Expo Park Tower of the Sun Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture Admission to the Tower of the Sun requires advance reservations (reservations must be made at least one day in advance). The Tower of the Sun was designed by artist Taro Okamoto and built as a theme hall in the symbol zone of the Japan World Exposition Held in in 1970, along with the Mother Tower, the Blue Spring Tower, and the large roof (length (north-south) 292 Meters, width (east-west) 108 Meters, height about 40 Meters).

Playing in the River Activities is only the second time in my life. Encountering things he didn't know and learning with enthusiasm, he was like a small adventurer. After I called out, "There's a fish swimming," I kept looking into the water looking for fish. The Clear streams is surrounded by greenery and the Water surface reflects the summer light. The curiosity and serious expressions of the children born in this environment capture a moment of summer in Japan. I clicked the shutter hoping that this experience of making discoveries in Nature would surely become an important "summer memory" in the future. Location: Tamba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture (Hometown River Park)

This photo was also taken at the Flower Culture Garden. Various wind chimes were displayed everywhere. The tone was so pure that even I, who usually listen to music while shooting, involuntarily took off my earphones. It is a piece of confidence that I used as much as I could use the techniques that I could use in the shooting.

Photographed at the Flower Culture Garden. I was fascinated by the contrast between the yellow of the sunflower and the green of the praying mantis. Two shots of insects and flowers that have become difficult to see in modern times. I envy you when you think that it used to be full of such scenes.

Sakai Grand Fish Night Market saw participation from the Sakai Tourism Concierge!🎆 On Saturday, July 26th, the Sakai Tourism Concierge took part in the Sakai Grand Fish Night Market! Thank you for coming✨ At the Sakai Grand Fish Night Market, we held a fish auction and promoted Sakai on stage, and the event closed to great success! We look forward to seeing everyone next at the Sakai Festival in October✨

🎉 Gashibaru+ 2025 — Commemorating the Osaka/Kansai Expo 💡 Enjoy great food and shopping deals in Sakaihigashi🍽🛍 Show the event badge can/button with the participation proof at participating stores to enjoy bar-only services. The store produced by Kuroda from Kobukuro, September 8, is also participating.✨ After the bar event, a big lottery will be held using the serial numbers on the can badges. An "Ato-Bar" (post-event bar) runs for one week after the event ends! 📅 Event dates: Monday, August 18 – Sunday, August 24 ※ "Ato-Bar": Monday, August 25 – Sunday, August 31 🛒 Sales information ・ 📍 Sales locations: each participating store, designated sales points, online reservations ・ 🕔 Sales period: Tuesday, July 22 – Sunday, August 24 Online reservations: Tuesday, July 1 – Saturday, August 16 ・ 💰 Can badge with serial number & store map: 500 yen 🔎 For details, search for "Gashibaru"!! https://e-sacai.com/gashi-bar...

The Kanaoka Town Bon Dance Festival, the largest event of the Kanaoka Town Residents’ Association, takes place on August 14th and 15th 📣 Each of the 11 neighborhood associations carries a uniquely decorated large drum as they parade, and they make a bold procession into Kanaoka Shrine, which sits at the heart of Kanaoka Town 👀 On the 15th, the neighborhood on duty that year performs the final shrine entry as the climactic “tori.” After the shrine entries on both days, all 11 neighborhood drums gather around the yagura inside Kanaoka Shrine. At the signal of the Kanaoka Town song leaders, the drums all sound together and the bon dance begins ✨ People of all ages enjoy dancing late into the night while the powerful beat of the large drums reverberates across Kanaoka Town during the festival ♪ 🏮Kanaoka Town Bon Dance Festival🥁 Location: Kanaoka Shrine Dates: Thursday, August 14th and Friday, August 15th Inquiries: Kanaoka Shrine (📞072-258-2127)

🚢 Departing and arriving at Sakai Old Port! Take the Myaku-Myaku for a Yumeshima Light-Up and Sakai Factory Nightscape Cruise ✨ 🗓️ In 2025, this special service runs for only four sailings! Friday, September 19; Saturday, September 20 Friday, October 3; Saturday, October 4 Would you like to see the night views from the sea? 🌉 🏭 This roughly 90-minute cruise lets you enjoy the night scenery of Sakai Old Port and the Sakai factory nightscape, plus distant views of Osaka Bay and the illuminated Yumeshima, the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, all from the water 🤩 ⚓️ Itinerary 17:45 Gather and board at the Sakai Old Port temporary floating pier📍 18:00 Departure 🛥️ Night scenery cruise (about 90 minutes) Distant views of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai site light-up – Sakai factory nightscape 🎇 19:30 Return to the Sakai Old Port temporary floating pier, disembark and dismissed 👋 🎟️ Fare 【💻 Advance reservation (online booking only)】 Adult (junior high school and older): ¥4,500; Child (ages 4–elementary school): ¥4,000 【💰 Same-day registration (cash only at the counter)】 Adult (junior high school and older): ¥5,000; Child (ages 4–elementary school): ¥4,500 🔍 For details and reservations, search for "Myaku-Myaku Yumeshima Light-Up and Sakai Factory Nightscape Cruise"! 🔗 https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/tourism/detail/198...

Speaking of summer, I feel a warm and gentle atmosphere.

sakaitourism_official 🍨Sakai’s Cool Summer Sweets Feature🍨 ~Moat Area~ 🇯🇵JP 🇬🇧EN Below⬇️ #Chilled Sweets 🍉Chilled treats you crave in summer♪🍦 The Moat Area in Sakai is home not only to tourist spots but also to many shops selling chilled sweets🩷 Enjoy sightseeing around the Moat Area while savoring refreshing, delicious sweets to get you through the summer♪🌻 On the feature page, we introduce Moat Area sweet shops and a short model course that visits sweets shops and tourist spots.✨ ・Kanbukuro ・Saryo Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo ・Rosier ・SAKAINOMA Cafe Kuma ・D..labo ・Baked Goods & Gelato BLUE KETTLE ・Cafe Lapin ・Tenjin Mochi ・Sorori ・Maruichi Confectionery ・Asahido Confectionery

Water Jingu Shrine 3-10-24 Hirose, ShimaHonmachi, Mishima-gun, Osaka The Water of this Water Nose Jingu Shrine is said to be the Water of the Imperial Palace, and you can drink it. Most spring water needs to be boiled, but here it seems that boiling is not necessary. And it's free! It is the only one in Osaka that has been selected as one of the "100 Famous Waters", This is quite delicious. Special visit to Water Jingu Shrine Cultural Properties A fusion of wind, light, and cultural properties Date & Time: July 26 (Sat) ~ August 31 (Sun) 18:30~21:00 *Held in only on weekends and holidays Entrance Fees 500 yen (special admission / 1 person) * Light rain cancellation Cancelled due to stormy weather Check it out on Instagram.

The large taiko drums of Osaka Shinden (Sekichaya, Onoshiba, Shimo-Kusao three districts) will parade through each neighborhood and begin entering the shrine one after another from around 6:00 p.m.✨ Watch as nearly one-ton taiko drums are carried through town; the thunderous sound and the sight of them being hoisted are not to be missed! In the morning, children’s taiko will also enter the shrine.☺ 🏮Osaka Shinden Bon Odori🥁 Venue: Izumo Taisha Osaka Branch Shrine Date: Saturday, August 9 (canceled in severe weather) Contact: Izumo Taisha Osaka Branch Shrine Office (📞072-285-2431)

🎑Saturday, October 4 — “Moon Viewing Yoga” (＊) — Now accepting participants🌔🍁 On an autumn evening when summer heat fades, we will hold Moon Viewing Yoga (＊) at a historic temple wrapped in silence🎑 Practice yoga that focuses on the rhythms of the moon and the body, and listen to a talk on the yin-yang and five elements theory from the deputy chief priest, spending a special time feeling the connection between the moon, people, and nature🌙 After yoga, enjoy a hospitality tea ceremony and Japanese sweets🍵 We look forward to your reservations😊🎶 📅 Date: Saturday, October 4 📍 Venue: Myohoji Temple (4-1-3 Nakanomachi Higashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai City) 🕣 Meeting time: 3:50 PM 💴 Fee: ¥5,000 ・ ¥5,100 with rental mat 💁‍♀️ Instructor: Hiroko Izumi, hive terrace The moon’s phases, such as the new moon and full moon, are deeply connected to the rhythms of nature. By practicing yoga with awareness of the moon’s rhythm, you can gently turn inward and cultivate a sense of harmony with nature. For details, search “Sakai Moon Viewing Yoga” (＊)🔍 ＊The schedule is set to the moonrise time, but visibility of the moon is not guaranteed due to weather conditions. https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/tourism/detail/199...

Gion Festival Post-Festival Umbrella procession The festival is held for one month. The Gion Festival is a festival rituals at Yasaka Shrine, and the festival lasts for about one month, starting with the "Yoshi Shrine" on July 1 and ending with the "Epidemic Shrine Summer Eve Festival" on July 31.

✨ \ New Articles / ✨ A fantastic temple floating on the lake, Ukimido in the Temple of the full moon in Shiga Prefecture. A popular photo spot 📸 where the superb view of Lake Biwa and historical romance intersect Why don't you take your time to experience an extraordinary space surrounded by silence with videos and photos?

Until Sunday, August 31st／ 📅✨ A collaboration with Kazuki Tomono, a figure skater from Sakai City⛸️ Distribution of the Sakai City Walking Map and a stamp rally are now underway!🗺️📍 Sakai City, in partnership with Shueisha's non-no, is running a collaboration with Sakai-born figure skater Kazuki Tomono that offers the Sakai City Walking Map and a stamp rally. Participants who complete the stamp rally will receive an exclusive photo card of Tomono📸🎁 The event runs through Sunday, August 31st. Please take this opportunity to visit!💖

🎉 Premium Meal Vouchers — Commemorating the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai One voucher book worth ¥6,000 sold for ¥5,000!! (20% premium) ✨ Usable at about 50 stores around Sakai Station♪ 💡 Take advantage of this chance to enjoy a great-value meal🍽 📅 Valid period: Thursday, August 7, 2025 – Tuesday, September 30, 2025 🛒 Sales information ・ 📍 Sales location: In front of Hinodeya at Sakai Station South Exit ・ 🕔 Sales dates and times: Monday, August 4, 2025 – Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 17:00–20:00 ・ 💰 Purchase limit: Up to ¥50,000 per person 🔎 For details, search for "Sakai Station Front Shopping District"!! https://www.sakaiekimae.com//

[Sakai City Designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property] The Purification Ritual at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shukuin Tongu ✨ 🗓️ Date and time: Friday, August 1, 6:30 PM–7:30 PM 📍 Location: Sumiyoshi Taisha Shukuin Tongu (Shukuincho Higashi 2-1-6, Sakai Ward) The Purification Ritual at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shukuin Tongu, known as the Aranigo Great Purification Ritual (aranigo no ooharae shinji), was once held on the last day of the sixth month of the old lunar calendar and is now observed on August 1. On that day the mikoshi (portable shrine) of Sumiyoshi Taisha is welcomed to Sakai and the ritual is performed at Igai-bori in the Shukuin Tongu. This ceremony oversees the act of purification, the very essence of the Sumiyoshi Festival and the mikoshi procession. It forms a vital foundation of faith and everyday culture for the people of Sakai, making it an extremely valuable rite. Don’t miss this rare, once-a-year opportunity! 🙏

This is a festival with a history of over 100 years in which young people carry taikodai (drum floats) through the neighborhood while singing and dancing Kawachi ondo and Goshu ondo.✨ Drums over three shaku (about 90 cm) are placed on carrying poles and carried by groups of about 20 to 30 people as they parade. A distinctive feature of the procession is that people sometimes ride on the drums during the march.👀 🥁 Fukumachi Summer Bon Dance 🥁 Location: Atago Park Date: Saturday, August 2 Schedule: ・5:00 PM–around 5:40 PM: Procession into Atago Shrine ・Neighborhood parade ・8:00 PM–8:30 PM: Drum hanging performance ・10:00 PM: Bon dance ends

The 17th Gashi Fest Sakaihigashi Summer Festival 💡Come enjoy a summer festival in Sakaihigashi🎐 The annual summer tradition, "Gashi Fest Sakaihigashi Summer Festival," returns this year♪ A variety of events will unfold at Mina Sakai. Wearing a yukata is warmly welcomed! Come make summer memories with us✨ 📅Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025 🕔Event Schedule ・Food stalls: 11:30–21:00 ・Prestige: 12:00–17:30 ・Bon Odori Dance: 18:00–21:00 📍Venue: Mina Sakai (In front of Sakai City Hall, Citizen Exchange Plaza) ※Please use public transportation to visit. 🔎For details, search for "Gashi Fest"!!

It is a wind chime displayed in a temple in Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture. You can feel the coolness from your eyes and ears.

Gion Maiko Kaikan Kyoto, Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, Gion-cho, Minami-side, 570-2 The "Gion Flower Street Art Museum" opened in May 2024. While making use of the historical architecture as it is, various items (kimonos and ornaments) and information (individual names and stories of Training) related to the city of Gion and geiko and maiko are exhibited to convey their culture. In addition, for a plus fee, you can even Appreciation and commemorative photos of Kyoto dance by geiko and maiko!

📢 Sakai Tourism Concierge Recommended✨ "🌿Experience history and culture at Sakai Risho no Mori!🌿" 📍Sakai Risho no Mori is a museum where you can experience the culture associated with Sen no Rikyu and Akiko Yosano.🔍 It’s full of attractions that delight both children and adults! 🔍Learn history with quizzes! You can get closer to the lives of Sen no Rikyu and the history of Sakai through quiz-style learning. Here you can enjoy learning with all five senses through exhibits and videos—things you won’t find in history textbooks. 🍵Experience the tea ceremony’s wabi-sabi spirit at a site linked to Sen no Rikyu! Sakai is the hometown of Sen no Rikyu. In this place you can enjoy an authentic tea ceremony experience while sensing the spirit of chadō that Rikyu cherished. Learn the heart of wabi-sabi and find a peaceful moment in a tranquil tea room. It’s a special experience that reveals the depth of the tea ceremony alongside history. 🛍 Shop at Sakai En-an for Sakai souvenirs! Items that reflect Sakai’s traditional crafts make perfect souvenirs. You’ll find many easy-to-use products blending tradition and modern design. Be sure to find goods that perfectly match your style! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Enjoy cultural experiences the whole family can share♪

Sakai Tourism Concierge recommendation ✨ “📍A special moment to soak in history and beauty at Sakai’s tea room Shin-an 🍵” I’m Azusa Nakase from the Sakai Tourism Concierge. I visited Shin-an, Sakai City’s tea room, to experience a Japanese space that stands quietly in stillness 😆 Built by Kodō Ōgi, renowned as a master of sukiya-style construction, the tea room presents a beautiful blend of modernity and tradition. The moment I stepped inside, I felt time slow down 😌✨ You can also join a tea-serving experience 🍵 and taste matcha with seasonal sweets while touching the culture of chanoyu ☺️ One bowl of tea can enrich the heart so much…🍃 Please stop by during your Sakai sightseeing 🙌🏻 https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/spot/detail/107...

Agricultural products direct sales shop Shun no Eki Kyoto store 76 Hachiman Minamiyama, Hachiman-shi, Kyoto Fresh vegetables and fruits Direct sales rooted in Kyoto "Shun no Eki Kyoto Store" You can buy vegetables and fruits at a very low price. Bread from various bakeries is also lined up. There is also meat and fish. Seasonings are also available. Car parking is also large and helpful.

Water Jingu Shrine 3-10-24 Hirose, ShimaHonmachi, Mishima-gun, Osaka The Water of this Water Nose Jingu Shrine is said to be the Water of the Imperial Palace, and you can drink it. Most spring water needs to be boiled, but here it seems that boiling is not necessary. And it's free! It is the only one in Osaka that has been selected as one of the "100 Famous Waters", This is quite delicious. Special visit to Water Jingu Shrine Cultural Properties A fusion of wind, light, and cultural properties Date & Time: July 26 (Sat) ~ August 31 (Sun) 18:30~21:00 *Held in only on weekends and holidays Entrance Fees 500 yen (special admission / 1 person) * Light rain cancellation Cancelled due to stormy weather Check it out on Instagram.

Sakai Great Fish Night Market is heating up again this year!🏮 The Sakai Tourism Concierge will take part in the Sakai Great Fish Night Market again this year! 🐟With fish auctions and 🎵stage performances, we want to liven things up together with everyone! Please come to the Sakai Great Fish Night Market! We sincerely look forward to seeing you at the venue✨

👀Special Incense Exhibition 📢The Birthplace of Incense! A special limited-time exhibition of Sakai incense will be held!✨ The method of making incense came from China in the 16th century and spread nationwide. Sakai’s incense-making tradition is still carefully passed down by artisans today.🥰 Through the scents of incense, experience the roots of Sakai craftsmanship and the living traditional culture in daily life, and take this chance to appreciate the artisans’ handiwork and the beauty of fragrance Please do so now🤗 📅 Exhibition period: Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 27 📍 Venue: Sakai Densho-kan, 2nd floor, TAKUMI EXHIBITION *Applications for the incense-making workshop on July 26 have ended. We look forward to welcoming you all👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

It is the eastern Temple of Kyoto Light up in autumn

Squid eaten on the veranda in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture is the best. This is summer in Japan