Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture's "Nishiba Onnai Bon Odori" Part 3

Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture's "Nishimaonnai Bon Odori" Part 2 This is a continuation of the previous post.

Located in Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture, Nishi Baonnai Bon Odori is a summer festival with a history and tradition of more than 700 years, which is counted as one of the three major Bon Odori dances in Japan along with the Gujo Odori of Gifu Prefecture and the Awa Odori of Tokushima Prefecture. The venue is Nishimaonnai Honmachi Street, which is the central village of Ugo Town, and it is a bon event held for 3 days from August 16th ~ 18th every year. It was mysterious and gorgeous to see dancers dressed in distinctive torioi hats (knitted hats), colorful and beautifully stitched kimonos and yukatas, dancing gracefully to the beating of taiko drums and songs. Especially this year, as it was the first regular event in four years, people from outside the town were able to participate in the dance, and many people from inside and outside the prefecture came to see it. Photos of the festival will continue after this, but I hope you can see it.

On the south side of the Zao mountain range, on the way from Togatta Onsen to Shichigajuku It is the elder lake where we stopped. I didn't know, but it seems to be the name of ? autumn leaves. However, in summer, Lake Elder was quiet and covered with the dark green of the trees, and I fell in love with the scenery reflected on the surface of the lake. I would like to visit next time during the autumn foliage ? season.

The Sendai Tanabata Festival concludes the three major festivals in the Tohoku region. Colorful streamers can be seen in the arcades in the center of Sendai City and throughout the city, giving you a cool summer feeling. This year, which was held normally for the first time since 2019, infection control measures have been greatly relaxed, The scenery of many tourists wading through the streamers has returned to the central shopping street.

I went from Miyagi Zao Togatta Onsen to Okama to see the sunrise. The sunrise at the top of the mountain is good, but from a gentleman who likes to travel from Sendai I was guided to a superb view point and was able to take a picture of the splendid morning sun. Echo Line Komakusadaira highly recommended!

In Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture, the February fire-swinging kamakura is held, and it is a powerful "fire swing".

★ The 18th COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest is currently being ★ held with the theme of "Japanese festival" We're looking forward to seeing everyone's wonderful submissions! This time, we will introduce the post of "Kazmisa KazMisa"! One of the three Inari shrines in Japan, Takekoma Shrine, is a historic shrine built in 842. During the summer festival, many "wind chime" and "windmills" are installed in the precincts, and they are lit up at night. ◆Takekoma Shrine◆ 【Hokkaido Jingu】〒989-2443 Miyagi Prefecture, Iwanuma City Inaricho 1-1 【Access】 About 20 minutes from Sendai Station to Iwanuma Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line, about 15 minutes on foot from Iwanuma Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line and Joban Line 【Summer Visitation Period】July 1, 2023 ~ August 31, 2023

Takekoma Shrine, located in the center of Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, is a venerable Inari shrine that is counted as one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan. Every year from July ~ the end of August, "Summer Visits" are held here, and during the period, glass wind chimes and original wind chimes of white foxes are displayed on the approach to the shrine grounds, and summer attire that feels cool is applied. The wind chimes swaying in the wind play a summery tone, so you will feel cool.

It is Lake Shirakawa in Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture. Since this is the edge of the lake and is not affected by the wind, the reflection of the submerged forest on the marine blue surface of the lake came out very beautifully.

It is Lake Shirakawa in Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture. The early morning submerged forest, canoeing, and morning haze were very refreshing. I aimed for reflection, but it didn't work because of the wind. I'm looking forward to next year!!

It is a "Shorakuji Temple" located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. The temple is not very conspicuous, but in early summer, thanks to the beautiful blue autumn leaves that cover the mountain gate, it is a pleasant place to see the sun shining through the trees.

A phantom hot spring village Yamagata Ginzan Onsen If you are a hot spring lover or photographer, you should visit Japan's scenic hot spring village at least once! The scenery that appears deep in the mountains makes you forget the cold. It was (^^) a breathtakingly beautiful view

From Inaniwa, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, I got lost on the chot road on the way to Nikaho City and happened to meet along Route 312. (Near Yachisawa Pasture) The road here is narrow and runs on gravel roads. Suddenly, a "swamp" appears, and beyond that, "Mt. Chokai" can be seen, and I was surprised at the wonderful location. Of course, this is my first time here. I immediately set the camera on a tripod and started shooting. It is good for shooting Mt. Chokai and reflections, but be careful because there is a power line at the top and it goes into the viewfinder. Is it this year's theme "hidden gem sightseeing spots in Japan"? There was no one.

It is a Kamafusa dam (Lake Kamafusa) built in Kawasaki Town, Shibata-gun, Miyagi Prefecture. The photo is a sunset view taken from the side of the Kamafusa Bridge. On a sunny day, the sunset and sunset-colored surface of the water are very beautiful, making it a place that you will want to visit again and again.

It is a Tokei Inari Shrine located in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. In early summer, the contrast between the colorful fresh greenery and the torii gate is very beautiful.

The 17th COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest is now underway! The theme of this photo contest is "Hidden Gem Tourist Attractions in Japan" We're looking forward to seeing everyone's wonderful submissions! This time, we will introduce a post by "YUSKE.TK"! It captures the unique contrast between railways and nature. The JR Tadami Line runs along the Tadami River. Located in Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, the area around the "Daiichi Tsuruma River Bridge" is a secluded area where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. From the train window, you can enjoy the countryside and valleys. ◆Daiichi Tsuruma River Bridge◆ 【Address】Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

"Yogasaki Ohajiki Art" in Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Prefecture It is a seawall art located in the Shirogasakihama district square facing Matsushima Bay. A concrete breakwater was built along the coastline damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and with the cooperation of companies and creators active in the town, a 100-meter-long "Ohajiki Art" was created. The islands of Shiogama Bay and Matsushima Bay spread out here, and it is a very scenic place.

This is a view that can be seen from Wakakusa Inari Shrine in Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture. It's a nondescript rural landscape, but the blue sky, green countryside, and clean air make this my favorite place.

It is Goshoko Regional Park. You can experience boating and canoeing, and it is a place where many families can be seen on holidays. This place in particular is located at the edge of the lake, but if it is sunny, the surface of the water will turn golden in the evening, and it is a wonderful place where you can see a fantastic scene.

Introducing photos post "Everyone's post"! Inbound tourist information social media "COOL JAPAN VIDEOS" pickup post. Today, I would like to introduce the post of "riki oba". It is a piece that captures the harmony between clear water and greenery. Mt. Chokai is a famous peak that rises on the border of Yamagata and Akita prefectures and is one of the "100 Famous Mountains of Japan". It is a mountain facing the sea, which is rare in Japan. The altitude of the Mt. Chokai is 2,236m, and you can see the Sea of Japan from the observation deck at the 5th station. There are five climbing routes on the Mt. Chokai side on the Yamagata side and four on the Akita side, and you can climb them depending on the level of difficulty. The Hokodate Course, which has a well-maintained mountain road, is a recommended route for beginners. It has a good view and is popular with many climbers. In addition, the Ninotakiguchi, Mansukeguchi, and Nagasakaguchi routes are for advanced climbers, so it is recommended to go with experienced climbers. The Chokai Blue Line, a mountain road, is a driveway where you can comfortably climb from zero to 1,100 meters above sea level and enjoy views of nature and the ocean. The spectacular sunset view from the Blue Line is one of the highlights. (Please note that it is impassable in winter) The local sake "Mt. Chokai" of the long-established sake brewery "Tenju Shuzo" is a popular sake both in Japan and overseas. We are particular about Akita rice made under Mt. Chokai underground water and thorough quality control. It is a gem that has been highly regarded in global competitions. ◆Mt. Chokai◆ 【Address】Fukiura, Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture 【Access】By car: From Yuza Station to Fukiuraguchi (Ohira) about 40 minutes 【Parking】Available (300 spaces) (Please see the official website for details.) ）

Went to Fukushima over the Golden Week holiday. On our first day we took a bus to Ouchi-Juku and had a great time looking at all the buildings and different shops. The negi soba (soba with a large leek) is famous there so my girlfriend ended up ordering that. She said it was a bit difficult to eat, but fun and tasted great. We also ended up trying a variety of different snacks in the area. The Age-Manju (deep fried manju) was really tasty and we actually ended up getting again later. I was able to take a photo from the famous photo spot at Ouchi-Juku as well (photo #4). I only have an iPhone camera, so the quality isn't the best, but I'm happy with how it turned out. On the way back from Ouchi-Juku we returned via Yunokami Onsen Station and so we got to use the footbath that was attached to the station. It was a really great way to rest up after walking for so long. The station itself was also really photogenic, so I snapped a couple photos from the platform and between the railroad tracks. The hotel we were staying at for the night was in Aizu-Wakamatsu and on the way we found a nice little shop with a large akabeko cow outside and the staff was kind enough to take a photo of us with it. For dinner, we went to a place called Sassa (左雨) and had a really great time. We ended up talking to the owners for a bit and they were super nice. It was also the best tonkatsu I've eaten in my entire life. It was cooked tp perfection, and the dressing that came with the salad and cabbage matched perfectly with it. We probably ended up eating way too many fried foods but it was all really tasty. The next day we visited Tsuruga Castle. The castle was quite cool, but it was a bit more crowded than Ouchi-Juku. Considering it was Golden Week, it wasn't much of a surprise. Either way we had a great time. We started off going for a boat ride around the moat (I got my daily exercise in, as I was rowing the whole time lol). After that we went up into the castle and were able to see a view of the city from the top which was pretty cool. There were also live performances going on in the field in front of the castle which were fun to watch. At that point it was about lunch time so we went over to the row of food stalls (photo #16) and grabbed a bite to eat. There were shops selling all sorts of goods as well, so we spent some time window shopping. After Tsuruga Castle, we went to Oyakuen Garden (御薬園). We ended up sharing a green tea by the pond and relaxing for a bit which was nice. There were a lot of koi inside the pond and a variety of birds flying around as well, so the atmosphere was very relaxing. Photo #20 is supposedly the best view in the garden (it was written on a sign) so I snapped a photo of it. The photo doesn't do it justice, but it was a really incredible view. All in all, we had a really amazing time in Fukushima, but we definitely would like to visit again, as there's a lot we didn't get to do still. I really wanted to try an akabeko workshop but we didn't get the chance, which was a bit disappointing, but we still had a lot of fun, so I can't complain. I definitely recommend visiting Aizu-Wakamatsu if you have the chance!

It is Okenuma in Bandai Asahi National Park, Fukushima Prefecture. You can see it from the top of the Mt. Azuma-kofuji. It was a beautiful place with a dark blue water surface in the remaining snow. It was hard to go there to see it at this time. If you can see it up close, you will definitely be impressed.

Golden Week trip to the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. The resting places I happened to pass were Tagokura Dam and Lake Tagokura. The dam and lake spread, and the mountains mixed with the remaining snow reflected on the surface of the lake were very beautiful. It is a healing spot that can be said to be a secret place.

It is an old stratovolcano facing the Mt. Azuma-kofuji of Okenuma in Bandai Asahi National Park in Fukushima Prefecture and the southern part of Jododaira. At the end of April, when I went to see the fresh green and blue lake, there was still a lot of snow. It was difficult to get to the shooting location, but I was impressed by the natural beauty reflected in the dark blue surface of the dark blue lake with the remaining snow on the lakeside and the fresh greenery of the trees that have begun to sprout! It is a recommended hidden gem.

The only national park in the Tohoku region, "National Michinoku Mori Lakeside Park" In spring, colorful flowers such as rape blossoms and tulips are in full bloom, and you can also see historical kominka representing the six prefectures of Tohoku.

Sow cherry blossoms at the Umanohakanotane Makizakura in Aizumisato Town, Fukushima Prefecture A 300-year-old Benihiganzakura cherry tree. It is said that it is a cherry tree that tells the village when it is time to sow the seeds. A single cherry blossom was shining beautifully in the setting sun. The old car in the foreground is also an accent. Let's go see such cherry blossoms again next year.

With Mt. Iwate, known as "Nanbu Katafuji," in the background, Koiwai Farm's single cherry blossoms stand in a vast meadow. It is an imposing cherry tree with a height of about 20 meters and is said to be more than 100 years old. The sight of a single cherry blossom blooming dignified against the background of the majestic Mt. Iwate where snow remains is said to be a symbol of spring in Shizukuishi Town. The contrast between the colorful cherry blossoms and the lush meadows was enough to see the unique scenery of the farm.

In Fukushima. When I went on a trip, I happened to know Goshikinuma and walked for two hours. It was so beautiful that I forgot that I walked for 2 hours! !! One of them!

This is the view from the "Pine Park of the West Line" where you can overlook the cherry blossoms and Matsushima Bay. Especially the cherry blossoms at sunrise are so beautiful that I sigh.