📢 Osaka Destination Campaign is here! 🎉✨ ✨Special Osaka DC experiences from April 1 to June 30 only! 📍Sakai offers a host of special experiences!📍 🛕 Kofun stroll｜Walk atop the normally off-limits Oritsuka Kofun!⛰️ 🌳 Japanese garden tour｜See a gardener’s craft up close🌿✨ 🍵 Tea ceremony experience｜Authentic thick and thin matcha services🍃🎁 🔫 Gunsmith (teppo blacksmith) house guide｜Romance of Edo-period history🏯 🖼️ Mucha exhibition｜Lost oil paintings paired with Sakai’s dantsu rugs🎨 🌷 Harvest Hill｜70,000 tulips in full bloom🌼 📖 Check the Osaka DC official website for details! Which one would you like to join? Tell us in the comments 💬

40th Anniversary Regular Performance Madame Butterfly “Everything begins in Sakai” 🔶 Founded by citizens more than fifty years ago, Sakai City Opera has held numerous exchanges with overseas opera houses and companies In 2006, it became the first Japanese company to co-produce a local staging of Puccini’s festival production of Madame Butterfly in Italy. On May 2, we will present a performance for young people—children who have grown through the COVID-19 pandemic and the youth who will shape tomorrow—so that their rich sensibilities can be entrusted to the future society. Madame Butterfly, a love opera set in Nagasaki, comes to Fenice Sakai, a source of pride for Sakai City. Enjoy the power of live music and the drama’s emotion this Golden Week! Ticket reservations → ticket＠sakai-city-opera.jp ★ Please contact us with “Madame Butterfly ticket request,” seat type, number of tickets, your name, address, and phone number.

Introducing hands-on tours you can enjoy in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region 😄 ~Enjoyed on a wooden deck at the farm~ Savor Matsuhashi Beef BBQ at Matsuhashi Farm in Sarabetsu Village Matsuhashi Farm has run livestock operations in Sarabetsu Village for over 90 years. The farm manages every stage from breeding and fattening to sales, and also grows wheat and soybeans. Yasuhiro Matsuhashi, the fourth-generation owner, is rethinking Tokachi agriculture, shifting from yield- and income-focused farming to sustainable, self-sufficient practices. His current theme is stockpiling and seed preservation so the next generation will not go hungry. The cattle raised by Mr. Matsuhashi are called Matsuhashi Beef. They focus on preserving the beef’s natural lean flavor with minimal marbling. This plan lets you taste that proud beef on a BBQ terrace built on the farm grounds. From the wooden deck you can see vast fields. Eating locally raised beef amid a panorama that seems to blend into the fields makes the flavor especially memorable. Tour Schedule 11:30 Gather at Matsuhashi Farm 11:35 Farm introduction and walk / Introduction to Matsuhashi Beef Learn from Mr. Matsuhashi about the care he takes in raising Matsuhashi Beef. 12:00 BBQ with Tokachi fields spread before you Enjoy the lean flavor of Matsuhashi Beef and the taste of locally grown vegetables on a perfect BBQ deck with sweeping field views. 13:30 Commemorative photos in the fields Put on shoe covers and take commemorative photos against the spectacular backdrop. 14:00 Tour ends Operating season: June–August Time: 11:30–14:00 (about 2 hours 30 minutes) Participants: 4–100 people Price: ◎ Vegetable Course / A BBQ course focused on freshly harvested vegetables with less meat (mid-July–end of August) ・Without English interpretation: 9,900 yen per person ・With English interpretation: 14,300 yen per person ◎ Matsuhashi Beef Standard Course / Standard plan to enjoy Matsuhashi Beef ・Without English interpretation: 13,200 yen per person ・With English interpretation: 17,600 yen per person ◎ Matsuhashi Beef Premium Course / A luxury plan featuring rare cuts of Matsuhashi Beef ・Without English interpretation: 20,900 yen per person ・With English interpretation: 25,300 yen per person ※As an option, an all-you-can-drink plan is available for 2,000 yen (tax included) for each course. Please make a reservation at least seven days before your desired date of use. (We may not be able to accommodate your requested date due to guide availability or other reasons.) Visitors who have been living abroad within seven days before entering Japan cannot enter hygiene-controlled areas for quarantine reasons, so please understand. Depending on the World Organization for the Animal Health’s reported global outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, participation in the tour may be refused. Please be aware of this in advance. This experience offers a great opportunity to meet producers, learn about Matsuhashi Beef and Mr. Matsuhashi’s philosophy, and discover the behind-the-scenes of livestock farming and food production!! We hope this Tokachi experience will become a memorable page in your travel story 😄 If you are interested, please visit the relevant page on our official website, "BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE – A Journey Connecting to Tokachi, the Source of Food." Contact Knau Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com

Introducing an experiential tour you can take in Hokkaido’s Tokachi😄 A journey to touch the preciousness of life through gratitude for the food we receive An experiential tour: “Visit Kyoko Endo, a livestock farmer in Shihorocho, and meet her beloved wagyu”!! In the heart of Tokachi, the agricultural and dairy town of Shihorocho, the Endo family raises cattle🐂 Kyoko Endo, who supports the family business as a veterinarian, compiled the story of one particular cow into a video and booklet titled “Beloved Wagyu.” She wants people who eat that beef to see the cow’s journey of overcoming injury and growing strong, and to feel the wonder and energy of receiving life as food!! “Beloved Wagyu,” carrying Kyoko’s feelings, is sent to households across the country🥩 On this occasion, through caring for the cows, you will reflect with Kyoko on the value of taking life to nourish us😄 Tour Schedule 10:00 Gather at Endo Livestock Farm 10:05 Farm introduction and presentation of “Beloved Wagyu” (video screening) Change into work clothes and learn about “Beloved Wagyu” while watching the video! 10:35 Barn tour and hands-on work (brushing, cleaning, etc.) Move to the barn to help with grooming the wagyu and assisting with tasks around the farm! 11:35 Make “Beloved Wagyu” pizza with Ms. Endo Try making pizza using Beloved Wagyu beef and vegetables and cheese produced in Shihorocho 13:00 Tour ends Operating period: Year-round Time: 10:00–13:00 (about 3 hours) Group size: 2–6 people Price: For 2 people, per person Adult 18,700 JPY, Child 3,300 JPY For 3 or more people, per person Adult 12,100 JPY, Child 3,300 JPY If English interpretation is included, the prices are as follows. For 2 people, per person Adult 30,800 JPY, Child 3,300 JPY For 3 or more people, per person Adult 20,900 JPY, Child 3,300 JPY Please make a reservation at least seven days before your desired date of use. (We may be unable to meet your requested date due to guide availability or other reasons.) Please note that visitors who have arrived in Japan within the past seven days and live abroad may not be allowed to enter sanitary areas for quarantine reasons. Depending on the “Global Foot-and-Mouth Disease Situation” as determined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, we may refuse participation in the tour. Thank you for your understanding. This tour offers a great opportunity to meet producers and learn about livestock farming and the realities behind our food while taking part in hands-on experiences!! We hope you will make an experience in Tokachi a memorable page in your travel memories😄 If you are interested, please visit our federation’s official website section “BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE – Journeys that connect you to Tokachi, the source of food.” Contact Knao Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com

🕵️Solve the Mysteries of Sakai – The Spirit Kajira and the Vanished Legendary Blacksmith A roving real-world puzzle game takes place in Sakai!🎉 📜A detective story set across Sakai as you search for the vanished legendary blacksmith🔍 Walk around Sakai city and unravel puzzles as you go🚶‍➡️ Those who clear the mystery receive a completion reward🎁‼ Whether with family, friends, or solo, why not become the detective who solves the mystery?🕵️ 📅Event period: Saturday, March 22 – Monday, October 13 📍Location: Sakai Ward, Sakai City, moat area 🔍For details, search for “Solve the Mysteries of Sakai – The Spirit Kajira and the Vanished Legendary Blacksmith”

🚴 Exploring the mystery of how the bicycle industry began in Sakai ♬ In Sakai, famed as "the birthplace of many things," the bicycle industry took root and flourished 🚲 Join a guided tour led by a curator to learn about Sakai’s unique craftsmanship and history 🕵️ 📢 “Untangling Sakai: Investigating Sakai’s Mysteries 2025” 🎉 🗓️ Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, 2025 📍 Shimano Bicycle Museum 🔍 For details, please check the announcements on the Sakai Tourism Guide website. 📬 Registration: on-site, first-come, first-served 🎫 Participation fee: Free (museum admission not included) 📞 Inquiries: 072-221-3196

🚴 Delving into the mystery of how the bicycle industry was born in Sakai ♬ In Sakai, hailed as “the place where everything begins,” the bicycle industry flourished🚲 Join a curator-led guided tour to learn about Sakai’s unique craftsmanship and history🕵️ 📢 “Untying the Threads: Uncovering Sakai’s Mysteries 2025”🎉 🗓️ Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, 2025 📍 Shimano Bicycle Museum 🔍 For details, please check the announcements on the Sakai tourism guide website. 📬 Registration: first-come, first-served on the day 🎫 Participation fee: free (museum admission not included) 📞 Contact: 072-221-3196

📢 The “Futari Demo Sakai” Campaign Is Here!💑✨ Starting Friday, March 14, Sakai City kicks off the “Futari Demo Sakai” campaign!🎯🚶‍♂️ Enjoy plenty of activities made for pairs, from journeys decided by dart throws to special Sakai-only experiences💛🎉 📅 Period: Friday, March 14 – Saturday, May 31 ✅ Free to participate 🆓 ✅ No reservation required 📆✖️ ✅ Chances to win prizes!🎁 🔍 For details, visit the Sakai tourism guide website and search “Futari Demo Sakai”! 💡 Campaign Highlights 1. Dart Trip Let fate choose your destination! Visit spots while taking on quizzes along the way🎯 Answer all questions at a spot correctly to earn a chance to play a prize-winning dart game✨ 2. Special Experiences Try Sakai cultural activities like wagashi (Japanese confection) making and tea ceremony experiences🍵 3. Digital Stamp Rally Visit any 4 of the 7 spots to enter a lottery for prizes🎁 4. Share Campaign Post photos or videos of your pair trip in Sakai on Instagram with both hashtags #futari_demo_sakai and #futari_tabi! 🏯💑💫 Five winners will be chosen by lottery from those who post to receive lovely prizes!🎁 Share your memories and join the campaign!📲✨ We have posted a reel video for this campaign on our official Instagram and Facebook. Please take a look👀

Kintsugi Workshop 🖌️ Bring your favorite cracked or chipped dish back to life with an easy kintsugi method using putty and brass powder! 👀 📢“Himo Tokeba Sakai: Exploring the Mysteries of Sakai 2025” 🎉 🗓️ Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 📍Sakai Risho no Mori; held only on Saturday, March 22. Reservations open from Saturday, March 1! 🔍For details, please check the announcements on the Sakai Tourism Guide website 📬Apply: Sakai Risho no Mori reservation site 📞Inquiries: 072-260-4386

🌼 Half a million rapeseed flowers are coming into bloom Like a yellow carpet!✨ Under the winter sky, enjoy a field of rapeseed flowers stretching as far as the eye can see♪ This week is peak viewing💕 📍 Location: Village Area Flower Fields (Hoshi Hill · Tsuki Hill) 🌿 Variety: Kanaki (Kanaki) 💛 Number of flowers: 500,000 📅 Blooming season: Now at peak – around mid-March (subject to weather) 🔍 The latest bloom updates are posted on the official Instagram ( @harvesthill_sakai )!

📣 Experience Sakai’s knife-making! Join the “Sakai Koyo Knife Factory & Gallery Tour” and a short knife-sharpening workshop! 🗡️✨ 👩🏼‍✈️On the tour, you’ll see parts of the knife-making process that are usually hidden from view! 🔧 Afterwards, try a mini knife-sharpening lesson in the gallery. Knife fans will be thrilled by a gallery displaying some 500 blades—definitely worth seeing. Please enjoy! 📅 Date: Thursday, February 27th, 2025 👥 Capacity: 6 people (single participants welcome) 💰 Fee: ¥4,000 (about 2 hours) 📫 Apply by three days before the event date! 🔍 For details, check the Sakai tourism guide Experience Plans & Tours 📞 Contact: Sakai Tourism and Convention Bureau Public Interest Incorporated Association (072-233-6601) Come experience Sakai’s traditional craftsmanship with us! 🔪🌟 We look forward to your participation!

✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ Aibetsu Family Ski Resort ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ Family Ski Resort in Aibetsu Town is attractive with gentle slopes and spacious slopes! Even children and first-timers can skate with peace of mind, and you can fully feel the fun of skiing. Let's still ⛷✨ enjoy winter Activities! We look forward to seeing you there! ■ Address: 351 Kitamachi, Aibetsu-cho, Kamikawa-gun ■Access: 45 minutes by Car from Asahikawa City ■ Business hours • Mon ~ Wed: 10 a.m. ~ 9 p.m. • Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. ~ 4 p.m. • Friday: Regular holiday

📍Tsumago inn (Tsumago-juku) For travel memories and gifts for someone special. Buy local products or artisans’ creations as proof that you visited on your own two feet. Every time you see them, the memories come flooding back—that’s the magic of souvenirs. These days people talk more about experiences than things, but cherish the spark in your heart…💗💭

■The reason why foreigners are interested in the Japanese language is "The beauty of the Japanese language. I often hear that the reason why foreigners are interested in the Japanese language is "the beauty of the Japanese language. Using the calligraphy skills learned through the calligraphy experience, students write their favorite kanji characters on fans and hanging scrolls of their choice. The master calligrapher will then take the kanji back to your bag with his expert brush strokes. Since each kanji character has multiple meanings, it is important to know what other meanings they have. Knowing the meaning will make the bag shine. #brush #kanji #shodo #travel memories #cultural experience

Local eels are hard to eat. Every summer, when I returned to Shizuoka, I used to eat this eel with my parents. But this summer, we couldn't eat eel together. Every day is filled with sadness, but when I see this eel, I remember the summer with my parents and feel energized.