Let’s Light Up Winter Nights Just when the cold seemed to deepen the temperature rose, leaving a strange feeling. In Nishiokoppe Village this month marks 30 years with zero traffic fatalities on the 30th. To celebrate the achievement, ice candles will be lit from Monday the 20th through Thursday the 30th, from the nursery in front of Hotel Rimu. The nights remain sharply cold, but may the sight of these lights warm your heart. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Hotel Rimu #Ice candle #Prayer #Traffic safety #Lights also burn in front of Satozumemu

Bookstall Yukimichi on the Road From neighboring Shimokawa Town with books in tow They came again this year. Yukimichi Bookstall. Curated selections around a theme are displayed at Pom. January’s theme was ecology. It’s fun to flip through the changing monthly lineup wondering which books are here today. Quietly snapping photos of people absorbed in their books. That day also featured an English picture-book reading by the ALT from Nishiokoppe Village. Next month is scheduled for February 12. The location is a bit hard to find, but it’s between the village office and Kikuchi Shop. Please drop by. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Yukimichi Bookstall #Shimokawa Town #Bookstore #Pop-up #Pom #Souvenir Lucky Bag #January 15 #Record #Next: February 12

[Ski Resort Opening] From Wednesday, January 15th Miyanomori Ski Resort has opened! With little snowfall, the lifts operate only to the mid-station. Please wait a little longer for access to the summit. Lift rides are free of charge. Night skiing is available on some days of the week! Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and more to your heart’s content. Contact: Nishiokoppe Village Board of Education 📞0158-87-2501 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Ski Resort #Winter #Now Open

Woody Winter School is starting! From Saturday, February 1 to Friday, February 28 We will hold the 28th Woody Winter School! Would you like to build a Unic truck with woodworking instructors? Held every week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Time: 10:00–16:00 ※Lunch break 12:00–13:00 Location: Nishiokoppe Village Somukan woodworking room Participation fee: ¥10,000 (¥5,000 for village residents) ※Accommodation and meals are not included. This woodworking class lets you work at your own pace during the period. Estimated building time is about 15 hours (3–4 days). Capacity is five groups! If you are interested, please contact Komu Museum of Art. 📞0158-87-2600 Application period is until Saturday, February 8. We look forward to your participation! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #woodworking #mokuiiku (wood learning) #woodworking class #woodworking instructor #Woody Winter School #Somukan

Woodworking Instructor and Box Making Held at the Childcare Support Center A box-making class led by a woodworking instructor. This is the woodworking instructor who has been with Nishiokoppe Village since April last year. We often meet and talk, but I rarely get to observe a woodworking lesson, so I decided to watch the box-making class. The materials and tools needed are wooden boards, wood glue, nails, and a sledgehammer (genno). They were making a box the perfect size for a pen holder. The four boards for the sides had grooves to fit the bottom board. There were even nail starter holes where the nails would be driven. (With these holes you can tell exactly where to drive the nail and the nail stays steady, so it’s easier to hammer.) Even for a simply constructed box, such thoughtful details make the work much easier to carry out. This time, to get used to handling the sledgehammer, they deliberately included the step of driving nails into the box. After gluing the boards together to form the box, they drove nails to secure the boards to each other. Driving nails straight and keeping the boards from shifting is fairly difficult. Watching the woodworking instructor handle it lightly with a rhythmic “ton, ton, ton,” I thought, as expected, they’re skilled. We moved to Somukan (a workshop the villagers can use for free!) to finish with sanding and other final touches, and then it was complete. That was a look at the box-making class. ＊＊＊＊＊ From Saturday, February 1 to Friday, February 28, the 28th Woody Winter School will take place! Details will be posted in another update📢 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #woodworking #mokuiiku (wood learning) #woodworking class #woodworking instructor #childcare support #sledgehammer (genno) #I had always called it a tacker or hammer #Woody Winter School

Making Miso The other day, I attended a miso-making gathering. It was a small event where people who make miso for their own table met with local adults and children from the nursery school. At the nursery in Nishiokoppe Village they grow vegetables in a field, and one of the crops they raised this year was soybeans. "Miso is made from soybeans, isn’t it?" "What else is made from soybeans?" While reading a picture book, they connected the story to their own experiences and thought about soybeans and miso. The first task was to crush the soybeans that had been cooked in advance. They put the soybeans into a mincer, and when they turned the handle, the beans became a paste. Both the person holding the mincer base and the person turning the handle needed a lot of strength. The little makers worked hard, crushing the beans with steady force. They mixed salt and koji with the soybeans, formed miso balls, and tossed them into a barrel. The beans that had gleamed and shone gradually smoothed out over about an hour and a half. Miso takes more than six months from making to being ready to eat. As the gentle, mellow scent of soybeans filled the air, we thought we would have to wait until next year… but then— One of the group brought miso they had made last year, so we all enjoyed miso soup together. For me, miso had become something I just bought. This showed me that making it myself is an option too. The miso we made this year will sleep soundly until next year. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #miso making #miso #handmade #nursery school #soybeans #field #mokuiiku (wood learning) #miso soup

Miyanomori Draped in Snow Over the course of a few days, Miyanomori deepened in snow. While helping a wood education program coordinator, I took a short stroll through Miyanomori. I trudged through the snow, my boots sinking as I walked. If I had been alone, I would have kept my eyes on the ground, but when someone spoke to me and I looked up, I found flower buds and leaf buds. They’re putting out buds and patiently waiting for the long winter to pass. There was a hollow opening in a trunk. I wondered whether someone lives there or had lived there. I learned that the cracked bark on the Sakhalin fir is caused by frost cracking. Moisture inside the tree freezes and expands, splitting the trunk. When the trunk cracks, a clear sound is said to ring through the whole forest. I tried walking alongside deer tracks and picked up fallen fruits and flowers from the snow. I also loved the view of the town dusted in snow from a slightly higher vantage point. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #winter #snow #snow-dusted #Miyanomori #wood education #kobushi (Japanese magnolia) #yachidamo (Manchurian ash) #Sakhalin fir #deer

The Resurrected Sound of the Drums Sunday, December 1 We performed the Wenshiri Taiko from Nishiokoppe Village at the Okoppe Town Charity Variety Show. We played a single short six-minute piece. It depicted Mt. Wenshiri awakening as snow melts, from winter into spring. We were very glad to receive so many warm rounds of applause and words of encouragement. Since we had the chance, here is a brief story of how Nishiokoppe Village’s taiko practice was revived. Taiko performance in Nishiokoppe Village began in the 1980s. Back then the drummers were the local youth association. Their powerful rhythms energized festivals and other events. The piece played since that time was Wenshiri Taiko. A teacher from the elementary school composed the piece, and it was handed down through performances until around 2000. Afterward, following the disbanding of the youth association and other changes, the drummers disappeared and the drums lay silent for a long time. There was a period when a volunteer taiko circle was active, but the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to invite instructors, and the drums fell completely quiet. Things started moving again in August of this year. As the variety show was returning, former drummers and villagers with strong musical insight teamed up to revive Wenshiri Taiko and learn the piece. Although we were amateurs, seven passionate members brought the Wenshiri Taiko back to life with resounding sound. After that performance, a few villagers who heard us at the variety show joined as new members, and we continue our activities today. We were fortunate to be invited to perform at the Okoppe Town Charity Variety Show. Though our group formed only recently, getting calls from inside and outside the village has energized our practice. This has become a bit long. Restarting something that had stopped and keeping it going takes a great deal of energy. We hope the members can keep enjoying their activities and that this joy reaches those who listen. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #drums #Wenshiri Taiko #Okoppe Town #Town Charity Variety Show #December 1 #youth association #taiko #I was the filming team

Traveling Yukimichi Bookshop Wednesday, November 20 The space called Pom Yukimichi Bookshop from Shimokawa Town arrived carrying many books. In Nishiokoppe Village, a certain private house has been opened as a third place. That place is Pom. It is located between the village office and Kikuchi Store. In a room at Pom, where a wall is covered with bookshelves, the traveling Yukimichi Bookshop opened. Books filled the desks, and I stared at the covers and flipped through pages at random. On display were picture books and children’s books, maps of the world, books about plants, blue books, and more. Other visitors came by, and it was fun to watch them compare books and wonder which to buy. Next to the room for browsing books, people from Pom and the community laid out shared snacks and we relaxed while eating. The next visit is scheduled for Friday, December 20. They might bring Christmas books. Thank you to Yukimichi Bookshop and everyone who came to meet the books. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Yukimichi Bookshop #Shimokawa Town #Bookstore #Traveling shop #Pom #Shared snacks #November 20 #Record #Next time: December 20

Introducing the Letter Set A letter set featuring illustrations of Setoushi-kun. This new Setoushi-kun product was created by Komatsu, a former member of the regional revitalization squad. Envelopes come in two colors: deep green and pale orange. The set includes three envelopes large enough to hold L-size photos and six A5 sheets of writing paper. One set 680 yen Available at Komu Museum of Art, Roadside Station Kam, and Hotel Rimu. We hope not only visitors but also village residents will enjoy using them! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Setoushi-kun #Setoushi-kun goods #Letter set #Two colors #Travel memories #Promoting the village's charm #Regional revitalization squad #Alumnus #Using subsidy funds

[Welcome, Mr. Moss] November 16 Workshop to make a moss terrarium was held! It was a sunny day, so the participants hung out in the direction of Korakuen. Korakuen Garden is a garden where much of the ground is covered with moss. It's an unexplored place for moss enthusiasts. He is nicknamed "Pon-chan" The lecturer, Mr. Takada, takes a walk while introducing moss. If you look closely~, moss has various shapes. I see, I see, and while beating the whirlwind On the way, the participants were drawn to the squirrels that appeared. Touch it, observe it, and when you know a little more about moss, you can move on to production. choose a glass container and how much sand to fill, It was a work full of worries, such as which moss to use and how to place it. By carefully removing the soil and leaves on the moss, It prevents mold and lives longer. There was also a large amount of moss As you loosen the soil, it will gradually become smaller. A small world spread out in moss that fits in both hands. Sea grass and small cows on moss, etc. If you put it on a little bit, it looks like you're looking down at the world from above. It also made me feel strange. After about an hour of work, each piece was completed. The mosses that will be welcomed into your home. Where will it be displayed? I would be happy if you could take a look at the moss and take a breather. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Moss terrarium #Moss #Kiiku #Kimu #Korakuen #Little Man and Cow #At Korakuen, you will be greeted by a squirrel.

[Signs of Christmas in a tree dream] One of the Traditional Japanese straw raincoat pleasures of visiting a tree dream It is a seasonal decoration. Now it is reminiscent of Christmas Decorations of various sizes are displayed throughout Inside the Facility. There are also decorations that are devised so that you can see it from outside the window! As soon as you enter Setoushi-kun doll that has become Christmas specifications YO is waiting to take a picture with everyone. At the shop, pine cones were used Handmade trees are on sale. It is a beautifully painted and colorful tree. It comes with a cute snowman! Why don't you enjoy the Christmas spirit with a tree dream one step ahead? #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Kimu #Forest Art Museum #Decoration #Christmas #Pine cone #Handmade decorations devised by the staff It's the perfect time of year for Santa World #Christmas Events Held in December 7

[Farewell, fallen leaves] Squid sunny autumn day with a temperature of 5 degrees. At Korakuen, the last major task of the year was to clean up the fallen leaves that had accumulated in the pond. Wear long gloves that cover your upper arms. Wear a torso or boots on your feet and go into the pond. Holding it in your hand is a bamboo bear. Oyster fallen leaves floating on the surface of the water and fallen leaves that have sunk Put it in an onion net and collect it. Lifting from the pond to the ground is also a physically demanding task. In order to drain the water as much as possible, I used an onion net from last year. I came up with a way to put it in. The ground team is also bending down to pick up fallen leaves. Beside me, with moss and mushrooms glittering in the sun, Setoushi-kun. It was a long time of work. It was probably the first time I set foot in Korakuen since the summer. In the clear air, the gardens of Yume-eup Forest Seeing her in good spirits gave me energy. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Korakuen Garden #Japan Garden #Pond cleaning #Fallen leaves #Scoop and pick up #Onion net #Garden of Yume-eup Forest #Youth of the Town hall #Uncles of Forest Park #Uncle Shimokawa was also with me for one year #Thank you

[The moon has risen again] Saturday, November 9 Readings by the teachers (and in the village) The curtain has been drawn. This year, following on from last year, this is the second reading of the play. The subject was "The Tale of Taketori". The outfit is old-fashioned, but the content is comical. Dare to incorporate metallic sounds and guitar tones into the sound effects, etc. It was sprinkled with gimmicks to express the worldview. In a short training period There were only a few days when everyone was able to participate in practice. It was a long 50-minute performance. I hope that the audience will stay with us until the end. It was funny, it made me laugh and cry, etc. I was glad to hear your feedback. Cast members were: Nishiokoppe Elementary School teachers, Town hall staff (this trio is Popular in some areas), And it was a high school student who saw last year's recitation play and said, "I want to come out!" At the end of the day's work I wondered what next year's recitation play would be like. I'm itching now. If you would like to appear, please contact us Anytime! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Teachers' Recitation Drama #Recitation Drama #Taketori Monogatari #Princess Kaguya #Aliens and Humans #Apollo 11 #Kitchen Garden #Pharos is very active again this year

[Arranged in the "style" of the decoration] Planting and gathering design Traditional Japanese straw raincoat familiar at the workshop, ONES MANOR GARADEN Yuka Sato They came! Sacred straw ropes with dried flowers and leafy vegetables He taught me how to combine and make arrangements. There are a total of 3 lectures. I was impressed by the fact that the participants seemed to be having a lot of fun participating in each session. "It's just a decoration 'wind'!" Mr. Sato shared a story about Sacred straw ropes. The story of Mr. Sato, who talks happily while moving his hands, is interesting I will listen carefully. Depending on the Ingredients and how it is served, some may have a fluffy Finished!. There are also works that look tight. Both the color and shape reflect the individuality and commitment Finished a wonderful work! There was a many of familiar Ingredients in the Kamu garden. Someday, if I can make it using Nishiokoppe ingredients I was happy, and my dreams grew. Mr. Sato, the lecturer, and everyone who participated Thank you very much!! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Shime decoration style #Arrangement lesson #Onesmanorgarden #Flowers #Leafy #Presence of the grass family #Making things trains your imagination #Handmade

【Tree Dream Christmas】 Whether it's raining or snowing, you can play with peace of mind. Forest Art Museum "Komu". The end of the year is just around the corner... Meaning. Right! Christmas is just around the corner! Kimu holds a Christmas Events every year. Held in this year on Saturday, December 7. The museum is open from 10:00~16:30 Events are 11:00~15:00! Mr. Kibox's live performance will start at 11:00. I would be happy if you could come and visit us from opening hours (*^-^*) Admission fee: Adult 500 yen (high school students and older) Junior high school students 300 yen (elementary school 4 ~ junior high school students) Child 100 yen (3 years old ~ 3 years old) * Children under 2 years old are free of charge. Inquiries: 📞0158-87-2600 There is a candy work gift limited to 80 pieces. Please come and enjoy your pleasant memories and gifts! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu Museum of Art #Christmas #Com Christmas #Wooden box #Candy work #Ameho #Nishinaka Fukibe

[Doremi Farowin 2024] Nishiokoppe's Farowin Events held on Saturday, October 27. Hosted by the puppet theater circle Doremi in the Village ALT teacher Christine and junior high school students, Many Village residents cooperated in providing sweets! Children's costumes are soothing, aren't they? Authentic makeup surprised me! Adult people also dressed up in costumes, which made me happy! After enjoying bowling, sticker tattoos, etc. Watch an original puppet show. I came out at the end of the puppet show Gari cheered at the giant orange balloon. Once the decoration is applied to the paper bag for storing sweets Finally, Parade around the Village! The person who handed out the sweets was also greeted in a costume full of enthusiasm. It is a Falloin that is upgraded a little bit every year. I hope it will be a fun Falloin next year as well... #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi #Faroin #Games #Puppet Theater #Workshop #Okashi Sanpaku #Yume Eup Mori no Garden #Kimu #Care House Seseragi #Nagai Shoten

[Teachers' reading play] Continuing from last year, we will do it again this year. Readings by teachers. The cast is in addition to the teachers of Nishiokoppe Elementary School Town hall staff and high school students will participate. The subject is "The Tale of Taketori". What kind of story is Taketori Monogatari? Princess Kaguya? I guess it's an old-fashioned story... such as If you are interested, there is no doubt that you will enjoy the recitation play. Saturday, November 9 Open 13:00 / Start 13:30 At Nishiokoppe Elementary School Gymnasium It is a performance of about 40 minutes. It will be delivered with a script written by the director of Nishiokoppe Village. Please enjoy it. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Reading by teachers #Elementary school #High school student #Town hall staff #Kitchen Garden #Recitation #Taketori Monogatari

[Learn how to arrange the decoration style! ] 】 Well, after the heat has eased Autumn seems to pass quickly, and I feel that the end of the year is approaching. In such a situation, I would like to inform you of the Shime decoration style arrangement lesson! I am indebted to them for their workshops on planting and gathering design. Ones manor Garden is coming again! (^^)! Looking at the photos, I wonder if I can do it as a beginner ... A beautiful arrangement that makes you think. I can't Can't wait for the lesson! You can choose from three dates for lessons. (1) November 5 (Tue) 14:00~16:30 (2) November 5 (Tue) 17:30~20:00 (3) November 6 (Wed) 9:30~12:00 The capacity of each session is 10 people The participation fee is 3,000 yen The venue is the Rizumu * An orange building in the forest park You can apply for participation through your Account or Nishiokoppe Village Village Town Hall, Industrial Construction Division, Forestry and Commerce Section. TEL: 0158-87-2111 We look forward to your participation! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Shime decoration #Arrangement lesson #Onesmanorgarden #Flowers

[Baked potatoes on a bonfire] Nature experience in autumn. After the curatorial event, on the day of the substitute holiday Elementary school students gathered and made a bonfire! The last thing I went to was carrying firewood. Carry the firewood used to make the fire to the BBQ House. Some of the firewood was long and thick. There was also the work of cutting and splitting. Children in the lower grades Scenes of interest in various things, such as lighting fires and cutting wood. When I thought that the person in charge was decided and started moving, I thought, "I want to do that too!" It was interesting to see a child in the upper grades calmly observing the way his feet stopped. A child who likes chopping firewood and keeps chopping it all the time. Some of the children kept cutting trees all the time. Even a first-grader can use a solid saw By the end of the meeting, I was completely good at using a saw! It's amazing how focused they are. Fun of bonfires isn't just about the experience, of course. I also had the pleasure of eating baked potatoes and bread sticks! Sweet potato is a sweet potato that I was allowed to dig on the waterfall last month. Because the firepower was stronger than expected, and the newspaper and aluminum foil wrapping were weak. There were some potatoes that were charred on the outside (it's a reflection ...) The inside is thick and thick! It was packed with sweetness! This is an aside, but After coming to Nishiokoppe, bonfires, BBQ, wood stoves, etc. I have had so many opportunities to see the fire. How do you light, keep and extinguish a fire? Not only in reading Documents, but also in everyday experiences The environment in which you can get to know is interesting. ＊＊＊ Halloween Events this weekend! Please dress up and gather at Nishiokoppe! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Autumn #Nature Experience #Kiiku #Elementary school students #Experience #Bonfire #Roasted sweet potato #Stick bread

[Happy Falloin] Period of Halloween has arrived. In Nishiokoppe, the puppet theater circle "Doremi" hosts We will be holding the "Fa" Halloween Events again this year! With Ms. Christine, an ALT from Juneau Play games related to Halloween, Watch a Halloween puppet show by Doremi, At the end, of course, we will give you a treat! Sunday, October 27 10:00~12:00 At the Nishiokoppe Village Community Center Participation is free, no reservation required. Participation from nearby areas is also OK! Please come dressed up (*'▽') #Nishiokoppe Village #Halloween #Fallowin #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi #ALT #Crafts #Funny Sanpaku #Care House babbling #Komu Museum of Art #Yume-eup Forest Garden #Nagai Shoten #Election Day

[Screening: “Yumepa Time”] On Friday, October 25 we will screen a documentary film 🎥 The title is “Yumepa Time.” Children from infants to high school age spend their own versions of “time” at Kawasaki City Children’s Dream Park. It’s a place that supports what children want to try, and also a place where doing nothing is allowed. This 90-minute film captures that kind of “Yumepa” on camera. While handing out flyers, we felt how many people in different ways turn their hearts toward the children. We hope this screening helps connect people and the community. Afternoon session Venue: Guest House GA.KOPPER Open: 14:00 / Start: 14:30 Evening session — includes a discussion with the director! Venue: Hotel Morimu Plum Hall Open: 18:00 / Start: 18:30 Admission: 500 yen for everyone aged elementary school and up 💰️ Inquiries: 080-6728-1980 (Henmi) #Nishiokoppe Village #Screening #Yumepa #Kawasaki City Children’s Dream Park #Children #Safe space #Play park #GAKOPPER #Hotel Morimu

Making things with fresh wood We split, shave, and carve recently cut, undried wood…and a shape emerges. This year again, Mariko Kusakari came from Hakodate to teach a greenwoodwork class at the forest museum Komu. I joined the mini dish course! Taking into account what each person wanted to make and the diameter of the trunk, we started by choosing wood. Participants making mini dishes chose three types: willow, white birch, and magnolia. When we split the logs, the heartwood felt moist and wet. Magnolia gave off a pleasant woody aroma, but the cut surface of the willow had a strange, fermenting scent. Using a shaving horse, froe, knives, and other tools, we shaved to our preferred thickness and carved to the desired depth. I rounded the corners of my dish, but pieces with pointed corners were lovely, and it was fun to look at the dishes others made. Those more practiced made long, narrow dishes with three holes, and I admired their skill. I hope to dry it carefully and use it for a very long time. Thank you for a wonderful time! #Nishiokoppe Village #Komu #Greenwoodwork #Workshop #Fresh wood #Small dish #Mini dish #Pencil case #To hold glasses #To display fruit #Wood cut by someone you often meet on walks

Sweet Potato Dig in the Next Town By chance we had the opportunity to go to Takinoue to dig sweet potatoes! At the elementary school in Nishiokoppe this school year they have one half-day of morning classes each month. With the afternoons free, the Pomme members planned something to make the children excited. Together with elementary students and a few preschoolers, we boarded the village bus and set off for Takinoue. Riding the bus together felt like a field trip, and everyone already looked happy. When we arrived at the field and saw the sweet potatoes, both children and adults were surprised by their size! Each child could dig up two plants to take home, so after choosing their spots, the digging began. I snapped a photo of a first grader and a sixth grader straining in the same posture as they tried to pull a potato from the soil. Using tools like shovels where needed, the bags we brought filled up in no time. Some sweet potatoes were too big for one person to pull out, and there were moments when four people had to pull together. Thank you for the sweet potato digging experience and for providing the sweet potatoes! There may be a bonfire event in the village in October, so we look forward to enjoying warm, fluffy sweet potatoes. #Nishiokoppe Village #Harvest experience #Sweet potatoes #Takinoue #Bus field trip #Sweet potato digging #Pomme #Handmade candied sweet potatoes were a big hit

【Flower Park LIVE "KAMUon"】 We greeted September 22nd with our hearts pounding, wondering whether it would rain. We held the live event "KAMUon" inside the Flower Park at the Roadside Station Kamu. A breezy autumn wind swept through the garden. On that day, all kinds of sounds filled the wide space surrounded by nature. Elementary school bands and dancers stole the show, a unit captivated us with original songs, and idol Goichi delivered an hour full of cuteness and fun. A boy shared mysterious sounds and strange stories, someone memorized and read essays aloud in a lovely voice, and another person read a picture book accompanied by the koto’s tones. We are truly grateful to all the performers. Every act held our attention—what wonderful stages they were! *** We wanted visitors passing through the Roadside Station to enjoy the attached garden. With that in mind, we decided to try an event that would make people want to step into the garden, and planned this live. For venue preparation, the gardener tidied the paths and stage area, and on the day staff and performers arrived early to set up. The children’s fair popped out from the market area and enlivened the event with a mobile gacha machine and candy fishing. *** The Flower Park can be enjoyed through Sunday, October 20th. Come relax in the autumn garden. #Nishiokoppe Village #KAMUon #Roadside Station #Kamu #Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team #Flower Park #Autumn Marche #Live Event #Ritts Pritz Khao Man Gai #Pipopapo #LOCKHAMA #Original Song #Kitami #Goichi #Kuma Robo #Yura Henmi #Otoineppu #High School Student #Villager A’s Reading #Essay #Koto and Picture Book Time #Mizunara no Inochi #Mochi Mochi no Ki

[Autumn-Sky Market] Autumn markets often bring rain and chilly winds. This year was rare: the sun watched over us on both days. The market took place on September 22 and 23, and many people attended on the 22nd, the middle day of the three-day holiday. The soba and udon noodles sold out mostly on the first day alone, wiping out two days' worth of noodles. The chiffon cakes sold only at the event were so popular that they sold out by midmorning on both days. The piping-hot Ezo deer meatballs and venison braised in red wine were comfortingly warm and delicious. Vegetable stalls came from Seiryu no Sato, with rows of green onions, daikon radishes, and potatoes, and many people bought them as souvenirs. The children's festival booths were mobile on the first day and set up next to the Ezo deer meatballs on the second day, adding to the market's lively atmosphere. For 100 yen, kids could try the candy-fishing game three times, and a little expert who had the knack appeared, catching four sweets in one go. There was also a sales corner for ume and tea, making the market even livelier. Thank you to everyone who came! #Nishiokoppe Village #Market #Autumn #Roadside Station #Kamu #three-day holiday #Ezo deer meatballs #venison braised in red wine #Yume-mura Mori no Garden #soba and udon #chiffon cake #Setoushi-kun-yaki #Seiryu no Sato #vegetable sales #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi #children's festival booths

Kemono Night On the night of the mid‑autumn full moon (or so we thought—turns out it was actually the next day) Kemono Night returned after several years. Centered on the Minami family, dairy farmers in Nishiokoppe, and the guesthouse GA.KOPPER, a handful of Nishiokoppe locals and visiting chefs from nearby areas, with the cooperation of musicians, came together for a feast. Eating what was once alive and so carrying on life itself Around a firelit banquet we spent an evening giving thanks for life and the producers. Before we knew it, what had been just a sheet of plywood was adorned with deer and bear, providing warmth. Chilly but wrapped in clear air, the warm, richly flavored soup was superb. Deer, bear, sheep, cattle, plus vegetables and cheese We savored the gratitude of tasting locally harvested ingredients and the luxury of those ingredients becoming truly delicious dishes through the chefs’ wisdom and skill. Food that brings people together. Will the people who gathered that night meet again somewhere down the road? Thanks to the producers and everyone who came together that night. #Nishiokoppe Village #Kemono Night #GA.KOPPER #Ohtakoji #Yukiya Taneishi #RIDE #DJKATSU #Jomon Taiko #Yoshito Yamamoto #Kiichi Ninomiya #Megumi Takatsuka #mikachup #moor #Quite Hot #Makiya‑to Minaga #Higuma Taiko

The Revived Variety Show Nishiokoppe Village’s variety show was held again for the first time in five years. A huge, huge, huge success!!!! The hiatus had several causes. There were infectious diseases, budget cuts, a shortage of performers… and more. Thanks to many forms of cooperation, we managed to overcome those obstacles and were able to hold the event safely. The show opened with the Wenshiri Taiko performance, revived after 20 years. Although the performance lasted only five minutes, it was powerful and a perfect choice to set the tone for the opening. There were many acts across genres for children and adults alike, and seeing friends and acquaintances happily take the stage warmed everyone’s hearts. Some acts were so intense that small children were moved to tears! In the latter half, the karaoke segment livened things up. You could lose yourself in beautiful voices, or join in with supportive shouts and enjoy the moment together. The evening closed with the audience singing the village festival song together and a fukumaki (good-luck bean toss). We are grateful to everyone who came, everyone who performed, and those who supported us from afar. Thank you very much! #Nishiokoppe Village #Variety Show #Performances #Karaoke #Wenshiri Taiko #Chase the Nut Thief #Ritz Pritz Khao Man Gai #Rissa♡ #Asano Kazu #The generous ohineri (tip) culture was amazing

Shinto Shrine Festival September 11th marked the shrine festival in the Nishiokoppe district. Elementary and junior high schools ended classes early, and by 10:30 everyone had gathered at the starting point for the mikoshi procession. Adults and children alike wore happi coats and moved through each neighborhood association. Preschoolers dressed in ochigo (child attendant) costumes followed the adults and the older students, walking on bravely. It took about two and a half hours to complete the whole route. Because people usually travel around the village by car, it had been a long time since anyone walked this much. The lion-dance team reportedly visited each house with someone at home, which took more than twice as long. Thank you to everyone for your hard work. Despite all that walking, the elementary school children were full of energy for the sumo tournament! They worked hard to earn pocket money for enjoying the evening variety show. Although it was a serious competition, the sumo tournament was full of smiles. The whole village was awash in festival spirit for the day. I will post separately about the evening variety show! #Nishiokoppe Village #Shrine Festival #Mikoshi Procession #Parade #We paraded through the streets #Tengu #Sumo Tournament

Puppet Theater Troupe Pook Performance They are coming from Tokyo again this year! You can see a performance by Puppet Theater Troupe Pook in Nishiokoppe Village👀 This year’s program A double bill of “Swimmy” and “Yansuke and Yansuke and Yansuke.” Not only children, but also adults after work, why not immerse yourselves in the world of puppetry? I know the picture book “Swimmy,” and I’m very curious how it will be staged as a puppet show. Tuesday, September 24 Doors open 6:00 PM, performance starts 6:30 PM At Nishiokoppe Village Community Center, Main Hall Tickets Advance 500 yen, at the door 600 yen For inquiries call 090-2768-8710 (Miki Dan) We look forward to seeing you at the venue! #Nishiokoppe Village #Puppet theater #Puppet Theater Troupe Pook #Performance #Arts #Swimmy #Yansuke and Yansuke and Yansuke #Snacks to take home available