Reihoku Sunset Marche — February Announcement📣 Hello everyone! With the season full of events like ehomaki and Setsubun, here is the announcement for the Reihoku Sunset Marche in February♪ 👀 Highlights of this Sunset Marche 👀 ❣ Reihoku Sunset Marche will offer agricultural products, processed goods, and prepared foods from Reihokumachi, including bagged mikan (tangerines) for sale🍊. This time, a kitchen car from Ninoya Amakusa will also be on site offering ikinari dango❣ We look forward to seeing you 😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ Items expected for sale ・Cauliflower ・Pumpkin🎃 ・Cabbage ・Cucumber🥒 ・Rice🌾 ・Taro ・Shiitake (log-grown) ・Potatoes🥔 ・New onions🧅 ・Tomatoes (Aiko, mini) ・Broccoli🥦 ・Green peppers ・Beni Haruka (sweet potato variety) ・Ponkan ・Mikan🍊 (bagged) ・Lettuce (sunny) 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche Date: Sunday, February 8 — 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Location: Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association (reihoku town products hall facility, 4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihokumachi)

[Held at Hakata Station] Announcing the Amakusa Reihoku “Area Dual Residency Experience Exchange Event” and the Ohisama Marche, packed with the charms of Amakusa Reihoku! On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the big event “Learn About Amakusa: Amakusa Reihoku Area Dual Residency Experience Exchange Event,” where you can experience the attractions of Reihoku with all five senses, will take place at Hakata Station Square, Fukuoka’s gateway! The Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association will also bring our proud local specialties to enliven the Ohisama Marche booth. Feel the breeze of Amakusa Reihoku—less than an hour’s flight from Fukuoka—right at the venue. 🛍️ Ohisama Marche: Featured Lineup This time’s market carefully selects the best tastes from Reihoku! ⚪︎ Celebrating the Kumamoto-Oshi Dora Grand Prix 2025 award! “Salt Dorayaki” — a masterpiece from long-established local wagashi maker Kurose Seikaho. The just-right saltiness enhances the sweetness, creating a taste you won’t forget. ⚪︎ “Canned Fish from Amakusa Takushin High School Marine Campus” packed with youthful energy — these popular specialty cans were lovingly made by local high school students during practical training. ⚪︎ “Processed Seafood Products” — seaweeds and senbei (rice crackers) made with shrimp and octopus caught in Amakusa’s rich waters; perfect for cooking or snacking. ⚪︎ “Fresh Seasonal Vegetables” sold directly by local farmers — proudly grown under Reihoku’s abundant sun. 👓 Experience & Consultation Booths: Learn About and Get Close to Reihoku In addition to the market, we offer corners where you can learn more deeply about Reihoku. ⚪︎ Metaverse Reihoku Travel (VR experience) — Using VR, why not tour Reihoku’s beautiful sea and scenery in 360-degree video while staying in Fukuoka? ⚪︎ Migration and Dual-Base Living Consultation — Reihoku town staff and regional revitalization team members will staff a consultation corner. Let’s talk openly about daily life and work in Reihoku. ⚪︎ Tourism PR & Talk Events — We will share every last highlight of Amakusa Reihoku. We have lovely gifts prepared for participants, so please stop by. 📅 Event Details Name: Learn About Amakusa! Amakusa Reihoku Area Dual Residency Experience Exchange Event Date and Time: Sunday, February 8, 2026, 11:00–17:00 at Hakata Station Square Organizer: Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture Contact: (Event planning and management) Parallab Co., Ltd. 📞092-986-9671 ✉️info@parallab.jp To everyone using Hakata Station and anyone with even a slight interest in Amakusa and Reihoku: we truly look forward to meeting you at the venue and sharing stories about Reihoku!

👹✨February 3 is Setsubun✨👹 When you think of Setsubun, you think of ehomaki! The lucky direction for 2026 is south-southeast. Face that direction, hold a wish in your mind, and silently take a big bite of the whole thick roll—this is the tradition of eating an ehomaki. This year, why not make your very own ehomaki at the sushi counter?🍣 Using delicious, naturally sweet rice from Kikuchi and guided directly by a sushi chef, enjoy a rare rolled-sushi-making experience. It’s designed so even young children can join in, making it perfect for creating family memories. Bring your family and friends and make special Setsubun memories together✨ 📌Details and reservations here https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/taikenplan...

Take a little breather from your busy days. The popular market event “Beauty and Healing Yorimichi Marche” is finally celebrating its 7th edition! This time marks the third time it will be held in Reihoku Town👏 Why not spend a special day filled with “beauty, healing, and deliciousness” at the Reihoku Town Tourist Information Center? 🌿 How to enjoy the marche This edition features three delightful sections. [Treatment Corner]💆‍♀️ Warmth therapies, massages, head spas, and other treatments that help you relax both body and mind. [Hands-on & Sales Corner]🛍 Stalls selling handmade goods, fortune-telling, beauty experiences, and other booths perfect for treating yourself. [Food Corner]🍕🥐 From bento boxes and sweets to bread and pizza—there’s a satisfying lineup to fill your stomach. ✨ Highlights this time! Stamp rally! Visit venues around the site and collect stamps for a chance to win great prizes♪ Everyone is welcome! Admission is free. Whether you come with family and friends or drop by on your own for a little “yorimichi,” you’re warmly invited🤍 📅 Event details Date & Time: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (national holiday) 10:00–16:00 Location: Reihoku Town Tourist Information Center (4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa District) Admission: Free Organizer: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (general incorporated association) Planning & Management: CROSSLINK On a winter afternoon, our staff look forward to seeing your smiling faces. Please feel free to stop by for a little “yorimichi”🌼

A fire burned at Tomioka Elementary School for the first time in about 20 years. The children who once took part are now parents, passing the tradition to today's kids. On Sunday, January 18, the "Dondoya"—held at Tomioka Elementary School for the first time in about 20 years—took place. The familiar crack of bamboo snapping, "Bachi bachi!" Beyond the height of the flames, the crowd's warmth was overwhelming…! They grilled mochi over the embers, enjoyed steaming roasted sweet potatoes, and sipped pork miso soup that warmed the body. Watching children stuffing their cheeks with mochi they had toasted themselves, I felt reminded of the importance of keeping this tradition alive. From the lighting at 9 a.m., the happy hours passed in a flash. Thank you so much to everyone in the community who planned and prepared the event. Winter in Tomioka is the best. If you missed it, why not join the circle next year? If you want to help preserve Reihoku's traditions, please follow us via the icon at the top left to show your support. We’re sharing the charms of Reihoku! ✨

“Can you believe all of this is handmade?” A massive pyre has appeared that can withstand the sea breeze of Tomioka. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18th at 9:00 AM, the Dondoyama ceremony will take place at Tomioka Elementary School. This pyre rises more than five meters high. Looking up from below, you’ll be overwhelmed by its sheer presence. Please come and feel the passion that everyone poured into preparing for this day on site. A winter tradition wishing for good health and safety. Let’s watch together the moment a great pillar of flame soars into the Tomioka sky!

Reihoku Sunset Marche — January Announcement📣 Happy New Year🎊 Our first announcement of the year is the Reihoku Sunset Marche in January♪ 👀 Highlights of this Sunset Marche 👀 ❣ At the Reihoku Sunset Marche, where agricultural products, processed goods, and prepared foods from Reihoku are sold, freshly shipped bagged mikan (tangerines) will be available this time 🍊 Please enjoy these seasonal farm products❣ We look forward to seeing you 😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ Scheduled produce for sale: ・Aspara greens ・Cauliflower ・Turnips🫜 ・Pumpkin🎃 ・Cabbage ・Cucumbers🥒 ・Kale ・Rice🌾 ・Coral leaf feather ・Taro ・Sweet potatoes🍠 ・Potatoes🥔 ・Garland chrysanthemum (shungiku) ・Daikon radish ・Tomatoes (Aiko, cherry) ・Chinese cabbage ・Green peppers🫑 ・Broccoli🥦 ・Ponkan ・Mikan🍊 (bagged, boxed, bag-hung) ・Mizuna (Beni-hoshi variety) ・Lettuce (sunny, leaf) ・Welsh onion (single stalk) 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche Date: Sunday, January 11, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM Location: Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association (Reihoku Town Local Products Center, 4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku)

New Year shrine-visit guide 🎍 This time we introduce Kikuchi Shrine, Hokumiya Aso Shrine, Hachidai Ryuo Shrine, and Mt. Kuradake. Kikuchi Shrine The shrine approach glows with warm lights at night, making for great photos. The "New Year Fortune Fukumikji" features luck-bringing prizes, including a Kikuchi Shrine award of an ever-growing half-sho of sacred sake and a grand prize of a zodiac ornament. Amazake is also available on the grounds, offering a relaxing warm break. Hokumiya Aso Shrine Hokumiya Aso Shrine sits right beside the gentle flow of the Kikuchi River. "Free Amazake Distribution" ・From New Year’s Eve, amazake will be distributed for free (while supplies last). "New Year Limited Goshuin" ・A limited goshuin stamp will be offered for the New Year. If you plan to watch the first sunrise, consider the views from Mt. Kuradake 🌄 Mt. Kuradake has a route that starts from the ninth station, so why not try a sunrise ascent to greet the first sun of the year? #Kikuchi Shrine #Mt. Kuradake hike #Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/22620... https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/22679...

Great deals and convenience! The Kikuchi Tourism Association has launched its official LINE account. We share tourism information about Kikuchi City and coupons you can use at local shops. Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture lies about 25 km northeast of Kumamoto City, in the central part of the prefecture. It is a nature-rich area where history and culture live on. The Kikuchi River runs through the city center, surrounded by mountains and rural landscapes. Kikuchi also offers many hot springs and tourist spots, making it a perfect place to unwind and refresh. The representative Kikuchi Gorge features beautiful ravines and clear streams, ideal for hiking and nature walks, and attracts many visitors. Kikuchi Onsen is also famous as a hot spring area; it first gushed in 1954 (Showa 29). The hot springs use 100% natural water, boast abundant flow, and are colorless, transparent, and alkaline. The gentle, soft waters maintain a source temperature of 45°C and are said to be beneficial for beauty, neuralgia, and rheumatism. Kikuchi Shrine is a historic shrine worshiped as the guardian deity of the area. Agriculture flourishes here, producing specialty rice, vegetables, and fruits. Numerous local product centers and eateries sell fresh local ingredients. Kikuchi City also hosts many traditional events and festivals where you can feel the local culture. We share Kikuchi’s many charms and offer coupons through the official LINE account to help you enjoy the city even more. More participating shops will be added over time. Please use the service when you visit Kikuchi. Be sure to add us as a friend and take advantage of the offers. For details, please visit the Kikuchi Tourism Association website. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/kikuchikanko-line...

Notice about New Year opening hours for the Manda Pit area. Today is the last day of operations for 2025. Thank you to everyone who visited in 2025. We will reopen on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM. The winter light filtering through the brick scenery creates a quiet, photogenic moment. Don’t forget your camera. 🕘 Opening day Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9:30 AM • Manda Pit Station • Manda Pit Site • Manda Coal Mine Museum • Marugoto Arao Bussankan Hours 11:00–16:30 Mornings, especially early hours, are often a peaceful time to explore, so we recommend them. All our staff look forward to welcoming you. Please add this to your plans #Arao City, Kumamoto Prefecture https://arao-kankou.jp/oshirase/16514/...

Christmas is finally just a week away 🎄 In Amakusa City, light-ups are taking place across the area under the name Amakusa Romantic Fantasy 2025, and here is information about the illuminations you can see in Reihoku ✨ This time we introduce Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center. The entire entrance to the facility is lit up as a Christmas illumination 💡 (remarkably, the staff made it by hand 👀) When you visit, be sure to take a look ☺️ Here is the place we introduced👇 Hama-yū Rehabilitation Center (1215 Shiki, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2503)

Year-end and New Year Business Hours Notice: With just under three weeks left in 2025, we hope this message finds you well and prospering. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members and the many others who have supported us this year. We ask for your continued patronage in the coming year and offer this as our year-end greeting. — Office Year-end and New Year Hours — Tourism Association Office and Tourist Information Center: Closed from December 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Normal business resumes on January 5. Please note that bicycle rentals at the Tourist Information Center will also be suspended during the period above. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerely yours.

【Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary of Town Incorporation WEB Photo Contest Results Announcement🎊】 Thank you very much for the many entries to the “Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary of Town Incorporation WEB Photo Contest.” We received many stunning shots that captured the town’s scenery and charm, and this contest became a wonderful opportunity to highlight Reihoku’s appeal.🙇 From a total of 81 submissions, we carefully selected the following winners and are pleased to announce them! 📸【General Category】High school age and above The Grand Prize goes to the nickname “2984”! (second photo) The title is “Chasing the Ball,” taken at the Tomioka Castle Festival. The entrant commented, “The dragon dance that breathes smoke feels unique to Amakusa.”🎶 “2984” will receive a prize of 10,000 yen and Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen at a later date.🎁 The following two entrants won Special Awards👏; each will receive 3,000 yen and Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen.💝 First is nickname “Sora” (third photo), titled “Shining Tomioka Castle”🏯. This photo was taken at Tomioka Castle during the castle festival; the entrant wrote, “I climbed up during a break in the festival. The contrast between the white walls and blue sky was very beautiful.” Second is nickname “Green and White and Purple” (fourth photo), titled “Children of the Seaside Town”🌊. The entrant wrote, “Children working together and the glittering sea — it was the perfect moment.”🎶 The following four entrants received Honorable Mentions👏; each will receive Reihoku specialty products worth 5,000 yen.🎁 First is nickname “dSuke” (fifth photo), titled “Blooming at Tomioka Castle”🎆. The entrant described: “The sky shifts from dusk to night in a deep blue. Lights reflect on the sea surface, the castle ruins sit on the hill, and large fireworks bloom overlapping that scene.”👍 Second is nickname “Hijikata Tonza Buro” (sixth photo), titled “Mukaizuki Aoi,” and the entrant wrote, “I photographed the Kumamoto-maru docked at Tomioka Port against the background of the annual Jatto Festival fireworks I watch every year!”📸 Third is nickname “Manakan” (seventh photo), titled “Sunset Reflected in the Rice Fields Before Planting,” taken in the castle town. “Water fills the paddies before planting; with no wind the surface is calm. You only see this special scene on a day with a beautiful sunset when everything lines up. I look forward to seeing this view every year,” the entrant wrote.🎶 Fourth is nickname “Arisa” (eighth photo), titled “First Sunrise 2025,” taken at the Tomioka Marine Park observation area🌅. “I visit this spot every year to see the first sunrise. It’s not an exaggeration to say this light powers me through the year. It’s my power spot,” the entrant shared. 📸【Junior Category】Elementary and junior high school students Next are the winners in the Junior Category! The Grand Prize goes to nickname “Melon and Watermelon” with the title “Bustling Castle Festival”! (ninth photo) Congratulations on your win🎊 The entrant said, “I was chatting with friends at the castle festival venue when I suddenly noticed this scene.” “Melon and Watermelon” will receive a 5,000-yen book gift card.🎁 The following two entrants won Special Awards👏; each will receive a 3,000-yen book gift card.🎁 First is nickname “Haru” (tenth photo), titled “Beautiful Sunset,” taken on National Route 324 (Sakasegawa)☀️. “Riding home from cram school, I sat beside my driving mother and the sky was so beautiful I took a photo. I was happy when my mother said, ‘It’s beautiful,’” the entrant wrote.🎶 Second is nickname “Reo” (eleventh photo), titled “Godzilla,” taken on National Route 324 (Kozufukae). The entrant wrote, “Riding in my mother’s car, I saw clouds heading toward the sea that looked like Godzilla.”✨ After a rigorous screening, the works above were chosen as winners. We deeply thank everyone for so wonderfully expressing Reihoku Town’s charm! We appreciate your continued support of Reihoku Town.🙇 Also, the 4th Amashin Photo Contest is currently open! Please check the Notices section on our website for details.📸 🏯【Contact】Reihoku Jatto Festival & Tomioka Castle Festival Executive Committee, Photo Contest Section Address: 4535-2 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku Town, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2502, inside the Reihoku Chamber of Commerce TEL: 0969-37-1244 E-mail: pc@amakusa-kankou.com

“Hikari no Fantasy Kikuchi 2025” is being held at Kikuchi City Furusato Sosei Shimin Hiroba Plaza in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, where it is decorated with illuminations. The highlight is a giant Christmas tree stretching 15 meters in length. The sight of its beautiful lights is breathtaking. Various other illuminations are installed, and the lights paint a magical atmosphere. This event is organized by the Kikuchi Brightening Association together with volunteer citizens who want to brighten and energize Kikuchi City. It grows a little each year and is upgraded annually. Around the venue is Kikuchi Onsen, where you can warm up after the cold. Enjoy the hot springs along with the illuminations. ■Illumination period: Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Friday, January 9, 2026 ■Lighting hours: 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/fantasy-kikuchi...

On November 19, we held the fourth workshop to develop a sightseeing walking route that lets visitors enjoy “Reihoku’s Literary Treasures,” turning the literary spots and heritage remaining in Reihoku into new tourism resources. This workshop was the final session. Based on the feedback and ideas we have received so far, we reviewed the proposed route and the draft guide manual again and exchanged opinions with the participants. We also read works related to Reihoku—Fumiko Hayashi’s Amakusa Nada and Ryōtarō Shiba’s Kaidō o Yuku 17—so participants could feel how the literature still connects with Reihoku today. Going forward, we aim to develop this into an actual sightseeing tour. We will post progress updates on our website, so please look forward to them. Note: We are also collecting ideas and useful tips from people who could not attend the workshop to help shape the walking route. Please take part in the survey on our company website’s news section. Contact: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (Incorporated Association), Ogata ☎0969-31-1136 This workshop was held as part of the FY2025 Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Grant project.

[Reihoku Sunset Marche] December Announcement📣 This is an announcement for the Reihoku Sunset Marche in December♪ 👀Highlights of this Sunset Marche👀 ❣Reihoku Sunset Marche sells agricultural products, processed goods, and prepared foods from Reihoku, and this event marks its first anniversary since it began🎊 To celebrate the first anniversary, we will hold a lottery for the first customers who spend 700 yen or more! A Veg Check screening that awards health points will also be available, so please come by❣ We look forward to seeing you😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag🛍✨ [Planned produce for sale] ・Turnips🫜 ・Pumpkin🎃 ・Cabbage ・Cucumbers🥒 ・Rice (new harvest)🌾 ・Red leaf lettuce (sunny lettuce) ・Potatoes🥔 ・Garland chrysanthemum (shungiku) ・Zucchini ・Daikon radish ・Carrots🥕 ・Chinese cabbage ・One-character scallion (wakegi) ・Green peppers🫑 ・Beni Haruka sweet potato ・Spinach ・Mandarin oranges🍊 ・Mizuna ・Cherry tomatoes (Aiko, fruit types) ・Lettuce 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche [Date] Sunday, December 14, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM ※Veg Check screening: 12:30 PM–3:30 PM [Location] Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (Reihoku Town Product Center facility: 4535-1 Kozufukae, Reihoku)

[Applications Open] “The 4th Amashin Photo Contest” is now accepting entries! Thank you for the many submissions to the “Reihoku Town 70th Anniversary Web Photo Contest.” After judging, we will announce the selected works. This is an announcement for the “The 4th Amashin Photo Contest,” which opened for entries on Monday, November 17. The theme is “Amakusa’s Best Spots You’ll Want to Share.” Feel free to photograph Amakusa’s landscapes, streets that evoke its history and culture, festivals, light-ups, and more, and submit as many entries as you like! For details, please see our company announcements page or the attached flyer.👀

Applications Open: Amakusa West Coast Reihoku Sunset Cruise and Spiny Lobster Trip! A one-night, two-day bus tour called “Amakusa West Coast Reihoku Sunset Cruise and Spiny Lobster Trip” will run on Saturday and Sunday, December 13–14, and reservations are now open! This bus tour lets you fully enjoy the Amakusa West Coast with spiny lobsters, a sunset cruise, dolphin watching, and the Sakitsu village.🚌 For details and to book, search the tour name “Amakusa West Coast Reihoku Sunset Cruise and Spiny Lobster Trip” or check the News section on our website.👀 Don’t miss this chance to experience the winter charm of the Amakusa West Coast.✨

[Event Information] In November we will exhibit at events in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture and in Tokyo. On Sunday, November 23, we will take part in “The 5th Nagoya Castle Grand Tea Gathering ✖️ Traveling! Castle EXPO at Hizen Nagoya Castle” in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, and on Saturday and Sunday, November 22–23, we will join “JOIN Migration, Exchange & Regional Revitalization Fair 2025” in Tokyo with a booth from Reihoku Town and our company. At both events we will sell Reihoku Town specialties. At the Castle EXPO we will also sell the Tomioka Castle goshuin-style castle seal🏯, and at the JOIN migration fair we will offer Reihoku mandarin oranges, now in season🍊. Please come and visit us✨ For more details about each event, search the event names below: “The 5th Nagoya Castle Grand Tea Gathering ✖️ Traveling! Castle EXPO at Hizen Nagoya Castle” “JOIN Migration, Exchange & Regional Revitalization Fair 2025” Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) 4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture 863-2502 TEL: 0969-31-1136 E-mail: info@amakusa-kankou.com

Beginner-friendly! Hike Mt. Kuradake from the 9th station Mt. Kuradake sits in Kyokushi, Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Its appeal is that you can drive up to the 9th station and reach the summit in about a 30-minute walk, making it an easy outing. The mountain takes its name from the saddle-like shape you see from the foothills. There are several routes to suit different abilities, including the Forest Course, the Panorama Course, and the East Trailhead Course (9th station). Hikers from beginners to advanced enjoy this mountain. From the summit you get a 360-degree panorama. You can take in sweeping views of the Five Peaks of Aso, the Kuju Mountains in Oita, and Unzen in Nagasaki. Wildflowers bloom along the way, offering seasonal variety. Signposts and markers make the route relatively easy to follow. Relax at the summit with a packed lunch or a cup of coffee. It’s also a great spot to watch the first sunrise of the year on New Year’s Day. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/kuratake...

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Amakusa Area designation within Unzen-Amakusa National Park on July 20, 2026, the two-day cycling event "Amakusa Round! Amaichi Granfondo 2025" will be held in Amakusa 🚴 Granfondo is an Italian term for long-distance cycling events. Rather than racing the clock, participants ride at their own pace, enjoy rest and meals at aid stations, and take in spectacular views on this relaxed cycling event♪ Event Overview Dates: December 13 (Sat)–December 14 (Sun), 2025 Location: Amakusa area, Kumamoto Prefecture (Amakusa City, Kami-Amakusa City, Reihoku) Capacity: Up to 200 riders per day, totaling 400 riders over two days. Applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Courses: (1) Shimashima Trial Course Saturday, December 13, 2025. Start and finish at Tomioka Port in Reihoku. A roughly 140-km route around Amakusa Shimashima (Amakusa City and Reihoku) for 30 riders experienced in cycling around the Amakusa area. (2) Shimashima Main Course Saturday, December 13, 2025. Start and finish at Tomioka Port in Reihoku. A roughly 80-km route around Amakusa Shimashima (Amakusa City and Reihoku) for 170 riders. (3) Kamishima Course Sunday, December 14, 2025. Start and finish at the Hiwado Regional Promotion Center, Kami-Amakusa City Hall. A roughly 80-km route around Amakusa Kamishima (Amakusa City and Kami-Amakusa City) for 200 riders. For registration details and more information, search for "Amaichi Gran" and visit the event website provided by Local Gain Co., Ltd. (080-7577-2505), or check the announcements section on our company website! Why not spend this December enjoying Reihoku’s food and nature while having a refreshing cycling experience around Amakusa? E-bike rentals are also available, so please take a look!

Reihoku Sunset Marche — November Event Notice📣 This is the announcement for the Reihoku Sunset Marche taking place in November♪ 👀Highlights of this edition of the Sunset Marche👀 ❣Reihoku Sunset Marche will feature agricultural products, processed foods, and prepared dishes from Reihoku. This time it will be held on the same day as the 10th anniversary and olive harvest thanksgiving festival of the neighboring Fukuda Family Olive Orchard.❣ We look forward to seeing everyone 😊 Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag 🛍✨ 🙇Please note that parking is expected to be crowded, so you may also use the Chamber of Commerce parking lot.🙇 【Planned produce for sale】 ・Cucumbers ・Rice (new crop, late-season) ・Taro ・Sweet potatoes ・Zucchini ・Onions ・Mikan (mandarin oranges) ・Cherry tomatoes ・Peanuts ・Lettuce (sunny, leaf) 🥦🍅🥕🍠🥬🧅🫑🌽🌶🫛🍆🫚🥔 Reihoku Sunset Marche 【Date】Sunday, November 9, 1:00 PM–3:30 PM 【Venue】Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association (general incorporated association) ※Reihoku Town Product Center facility (4535-1 Kamitsufukae, Reihoku)

We will hold the 4th “Amakusa Reihoku Literary Walk” tourist route creation workshop 🎊 On Wednesday, November 19th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association will host the 4th “Amakusa Reihoku Literary Walk” tourist route creation workshop♪ This session will use the proposed tourist walking routes developed from ideas and discussions in previous workshops to finalize the route🔥 A recap of sessions 1–3 is included, so drop-in participation for this workshop is perfectly fine! If you are interested in literature, history, tour guiding, or community development, please feel free to join us ✨ Date and time: Wednesday, November 19th, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM Venue: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association, 2nd floor (4535-1 Kozufukae, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture) Registration deadline: Monday, November 17th 👉 Please check the announcements section on our website to apply! This workshop is held as part of the FY2025 Kumamoto Future Creation Startup Grant program. Contact: Amakusa Reihoku Tourism Association Secretariat, Ogata TEL: 0969-31-1136 E-mail: info@amakusa-kankou.com

Mindfulness tourism was held at Kikuchi Gorge in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. We offered the ultimate retreat in nature’s clear streams to maximize mental and physical performance. Away from everyday noise, participants enjoyed a special experience that sharpened the five senses while feeling the breath of nature. The program featured mindfulness walking incorporating meditation and breathing techniques. Participants walked through Kikuchi Gorge together with a resident priest. At each spot, people quietly faced nature—lying on rocks, sitting in zazen, or otherwise pausing in reflection. In the calm atmosphere, attendees refreshed their minds and bodies and seemed to find new insights. On the first day, we held “Mindfulness Walking and a Tea Ceremony.” A tea master conducted a tea gathering within Kikuchi Gorge. The water of Kikuchi Gorge was used for the tea. In the silent morning space, guests settled their minds and quietly enjoyed delicious tea. On the second day, participants experienced “Mindfulness Walking and a Breakfast Gathering.” They ate breakfast in the crisp morning air while sensing the surrounding nature. They enjoyed their meal in a relaxed, peaceful state. The dishes used the soft water from Kikuchi Gorge, offering clay-pot rice and meals made with local Kikuchi ingredients. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience in their own way. By walking and touching nature in the morning, many said they were able to forget work worries and busyness. The matcha tea ceremony eased tired bodies, and the sound of the clear stream sharpened both hearing and taste. Meditating in nature with the murmur of the river and the cool air felt pleasant. Freshly cooked rice in a clay pot and nameko mushroom soup warmed body and soul; the dishes were elaborate, truly delicious, and left guests very satisfied. These were among many comments we received. It was a luxurious time to experience Kikuchi’s food, nature, and moments of self-reflection with the five senses. Instead of letting a day pass by unnoticed, participants seemed to appreciate spending time in nature solely for themselves.

Announcement: Reihoku Medical Association Hospital Musubu Marche📣 The Reihoku Medical Association Hospital will host the Musubu Marche to raise interest in health and medical care on Saturday, November 8. Highlights include a hands-on job experience session for children with nurses and pharmacists, a public lecture by the hospital director, and a photo-frame workshop using scallop shells, plus many other attractions. Food trucks will be on site that day, and a stamp rally will let visitors collect stamps at each booth for a chance to win prizes by lottery. Please come and join us✨ Reihoku Medical Association Hospital Musubu Marche Date and Time: Saturday, November 8, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM Location: Main parking area in front of Reihoku Medical Association Hospital (3600-3 Tomioka, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture) Note: The event will proceed in light rain and will be canceled in heavy rain (programs may change).

*The photo was taken during a spring mountain-climbing event.* [Now Accepting Participants] The 20th Tenjiku Saiyuki Mountain Climb will be held! This mountain-climbing event takes you to Tenjiku, one of Reihoku’s landmarks and the highest peak on Amakusa Shimoshima. The 20th “Tenjiku Saiyuki Mountain Climb” will take place on Sunday, November 16, 2025⛰. The roughly 11 km round trip offers panoramic views from the summit and refreshing forest bathing, and a local product sale will also be held, so please sign up for an autumn outing. Participants can also earn 20 Kumamoto Health Points✨ Register via the QR code or from the News section of our website! ▶ Schedule: Sunday, November 16, 2025, 9:30–14:00 09:30 Departure ceremony 10:10 Start 14:30 Goal (estimated) ▶ Meeting place: Amakusa Koba-no-Mori Nature School (former Koba Elementary School), 6118-2 Tororo, Reihoku ▶ Parking: Please use the Koba-no-Mori Nature School parking area (around the lodging building). ▶ Course: Approximately 11 km round trip ▶ Eligibility: People who are healthy on the day and can follow the event rules. Children in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian. ▶ What to bring: Drinks, trash bags, towel, change of clothes, etc. ▶ Fee: Adults (high school students and older) ¥1,500; elementary and junior high students ¥500; preschool children free Fees will be collected at registration on the day. Please bring exact change if possible. ▶ Other: Rice ball bento (¥500) will be prepared for those who need it. If you would like one, please fill in the field at the end of the application form. This event accepts pre-registration only; there will be no on-site registration. Please provide information for every participant. The event may be canceled due to weather. In that case we will notify the email address you provided (if multiple people register together, we will contact the representative’s email address). Application deadline: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 5:00 PM

We sincerely thank you for your continued understanding and support of our activities. Here is a brief excerpted report on our activities for the first half of this fiscal year (April–September 2025). ■ May: Sea-Opening Ceremony & SUP Experience On Saturday, May 31, we held a sea-opening Shinto ceremony and the SUP Experience 2025, with a total of 37 participants, which was very well received. ■ June: OPPAI_ROCK Marche & Petting Zoo 2025 On Saturday, June 7, we hosted the OPPAI_ROCK Marche & Petting Zoo 2025, which welcomed approximately 1,600 visitors. ■ July: The 37th Reihoku Jatto Festival (Fireworks Display) The festival took place on Saturday and Sunday, July 19–20, and our company participated by sharing information and providing event staff. ■ Other Achievements ・Number of tourists who visited the tourist information center: 2,408 ・Total visitors to the Sunset Marche (local product sales): 608 ・Visitors to the Beauty & Healing Yorimichi Marche (product sales and treatment trials, held Saturday, July 12): 213 ・Usage of Shiraiwasaki Campground: 102 people ※Currently temporarily closed due to construction ・RV Park usage: 34 bookings (April–August 2025) ※Currently temporarily closed due to construction ・Website operations: Posted 17 notices ・SNS activity Facebook: 35 posts, 1,798 followers Instagram: 46 posts, 2,486 followers COOL JAPAN VIDEOS: 27 posts, 7 followers ・Guided tours provided: 77 people ・PR activities: Participation in the Roadside Station Tsujunkyo first-anniversary event (April 12–13); sales revenue: ¥92,822 We would be grateful for your continued understanding and support of our activities. Thank you very much for your continued cooperation.

[Limited to 500 copies] Tomioka Castle “Gojoin” 70th Anniversary Edition Now on Sale! This year marks the 70th anniversary of Reihoku’s municipal status, established on January 1, 1955 (Showa 30). To commemorate the anniversary, a special Tomioka Castle Gojoin 70th Anniversary Edition will be sold in a separate limited release of 500 copies, apart from the regular Gojoin on sale now.🎊 During the Shimabara–Amakusa Uprising, Tomioka Castle served as a government stronghold and withstood two major assaults by the rebel forces led by Amakusa Shirō Tokisada. Through a desperate defense, the castle avoided capture. The Gojoin of the impregnable Tomioka Castle is said to bring the blessing of “not falling.”👀 Please purchase yours at the Reihoku Town History Museum.✨ Price: 500 yen per sheet (set of two: regular edition plus 70th anniversary edition — 700 yen) Number available: First 500 copies (sales end when sold out) Sale starts: Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM — the day of the Castle Festival! Sales location: Reihoku Town History Museum Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM) Closed: Every Thursday (if a holiday, closed the following weekday) Phone: 0969-35-0712 Please note: mail-order sales are not available. For inquiries, contact Reihoku Town History Museum (☎0969-35-0712) or Reihoku Town Hall Commerce and Tourism Division (☎0969-35-3332). The same notice is also available on the official Reihoku Town Hall website.

We will present the "Kikuchi Gorge Light-Up". At Kikuchi Gorge, a signature sightseeing spot in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, we will illuminate the gorge at night. From the Kikuchi Gorge tollgate area, we will light up locations such as Reimei Falls, Momijigase, and Ryugafuchi. This marks the fourth Kikuchi Gorge Light-Up. We invite you into an extraordinary night at Kikuchi Gorge, normally closed to visitors after dark, with lights, illumination displays, and bamboo lanterns. Event dates: Friday, October 31st to Sunday, November 9th, Reiwa 7 (2025). Time: 5:30 PM–9:00 PM (Last admission: 8:20 PM). Admission: 1,000 yen per person for junior high school students and older (includes maintenance cooperation fee and parking fee). Parking: Please use the Kikuchi Gorge parking lot. Shuttle bus: On Saturday, November 1; Sunday, November 2; Monday, November 3 (national holiday); and Saturday, November 8, a shuttle bus will run from the central Kikuchi Gorge parking lot to the Kikuchi Gorge boarding area. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/light_up...