We have started accepting applications for the "Minami-Izu Town Photo Contest 2025". Scenes of the four seasons, Events, drone photography, etc., please submit photos that convey the charm of Minami-Izu Town. This year, we are also looking for high-resolution (10MB or more) photos that can be used for posters. *This contest is open only to online submissions of digital photographs. Online entries must be taken with a digital camera or other device (JPEG format only). The size of one photo must not exceed 10 MB. * Only in the photo category that promotes Minami-Izu, high-resolution (10MB or more) photos. * The posted photo is the winning work of the Minami-Izu Town Photo Contest 2024. <Application Period> Sunday, June 1, 2025 ~ Saturday, January 31, 2026 < Submissions> Limited to works taken between February 1, 2025 ~ January 31, 2026 < Division> (1) Four seasons in Minami-Izu Town Photos taken in Minami-Izu Town (e.g., Margaret in Spring, Beaches in Summer, Ise Shrimp Fishing in Autumn, First Sunrise in Winter, etc.) * Photos that show the four seasons at tourist facilities in the In the town are acceptable (e.g., jade Squid at Shimogamo Tropical Botanical Garden, aloe at Minami-Izu Aloe Center, etc.) (2) Events Department Photos that convey the charm of Events in the In the town, such as the Yumigahama Fireworks Display and the Bochibochi Marathon (3) Drone Division Photo taken by drone in Minami-Izu Town (4) Photography to promote Minami-Izu We are looking for high-resolution (10MB or more) photos that can be used in posters, etc. The number of entries is limited to 3 points per one person per category (up to 12 points in 4 categories in total). <About application> Apply here https://minamiizuphoto.mitte-x.istsw.jp/index.html?cn=131... * Please apply by clicking the "New Registration" or "Login" button displayed below during the application period. < Prize > Grand Prix: 1 prize in each category: Prize money (70,000 yen) 【Second Prize】1 point in each category・・・Shimogamo Hot Spring Ryokan Kyodo Group training camp night subsidy ticket (worth 15,000 yen) * Accommodation subsidy ticket Subject inn are the following 4 hotels. ・ Heavenly inn in a jar 〇 sentence https://www.yadomarubun.com// ・Hotel Kawachiya https://kawatiya.net// ・ Kiichiyu https://www.tokiichiyu.com// ・Ishikakai Bettei Kagiya https://shimogamo-kagiya.jp//

【Hatsushima Diving Experience】An urban resort that can be reached in 90 minutes from Tokyo! 🌊🏝 Hello! This is 😊 Hokule'a Shonan This time, we will deliver the Scenes of the diving tour on Hatsushima Island, "The best island near and interesting"! Hatsushima is about 30 minutes by ferry from Atami City in Shizuoka Prefecture. Access from Hiratsuka, where Our store is located, is only one and a half hours away, so it is a perfect Spot for Day trip diving from Tokyo and Kanagawa. On this day, two guests from Germany participated 🇩🇪 The two of you are not friends, and the staff was surprised by the coincidence that they happened to be on the same date and in the same country! It's 🤝 truly a "connection connected by the sea" The local sea conditions are excellent! The Water world is much clearer than the previous Information, Unfolds, and in some places it is blue with a transparency of over 20 meters Impression ✨ All the guests were very excited about the beauty of the sea! The water temperature is 19°C, and we are about to enter 🌞 the season when wetsuits are comfortable Also, on Hatsushima, the spawning season for blue Squid is in full swing right now! Thanks to the high transparency, we were able 🦑 to observe large schools of Squid gathering on the spawning bed from various directions "I've never seen so many many Squid at once!" said one ♪ guest. And on this day, a new AOW (Advanced Open Water Diver) was born! 👏 Congratulations 🎉 from the bottom of my heart Welcome to the new world of the sea! After diving, recharge your energy with 🍦✨ Hatsushima's Specialties of Fresh Seafood and soft serve ice cream It was a great day to enjoy the sea and Gourmet food. Currently, in the Izu area, the transparency is increasing at each point! If you want to dive now, please contact us 😊 at this time ------------- Hokule'a Shonan is a PADI 5-star certified dive shop located in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Under the theme of "Let's embark on a journey to a world we have not yet seen!", We Held in 🌏 tours of more than 300 days a year to Izu, Okinawa, overseas, etc From beginners to veterans, we offer a diving experience that you can enjoy safely and securely in a small group! Why don't you take a trip to the beautiful world of the sea together? 🌈 Please feel free to contact us! #HatsushimaIsland #TokyoGetaway #DiveNearTokyo #ScubaJapan #IslandVibes #IslandEscapeJapan #UrbanResortJapan #JapanScubaAdventure #WetsuitSeason #UnderwaterAdventure

We present seven recommended ways to spend time in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Take time to face the mountain colors, the scent of the trees, the murmur of rivers, and the voice of the wind, and cherish moments to look inward as you enjoy how to spend your time in Shobara. 1 Satoyama (Rural Mountain Landscapes) Photo 1: Rice field scenery in Mikawachi Shobara still preserves pastoral landscapes where traditional ways of life persist and many kominka, or old private houses, that retain a nostalgic charm. Seeing how people live here, you feel a surprising sense of nostalgia despite it being your first visit. 2 Healing Photo 2: Kumano Shrine Step into a mysterious shrine precinct deep in the forest, surrounded by countless cedar trees, and ancient cedars older than a thousand years will greet you. As you move forward in awed silence, the fatigue of everyday life seems to wash away little by little. 3 Oishii (Delicious Food) Photo 3: Hiba Beef gourmet Eating fresh, locally sourced ingredients in the place they were harvested is one of this town’s great pleasures. The tender meat of Shobara’s branded Hiba beef, passed down from the oldest local cattle line, paired with crisp vegetables, brings a smile the moment you take a bite. 4 Botanical (Nature and Plants) Photo 4: National Bihoku Hillside Park A blue sky and a sea of flowers feel like stepping into a storybook. The blooms’ colors enchant you and make you eager for the next season. Surrounded by sweet fragrances, let easy conversation flow. 5 Activity Photo 5: Apple picking Pluck a cluster of glossy red apples and take a big bite! The juicy sweetness fills your mouth. Enjoy the different colors and shapes of each variety, and you’ll feel like a child again—so much so you might pick more than you need. 6 Relaxation Photo 6: Staying in a kominka Gentle mountains and clear air set the scene. Sunlight streaming into your lodging slows your sense of time, and the warmth of the wooden house soothes both body and mind. 7 Adventure Photo 7: Shobara Satoyama Rafting Surrounded by vast nature, move forward while feeling the fresh air and the river’s flow. Gripping your paddle, you’ll find yourself swept up in the action. The thrill of descending the river together with everyone is unforgettable.

On display in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture until Sunday, June 15, 2025! “Shobara Satoyama Open Garden 2025 Spring” The Shobara Satoyama Open Garden is a regular spring and autumn event held each year, where you can visit gardens ranging from wildly inventive small plots to authentic Japanese gardens, featuring seasonal flowers in bloom. 🌼🌹 For the latest updates, be sure to check the Shobara Satoyama Open Garden Instagram! ✅ Account here ▽ 🌼 @satoyamaopengarden 🌼 Event name: Shobara Satoyama Open Garden 2025 Spring Location: Various gardens around Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Inquiries: Shobara Flower Council Office General Incorporated Association Shobara Tourism Promotion Organization (Shobara DMO) TEL 0824-75-0173 FAX 0824-75-0172 Open garden notes: If a sign at a garden entrance reads “CLOSE,” please refrain from visiting. Do not enter private areas such as homes or restrooms. Please use the restrooms inside the open garden information centers or public restrooms. ※Gardens marked as having restrooms are available for use. If you come by car, please use the designated parking areas. Refrain from parking in ways that inconvenience nearby residents. Bringing pets is generally not allowed. ※Gardens marked with a pet-friendly symbol allow pets. Always keep pets on a leash and, when possible, keep the leash short. The open gardens are available to view thanks to the generosity of the gardeners. Please follow viewing etiquette and express your appreciation freely. ◎For the latest information, visit Instagram!

【Lake Motosu Diving Experience】Dive at the foot of At the foot of Mt., a World Heritage Site! ⛰️To the mysterious lake where 1,200 years of history sleeps 💧 Hello, this is 🌈 Hokule'a Shonan This time, we will introduce a diving experience at Lake Motosu, which spreads out at the foot of Mount Fuji 🗻, a World Heritage Site! Lake Motosu is one of the Fuji Five Lakes and is a highly transparent Water lake 💎 located about 900 meters Elevation It is 🤿 a rare Spot in Japan where you can experience altitude diving (high-altitude diving) On this day, we went to Lake Motosu with 🌍 guests from overseas It was ✨ indeed a special day for the guests who were trying their first Lake Motosu and their first Altitude dive In the lake, there was 🌲 a landscape that made you feel as if you were in ancient times A dynamic terrain formed by lava and a water bottom with a number of surprisingly large sunken trees. The silence and scale of it is simply overwhelming 😮 In addition, there is a legend that there was once a Torii (shrine gate) gate and a shrine, and there is a hint of more than 1,200 years of history in the Water. The time spent at the bottom of the lake while thinking about the prayer place sunk in the Water is very mysterious 🕊️ The water temperature on this day felt a little cold at 18-11°C, but we were able 🧊 to dive comfortably in a dry suit I was particularly impressed by the deep and clear blue world 💙 called "Lake Motosu Blues" Impression 👏 of transparency and tranquility, which is completely different from the sea, And after the dive... Superb view of Mount Fuji towering in front of you! 🗻 In addition to diving, you can experience both the Nature and culture of Japan, which is a major attraction 🇯🇵 of Lake Motosu diving ✅ Recommended points for Lake Motosu diving ✅ A special experience where you can dive at the foot of Mount Fuji, a World Heritage Site ✅ Altitude diving is possible ✅ Lakebed with more than 1,200 years of history and tradition ✅ A water world where giant trees, lava, and the mysterious "Lake Motosu Blues" spread ✅ Perfect for sightseeing with a Mount Fuji view! 🌈 In Hokule'a Shonan, diving at Lake Motosu can be requested 📅 all year round The water temperature varies greatly from 5 to 25°C depending on the season, and you can enjoy 🍃❄️🌸☀️ a different look every time you visit "I want to dive near Mt. Mount Fuji someday." Why don't you make such a dream a reality? 😊 📩 If you are a beginner or would like to acquire Sense, please feel free to contact us! #DivingInJapan #LakeMotosu #MtFujiView #JapanAdventure #ScubaTravel #AltitudeDiving #HiddenJapan #OnlyInJapan #NatureLovers #BucketListJapan #WorldHeritage #FreshwaterDiving #HokuleaShonan

[Refresh by diving] Reset your mind and body in Higashi-Izu and Kawana! 🐢✨ Hello! This is Hokule'a Shonan. Today, we went diving in the sea of Higashi-Izu and Kawana with two teams! One team will participate in the fun diving. On this day, the sea conditions were good and the transparency was outstanding! We encountered sea turtles and Squid in the Water, and it was 🐢🦑 a very exciting dive And... What! Some 👏✨ guests celebrated their 100th dive on this day. Congratulations indeed! We will continue to support an even more wonderful diving life in the future! The other team is a refresher team. Even if you are a little worried because you will be diving in yellowtail for a long time, we dived while carefully checking the basic skills so that you can participate with peace of mind. Some of the guests who participated this time came from overseas, but their skills such as clearing masks were perfect 👌 Even if you have blanks, you can quickly regain your senses by getting used to Water little by little! Some people say, "Next time, challenge AOW!?" I'm 🤿 looking forward to seeing more and more growth in the future There is a to 🙌 everyone who participated 🌈 At Hokule'a Shonan, refresher courses are also available at any time. "I want to dive into yellowtail for a long time" or "I'm a little unsure but want to start again" are also welcome! With personalized support, you can enjoy the world of the sea with peace of mind. Please feel free to contact us 😊 #RefreshDive #DivingLife #HokuleaShonan #DiveJapan #RediscoverTheSea #UnderwaterAdventure #OceanHealing #ScubaDivingJapan #FunDive #EastCoastJapan #BeginnerFriendlyDiving #PADIJapan

Today, May 30th, is "Kominka Day"!🏘 Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture is blessed with vast nature and retains many traditional wooden houses, ranking third in the nation for kominka preservation. To address vacant-house issues, several renovated inns that evoke the satoyama (rural mountain landscape) by showcasing the buildings' original materials have appeared. setouchi kominka stays hiroshima introduces three houses—chojaya, furousen, and kozako forest—and this time we present a newly renovated inn focused on the outdoors with maximum openness. Its name is kusamura. This is a private-rental tent sauna and an entire kominka available for exclusive use, boasting perhaps the most striking presence in Japan. Housed in a 150-year-old renovated kominka with plenty of outdoor features, one highlight is the BBQ. About a 15-minute drive away, shokusai-kan shobara yume sakura sells Hiba Beef and fresh vegetables, so you can buy ingredients there and bring them for a lively group meal. Second, enjoy a tent sauna that offers a strong sense of privacy for you and your friends. Cooling off outdoors on the engawa (veranda) feels great and provides a unique, deeply relaxing experience. Third, you can have a bonfire. Gather around the flames and enjoy conversation. The sleeping area includes four single beds, one air mattress, and one hammock. The place is equipped with essentials such as a refrigerator, stove, and towels. Happily, pets are allowed, so consider staying with your dog. Please note that guests under junior high school age cannot stay overnight, so be careful when booking. Address: 2765 Kawakitacho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Price: From JPY 16,200 per night Reservations: Book via Airbnb or Booking.com Hours: Check-in from 15:00 / Check-out by 11:00

【Limited Held in】Aged on the seabed!? The "Undersea Wine Tour" will start 🍷🌊 For wine lovers, diving enthusiasts, and curious people who want to experience something a little different. From Hokule'a Shonan, we would like to introduce an exciting new project. It's called the "Undersea Wine Tour"! In fact, it There are a method of Aged wine that is currently attracting worldwide attention. That is "seabed Aged". In the sea, there is little change in temperature, no light reaches it, and it is very quiet. This special environment mellows the taste of the wine and leads to a deeper Traditional Japanese straw raincoat. This time, a special tour with the experience of actually sinking a wine bottle will be held in in June at the shipwreck Spot of "Shobuzawa" in the southeastern part of the Izu Peninsula! Six months to a year later, the wine is pulled from the seabed and becomes one of the perfect bottles 🎄✨ for Christmas and special occasion toasts at the end of the year 🌟 This is the attraction of the tour! The extraordinary and dramatic experience of actually sinking wine to the bottom of the sea You can enjoy both the beautiful waters and wreck dives of Irisawa The luxury of "savoring time" to enjoy a change of wine months later Reliable support with a small number of people. An atmosphere that makes it easy to participate even for the first time * This dive requires AOW (Advanced Open Water) or higher Sense. Sense acquisition is well in time. Why don't you respond to that feeling of "I wanted to try it someday" this summer? 📅 Held in Tuesday, June 17, 2025 * There are capacity, so please contact us as soon as possible. 🌊 The romance of "making wine Aged in the sea". Beautiful seas, the mystery of wrecks, and wines that ripen over time. Everything comes together to create a true "drama of the sea". Would you like to be the protagonist of a new story this summer? 📩 For reservations and inquiries, please feel free to contact Hokule'a Shonan! #UnderwaterWineExperience #OceanAgedWine #DiveIntoTheUnexpected #ShipwreckWineDive #ToastFromTheOcean #HokuleaShonan #DiveJapan #UnforgettableUnderwater #HiddenJapanGems #BucketListDive

June is almost here! In Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, blessed with great nature, you can see fireflies. At Hotaru-mi Park in Kuchiwa Town, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, many visitors gather every year. The fireflies fly from around 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a peak 30-minute period from about 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. About 300 meters downstream from Hotaru-mi Park there is a spot where Genji fireflies appear. This year’s best viewing time is expected to be later than usual because cherry blossoms bloomed late. Hotaru-mi Park has a campsite, and around July you can see Hime fireflies. Hime fireflies glow more quietly than Genji fireflies, and people who have gone camping at Hotaru-mi Park report the rare experience of seeing many fireflies gather in front of their tents. Hotaru-mi Park has few lights, making it an excellent place for firefly watching. At the “Firefly Viewing Gathering” held on Saturday, June 21, all lights in the management building and campsite will be turned off for one minute starting at 9:00 p.m., so you can enjoy only the fireflies’ glow. You just have to go…! Food trucks and stalls are also planned for the day. Please come visit Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture—see you by car! ● Basic information for Hotaru-mi Park Address: 2-1 Otsuki, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Phone: 0824-87-2513 *The manager is on duty from 8:00 to 17:00* *If no one answers, the manager will call you back* Parking: Available, about 30 spaces ● Event information for the Firefly Viewing Gathering Venue: Hotaru-mi Park, Moomoo Local Products Hall, Shingetsu Marche (former Mikami residence) Address: 2-1 Otsuki, Kuchiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Date and time: Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. (Firefly viewing hours: 6:00 p.m. onward) There are many other spots and events where you can see fireflies. For details, please see the Shobara tourist information site, Shobara Tourist Navi.

At Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture, which I visited on a trip, I was able to see a water mirror of Tambo reflecting the mountains with a superb view.

✨ The mysterious blue Squid spawning season has arrived ✨ From Spring to summer, the drama of life unfolds in the sea. 🌸🌊 From April to June, this season is the spawning season for blue Squid. It is a precious time to encounter a special sea scene that will remain in your heart "Only now". The first time I experienced diving was just during the spawning season of this blue Squid. 🦑 Swimming softly in the water, and a silent ritual to connect lives. I even now remember being overwhelmed and gasping for breath at the mystery of the sea. The female of the blue Squid is escorted by the male, At the base of seaweed, in the crevices of corals, and in the spawning beds set up by fishery cooperatives, Eggs that look like white pearls are carefully laid one by one. 🤍 Its appearance is fantastic, yet somehow ephemeral. There are males who swim alone. It is a male whose courtship did not come true. Under the straightforward instinct of connecting lives, a quiet "choice of life" is taking place in the sea. 🐚 Having finished laying eggs, the female finishes her role and quietly closes her life. When you witness the moment of "risking your life to connect your life", the back of your chest gradually warms up. You will be deeply moved by the great power and mystery of the sea. 🏝️ At Hokule'a Shonan, we carefully guide you to the spawning scene of blue Squid unique to this season every year. Because of the small number of people, we deliver a "sea experience" that you can observe closely. 📷 That atmosphere, that quiet impression that cannot be conveyed by photographs. Please try it out in Water. And so that first-timers and those with blanks can participate with peace of mind, The instructor will support you 💁 ♂️💁 ♀️ 🌿 At this time of year, when the water temperature and transparency begin to stabilize, it is ideal for diving. 🌊 A special Impression that you can never experience on land awaits you. Why don't you go and see the "baton of life" unfolding in the sea together? The once-in-a-lifetime story of the blue Squid will surely remain deep in ✨ your heart #VisitJapan #KanagawaTravel #ManazuruDiving  #ExploreJapan #ScubaDivingJapan #HokuleaShonan #TokyoDayTrip #JapanNature #OceanAdventure #TravelToJapan #JapanBeachLife #DiscoverJapan #HiddenGemsJapan

We will introduce ♩ Official website tourism association that is packed with the charms of Nagano Prefecture's Sakuho Town, such as Tourist Information, Access Information, and restaurant Information It is also convenient for checking before traveling! Please take a ☺ look ▶ Nagano Prefecture Sakuho Town Tourism Association Home page is here https://yachiho-kogen.jp//

In Sakuho Town, Nagano Prefecture, the Mitsuba azaleas are in best time to visit. Bright pink shines on the soft fresh greenery, and this season makes you feel good just by walking. Please come and ☺ see the scenery Only now

📢Limited time only! A special exhibition at Sakai City Tea Room Shin-an✨ On Sunday, May 18, the tea utensils used at the Teppō Blacksmith Residence’s tea-serving event are now on display at Sakai City Tea Room Shin-an!👀 ✨Featured tea utensils on display… Works by ceramic artist Takahiro Koga, who champions “anti-wabi-sabi”! Flashy × studs × a reinterpretation of tradition = one-of-a-kind tea ceremony pieces🔥 The exhibition runs through Wednesday, May 28! Please drop by and take a look if you’re in the neighborhood!🚶‍➡️

At the ‘‘Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park’’ in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture—situated almost in the exact center of the Chugoku region—the rose garden has reached peak bloom starting Wednesday, May 21, 2025! Colorful roses are in full bloom, and each one is beautiful. This rose garden was newly established in 2020 on roughly 400 square meters and features 118 varieties and 206 repeat-blooming rose shrubs. To enliven the north area and enhance the garden’s appeal, we began collaborating with rose enthusiasts from Shobara City in July 2024 to improve fertilization, perform detailed pruning, and train plants on arches and fences as part of ongoing cultivation and maintenance. We have added varieties such as Michelangelo and Christian Dior to further enrich the rose garden. The garden is expected to be at its best from mid-May through late July and again from mid-October through late November. Blooming information (as of May 21) Name: Roses Varieties currently in bloom: Peace, Queen Elizabeth, and many others Bloom condition: Peak bloom Blooming period: Mid-May to late July; early October to late November Basic facility information Location: Inside Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park, Satoyama Station Shobara Furari Address: 4-10 Mikkaichicho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture 727-0021 Contact: Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park TEL 0824-72-7000 Website: For details, check the official Kokuei Bihoku Hillside Park website!

🎨 Tea service using contemporary artists' tea ware at Shin-an 🍵 📢 A tea gathering that used contemporary artists' tea ware from the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo has been held! 🎉 To let people enjoy the Expo experience within the city as well, a standing-style tea service using contemporary artists' tea ware is available for a limited time at Sakai City tea room Shin-an until Wednesday, May 28. ✨ Take this chance to enjoy a standing-style tea service using the tea ware that was used at the Expo♪

NEW OPEN on May 23! A new general store is opening in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture☕🌳 Its name is bonheur poche (bonheur poche). In French it means "pocket of happiness." The owner, Mr. Motoyoshi, is from Osaka and has worked mainly as an interior coordinator, contributing to the creation of over 1,000 homes. Driven by a long-held wish to run a café, Mr. Motoyoshi opened Satoyama Cafe An in October 2024. Families, café lovers, and visitors from afar keep returning to Satoyama Cafe An. The café, renovated from a 100-year-old traditional house, feels stylish and refined while holding a hint of nostalgia. He places particular care on creating a comfortable atmosphere. He sources everyday goods that blend into daily life and add a little richness to living. Bonheur poche will also host workshops in the future. Both Satoyama Cafe An and bonheur poche will continue to develop as places that visitors can enjoy. For details, see the Editorial Report on the Shobara Tourist Navi site, Shobara Tourist Navi. Basic information for bonheur poche Opening date: Friday, May 23, 2025 Address: 89 Kamihara-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Hours: 11:00–17:00 Closed: Monday and Tuesday; Sundays irregularly closed Parking: Available (shared with Satoyama Cafe An) Contact: 0824-74-6994 (shared with Satoyama Cafe An)

📢 Special Exhibition “Sakai’s Craft and Beauty: Red & Blue That Color the Arts” 👀 📍 Enjoy the red ● and blue ● color world inspired by the Osaka-Kansai Expo at Sakai City Museum! ●● About 60 outstanding pieces on display—definitely worth seeing! 🍡🎤 This is the perfect event to soak in Sakai’s history and culture! ✨ 📅 Exhibition Period: Tuesday, May 20 – Sunday, July 13, 9:30 AM–5:15 PM 📍 Location: Sakai City Museum, inside Daisen Park 🔍 For more details, search for “Sakai City Museum”

May has finally reached the late part of the month! 🌳🍃 This time, we present eight fresh-green spots in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture—places blessed with vast nature and satoyama landscapes that you should stop by. Each spot includes two photos! For more details, see the spot information on Shobara Tourist Navi, Shobara City’s tourism information site! ✨ 1⃣ Nanatsukahara Plateau Poplar Avenue Address: Nanatsuka-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Highlights: Nanatsukahara Plateau was the site of Japan’s first national stud farm, established in 1900. Since then, it has built a history as a livestock research institution and now continues research as the Prefectural Livestock Technology Center. The poplar avenue was planted when the Nanatsukahara Ranch opened in the Meiji era and stands tall along both sides of a 200-meter ranch road within the pasture. 2⃣ Taishaku Gorge, a Quasi-National Park Address: Tojo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture – Jinseki Kogen Town, Jinseki District, Hiroshima Prefecture Highlights: Taishaku Gorge offers the limestone natural bridge Onbashi, the preserved Hakundo limestone cave with stalactites and stone formations, and many other dramatic rocks that convey a long history. Shinryuko, an artificial lake completed in the Taisho era, hosts activities such as kayaking and sightseeing boat rides. 3⃣ Biboku Hilltop Park Satoyama Station Shobara Furari (National Government Park) Address: 584 Nanatsuka-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Highlights: The National Biboku Hilltop Park sits at the heart of the Chugoku region with the theme “Hometown Play” and welcomes three-generation families. Satoyama Station Shobara Furari inside the park is a free area (note: some days may not be free), and in front lies Kunigane Pond, where visitors can sense the vastness of nature. The site also features a restaurant, dog run, and kids’ space, and a monthly market event is held. 4⃣ Mt. Hiba (Hibayama) Address: Mikawachi, Hiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Highlights: Mt. Hiba is associated with a theory that it is the burial place of the goddess Izanami no Mikoto from the Kojiki creation myth. At the center of a moss-covered megalith on the summit’s circular clearing—set within a beech forest—lies what is said to be her grave. The area is designated as the Hiba Mountain Legendary Site and listed as a Hiroshima Prefecture historic site. A stand of yew trees designated as a natural monument by Shobara City grows near the summit. Mt. Azuma, also in Shobara City, is another popular mountain for hikers. 5⃣ Mt. Azuma (Azumayama) Address: Moriwaki, Hiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture – Omaki, Okuizumo Town, Nita District, Shimane Prefecture Highlights: At 1,239 meters in the Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park, Mt. Azuma welcomes beginner hikers with beech forests and natural grassy meadows. You can enjoy vivid nature from spring’s fresh green through the first snows of late autumn. Legend says Izanagi no Mikoto called to Izanami no Mikoto on Mt. Hiba with the words “Ah, my wife.” Mt. Hiba, also in Shobara City, is another popular hiking spot. On Sunday, June 1, 2025, the Mt. Azuma summer opening ceremony praying for climbing safety will take place. 6⃣ Mt. Dogo (Dogoyama) Address: Saijo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture – Nichinan, Hino District, Tottori Prefecture Highlights: Forming part of the Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park and bordering Tottori Prefecture, Mt. Dogo is a treasure trove of alpine plants and rare species. A vast grassy plaza called Tsukimioka spreads at about 1,000 meters above sea level, and remnants of former grazing appear as long stone walls running from Iwatoyama to the Dogo summit like a Great Wall. These natural and human-shaped scenes are striking. The trails are relatively gentle, making the mountain suitable for families and beginners. Azaleas bloom beautifully in June, pampas grass in autumn, and the 360-degree views are wonderfully dreamy. Each year, the Dogo Highlands Opening is held. 7⃣ Mt. Ashitake (Ashitakeyama) Address: Homura-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Highlights: Nicknamed the “Japanese Pyramid,” Mt. Ashitake has long been linked by legend to the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu. Its triangular silhouette—from any angle—and the clusters of large boulders gave it the aura of an ancient ruin. In 1934, pyramid researcher Katsugun Sakai visited and studied the boulder groups and mountain, proposing that Ashitake is the world’s oldest pyramid main hall and that nearby Kikyozan on the north side serves as the worship hall. Mt. Ashitake features huge rocks such as Taka-iwa, Tengu-iwa, and Toriboshi-iwa, while Kikyozan contains Mirror Rock, Orientation Stone, dolmens (offering tables), and Jinmu Rock among many monoliths. 8⃣ The Great Horse Chestnut of Kumano (Kumano Shrine) Address: 630 Kumano, Saijo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Highlights: Kumano Shrine venerates the Kojiki deity Izanami no Mikoto, the goddess of land creation. Over 100 giant cedars grow there, 11 of which are designated as Hiroshima Prefecture natural monuments. The shrine is a popular power spot where visitors can feel a mystical atmosphere. The Great Horse Chestnut of Kumano is one of Japan’s largest hollow-based ancient trees and is designated a national natural monument. This 30-meter horse chestnut is of a species similar to the chestnut-lined avenues in Paris and ranges in Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu. For the sake of tree protection, please avoid entering the area around the tree’s base.

🍶 “Rikyukura” Sake Tasting Event🌸 Come and sample a variety of sake labels from Rikyukura! Whether you love sake or are trying it for the first time, everyone can enjoy this event🌸 Ask our staff about foods that pair well with sake and about the relationship between sake and Sakai’s traditional culture🍶 📅 Sunday, May 25, 11:00–16:00 📍 Sakai Densho-kan 🚃 A 3-minute walk from Hankai Line Myokokuji-mae Station For details, search “Sakai Densho-kan Rikyukura”🔍

🌸 Special Exhibition and Sale of Sakai May Carp Streamers 🎏🌸 ✨The Beauty of Hand-Painted Carp Streamers 🎏✨ A special exhibition and sale featuring hand-painted carp streamers by Takeshi Takada, the sixth-generation artisan of Sakai May Carp Streamers "Takagi"! Take this chance to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of hand-painted carp streamers with a history spanning more than a century. 🎵 📅 Friday, May 16 – Thursday, May 22, 10:00–18:00 📍 Sakai Densho-kan 🚃 A 3-minute walk from Hankai Line "Myokokuji-mae" For details, search for "Sakai Densho-kan carp streamers" 🔍

Taishaku Gorge, one of Japan’s leading gorges, spans Tojo Town in Shobara City and Jinseki Kogen Town in Jinseki District, Hiroshima Prefecture. Located in the heart of the Chugoku Mountains, it is a principal scenic spot of Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park and is designated a nationally recognized place of scenic beauty. Here are two highlights of the Taishaku Gorge area: Onbashi and Shinryu Lake. Onbashi is a colossal natural bridge representing Japan, measuring 90 meters long, 18 meters wide, and 40 meters high. It is a limestone bridge spanning the Taishaku Gorge valley and, because of its grandeur, is also known as Kono Bridge. Shinryu Lake is an artificial lake completed in the Taisho era within a limestone gorge, with a 24-kilometer shoreline and an 8-kilometer length. In the coming season the area will be lush with fresh green leaves, and in autumn you can admire fiery foliage from sightseeing boats on the lake. A karst plateau formed by deep erosion of limestone extends across the area, preserving a landscape that remains in harmony with nature. Within this quasi-national park’s expansive natural setting, you can rent bicycles and enjoy activities such as kayaking and open-boat rides. Aim to visit now while the fresh green season is at its most beautiful!

🎪 Ebisujima Côté Rivière ✨ EBISUJIMA CÔTÉ RIVIÈRE 🚩 [Updated May 16] Because rain is forecast for Sunday morning, the event time has been changed to 12:00–17:00. 🌿 Why not relax by the riverbank of Ebisujima, where time flows gently, and enjoy shopping for antique goods 🪑, gourmet food 🍽️, and DJ music 🎶? ✨ 🔍 For details, check @ebisujima.cote.rivi

🌹✨One of Britain’s two leading ballet companies, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, returns to Japan for the first time in seven years!✨🌹 Enjoy a casual dinner at Sakai Terrace Salto, the restaurant adjacent to Fennie Che Sakai, including an appetizer platter, soup, main course, bread, dessert, and one drink, and savor one of the world’s finest ballet companies in this special plan.🩰 📅Performance date: Wednesday, July 2 –🎭 The Sleeping Beauty, full three acts 🎭 📍Fennie Che Sakai Grand Hall ⌚Doors open 18:30 / Ends around 21:30 🎫 S seats (1st floor) with meal: ¥26,000 🎫 A seats (3rd floor) with meal: ¥22,500 📅Application deadline: Friday, June 20 🔍For details, please see the Sakai Tourism Guide website 💡Would you like to enjoy Britain’s beautiful ballet and Sakai cuisine in this special package?

A roundup of dog-friendly dining and dog runs where you can eat with your pet in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is now featured in the Editorial Report on the Shobara Tourist Navi website! For details, please check the homepage.✨ Basic information on shops that offer menu items for dogs 🐶 Be sure to visit the spots that catch your eye! 1. Dog Cafe Pacem (Pacem) [Address] 634-2 Heiwa-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture [Phone] (0824) 74-1201 [Hours] 9:00–19:00 [Closed] Wednesday, Thursday [Parking] About 10 spaces [Recommended dog meal menu] Chicken and tofu dog burger 260 yen (tax included) The carrot paw print is adorable, and all dog menu items list ingredients, so you can feel secure about allergies! 2. National Hibakokuryo Hill Park Satoyama Station Shobara Furari [Address] 4-10 Mikkaichi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture [Phone] 080-8242-4173 [Hours] 9:30–17:00 (varies by season) *Both park admission and dog run reception close one hour before closing* *Operates according to the opening hours of the National Hibaku Plateau Hills Park* [Closed] Monday, New Year holidays (12/31, 1/1) *Operates according to the opening hours of the National Hibaku Plateau Hills Park* [Parking] Lot 5 is open free of charge *During busy periods (about five days a year) it becomes a paid parking lot* 3. Hiroshima Prefectural Forest for Citizens [Address] 156-14 Yuki, Saijo-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture [Phone] 0824-84-2020 [Hours] 8:00–17:00 [Closed] Closed for the winter season *Dogs are allowed to run freely in the snow* [Parking] Available 4. Nanatsukahara Service Area (downbound) [Address] 560-4 Yamauchi-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture [Hours] Open 24 hours [Closed] None [Parking] Available 5. Roadside Station Takano [Address] 49 Shimomonda, Takano-cho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture [Phone] 0824-86-3131 [Hours] 9:00–18:00 [Closed] 2nd and 4th Wednesday [Parking] Available

🎶 Rhythm of India 🇮🇳✨🎶 Six traditional instrumentalists have come from the Republic of India to Japan, performing sitar, tabla, santoor, mridangam, sarangi, and sarod 🎶 This is the first time these six instruments will be played together in Sakai! 👀 Opportunities like this will remain rare. Please come and join us. 🎫 Admission is free, but prior registration is required! 🔍 For details, check Fennie Che Sakai’s official website 😀

🌊✨ Memories 🌊✨ of Iriomote Island Diving Tour Hello! This time in Hokule'a Shonan, I went to Iriomote Island! There is a to everyone who participated. First of all, the highlight of this tour, the big game! The manta ray we were looking for swam gracefully right above us, and everyone was very excited about its majestic appearance! The next thing that appeared was a turtle 🐢. They have a strong spirit of service, come close to everyone, and take a commemorative photo perfectly! In addition, a flock of barracudas will appear at the end! The thunderstorm ☔️ of the previous day reduced the visibility a little, but I still enjoyed the luxurious scene. In addition to the big fish, we also observed a variety of corals 🪸, beautiful water channels ☀️ with light, and many macro organisms such as clownfish and nudibranchs. The clownfish even showed off a 😊 trick Even after diving, we spent a relaxing time at a café and toasted together, making it a very satisfying four days not only at sea but also on land. The time I spent with you was truly a wonderful memory. ⭐️ The next Iriomote Island tour will be Friday, May 15-18, 2026 Capacity: 8 people Make your reservation as soon as possible! 😎 🌈 If it's Hokule'a Shonan There are Accommodation tours every month! Accommodation tours include more than just diving There are a lot of things that everyone can enjoy 🙌 Hokule'a Shonan is a dive shop located in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Under the theme of "Let's embark on a journey to an unseen world!", we deliver the splendor and fun of Nature to everyone through diving. Izu, Okinawa, overseas, etc., we offer more than 300 days of courses and tours a year! The small number of students is small, so beginners can participate with confidence. We are flexible in responding to your requests, so let's experience a new world of the sea together! 🌈 #IriomoteDiving #ScubaAdventure #OceanExploration #BigMarineLife #MantaRayEncounter #TurtleEncounter #BarracudaSchool #UnderwaterAdventure #TropicalDiving #IslandGetaway #ScubaTravel #OceanLovers #DiveWithUs #ExploreTheBlue #HokuleaShonan #PADI5Star #DivingExperience #TravelJapan #IslandVibes #ScubaDivingJapan

There’s a ranch in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, where you can meet cows and enjoy the great outdoors, and even try your hand at cheesemaking 🧀!🐮✨ Fukufuku Ranch sits in Kuwacho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Although it’s called a ranch, it’s essentially a mountain. You can watch cows stride confidently across steep slopes and through thickets, and the wide natural landscape—full of insects and thick branches that make you want to pick them up—invites curious children to romp and run with delight. There are about five to ten cows on the ranch. From spring through autumn they graze on fresh grass in the pastures, and in winter they eat hay. All the animals are Jersey cattle. Of course you can interact with the cows. Remarkably, the ranch also offers a variety of hands-on programs! Here are five experiences available. (For details, please see the official Fukufuku Ranch website.) 1. A walking course right beside the cows 2. Ranch trekking and cottage cheese making 3. Milking 4. Butter making 5. A slightly indulgent ranch tour guided by ranch staff These programs were created out of a desire for visitors to learn about the milk that becomes cheese and about the cows that live in the mountains. Whether with family, a group, friends, or alone, please make a reservation and give it a try 👀✨ Facility name: Fukufuku Ranch Address: 1390 Yuki, Kuwacho, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture Phone: 0824-87-2195

We will hold a grand tea gathering where you can enjoy Sakai’s diverse charms and performances by artists connected to Sakai 🍵🍡🎶 Would you like to spend a special time experiencing Sakai’s spirit of hospitality at the Osaka-Kansai Expo? 😊 Not only can you enjoy tea service by the three Sen families and sweets from long-established wagashi shops, but you can also relax to pleasant music by artists with ties to Sakai 🍵🍡🎶 📅 Period: Saturday, May 10 – Tuesday, May 13 🏠 Venue: Osaka-Kansai Expo Pop-up Stage South and Gallery EAST 🔴 Participation: A numbered ticket (first-come, first-served) is required for the tea ceremony and meditation experience at Gallery EAST. 💰 Cost: Free 🔍 For event details, search “Sakai Expo”! 🌟 During the event, we will run a campaign giving wagashi from Sakai’s long-established confectioners on the spot to those who post photos of the Sakai event on social media with #matchasakai #japaneseculture.‼️ Please post and enjoy Sakai’s delicious wagashi 😋🍡 ・Maruichi Kashiho ( @maruichikashiho ) ・Kaan Satoya ( @satoya._ ) ・Hosen Kashipo ( @takamotimoti ) ・Hamadera Mochi Kagetsudo ・Okashi Tsukasa Tenjinmochi ( @tenjinmochi ) ・Okayoshi Mishoan 🌟 Also, if you scan the QR code for SAKAI TICKET at the venue with your smartphone, you can enter a lottery to win digital coupons usable in Sakai City‼️If you’re lucky, you might win a 10,000-yen subsidy voucher usable at hotels in Sakai City⁉️There are no losing entries—everyone wins something—so please join us 🤗 🔍 Also check the “Sakai Tourism Guide Expo Special Site (If you came to the Expo, come to Sakai too)”! We look forward to your visit 😄

✨Tea served in contemporary artists' teaware 🍵 – Art Tea Gathering in Sakai🎨– Sakai City will present a tea gathering using contemporary artists' teaware as part of Sakai’s program for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. We will host tea service events using contemporary artists' teaware at tea ceremony–related venues around the city so visitors can enjoy the Expo experience locally. Please see the Sakai City website for details.