Hello COOL JAPAN VIDEOS viewers!
This is the Iwanai Tourism Association.
We will deliver tourist information and event information about Iwanai Town, Hokkaido.

This is my first post, and I will introduce Iwanai Town and sightseeing spots!

Iwanai, Hokkaido, is located in the western part of Hokkaido and is also famous as the birthplace of asparagus.
The name of Iwanai Town is said to be derived from the Ainu word "Iwau = sulfur, Nai = river".

The population is 11,173 as of the end of August 2023 Reiwa 5, and the climate and weather are harsh in winter because it faces the Sea of Japan, but it is a relatively warm area in Hokkaido.
In addition, the average temperature in summer is about 25 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature is about 32 degrees Celsius.
In winter, the snowy scenery is attractive, and you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

Iwanai Town pumps "deep sea water" from the Sea of Japan and is used for local industry!
At the Iwanai Deep Sea Water Facility Local Industry Support Center in the town, it is possible to purchase Iwanai deep sea water for general use.
The mineral-rich deep sea water is perfect for cooking!

In Iwanai Town, you can spend a wonderful time in a beautiful natural environment and historical sights.
Introducing such attractive sightseeing spots in Iwanai Town!

The "Roadside Station Iwanai" and the product information center "Taramarukan" along the Iwanai Port Line provide tourist information about Iwanai Town.
Please use it as a reference for sightseeing! They also sell processed marine products such as the specialty products "tarako" and "Masuko" and "Taramaru goods".

Kikoin, where Kikoin Temple you can experience Japanese culture, is the oldest temple in Iwanai Town.
Designated as the first Tangible Cultural Property of Iwanai Town, the 6.8-meter-high wooden gold-leaf-painted Great Buddha is a masterpiece!
It is about a 10-minute walk from Roadside Station Iwanai.

Maruyama Observatory, located at the foot of Mt. Iwanai, is a tourist attraction that has been certified as a Japan Night View Heritage.
Not only during the day, but also the sunset scenery and night view are recommended!
The panoramic view overlooking Iwanai Town and the Shakotan Peninsula is a must-see.

Iwanai Town is also home to the "Kida Kinjiro Museum of Art" of the Japanese painter Kida Kinjiro, who spent his life in Iwanai.
Please enjoy the works of Kinjiro Kida exhibited by age.
In addition to Kida Kinjiro, events such as exhibitions and concerts of various painters are also held.

There are also spots where you can enjoy nature, such as mountain climbing and camping, which are recommended for outdoor lovers!

■Camp / auto camp place "Marine View"
The vast lawn is an attractive auto camp place.
There are areas of cottages, camper sites, car sites, and free tent sites, which can be used for different purposes.
The center house has showers, shops, laundry, library, and training rooms.

■Mountaineering: Mt. Iwanai, Mt. Raiden
Mt. Iwanai, which continues from the auto camp, is the most 1,086-meter-high mountain in the Niseko Mountains on the Sea of Japan side.
It is also recommended for rest and leisure activities such as hot springs and ski resorts.
There is also a 1,211-meter-high Mt. Raiden next door.
In both cases, alpine plants brightly dye the slopes in spring, and you can enjoy mountain trails while feeling nature.

■Bicycle rental/Kikoin Temple
It is also recommended to tour the beautiful scenery of Iwanai Town by bicycle.
Kikoin Temple offers free rental bicycles!
The reception is at the temple office in Kikoin Temple, so please visit if you wish.

Iwanai Town has plenty of comfortable accommodation facilities to meet the various needs of travelers.
When sightseeing in Iwanai, please choose from accommodations that suit your trip, such as minshuku from hotels and campsites.

Various events and festival are held in Iwanai Town.
At the "Iwanai Dotou Fireworks Festival" held in summer, 5,000 fireworks are launched on the surface of Iwanai Port, and it is impressive!
There are stage events and kitchen car stalls, and gourmet food is also substantial. As of August 2023

Finally, we will introduce "Furusato Nozei" information full of Iwanai Town's specialties!
We offer a variety of specialty products as thank-you gift.
Popular thank-you gift are "salted herring roe", "Special Roast Chicken", and "Kurashima Milk Cheese Butter Set"!
"tarako" and "Shinmeshi" are also recommended gems.

This time, we delivered some of the charms of Iwanai Town, Hokkaido!
Please visit Iwanai Town and enjoy a special time.
Thank you for your continued support!

【Hakoneen】

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the opening!
Hakone Komagatake Ropeway resumes operation on Wednesday, September 20
A superb view from the sky connecting the shores of Lake Ashi and the highest observation deck in Hakone

The "Hakone Komagatake Ropeway" located in Pleasure Land Hakoneen on the shore of Lake Ashi in Hakone had been suspended since June 19 for annual inspection and repair work, but resumed operation on Wednesday, September 20.

The Hakone Komagatake Ropeway is a ropeway that connects Hakoneen Garden located on the shores of Lake Ashi with the summit of Mt. Komagatake with a total length of 1,783 meters in 7 minutes one way. At the top of Mt. Komagatake is the highest observatory in Hakone, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Hakone like a miniature garden centered on Lake Ashi below, the majestic Mt. Fuji and the Southern Alps to the northwest, Suruga Bay, the Izu Peninsula, and the Shonan coast to the Miura Peninsula and the Boso Peninsula.

It opened on April 27, 1963 and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023. We have prepared various events to express our gratitude.

【Date】Sunday, October 1, 2023 ~ Monday, January 8, 2024
　　　　　Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays of the above schedule
【Time】Up 4:30P.M. 4:50P.M. 5:00P.M.
　　　　　DOWN 6:00P.M. 6:10P.M. 6:20P.M.
　　　　　Starry Sky Commentary 5:20P. M.～6:00P.M.
【Fee】Adult¥2,200, Child¥1,100
　　　　　The above price includes a round-trip ticket and planisphere.
　　　　　* It will be canceled when the service is suspended due to bad weather.
　　　　　*Excludes December 31, 2023 Sun and January 1, 2024 Mon/National Holiday
　　　　　　Sunset service is scheduled for December 31, and the first sunrise service is scheduled for January 1.
【Inquiry】Hakoneen
　　　　　TEL.046083-1151Reception hours: 9:00A.M.~6:00P.M.

Tickets with 60th anniversary pin badges are also available!

Nice to meet you, Omu Town Tourism Association!
Hokkaido Omu Town faces the Sea of Okhotsk.
The sunrise from the horizon is also a symbol of the town.

In COOL JAPAN VIDEOS's first post, we will introduce you to Omu Town and the highlights of Hokkaido Omu Town where you can enjoy delicious food.

There are no trains Omu Town, so you can get there by car, rental car, or bus.
It takes about 4 hours 30 minutes ~ 5 hours 30 minutes by expressway from Sapporo.
If you are traveling by air, please use Asahikawa Airport or Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport.
It takes about 3 hours by car from Asahikawa Airport Omu Town and about 1 hour Omu Town from Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport.

The climate weather in Omu Town is cool throughout the year, especially from January to March, when drift ice docks in the Sea of Okhotsk, so the temperature is low.
In winter, the temperature may drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius on some days, so be careful about the cold when visiting.

Next, we will introduce the representative sightseeing spots of Omu Town.
The recommended base for sightseeing in Omu Town is "Roadside Station Oumu" in the center of Omu Town city.
You can also sell Omu Town specialties, look for souvenirs, and enjoy local gourmet foods such as "Dattan Soba".
Dattan soba Dattan Soba is also called "bitter soba noodles" and contains about 100 times more "rutin", which is a type of polyphenol and the source of bitterness, about 100 times more than normal soba noodles, but now it is easy to eat because we have planted a variety called "Manten Kirari" that softens the bitterness and retains the nutrients.
Rutin has a powerful antioxidant effect, so it can be expected to prevent weekly illness and improve blood sugar and blood pressure, making it a soba noodle that has been attracting attention due to the health boom in recent years.

There is also an observation deck modeled after an airship 24 meters above the ground, and it is also a spot where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Obu.

Located about 12 minutes by car from downtown Omu Town, Cape Hinode is a superb view point of sunrise.
On the small hill of the cape, there is also the all-glass "Cape Hinode Observatory La Luna", and there are binoculars that can be used free of charge at the observatory. "La Luna" means "moon" in Italian.
It is said that it was named "It seems that the moon floats above the cape."
You can enjoy the scenery of the Sea of Okhotsk in summer and the panoramic view of over 180 degrees in front of you during the drift ice season in winter.

There is "Omu Town Cape Hinode Campsite" about 7 minutes on foot from Cape Hinode.
It consists of a free site and bungalows, and is bustling during the summer camp every year.
You can spend a comfortable time surrounded by nature.

There is also Hotel Cape Hinode around this campsite where you can take a day trip, so please use it when sightseeing Omu Town.

Here, we will deliver information on Omu Town's specialties and recommended gourmet food!
The specialty of Hokkaido Omu Town is delicious seafood nurtured by rich nature.
Among seafood, fresh scallops, hairy crabs, and salmon are gaining popularity.
Since you can fully enjoy the bounty of the sea, processed products are also recommended as souvenirs!

Hokkaido Omu Town's hometown tax payment offers thank-you goods that take advantage of these rich nature and local specialties such as delicious marine products.
The popular "saltwater sea urchin Ezobahun sea urchin" 2023 has already ended is grown by eating the nutrient-rich Rishiri kelp that grows in Obu, and is characterized by its rich taste.
In addition, the mineral-rich scallops caught in Omu Town, where scallop fishing is popular, can be grilled, fried, and of course sashimi.

Omu Town, the breeding and production of "Angus beef" is also thriving.
In general cattle barn, they are raised on high-calorie food, but Angus cows are raised on large pastures and are characterized by relatively low fat and a lot of redness.
As a gift in return for hometown tax payment, "Angus beef set frozen" is also available, so please enjoy it.

Please experience the charm of Omu Town in your own way, such as superb scenery rich in nature, gourmet food, and outdoor activities.
In the future, COOL JAPAN VIDEOS will continue to deliver fascinating Omu Town information.
Thank you very much!

Nice to meet you all! Kumejima Visitor's Bureau.
Kumejima, Kume Island a remote island in Okinawa with a population of about 7,300, is home to beautiful nature and rich culture.

The Kume Island is located 100 km west of the main island of Okinawa, and access to the Kumejima is about 30 minutes by plane from Naha Airport on the main island of Okinawa to Kumejima Airport 7 flights a day.
Kumejima Airport from Haneda Airport takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes.

In addition, the ferry can be taken from the main island of Okinawa "Naha Tomari Port",
Via Tonaki Island, it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to Kume Island Kanegusuku Port or about 3 hours by direct Kume Island flight.
There are 1~2 ferries per day, so please be careful when using them.

There are four ways to get around the island: town buses, rental cars, taxis, and bicycle rentals.
You can rent a car from the airport if you make a reservation, and please check the reception desk of each company in the airport arrival lobby.
There are town buses that go around the island clockwise and counter-clockwise, the Airport Line, the Shimajiri Line, and the Kagiyama Line, and the Airport Line mainly operates according to the flight time, so you can easily use it.
The Kume Island is about 23km and can be circled in about 3~4 hours by bicycle.

The Kumejima has a number of fascinating sights.
In this post, we will introduce some of them.

The ruins of the Gusuku period scattered throughout Okinawa are called "Gusuku castle".
Chinese ceramics are sometimes unearthed from Gusuku, and it is a spot where you can feel the remnants of the era when trade with overseas was thriving.
Located at the top of Mt. Uejodake, "Uegusuku Castle Ruins" is the ruins of a castle built at the highest point in Gusuku. From the summit, you can see the entire Kume Island and it is also a superb viewing spot.
"Gushikawa Castle Ruins" is a gusuku located on a limestone hill along the coast. It is also a nationally designated historic site, and Gusuku is characterized by a castle wall that mixes limestone and andesite.

Next, we will introduce the beaches where you can enjoy the beautiful sea of Okinawa.
"Ara Beach" is a hidden gem spot like a private beach surrounded by mountains.
There is no doubt that you will be impressed by the beauty of the mysterious sunset as well as in the daytime!
Shinri Beach, a beach with gentle waves, has an atoll right off the coast, and you can see the atoll up close at low tide.
Since it is close to the airport, it is possible to watch airplanes take off and land.
In addition, if you apply to the town environmental conservation division, you can use it as a campsite for free.

"Mifuga Rock" on the shore of Yamatodomari is a tourist destination that means "female rock" in dialect.
There are strangely shaped rocks created by the wind and tide, and it is a popular spot that is said to be a blessing for children.

At Kumejima Tsumugi no Sato Yuimaru-kan, you can observe the dyeing techniques and works of traditional Kume Island pongee, and you can also enjoy weaving and dyeing Kume Island pongee.
The Kume Island Museum is a museum where you can experience the history and culture of Kume Island, and holds permanent exhibitions of "Kume Island Nature and Culture" as well as special exhibitions.

Next, we will introduce information on activities that you can enjoy in the Kume Island full of nature.
The "Maine Beach", "Nakano Beach", and "Hatinu Beach" floating in the northeast of the Kume Island are collectively called "Hatenohama", and you can enjoy various marine activities!

There are plenty of diving spots in the Kume Island for beginners to intermediate divers and above.
Recommended for beginners, "Manta Station" is a popular manta ray encounter spot. You can enjoy Black Manta watching up close.
In addition, the diving spot "Tombara", which is representative of the Kume Island with a huge rock height of about 50 m, has a maximum depth of 30 m, which is suitable for intermediate skiers and above, and the tide is strong, but it is also an attractive spot because there is a possibility of encountering schools of migratory fish, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, etc.

You can also explore the beautiful ocean world on a snorkeling tour.
You can also enjoy the charm of Kumejima by strolling along the coastline in a "sea kayak" where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery while paddling on the sea.
There is also a two-seater kayak, so you can enjoy it even with children.

At the "Kume Island Horse Farm" where you can enjoy interacting with the horses, you can enjoy horse play that can only be experienced here!
You can also use the "Umi Uma Asobi" to enter the sea while riding a horse, as well as your favorite horse play and a back menu on request.

Yajiyagama Cave, the longest limestone cave in the Kume Island, which is about 800 meters long, offers year-round exploration programs.
Depending on the program, you can explore the mysterious limestone cave in about 1 and a half ~ 2 hours.

Don't miss the gourmet food of Kumejima!
Kumejima is also famous as a shrimp farming pond.
The quality is highly evaluated by the industry, and it is also certified as a "base production area" by Okinawa Prefecture. The season is December ~ May.
In addition, sea grapes and awamori are also delicious specialties. It is also a perfect souvenir for Kume Island.

Kumejima is a place where you can spend a rich time through contact with nature and cultural experiences.
We will give you the best information to make your trip to Kumejima enjoyable.
Thank you for your continued support!

Nice to meet you! This is the Ginoza Village Tourism Association.
Ginoza Village is located in the center of Okinawa and is an attractive city with abundant water sources, beautiful nature, and historical traditions.
From Naha Airport, it takes about 1 hour by car and access is convenient!
You can take a bus to Ginoza Village along the beautiful coastline.

In order to let you know Ginoza Village, which is full of charm, in this post, we will introduce sightseeing spots and local gourmet foods of Ginoza Village!

The highly transparent sea of Ginoza Village is one of the attractions not to be missed!
Kanna Beach, which is characterized by an arch-shaped beach with a sand of about 500 meters, has gentle waves and is perfect for swimming.
You can also experience marine activities such as jet skis, banana boats and sea kayaking.

Kanna Dam, which was completed in 1993 Heisei 5, is a spot that has been certified as one of the "100 best dam lakes".
Kanna Dam is designed to preserve the ecosystem, and is home to gobies, black crabs, dragonflies, killifish, horsetails, and kingfishers.
In addition, in the downstream area, the leech forest mangrove that was lost due to seawall construction has been restored.

"Roadside station "Ginoza" is a spot that you should definitely stop by when sightseeing in Ginoza Village!
In addition to local specialties and souvenirs, it is a full range of facilities such as coin showers, free space, tourist information center, observation terrace, and barbecue on the seawall terrace.

In 2000, Ginoza Village began training agricultural workers at the Agricultural Successor Training Center.
As a result, "strawberry farms" in Ginoza Village have flourished, and "strawberry picking" where you can pick fresh strawberries is gaining popularity.

The local gourmet in Ginoza Village is popular for "jagamen" that can only be eaten at the roadside station "Ginoza"! The potatoes are kneaded and the chewy texture is addictive. Please enjoy it at "Cafeteria Manjiro" in the roadside station "Ginoza".

You can also buy raw noodles at Mirai Ginoza.

In Ginoza Village, traditional culture and events are cherished.
Traditional knife making, called "island knife," is a fusion of craftsmanship and beauty.
Located in Ginoza Village, Kaniman Blacksmith Studio is the only blacksmith shop on the main island of Okinawa that manufactures island knives.
It is also possible to make a custom-made blade that can be decided by consultation on the shape and material of the blade.
When sightseeing in Ginoza Village, please feel the craftsmanship of the historic traditional craftsmanship.

In Ginoza Village, there are hotels, pensions, and ryokans surrounded by a beautiful natural environment.
Please relax in the location overlooking the sea and hot springs to heal the fatigue of sightseeing and spend a luxurious time.

Ginoza Village is a place where various attractions such as natural beauty, warm people, and delicious food culture spread.
Please experience the charm of Ginoza Village and enjoy a wonderful trip!

We will continue to disseminate information about Ginoza Village, so we look forward to your continued support.