Planning & Management Town planning circle "SAITO BASE" Town planning Saito KOKOKARA #Illumination #Illumination 2024 #Dating Spot #Dating #Illumination Date #Winter Date #Christmas Date #Christmas #Christmas Events #Miyazaki Date #Miyazaki Date Spot #Saito Date #Saito Date Spot #Miyazaki sightseeing #Saito sightseeing #Koi Irumi

[New Products Now on Sale] Miyazaki Prefecture’s mascot dogs, the "Miyazaki Inu," goods are now available at Nobeoka Tourism and Local Products Station~❗️🐶 🎀Lineup🎀 ･Miyazaki Inu tote bag ･Miyazaki Inu hand towel ･Miyazaki Inu socks (adult and children sizes) ･Miyazaki Inu eco convenience store bag ･Second-generation Miyazaki Inu S-size plush toy All items are perfect for everyday use, highly practical, and sure to satisfy whichever you choose⭐️ They make adorable souvenirs or travel mementos and are sure to be loved as gifts🎁✨️ We are open during the New Year holidays, so please stop by when you are sightseeing or out and about☺️ Nobeoka Tourism and Local Products Station not only provides tourism and event information for Nobeoka City but also offers a wide selection of delightful souvenirs from Nobeoka City and northern Miyazaki Prefecture. We sincerely look forward to your visit❗️ 📍Location: Nobeoka Tourism and Local Products Station ⏱Hours: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM 📞Phone: 0982-32-3706

"GET! Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito, Koyu" Held in This is an announcement from the Saitokoyu Tourism Network. "GET! Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito, Koyu" is currently being held in. Enjoy the Sightseeing spots and delicious gourmet food of Saito Koyu while touring the poke lid! If you collect all the Poké lid Stamps installed in the 7 cities and towns of Nishi City, Shintomi Town, Takanabe Towns, Kishiro Towns, Kawaminami Towns, Tsuno Towns, and Nishi Rice Village, and apply, you will be selected by lottery to win Nassy's original acrylic stand and an assortment of Specialty Products from each city and Town/Village! ■ Duration Saturday, December 14, 2024 ~ Sunday, March 2, 2025 ■ How to apply Please collect all the Stamps of Poké lids and product shops installed in Saito and Koyu Districts and post them in the application box attached to them. Winners will be replaced by shipping. * Mounts are distributed at the Stamp installation location. ■ Installation location Takanabe Towns (Pokélid: Mosquito Seaside Park, Stamp: VIVA CAGUCCI, Takanabe Hot Spring Meirin-no-yu) Shintomi Town (Pokélid: Sannashiro Plaza, Stamp: Shintomi Hot Spring Saint Lupine, Shintomi Town Agricultural and Livestock Products Direct Sales) Kishiro Towns (Pokélid: Kishiro Hot Spring Kan Yurara, Stamp: Kishiro Hot Spring Kan Yurara, Kishiro Towns Agricultural Products Sales Office Nabaya) Nishi Rice Village (Pokélid: Nishi Rice Hot Spring Yuta~, Stamp: Nishi Rice Hot Spring Yuta~, Village Products Museum) West City (Pokélid: Aisome Plaza, Stamp: Machinaka Gallery Yumetamago, JA Saito Ichaga Plaza) Kawaminami Towns (Pokélid: San A Kawaminami Culture Hall, Stamp: San A Kawaminami Culture Hall, Kawaminami PLATZ) Tono Towns (Pokéfuta: Roadside Station, Stamp: Roadside Station) ■ Inquiries Saitokoyu Tourism Network Secretariat (in the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division, West City Office) TEL 0983-42-4068 #Saitokoyu Tourism Network #Pokélid Stamp Rally in Saito Koyu #Nassy Resort in Miyazaki #Nassy Resort #Nassy #Alora Nassi #Miyazaki Daisuki Pokemon #West City #Shintomi Town #Takanabe Towns #Kijo Towns #Kawaminami Towns #Tono Towns #Nishi Rice Village #Stamp Rally #Poké lid #Pokemon #Pokemon Local Acts #Campaigns #Miyazaki Prefecture

[Gokase Town, Miyazaki Prefecture — Accommodation] Potunto Detached House Kuraoka "An escape from the everyday that still lets you enjoy rural daily life" I want to try living in the countryside. I want to relax in a quiet place. I want to focus quietly on work for a few days. I want a day that makes me forget everything. A nostalgic place like the grandmother’s house I visited as a child. This is an accommodation where you can experience that kind of deep-mountain lifestyle. A home for lovers of mountains and rural life. From October 2024, a newly opened whole-house simple lodging, Potunto Detached House Kuraoka, is available for rent. Come and take a leisurely taste of country living! ↓For detailed rates and other information↓ https://potnt-kuraoka.com/#contents... Contact 3959-2 Kuraoka, Gokase, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki 882-1201 TEL: 0982-83-0522

Gokase Highland Ski Resort Reopens After Two Seasons 🎉 Today, December 20, Gokase Highland Ski Resort resumed operations for the first time in two seasons 😭👏✨ The road to the resort collapsed during the 2022 typhoon, making passage impossible and forcing a prolonged closure, but today it has safely reopened 🥹❤️‍🔥 A long-awaited grand opening saw the mayor’s remarks and a ribbon-cutting by honored guests, including Minami-chan, who returned to join the celebration, officially opening the slopes ⛷️✨ Eager skiers and snowboarders who had been waiting for the resort to reopen began to glide down the runs with style, and the landscape of old seemed to be restored once more 😭✨ It’s a deeply moving moment… We hope the resort, a winter symbol of Gokase, will continue to regain its bustle and flourish even more from now on 😌🙏 The season has only just begun! Please come visit Gokase Highland Ski Resort and enjoy the slopes 🤩💫 Gokase Highland Ski Resort Official Website http://www.gokase.co.jp/ski/#...

🍁Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024🍁 Please vote! [Until January 5, 2025!] Thank you very much for the many entries to the “Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” contest held recently on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account 🥹✨ We have taken the liberty of conducting a strict first-round selection by the tourism association staff and have chosen 12 entries from all submissions 🤔💡 From these 12 entries, we would like to decide the winners by asking followers of our Instagram account to vote 🤩👏 Please follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko), then in the comments of a post with the hashtag #Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Vote, choose one of the 12 entries and comment the number of the entry you selected ✍ Voting is limited to one vote per account. [Voting period: Until Sunday, January 5, 2025] [Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account] https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/... Please check the original posts by the entrants before voting 🤗 1 @gokase_pan 2 @kaaazuuu1123 3 @thusandleavis 4 @mitsu_yumi.0520 5 @san.shimako.1105 6 @hiroko.gf1 7 @kaaazuuu1123 8 @niidome2110 9 @sakai_0808 10 @sakai_0808 11 @thusandleavis 12 @naomin168 Ten winners who vote will be selected by lottery to receive specialty products from Gokase Town as a gift 🎁💫 We look forward to your many votes 🥰

Kurara Band Christmas Live 🎄 On Saturday, December 14th, Kurara Band Christmas Live took place at Gion Terrace Kuraraku Multipurpose Hall 😆 This was the third Christmas live, and once again a large crowd came to enjoy the show 😀 Despite the winter chill typical of Kuraoka, the venue buzzed with heat 🔥 as adults and children alike jumped and danced with excitement 😁🎵 It was a concert that brought smiles to everyone who attended, and we look forward to it happening again next year 🥰

Kit wishes come true — we have put up ema plaques 😍 A few years ago we collaborated with KitKat on the Kito Line and installed ema plaques then; we have installed those same ema again this year‼️ If you visit Takaharacho, please stop by Takahara Station and write your wish on one‼️😝 We will properly dedicate the ema at the shrine ⛩️! About ema — we looked into them a bit! ⭐︎Unlike omikuji, ema are things you “dedicate” ⭐︎You can write vertically or horizontally—either is fine ⭐︎Since you are asking the kami (gods), it’s good to write phrases like “May 〇〇 come true” or “I hope 〇〇 is granted.” ⭐︎You may sign with either your initials or your full name—both are OK! In fact, it used to be recommended to include your address and date of birth, but many people avoid that now to prevent personal information from leaking. ⭐︎You can write several wishes on a single ema, but it’s better to separate different prayers by using different ema. ⭐︎It seems acceptable to dedicate the same wish on ema at several different shrines or temples. This is what we found in our research, so we can’t say it’s definitive, but remembering these guidelines might help your wishes come true even more! 😍 Please drop by Takahara Station to write an ema — they are free of charge‼️🤩 Place: Takaharu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Takahara Station) Address: 473-6 Nishifumoto, Takaharacho, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan Parking available (free)

Ginji Katsura Rakugo Performance Today, December 15, a rakugo performance by Ginji Katsura, who hails from Nobeoka and is also active in Tokyo, took place🪭✨ This event held the morning show at Kurun and the afternoon show at Kuraokakurara🤗 As a poster, this was my first time seeing live rakugo properly, and I was very excited to watch🤩✨ Rakugo uses almost no props! Performers remain seated, using only a tenugui (hand towel) and a sensu (folding fan), skillfully expressing characters through gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact😯 They make the audience imagine the scene, delivering stories that end with a punchline that makes you laugh out loud🤭 It was truly funny, and I listened with excitement wondering how each punchline would land🤣💫 The scene of eating soba was especially striking. It was incredible—he really made it seem like he was eating. It looked delicious🤤💕 lol In the afternoon, students from Gokase Secondary School also came to watch, and the venue filled with laughter✨ A boy of around five laughed out loud too, and I felt rakugo is a wonderful art that transcends gender and age😳 He kindly agreed to commemorative photos, and both the morning and afternoon shows provided a consistently enjoyable time🥹👏 I hope he will hold another rakugo performance in Gokase soon🤗✨ Thank you very much for today, Ginji Katsura👏👏👏

Ceremony for the Opening of Prefectural Route Taketa–Gokase, Habu Section Today, Friday, December 13, the opening ceremony for the Habu section of the Taketa–Gokase Line took place in the Kuwanouchi area 🤩👏 The Taketa–Gokase Line is an important road that starts in Taketa, Oita Prefecture, passes through Takamori and Takachiho, and ends in Gokase Construction on the Habu section, a part of that route, has been completed, and today’s ceremony marked its opening 👏 First, a Shinto ritual was performed by the priests of Kuwanouchi Shrine and Futono Shrine to celebrate the road’s opening and pray for safety going forward 😌🙏 After that, distinguished guests cut the ribbon, and all the students of Kamigumi Elementary School opened a decorative paper ball, officially opening the road 🎊 Next, as a ceremonial first passage, Kuwanouchi kagura was performed 👹✨ This special kagura is said to be danced only at ceremonies 😳 During the kagura performance, participants released balloons, and many balloons colored the wide blue sky over Kuwanouchi 🎈👋 By the time the rituals concluded, the cold wind that had blown since morning had died down and the sun brought warm, calm weather for the opening ceremony ☀️ We hope the remaining construction is completed smoothly and that everyday life and transportation become more convenient ☺️

Harai River Kagura 👹 Date: Saturday, December 14, 7:00 PM until around 7:00 AM the following morning Venue: Haraikawa Kagura Hall 6421 Gamuta, Takaharacho, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture 10 minutes by car from Takahara IC Parking 🅿️ is available but limited, so please arrive early. Haraikawa Kagura Its history has been passed down for about 500 years and it is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the country! There are many breathtaking dances, including the sword dance “Twelve Swords,” performed with real blades. Another feature of Haraikawa Kagura is the abundance of kamiuta (sacred songs). When attending, please drive carefully and dress warmly 🙇‍♂️💦 #Miyazaki Prefecture #Miyazaki City #Miyakonojō #Kobayashi #Takaharacho #Haraikawa Kagura #Haraikawa Kagura Hall #Haraikawa Yusui Garden #Nationally Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property #Nishimorokata District, Takaharacho #Takahara Divine Dances

Gokase Highland Ski Resort Safety Prayer Ceremony Today, Thursday, December 12, a safety prayer ceremony was held at Gokase Highland Ski Resort, which is set to reopen in eight days for the first time in three years. 🙏✨ Around 60 people boarded shuttle buses from the base to gather, and amid heavy media coverage, a Shinto ritual took place inside the ski center. 😌 The ritual proceeded smoothly, and after offering prayers for the resort’s safety and success, participants toasted together. 🍻 At the post-ceremony gathering, everyone spent a relaxed time, eagerly anticipating the ski area’s opening. 🤗 Along the road up to the resort, snow had accumulated in places, and the slopes were adorned with frost-covered trees that created a magical scene. ❄️✨ When the wind blows, it really is cold, isn’t it? 🥶 I came fully bundled up today, but cold is cold. 🤣 Still, a ski resort should feel like this! Right? 💪❤️‍🔥 Only a little time left until opening. 🤩 Let’s hold on a bit longer and wait with excited anticipation. ✨

[e-Sports Trial Event 🎮] Today (December 10) an "e-Sports Trial Event" took place in the Sakamoto area.💡 At first, many faces looked tense—perhaps from unfamiliar games and the cold—but as the rounds went on people relaxed and smiles grew.😁✨ Some teams shone with individual skill, others with outstanding teamwork, and each team had its own style. The crowd cheered loudly whenever other teams played, creating a lively atmosphere.😆 Hearing comments like "That was fun!" and "Let’s do it again!" made us very happy.😄

Metasequoia Row This is the Metasequoia from yesterday, 12/9 🎄! The leaves were beautifully autumn-colored 🥰 Please post with the hashtag #Takaharacho Metasequoia 😁 Location: Just a short walk from Takaharu Seiryu Land parking lot! 31-2 Kamamuta, Takaharu, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki 889-4414 Parking is free; please park neatly in the available open spaces.

[Recording of Itome Meeting Deluxe] Today, December 5, we recorded the hugely popular “Itome Meeting” segment of Gokasecho Kurara Channel, beloved both inside and outside Gokase Town📹✨ Although the recording was originally scheduled for June, it was postponed due to various circumstances😭 The venue was Potunto Ikkenya Kuraoka, which just opened this October🏠💡 On a set that looked like a real TV show, we welcomed local legends Ito-shan (96) and Tome-shan (98) from the Kuraoka district, Gokase Town, plus special guest Asakiss-san (98). The three of them, totaling 292 years, delivered razor-sharp conversation🤣👏 Reporters from Miyazaki Nichinichi Shimbun also covered the event, and Itome Meeting continues to lead the way in energizing Gokase Town literally from the front lines…🥹✨ This edition has been powered up as “Itome Meeting Deluxe – Together with Asakiss-san♪” and will be released soon🤩🙌 Please subscribe to Gokasecho Kurara Channel on YouTube and look forward to the video upload🥳💫 Their quick-witted responses, despite being nearly 100 years old, are sure to inspire you. If you haven’t seen it yet, please give it a watch🤗

Autumn in Gokase: Peak Season Now! Josenji With only one calendar page left and autumn foliage ending in most places, surprisingly Josenji is now at its peak 😳🍁 It was cloudy when I took the photos, but the deep, vivid reds stood out and looked incredibly beautiful 🥹✨ While leaves are fading elsewhere, are the trees at Josenji a late-foliage variety? Or is it due to local environmental factors? I’m not sure, as I don’t know the details… In any case, I never expected to see such stunning autumn colors in December 😳👏 Please stop by and enjoy them for yourself 🤗✨

Commemorative Celebration for the Registration of Gokase Ara-odori as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Today, Sunday, December 1, a celebratory gathering was held at the Ara-Odori Hall in the Sakamoto district to mark the registration of “Gokase Ara-odori” as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in February of Reiwa 3 (2021).👏✨ Because the registration around Reiwa 3 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, holding a celebration then was difficult, so today’s event was finally realized.🥹 After the opening, the ceremony proceeded smoothly with greetings from the Ara-Odori Preservation Society and congratulatory messages from guests, followed by kagami-biraki (sake barrel opening) accompanied by the powerful sounds of Ara-odori drums, bells, and matchlock gun volleys.🍶🔨 Later, Mr. Fujimoto, the lead dancer, gave the toast and the banquet began.👏 It was a wonderful gathering where members of the Ara-Odori Preservation Society, the dancers and their families all shared their various feelings about Ara-odori.😌 During the banquet, the host conducted interviews in which, somewhat shyly, everyone spoke passionately about Ara-odori.🤭✨ When people had enjoyed enough sake and conversation, the event concluded with three cheers of banzai.🙌🙌🙌 In Miyazaki, a land that preserves many traditional performing arts such as kagura, the registration of Gokase Ara-odori as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage truly felt like a great achievement.😳 Going forward, we hope these traditional performing arts, preserved and passed down in each district, will continue to be treasured.✨