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.✨

Anata Terasu: Tea, Healing, Fortune-telling, and Goods Today, Saturday, November 30, Anata Terasu took place at Miyazaki Sabo’s Barber House ☺️🍀 This event, which was also held in summer, is now at Volume 5 🖐️💡 A wood-burning stove warmed the shop, giving a gentle, happy warmth 😌💕 A wide range of fortune-telling and healing services were available 🫶 I asked Hikari Therapy for a guardian reading and a channeled message this time 🤗 I was surprised by some unexpected results 😳 but they might indeed be true 🤭 I felt encouraged to keep the messages in my heart and live joyfully 💪✨ While others waited for healing services, they relaxed, chatted, and enjoyed delicious tea, chiffon cake, and bread 🍵 Healing goods like warm items and other soothing accessories were on display, making for a lovely event where time flowed slowly ☺️✨ Actually, I’m typing this post while eating the hojicha chiffon cake I bought… and it’s unbelievably delicious 🥹💕 The rich hojicha flavor and moist chiffon texture are perfect… If you get the chance, please try it ✨ This was a rewarding event recommended for anyone who’s always busy and feeling a bit short on mental space 🥰

[🍁Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Submission Showcase — Part 6—🍁] Here we introduce works posted to the “#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” contest held on the Instagram account of Gokase Tourism Association! @gokase_pan

【🍁Gokase Autumn Foliage 2024 Photo Contest Entries — Part 5🍁】 Here we showcase works posted to the “#Gokase Autumn Foliage 2024” held on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account. @thusandleavis様

🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Contest Entries — Part 4 🍁 Here we introduce works posted to the "#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024" contest held on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account! @mitsu_yumi.0520 @naomin168 @niidome2110 (in no particular order)

🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Submissions — Part 3 🍁 Here we showcase photos posted to the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account for the “#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” event! @donguri223103 @san.shimako.1105 @kaaazuuu1123 @kickcamp_with_jimny (in no particular order)

[🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Submissions — Part 2 🍁] Here are works posted to the “#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024” event on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account! @hiroko.gf1 @gokase_pan @miyazaki_212449 (in no particular order)

🍁 Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 Photo Contest — Featured Entries, Part 1 🍁 Here we introduce works posted to the Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024 contest held on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account! @sakai_0808 @cycle_onlineshop (in no particular order)

⛩ Gion Shrine Niiname Festival and Final Kagura Performance 👹 On November 23rd, the Niiname Festival and the final kagura performance were held at Gion Shrine in the Kuraoka district.⛩ First a Shinto ceremony took place, followed by a kagura dedication at the kagura hall.👹 Today we welcomed visitors from overseas and guests who came from Tokyo.😮 The gingko trees at Gion Shrine had turned color, creating a carpet of yellow.😆✨ Gokase Town is getting colder, and it looks like winter is finally arriving.⛄

[Searching for Autumn in Gokase] November 19 A little late, but I went looking for autumn around Gokase and am sharing some photos📸✨ Photo 1 / Shirataki Falls Photo 2 / From the bridge on the way to Unoko Falls viewing point Photo 3 / From Yūhi no Sato Ohashi (Sunset Village Bridge) Photos 4 and 5 / Near the torii at Myoken Shrine

G Music Corps Regular Concert On Sunday, November 17th, the G Music Corps held a concert at Yumeyume Plaza TAC in Takachiho Town🎺🎶 The program was packed into four exciting parts😳💡 Under the baton of conductor Mitsutoshi Hasebe, the concert opened with a Disney medley. Familiar tunes arrived on a dynamic sound that made people move along before they knew it🤩👏 In the second part, dancers from Takachiho Town’s studio DACTCREW delivered an impressive performance to popular songs🪩💫 The third part recreated the original show’s format with a lively amateur singing stage😆🎤 Seven contestants from Gokase, Takachiho, and Kumamoto Prefecture sang joyfully to live wind ensemble accompaniment✨ A former real bell-ringer from the original program played the bell live, a trophy was presented to the winner, and the excitement peaked 🥳👏 The final fourth part featured guests trumpeter MAKOTO, drummer Kiyotaka Kuroda, and pianist Satsuki Imamura in a powerful, high-impact set😳✨ Audience members praised the event, saying things like "I’m glad I came; I never expected it to be this much fun" 🥹💕 G Music Corps, active both inside and outside the prefecture, delivered a wonderful performance that makes you want to cheer them on for the future. Great job to everyone involved❗

Sunset Village Exhibition✨ On Saturday and Sunday, November 16–17, the former Kuwanouchi Elementary School gym hosted the "Sunset Village Exhibition" and the "Small Sato Frost Month Festival," to much excitement 😆🎉 Creative works by local residents were on display, and visitors toured them with great interest 👀 On Saturday, November 16, food stalls and workshops drew lively crowds 😁 At the workshops, many people happily carried their finished pieces home, and seeing that made us happy too 😊

Takaharacho, Miyazaki Prefecture Did you know that FIRST JAPAN Co., Ltd. is located here!? ◯ Domestic tours ◯ Overseas tours ◯ Group and individual travel ◯ Inbound tourism promotion ◯ A travel company that provides multilingual staff, guides, and other support✈️ First Japan Takaharacho Search for it and you’ll find a beautiful video🎥 on their website and YouTube! Be sure to check it out 🥰 Company name: First Japan Co., Ltd. Address: 788-2 Kamamuta, Takaharu Town, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture T E L: 0984-47-0340

Takaharu Yoku Shiyouya Association "Takaharu Station Illumination" Installed‼️ Lights will be on from Sunday, December 1, 2024 to Wednesday, January 15, 2025 They will be lit from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Details of the Lighting Ceremony ✴︎Date: Sunday, December 1 ✴︎Time: From 5:30 PM ✳︎Venue: Around Takaharu Station (MASAHIRO Garden Square) ✳︎Address: 473-6 Nishifumoto, Takaharacho, Nishimorokata District, Miyazaki Prefecture ✳︎Parking: Several parking areas are available nearby, but please drive carefully as many pedestrians will be present. ❇︎On the day there will be the annual servings of delicious pork miso soup and sweet red bean soup (zenzai)‼️ Sponsored by: Kibou no Mise, MASAHIRO Garden, Nishimoro Saiten

[Searching for Autumn in Gokase] The season is silver grass (susuki)🌾✨ Gokase Town’s autumn leaves have finally come into their prime🍁 Today I visited Mt. Masugata and Mt. Futagami🚗💭 First, Mt. Masugata💪 The view was hazy, but the temperature was perfect and the summit felt refreshing😌🌿 The dodantutsugi (Enkianthus) turned bright red, and the susuki backlit by the sun glittered—what a sight 🥹👏 On the trail down toward Furuto-no Shrine from Mt. Masugata, I came across a scene that made me think, "Is this a picture book world!?"😳💡 Fields of susuki swayed like a sea, and set against the rolling mountains, the view was unbelievably beautiful✨ A new susuki spot…!?🌾 The susuki have become fluffy and are at their peak right now❗ Please go and look for them yourselves🤗 Next, Mt. Futagami💡 Until recently the road from Gokase was under construction and impassable, so it was my first time driving it in a while👣 Enjoying the patches of autumn color along the way, I made my way up to the observation deck with steady effort💪 By the time I reached the summit the sun had started to tilt, sharpening the mountain silhouettes, and the moon floated in the vast sky—a picture-like scene🖼️✨ It’s been ages since I climbed a mountain so I already feel it in my legs, but the joy at the top makes it totally worth it🤩 The Gokase Tourism Association is currently running the "Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024" event on its Instagram account, and you are welcome to submit photos of autumn scenes like susuki✨ Please share Gokase’s beautiful autumn scenery with us🤗💫 For details, see the pinned "Gokase Autumn Leaves 2024" post on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram profile🍁

Yama no Ocha Sakamotoen Autumn Warehouse Sale Today, Sunday, November 10th, the “Autumn Warehouse Sale” took place on the grounds of Sakamotoen 🍵✨ Sakamotoen’s booth offered discounted teas, and shoppers who spent over ¥2,000 could enter a raffle—what a deal 😳👏 There were also light food stalls, food trucks, and booths selling crafts and relaxation services, creating a calm, pleasant atmosphere 😌💕 A fill-a-bag of mandarins for ¥500 drew challengers who expertly piled the bags full—watching their skill made me laugh out loud 🤣🤣🤣 The festival’s highlights, the hojicha latte and matcha latte, were truly delicious and ordered by many 🤤 I couldn’t stop at the hojicha latte I bought first and ended up enjoying a matcha latte too 🤭 Simply perfect ✨ Inside the building, beautiful kyusus and Sakamotoen’s tea products lined the shelves 😳💡It was pure luxury to imagine brewing tea with a favorite kyusu while browsing the many tea varieties 🥹… Although it rained, everyone relaxed and smiled as they enjoyed their tea, making it a lovely festival 😌💕

Gokase Junior High School Product! Dried Shiitake Mushrooms On Wednesday, November 6th, we observed a class of second-year students at Gokase Junior High School🍄‍🟫✨ The students handled every step themselves, from sorting and bagging the dried shiitake to setting the price🤗 The shiitake were grown as part of the school's curriculum. The current third-year students inoculated the logs last year, and the second-year students carried out the sorting and packaging this time👏 This year’s yield was lower than usual, so selecting good mushrooms was a tough task💦 However, the students enjoyed the work, consulting with each other—"Is this one okay?" "Maybe not…"—as they made their choices🤗 They weighed and bagged the mushrooms with sales in mind, aiming for balanced portions and an attractive appearance🤔 After sealing the packs neatly with a vacuum sealer, the students set the prices themselves, referring to current market rates👏 Those shiitake were actually sold at the Gokase Specialty Center at the prices the students decided😳✨ Finally, the students learned about log management and precautions, deepening their understanding of Gokase’s specialty product, log-grown shiitake😌✍️ We hope students continue to encounter and cherish the town’s specialties and culture from a young age and carry them forward into the future✨

We are opening a POP UP SHOP in Tokyo🎀 ⁡ ⁡ Delicious local specialties from Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Prefecture—the birthplace of chicken nanban—are now available in Tokyo😳👏 ⁡ ⁡ “Miyazaki Nobeoka City POP UP SHOP” ⁡ ⁡ Period🗓 Friday, November 1st – Wednesday, December 25th ⁡ ⁡ Hours⏱ Weekdays 11:00–18:00 Weekends and holidays 10:00–18:00 Closed‪🌱‬ Every Monday and Tuesday (open on weekends and holidays) ⁡ ⁡A 4-minute walk from Ueno Station Location📍 Ueno Shinkin-kan (4-8-13 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo) Search for “Ueno Shinkin-kan” on Google Maps and come visit us! ⁡ We plan PR events and migration consultation sessions on weekends! Grab great discount coupons too✊💖 ⁡ We’re looking forward to seeing you—come on by☺️ ⁡ ⁡ Contact 📞0982-34-7833 (Nobeoka City Tourism Strategy Division) ✉️kankou@city.nobeoka.miyazaki.jp