Here’s tourist information for Nagiso town!

📍 Kakizore Valley (Kakizore Keikoku)

Among the many gorges along the Kiso Road, this one is said to be especially beautiful. Massive granite boulders that fill the deep valley create stunning waterfalls, rapids, and pools.
The water’s beautiful emerald green never becomes muddy, even after rain.
In spring you can enjoy azaleas and rhododendrons, and in autumn the leaves turn brilliant colors.✨

Generally, visitors start from JR Junikane Station and follow a nature trail for 4.5 km to Ushigataki Falls, then continue farther along a forest road. For a short walk, the roughly 300 m promenade from Koiji Suspension Bridge to Ushigataki is recommended. The view of Ushigataki, where the main flow of the Kakizore River plunges through carved granite, is spectacular.
A 40-minute walk along the forest road brings you to viewpoints with refreshing views of Kirigataki, and you can also see Nijiga Falls and Kaminari Falls.

We ask for your cooperation with a maintenance contribution.
Please deposit it in the brown post box located at the entrance to Kakizore Valley.

Access
- By car: about 10 minutes from National Route 19 at the "Kakizore Valley Entrance" signal. Two free parking lots available.
- By JR: Get off at JR Nagiso Station and take a taxi for about 25 minutes.
Get off at JR Junikane Station and walk about 1 hour (taxis are not regularly available).

Other information
- Flush toilets are available at each parking area.
- Vending machines are located near the parking areas.
- You can download a brochure (map) from the Nagiso Town Tourism Association official website "Burari Nagiso."

Requests
- Camping, barbecues, and similar activities are prohibited within Kakizore Valley.
- Please take your trash home with you.
- Do not approach the river during rain or when water levels are high.
- If you play in the river, please take every safety precaution and enjoy responsibly.

The 3rd Hosono Highlands Yamayaki Experience

🏔 What Hosono Highlands Is Like 🏔
Hosono Highlands spreads across the slopes of Mt. Amagi, which erupted between 800,000 and 200,000 years ago. The plateau covers about 125 hectares—roughly the size of 26 Tokyo Domes—and offers a majestic expanse of grassland. It is said to be a treasure trove of flora and fauna nurtured by volcanic terrain.
In spring, you can forage for mountain vegetables such as bracken amid fresh greenery. In autumn, vast stands of golden susuki (silver grass) create a spectacular display. From the summit you can see Sagami Bay and the Izu Islands, where meadow and seascape combine into a unique panorama.

Inatori Hosono Highlands has been recognized among the 100 Grassland Villages We Want to Preserve for the Future for the value of local knowledge, awareness, and skills accumulated through long interaction between people and nature.
Hosono Highlands conducts an annual yamayaki (controlled burn) to maintain the grassland. During walks you can observe grass-cutting work performed in preparation for the burn.
⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰
🔥⛰ What “Yamayaki” Means ⛰🔥

Yamayaki is an essential annual practice to keep Hosono Highlands as open grassland.
By burning overgrown grasses and shrubs, the area is prevented from turning into forest, and the burned vegetation returns nutrients to the soil to sustain a rich grassland.

This yamayaki has continued every year at Hosono Highlands since the Edo period.

Because the plateau borders neighboring Kawazu Town, preventing fire from spreading across boundaries is critical, and the work must address elevation changes and steep slopes, so seasoned experience and

advanced fire-management know-how are required.
⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰ ⋱⋰

● Event Overview

Yamayaki is an activity necessary to keep Hosono Highlands as grassland and has continued annually since the Edo period.
As a first trial in February 2023, we opened the yamayaki on a very limited basis and offered it as a guided tour for observation.
To help more people learn about this tradition in greater depth, we will hold the Yamayaki Experience again in 2025.
Please come and witness the overwhelming sight of the landscape ablaze.

● Event Schedule — Saturday, February 8, 2025
Date and time: Saturday, 2/8, 10:30–15:30 (scheduled)
10:30: Assemble and register at Inatori Hosono Highlands Parking Lot No. 2
11:00: Yamayaki viewing (guided yamayaki explanation, lunch provided)
14:00: Post-yamayaki walk (guided)
15:30: End of program and dismissal (Program order may change depending on yamayaki progress; please understand in advance.)
Meeting/registration location: Inatori Hosono Highlands Parking Lot No. 2 (parking spaces available)
➡ On the day of the yamayaki, general vehicles are not allowed into Parking Lot No. 1. Please park at the foothill Parking Lot No. 2.
There is no public transportation to the venue. Please use your own means of transport to access the site.

Participation Conditions
・Capacity is limited to 30 participants.
・Participants who are junior high school age or younger must be accompanied by a guardian.
・Please apply only if you fully understand the safety notes and on-site hazards.

Participation Fee
3,500 yen per person. Includes admission, consumption tax, local guide, lunch, insurance, and grassland management fee (1,000 yen).
※The participation fee is payable on site on the day of the event.
※We will contact you by email in advance and on the day about the event. Please note you cannot apply without an email address.

How to Apply
Please apply by entering the required information on the Higashiizu Town Tourist Association event page.
https://www.e-izu.org/?p=we-page-entry&spot=568220&cat=23649&pageno=3&type=spot
Or call the Higashiizu Tourist Association (TEL: 0557-95-0700) to register by phone.

● Notes and Precautions
About Participation in Work
This event is for observing the yamayaki. You may not take part in fire-starting or other operational tasks.
Cancellation Decisions
Yamayaki may be canceled on the morning of the event due to weather conditions (wind, humidity, rain, etc.). If yamayaki is canceled, this event will also be canceled. There are no substitute events. Please register only if you accept these cancellation conditions.
What to Wear on the Day
Yamayaki is a very dangerous operation, and flying embers or smoldering debris may be present.
Please wear flame-resistant clothing with minimal exposed skin.
All activities at the site are outdoors, so please prepare for cold weather.
Guide Language
Guidance is provided in Japanese only. Thank you for your understanding.

Cancellation Policy
If the event is canceled or you cancel, we will charge cancellation fees as follows.

If yamayaki itself is canceled due to severe weather (strong wind, dry conditions, rain, etc.), no payment will be charged.
If you cancel for personal reasons:
・Cancellation on the day or the day before → 100% of the event fee will be charged.
・Cancellation two days or more before → 0% cancellation fee.
・No-show without notice → 100% of the event fee will be charged.
*We may also claim actual communication costs or other damages where applicable.
For cancellations due to unavoidable events such as disasters, please contact the organizer.

If the organizer cancels for reasons other than weather, we will consult with participants and refund an appropriate amount.


Items to Bring
・Flame-resistant (fire-retardant) and warm clothing
・Clothes you don’t mind getting stained by sparks or soot
・Well-broken-in shoes
https://www.e-izu.org/?p=we-page-entry&spot=568220&cat=23649&pageno=3&type=spot

Photographed 10/20/24.
It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival.
In front of Kawagoe City Hall, it is a festival float of Nasori in Nandori Towns.

Photographed 10/20/24.
It is the second day of the Kawagoe Festival.
In front of Kawagoe City Hall, it is a festival float of Yorimitsu in Mikubo Town.
Actually, there are still many photos of the Kawagoe Festival.

We sincerely apologize for previously providing the wrong TV broadcast date. The relevant article has been removed.
Please check the broadcast schedule for Hokkaido Television Broadcasting (HTB) program “Machin no on-chan” in the image for confirmation.

The second broadcast is now scheduled for Thursday, January 9 of the new year.
What was originally planned as a five-week run has been extended to seven weeks!
From the start of the new year through mid-February, on-chan will be walking all around Tsubetsu Town!
Please be sure to watch! (o▽n)

By the way, the first episode is available on YouTube. Please search for “Machin no on-chan.”

[Notice]
Year-end and New Year business hours for Roadside Station Iwanai

Dec 28 (Sat) 9:00–17:00
Dec 29 (Sun) 9:00–17:00
Dec 30 (Mon) Closed
Dec 31 (Tue)–Jan 3 (Fri) Closed for the Year-end and New Year holidays
Jan 4 (Sat) 9:00–17:00

That is the schedule 😊
Thank you.

Also, Jan 6 (Mon) will be a closed day.
Please be careful not to mistake the dates.

Photographed 12/23/24.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

【2025 Kisoji Ice and Snow Light Festival】
This year Kisoji ice and snow lights will be Held in again Festival.
From January 25th ~ February 15th, ice candles and bamboo lanterns will be lit at Shukuba in Kisoji. Events of several hours once a year. Fun a fantastic world that is different from usual.

♦1/25 (Sat) Kiso Town Miyanokoshi
♦2/2 (Sun) Shiojiri City Niekawa Juku
♦2/3 (Mon) Shiojiri City Narai juku
♦2/7 (Fri)-8 (Sat) Kiso Town Fukushima juku
♦2/8 (Sat) Nakatsugawa City Magome juku
♦2/9 (Sun) Agematsu Town Nezame-no-Toko, Okuwa Village Sports Park
♦2/18 (Sat) Nagiso Town Tsumago juku

And Held in a photo contest again this year! The winning works will be used for posters, flyers, web advertisements, etc. for the next year.
【For those who apply on Instagram】Account of the Kiso Tourism Federation (@kiso_japan_official
) > #kisoji_hyosetsu_2025 Don't forget to tag them!
【Apply by sending photos】Please send 4 color prints or A4 size (4 slices wide are also acceptable) to the Kiso Tourism Federation.
Period: 2025/2/1~2/28 (must arrive by this date)

For details, please check the Home page "Kiso Valley Rippu".

We have 😊 received many applications

Photographed 12/23/24.
It is Hanachozu of Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine.

Photographed 12/21/24.
It is Hanachozu of Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.
It is a Christmas specification. 🎄

On Friday, October 18, 2024, the first batch of cranes, a winter tradition in Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture, arrived!
At 3:45 p.m. on Friday, October 18, the Kagoshima Prefecture Crane Conservation Association confirmed that nine cranes landed on the East Reclamation.
The breakdown was 7 Crowned Cranes, 1 Black-crowned Crane, and 1 Canadian Crane.

The first crane feather count survey was canceled due to bad weather, but after that, the second crane feather count survey of the season was implementation in the early morning of Saturday, November 30, 2024, and as a result of the survey, a total of 12,992 cranes were confirmed: 12,036 cranes, 948 cranes, 4 black-crowned cranes, 3 Canadian cranes, and 1 black-crowned crane.
As a result, for 28 consecutive seasons since 1997, we have achieved the arrival of more than 10,000 cranes!

In the latest bird count survey on Saturday, December 21, 2024, the number of cranes decreased from the second survey, but a total of 10,928 cranes were confirmed: 8,998 cranes, 1,917 cranes, 8 black-crowned cranes, 3 Canadian cranes, and 2 black-crowned cranes.

The next bird count survey of the season will be on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
We are looking forward to seeing more cranes coming to the country and seeing rare cranes that have not yet been confirmed this season.

There are two Gun Dam Manholes in Izumi City that were donated by the Gun Dam Manhole Project planned by the Bandai Namco groups' Gun Dam Project.
Izumi City is the first municipality in Kagoshima Prefecture to donate this "Gun Dam Manhole".

The first is the RX-78-2 Gun Dam manhole.
This is installed in "Izumi City Tsuru Museum Crane Park Izumi".
"Izumi City Crane Museum Crane Park Izumi" is a Museum about "cranes" that come to Izumi City every year for wintering.
Throughout the year, it is a "multifunctional facilities" that provides a place for citizens and Izumi, from children to Adult, to learn about and become familiar with the rich Nature of the plains, including cranes Izumi which migrate to the Izumi region Subject Visitors, as well as lifelong learning and research.

In addition, at this facilities, one "manhole card" of "RX-78-2 Gun Dam" is distributed to each person who visits the museum directly and answers the questionnaire.
(* We do not distribute by phone or mail, make reservations, set aside, or distribute after hours.) ）

Next is the manhole of "MSM-04 Aggai".
This is located in the "Izumi Foothills History Museum" in the "Samurai residences at the foot of Izumi", which is one of the largest samurai residences in Japan.
This facility opened in May of the first year of Reiwa, and exhibits on the history of the foothills of Izumi.
At the entrance, a diorama of the foothills of Izumi is on display, and the Reproduction of the foothills of Izumi around the end of the Edo period is reproduced. In addition, there is a VR in the lobby where you can see the scenery of the Izumi foothills in the Edo period.

Gun Dam fans, manhole fans, and manhole card fans, please come to Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture for "Push Activity"!

About a 3-minute walk from JR Oito Line Hotaka Station

Snow has begun to fall at Hotaka Shrine, bringing a true winter feeling

Come visit for New Year’s Eve shrine visits or Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)

Visit Hotaka Shrine’s official website here
https://www.hotakajinja.com/

Visit Hotaka Shrine’s Instagram here
https://www.instagram.com/hotakajinja/

Photographed 12/16/24.
This is Hanachozu from Hara Flower Shop. 🎄

This is a Christmas exhibition at the Kawagoe Prince Hotel. 🎄

A piece of Spring in Ubuyama Village.
Ubuyama is in the middle of winter, and the cold winter is fun, but I can't Can't wait for the warm Spring.

Photographed 12/23/24.
LEC COFFEE's strawberry latte and kumquat Basque cheesecake.
The latte art is a Christmas tree, which is very nice. 🎄
Kumquat Basque cheesecake has kumquats inside and is delicious. 🍊

Today, we interviewed LEC COFFEE.
It's a gingerman cookie.
It's very, very pretty, isn't it? I also bought it, but it's a waste to eat it. ☺️

Kyoto Prefecture Miyama Karabuki no Sato Snow Festival
It was a pity that there was no snow, but I wanted to take a panoramic view of the village of Miyama, so I climbed the snowy mountain alone
Next time, I would like to see snow on the roof, but if that happens, there will be even more snow on the mountain side.
Is it dangerous to climb snow? 🤔

Miyama Karabuki no Sato Snow Festival
It was a pity that there was no snow, but I wanted to take a picture of the whole view of the village of Miyama, so I managed to climb the snowy mountain alone and took a hard picture.
Of course, since it was a snowy mountain, there was no road, and it was almost a cliff climb, but 😅 on the way back, it was pitch dark and I managed to descend the mountain while getting lost on the way. 😌

Japan Garden at Kinosaki Onsen Yutoya Ryokan A magnificent pine tree in the garden is covered with 😯 snow

Kinosaki Onsen, Hyogo
No matter how many times you come here, you will be healed 😌♨️

Japan Garden of Kinosaki Onsen Yutoya Ryokan
A magnificent pine tree in the garden is covered with 😯 snow

Here is tourist information for Nagiso town!

Momosuke Bridge [Important Cultural Property of Japan]

Momosuke Bridge (Momosukebashi) is one of Japan’s largest wooden suspension bridges spanning the Kiso River, with a total length of 247 meters and a width of 2.7 meters, and you can still walk across it.
In Taisho 11 (1922), Momosuke Fukuzawa (the son‑in‑law of Yukichi Fukuzawa), known as a power magnate, built the bridge as a transport route for materials during the Kiso River hydroelectric development 🌲🚃
From Showa 25 (1950) the bridge served as a village road, greatly helping local transportation between the communities on both banks and the commuting of high school and middle school students. However, by around Showa 53 (1978) deterioration advanced and full repairs were not possible, leaving the bridge close to being lost. Because many people advocated for its preservation and use, it was restored as a modern heritage asset (a tangible cultural property of Nagiso town) together with the development of the surrounding Tenpaku Park.
In Heisei 6 (1994) it was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Highlights✅
- A thrilling suspension bridge built at the widest part of the Kiso River!
- At the time, rails for a trolley used to transport materials ran along the center of the bridge; the restoration preserves traces of those rails so you can see them. Be sure to take a look ✨
- In spring you can also enjoy the cherry trees (Somei Yoshino) that bloom on the Nagiso Station side. On the hill of Tenpaku Park, where Momosuke Bridge stands, there is a azalea garden. Around early April about 400 azalea shrubs of six varieties, including the town flower mitsuba azalea, burst into bloom!
- From the observation deck opposite the azalea garden you can view Momosuke Bridge from above.
- You can go down from around the middle of Momosuke Bridge to the riverside park.
- The bridge is recommended in every season. Especially in spring, cherry blossoms, mitsuba azalea, and flowering peach trees bloom together 🌸
- The bridge is lit up, so you can walk it at night. It’s also a good spot for photographing with the stars. Please take care around your feet.

Access
- By car: Just off Route 19, free parking in Tenpaku Park (30 spaces); 3‑minute walk from the parking lot
- By JR: About a 5‑minute walk from JR Nagiso Station

Note: The carp streamer (koinobori) display shown in spring photos is not currently being held.

Photographed 12/21/24.
This is Udon noodles Tatsumi's COEDO bukkake.
It is a soy sauce broth with pork and potato heaven.
The kake Udon noodles were also delicious, but the bukkake Udon noodles were not too thick and tasted just right. Imo Heaven is also delicious. 😊🍠

Come to 🎄 Cocoon for Christmas the day after tomorrow

This is Saitama New Central Tokyo in Saitama City, Saitama prefecture.
Held in Christmas market until December 25th, the day after tomorrow.

Be sure to 🥹 visit

Photographed on December 15, 24.
It is a one-year cheap sea bream lottery of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
Orange is my favorite color, so I'm happy.

[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

Takaibashi (タカイバシ takaibashi)

Entrance to Yamada Hot Spring in Takayama Village Takai Bridge is located at the gateway to the Matsukawa Valleys.
In the colors of the Valleys that change in the four seasons, it is always dignified with its unchanging appearance.

Nagano Prefecture is said to have a clear color of the four seasons. Takaibashi is a place where you can feel the four seasons at a fixed point.
Valleys, budding in Spring, deep green in summer, Autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter.
A red bridge that snuggles up to the four seasons of the Valleys.

The scenery of Takai Bridge in winter is just cool!　It is the world view of ink painting.

Powder snow in the middle of winter does not stick to the branches, and it is a view that can be seen during this Period when there is a lot of wet snow, such as snow from rain.
Also, the day when the sun shines on the pure white Valleys, the snow sparkles, and the sky turns bright blue is also "beautiful". This is also one of the scenes of Takaibashi that I want to show.
The scenery that can be seen when the conditions are right is also the charm of Nature.

Cool scenery in a cool season I would love to see it.

Photographed 12/21/24.
This is GLIN COFFEE Honkawagoe Pepe store.
Ono Buncha × GLINCOFFEE This is a premium hojicha latte with a sansho scent from the Kawagoe tea series. Aroma of sansho is very nice. It also contains white chocolate and honey, which is indulgent.
The Honkawagoe Pepe store will close on December 28th. I'm sad because I was often taken care of when I walked around Kawagoe. 😭