[Notice 📣] The Hokkaido Roadside Stations Stamp Rally 2026 is scheduled to start on Saturday, April 18, 2026 🚗✨ The digital stamp service “MichiRepo” will launch at the same time! The stamp rally book will also go on sale that day 📖 For details, please check the Hokkaido Roadside Stations website ✔️ And… the stamp at roadside station iwanai was renewed the year before last 🐟✨ When you stop by, please take a look at the shop inside the facility 🙏

Sakuhomachi Tourist Facility Opening Information Tourist facilities on Yachiho Kogen will open for the season in stages🌿 ■ Yachiho Lake Operating period: April 17 – October 30 🐟 A popular spot for fishing and relaxing by the lakeside ■ yachiho highland nature park Operating period: April 23 – November 8 🌲 Enjoy a walk through birch groves and past waterfalls while soaking in nature ■ Flowering Tree Garden and Mallet golf course Operating period: May 16 – October 12 🌷 A casual area to enjoy the natural scenery of Yachiho Kogen Each facility has different opening hours, so please check the image for details. This season, come to Yachiho Kogen to enjoy everything from fresh greenery to autumn leaves🌱

Delivered by the guides at Reihoku Town Tourist Information Center! Reihoku fishing seasonal update 🎣 Here are the fish you can catch in Reihoku’s waters at this time of year! Black sea bream (kurodai/chinu), mullet, squid, and more… Reihoku’s sea offers memories to last a lifetime for beginners and veterans alike. Amakusa and Reihoku are great not only in summer but in winter too. Come and visit!

Hello everyone, this is the Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association. This Saturday, March 28, 2026, the Shiki Community Center in Reihoku will host an event everyone from children to grandparents can enjoy: HAPPY PARTY REIHOKU Sports Exchange. The highlight this time is the trending world of e-sports. From an easy-to-play bowling tournament to popular puzzle and versus games, the event is packed with activities that bridge generations. ■ Featured content E-sports bowling tournament: wonderful prizes await the winner! Nintendo Switch demo booths: familiar titles such as Suika Game, Super Smash Bros., brain-training games, and racing games will all be available. If you’re not very familiar with games, don’t worry—this is a great chance to boost your health or discover a new hobby. Come enjoy the event with three generations of your family. 📅 Event details Date and time: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:00–15:00 Location: Shiki Community Center, Reihoku (444-1 Shiki, Reihoku, Amakusa District, Kumamoto Prefecture) Who can attend: Everyone (children, students, and seniors are especially welcome!) Organizer: Amakusa Father’s Club Supported by: Reihoku and the Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association, among others Contact Taiyo e-Sports (Contact: Honda) Phone: 090-2080-0661

Introduction to Shimanto Festivals in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture This introduces the local festivals that have been held in Shimanto City since long ago. 〇 Nakamura Region About 550 years ago, Norifusa Ichijo came down from Kyoto to the Nakamura Region, and many historic sites remain there, including streets and place names modeled after Kyoto. In the Nakamura Region, many festivals are held, including those associated with Tosa Ichijo. 1-1 Tosa Ichijo Kuge Gyoretsu (Fuji Matsuri) This event reenacts the arrival of Norifusa Ichijo, who left Kyoto in 1468 and took residence at Nakamura Gosho to restore the Hata manor, marking the foundations of Shimanto City. Modeled on Kyoto’s Aoi Matsuri court procession, the parade features a total of about 200 participants dressed in Muromachi Period costumes who march through the city. The colorful costumes, matching each role, unfold like a living historical picture. 1-2 Shimanto Citizen Festival The Shimanto Citizen Festival announces summer in Little Kyoto Nakamura. Organized mainly by the Shimanto Citizen Festival Executive Committee, a group of local volunteers, the festival includes citizen-participation events such as the Nakamura Dance parade and the lantern float parade. In particular, the powerful performance of the lantern floats, lit and paraded through the streets, offers inventive displays by each participating group and is well worth seeing. 1-3 All-Japan Jorogumo Sumo Tournament Long loved as a children’s summer pastime, this event is held on the first Saturday of August at Ichijo Shrine, located on a hill in the city center, as a summer memory for the children. Nationwide, this traditional event survives only in Shimanto City Nakamura and Kajiki Town in Kagoshima Prefecture. 1-4 Daimonji Bonfire The Daimonji Bonfire is an Obon custom in the Misaki district, Shimanto City, and a seasonal symbol that signals the end of summer in Little Kyoto Nakamura. On the 16th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, the slope of Todaijiyama (locally called Mt. Dainoji), where the mountain deity is worshipped, is carved into the shape of the character “大” and torches gathered from each household in the district are placed and burned. According to tradition, Fusaie, the son of Norifusa Ichijo, began this practice to console the spirits of Norifusa and his grandfather Kaneyoshi and to reminisce about Kyoto. Today, the event is run by local residents and delights many spectators as the "fire associated with Ichijo." 1-5 Shimanto Summer Fireworks Festival The Shimanto Citizen Festival, which heralds summer in Little Kyoto Nakamura, concludes with the Shimanto Summer Fireworks Festival, where music and fireworks perform together and a spectrum of colorful shells blaze into the sky. The fireworks reflected in the waters of the Shimanto River, called "Japan’s last clear stream," are simply exquisite. 1-6 Fuwa Hachimangu Grand Festival The Fuwa Hachimangu Grand Festival features the famous "marriage of the gods," with portable shrines of the male and female deities. After the male deity’s mikoshi, paraded through the town, awaits at Hachiman Shrine and the female deity’s mikoshi arrives, rituals such as the joining of the shrines are performed. This marriage ceremony of the deities is a rare ritual nationwide, said to have been started by Ichijo-ko, who enshrined the shrine, to discourage the then-common practice of abduction marriages. 1-7 Ichijo Grand Festival Since the establishment of Ichijo Shrine in the center of Shimanto City in 1862, this major festival has been held every year and represents Shimanto City. During the festival period, the sacred flame brought from Kyoto is displayed and many events, including a procession of children in historical costume, take place. 〇 Nishitosa Region The Nishitosa Region, located upstream in Shimanto City, features scattered riverside settlements and a peaceful landscape. In Nishitosa, traditional festivals passed down through generations are held in each district. 2-1 Iwama Boat Festival This ritual takes place at the summer festival of Iwama Tenmangu Shrine, when a mikoshi is placed on a boat and carried across the Shimanto River for a ceremony on the riverbank of the Kayou area. 2-2 Kondani Nembutsu Odori This Obon memorial ritual has been passed down in the Nishitosa Gonotani area of Shimanto City since around 1665. Bells and drums accompany the chanting of nembutsu, torches are lit on the riverbank for a water festival, and segaki memorial services and rites for newly deceased are performed. 2-3 Tachibana Mikoshi Boat Crossing In the Tachibana district, two shrines—Yasaka Shrine and Shiraiwa Shrine—face each other across the river, and on the eve of the autumn festival the sacred object is transported by boat from Shiraiwa Shrine to Yasaka Shrine. On the day of the autumn festival, after the rituals are held, the sacred object returns to Shiraiwa Shrine together with the mikoshi. 2-4 Hage Autumn Festival At the Hage Autumn Festival held at Hage Tenmangu Shrine, young people and children parade across the submersible bridge with the ox demon, mikoshi, and the flower-picking dance. The flower-picking dance is then performed on the shrine grounds. 2-5 Itsushika Odori Itsushika Odori is a traditional dance passed down through generations by local children and is dedicated at Kotohiragu Shrine during the Kotohira Festival in Nishitosanishikagata, Shimanto City.

Hello everyone. This is the Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association. On March 6–7 (Friday–Saturday), we held a joint product fair with Kikuchi City at the farmers’ market "grape vineyard" in Minami Ward, Fukuoka City. Products representing the proud flavors of Kumamoto Prefecture’s mountains and seas gathered in Fukuoka for a lively event. ■ Collaboration: Kikuchi’s Mountains × Reihoku’s Sea At this product fair, we sold Kikuchi City’s delicious rice and agricultural produce alongside a wide range of seafood and processed goods nurtured by Reihoku’s abundant sea. ■ Interaction with the local community We were able to introduce Reihoku’s food appeal to many food-minded visitors to grape vineyard, and the experience was very meaningful for our staff. Beyond sales, visitors showed interest in Reihoku’s scenery and travel attractions, and we feel the emotional distance between Fukuoka and Reihoku has grown a little smaller. Also, on the first day, Friday, March 6, kumamon came to cheer us on, which thrilled the crowd 🐻 ■ Thank you Thank you very much to everyone who attended and to the staff of grape vineyard for providing the venue. Through events like this, we will continue to bring Reihoku’s delicious flavors and excitement to the whole country. Look forward to our next event!

[🧸For Sakuho town residents only🧸] Montbell annual membership fee Normally 1,500 yen, but the Sakuho Town Friend Card lets town residents join for 1,000 yen✨ As a member, you will receive benefits such as ・Earning points on purchases ・Receiving the member magazine OUTWARD ・Discounts at partner facilities ・Event information and more. This is recommended not only for outdoor enthusiasts but also for those who want to get started🌿 🔽Join or Inquire🔽 Visit Montbell Sakuho Store inside Roadside Station Yachiho Kogen

Hello everyone. This is the Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association. On Saturday, February 28, we exhibited at Amakusa Fair 2026 in Fukuoka, held at HiRaKu in Tenjin, Fukuoka City. Blessed with good weather, many visitors stopped by our booth from the moment we opened. ■Reihoku’s seasonal specialties sold out—thank you! We sold Reihoku’s proud salted dorayaki and processed goods made from fresh seafood. The local products we prepared sold out one after another, which reminded us how much interest people in Fukuoka have in Amakusa. ■Tourism PR and hopes for air travel At the same time, on the venue’s second floor, the Reihoku Town Community Development Cooperation Squad promoted Reihoku at the municipal booths. It was a valuable chance to directly convey Reihoku’s appeal and the convenience of air connections. Thank you very much to everyone who visited the venue and to all who supported our exhibit. We hope the tastes of Reihoku you tried at the event will inspire you to come and visit Reihoku in person next time. All of our staff look forward to welcoming you in Amakusa and Reihoku!

[Komaide Pond Campground Reservations Open] Komaide Pond Campground sits in a stunning stand of white birch often called the most beautiful in Japan, offering a superb location for camping 🏕️ Reservations for the 2026 season are now open! Season opens: Friday, April 24 Bookings open: Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 AM To reserve, search for "komaide pond campground" on the NAP site for campground reservations. Komaide Pond Campground official site https://yachiho-kogen.com/camp/...

Photographed on March 4 The early winter cherry trees near Ginza Street, at the Sakimicho curve, are now in full bloom and catching the eyes of passersby. Of the three trees, the one at the top is called the "Sakamachi Temple Cherry". It is said to be one of the trees planted in the grounds of Iou-ji Temple, which once stood here in the early Meiji period. The tree is over a hundred years old. It survived the Honcho great fire of 1944 and the Atami great fire of 1950, making it a precious cherry tree. Sakamachi Temple Cherry — Address: Sakimicho, Atami City (opposite Hotel Kan-ichi) About 20 early winter cherry trees in Shinsui Park are also continuing to bloom, so please visit if you are in the neighborhood. Shinsui Park — Address: Nagisacho, Atami City (Shinsui Park Daiichi Kouku to Shinsui Park Second Section)

On Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, we from Reihoku will also exhibit at the “Kikuchi City and Reihoku Joint Product Fair in Fukuoka (Budoubatake),” held at the agricultural products direct sales shop Budoubatake in Minami Ward, Fukuoka City. The seasonal best of Reihoku’s sea and mountains comes together in Fukuoka! On the day, we will offer many of Reihoku’s proud specialty products. 🎁Fun Feature At the venue, customers spending 1,000 yen or more can enter a prize drawing! 📅Event Details Date and Time: Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Venue: Agricultural products direct sales shop Budoubatake (2-1-1 Nakao, Minami Ward, Fukuoka City) Program: Specialty product sales, tourism PR, prize drawing, support from Kumamon, and more. Please feel free to come and visit us ✨

This is an announcement for a presentation by the UTokyo Mikan Club, which has been active in Reihoku Town this fiscal year under the Furusato Mirai College project that brings universities and local communities together to solve regional issues, to be held on Friday, March 27. Students from the UTokyo Mikan Club, Japan’s first student group specializing in mikan (Japanese mandarin oranges), spent about a year visiting mikan farms in Reihoku Town and conducting repeated fieldwork. Once one of the prefecture’s leading mikan-producing areas, Reihoku Town now faces challenges such as a shortage of successors. From their distinctive perspective as young outsiders, the students will present what they observed in the field and what actions they took—such as prototyping new packaging and holding mikan learning sessions—and share the results of those efforts. On the day of the event, the students will also lead a fun mikan learning session to share knowledge and the appeal of mikan with attendees. Please feel free to join us. Date and Time: Friday, March 27, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM Venue: Shiki Community Hall Town Hall (444-1 Shiki, Reihoku Town) Admission: Free Presenters: University students belonging to the UTokyo Mikan Club For inquiries, please contact the Administrative Reform and Digital Measures Office, General Affairs Division, Reihoku Town Hall. We sincerely look forward to your attendance!

Notice: Local junior high students made POP displays and recycled bags ✨ Second-year students from Iwanai Daiichi Junior High School brought handmade POPs, posters, and recycled bags to the Roadside Station as part of their Integrated Studies project — “A Plan to Revitalize Iwanai-cho.” For the POPs and posters, they asked themselves, “What information do customers really want?” They researched popular products and created the materials accordingly ✨ The illustrations and English labels show lots of thoughtful touches, and everything is very easy to read! And here’s a highlight 🐟 The Tarumaru illustration on the recycled bags is a work by Idobata, who won the Kida Kinjiro Prize at the ongoing “Hometown Children’s Art Exhibition” held at the Kida Kinjiro Museum of Art ✨ These limited special-design bags are not to be missed! 🎉 If you visit the Roadside Station, please pick one up and take a look 😊

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Reihoku Town will be exhibiting at the Amakusa Fair 2026 held at HiRaKu in Tenjin, Fukuoka City! Fukuoka and Amakusa are connected by Amakusa Airlines (AMX) via the Mizoka service. This is a rare chance to bring the charms of Reihoku, located right next to Amakusa Airport, directly to the people of Fukuoka. 🍊 Reihoku’s seasonal best gathers in Tenjin! We will offer many of Reihoku’s proud local specialties on the day. 🎁 Fun activities At the venue, customers who spend 1,000 yen or more will be entered into a prize drawing! 📅 Event details Date and time: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11:00 – 18:00 Venue: HiRaKu, Cultural Exchange and Creative Hub (Tenjin 2-chome 8-227, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City) Program: Local specialty sales, tourism PR, public recording of AMX Radio “Mizoka Talk,” and more Organizer and planner: Amakusa Airlines A short 35-minute flight from Fukuoka Airport takes you to a different world of blue seas. We’ll bring you exciting information to make you think, “Maybe I’ll go to Amakusa on my next break,” and we look forward to seeing you in Tenjin! Please feel free to drop by and enjoy the event ✨

Saiki Foods Co., Ltd.'s Saiki Plum Garden is holding a Plum Festival as follows. We warmly invite you to visit. Saiki Plum Garden 〒799-1108 Ehime Prefecture, Saijo City, Komatsu-cho, 18 Yasui Otsu Plum Viewing Period: February 2, 2026 (Monday) – February 27, 2026 (Friday) Hours: 9:30–16:00 【Events During the Plum Viewing Period】 Dates: February 14, 2026 (Saturday), February 15 (Sunday), February 21 (Saturday), February 22 (Sunday), February 23 (Monday, National Holiday) Hours: 9:30–16:00 Details: ・Sale of various plum products (including an alcoholic beverages corner) Plum udon, curry rice, waffles, pudding, ohagi (sweet rice cakes), fried chicken, French fries, burdock tempura, coffee, vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, honey sales, and more A karaoke corner will also be available ・Lucky draw raffle (every event day 10:00–16:00) ・Performances by amateur bands from Saijo City (February 15, 13:00–14:30) ・Dōzen Taiko (February 14, 11:00–12:00; February 22, 13:00–14:00) SAIKI PLUM GARDEN The Plum Festival is being held as follows. We warmly invite you to visit. Saiki plum garden Address: 18 Yasui Otsu, Komatsu-cho, Saijo City, Ehime 799-1108, Japan Plum Viewing Period: February 2 (Mon) – February 27 (Fri), 2026 Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 【Events During the Plum Viewing Period】 Dates: February 14 (Sat), 15 (Sun), 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun), 23 (Mon, National Holiday), 2026 Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Details: Sale of various plum products (including an alcoholic beverages corner) Plum udon, curry rice, waffles, pudding, ohagi (sweet rice cakes), fried chicken, French fries, burdock tempura, coffee, vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, honey, and more A karaoke corner will also be available Lucky draw raffle (every event day, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Performance by amateur bands from Saijo City (February 15, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.) Dōzen Taiko drum performance (February 14, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / February 22, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) We hope you will come and enjoy the beautiful plum blossoms and festive atmosphere.

Perfect for walking! Enjoy breathtaking scenery. Perfect for walking! Enjoy breathtaking scenery. Search for "Kyukamura Setouchi Toyo walking course" "Search for walking routes KYUKAMURA Setouchi Toyo"

“Uchinuki Cosmetics” January New Year Sale — Only a few left!! “Toner made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo” and “Face mask made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo” are 10% off for January only. These limited-time offers make them more affordable, so please take this opportunity to try them. They are available at Saijo City Tourism Exchange Center (798-1 Ōmachi, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture) and on the Saijo City Tourism & Products Association website, Imadoki Saijo online shop. Nihon System Group Co., Ltd. “Toner made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo (120 ml)” Regular price ¥2,860 (tax included) ⇒ January New Year price ¥2,574 (tax included) “Face mask made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo, 1 sachet (one sheet, 22 ml)” Regular price ¥440 (tax included) ⇒ January New Year price ¥396 (tax included) “Face mask made with Uchinuki water from Ehime Saijo, 1 box (one sheet 22 ml × 7 sachets)” Regular price ¥2,640 (tax included) ⇒ January New Year price ¥2,376 (tax included)

From January 27, 2026, local sake sales begin🍶 At roadside station iwanai, we offer “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” and “Junmai Ginjo Umi” in 720ml and 300ml bottles♪ *Amazake is not available for sale. Prices are as follows ⇩ “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” 720ml 2,970 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,485 yen (tax included) “Junmai Ginjo Umi” 720ml 2,200 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,100 yen (tax included) “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” polished rice ratio 45% It has a fruity, clean taste without off-flavors, making it an excellent match with snacks like cheese! “Junmai Ginjo Umi” polished rice ratio 60% Enjoy it as a table sake that brings out the best in dishes such as sashimi It won the gold prize in the Junmai category at the 2023 new-sake tasting contest hosted by the Sapporo Regional Taxation Bureau✨ We look forward to seeing you♪

[Kochi Prefecture Shimanto City] Flowers That Color the Shimanto River Basin 1. Climate of Shimanto City Shimanto City enjoys abundant forests, the clear Shimanto River, and the pacific ocean to its southeast, offering a rich natural environment. From 1991 through 2020, the average temperature was 16.5°C and the average annual precipitation was 2,877.9 mm, giving the area a warm, Pacific-type climate. 2. Flowers Nurtured by the Mild Climate [Spring] 〇 Around late February, when the spring sun begins to warm the days, the Iruta Yanagi Grove in the Shimanto River lower basin turns a tender yellow-green as new buds swell, and some 10 million rapeseed flowers bloom across the willow groves like a yellow carpet. This is an iconic scene that announces spring in the Shimanto River watershed. 〇 By late March, the cherry trees at the hilltop viewing spot Tamesho Park come into full bloom. Lanterns are lit during the cherry blossom season, letting visitors enjoy the night blossoms as well. The Shimanto City Local Museum sits nearby, so while learning about local history you can also take in the views from its observation floor. (Shimanto City Local Museum opening hours/9:00–17:00, closed/Wednesdays) At Shimanto River Sakura Zutsumi Park, neatly planted cherry trees and well-kept lawns invite visitors to sit and enjoy hanami while admiring the spring-bright Shimanto River. In the Shimanto River lower basin, plowing of rice fields begins around this time and the frogs start to call. 〇 When the cherry blossoms fall and the trees turn to leaf, look toward Kōzan-ji Temple to see the city flower, wisteria, paint the slopes purple. Kōzan-ji is also popular for hiking and birdwatching, and a park with play equipment makes it a favorite spot for families on holidays. 〇 In breezy May, roses and lilies cultivated by local residents brighten the pastoral inland landscapes in the Nishitosa area. Omiya Rose Garden welcomes visitors with about 500 rose bushes, while Nishitosa Yabukachi greets them with roughly 12,000 lilies. 〇 At this time of year, Shimanto Dragonfly Park shows dragonflies dancing above waters edged with water lilies and irises. Established in 1985 as the world’s first dragonfly reserve, the park has recorded 81 species of dragonfly. The Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio, attached to the park, exhibits insect specimens from around the world including dragonflies, alongside fish that inhabit the Shimanto River. (Shimanto River Museum Akitsuio opening hours/9:00–17:00, closed/Mondays) [Early summer] 〇 Under rainy, cloudy skies in June, Yasunami Waterwheel Village delights visitors with the rhythmic clack of turning waterwheels while hydrangeas along the waterways blaze with color. Sheltered pavilions near the channels make it pleasant to sit and watch the hydrangeas and the rural scenery. In the inland parts of Shimanto City, summer heat can be intense; when northwesterly winds blow, the foehn effect can raise temperatures and sea breezes from the pacific ocean have difficulty reaching inland, causing high heat. On August 12, 2013, Egawazaki recorded Japan’s highest temperature that year at 41.0°C. [Autumn] 〇 In late September, when the sky seems a little higher, the Iruta Yanagi Grove is enlivened by clusters of red spider lilies (manjushage) that dye the area bright red, and autumn insects begin to call from the grasses. Around this time the severe summer heat gradually eases. 〇 In early November, when autumn deepens, beautiful fall colors appear along the ravines of the Kurozon River, a tributary of the Shimanto River. [Winter] Although Shimanto City benefits from a mild climate, snow does fall some winters in the mountain valleys and on plains opening toward the Bungo Channel, and mornings and evenings often dip below freezing. Daytime, however, tends to be mild with many pleasant, sunny winter days. 3. Events to Celebrate the Arrival of Spring The Iruta Yanagi Grove, introduced above, hosts the Nanohana Festival. At the Nanohana Festival, the rapeseed flower groves spread like a yellow carpet and a variety of events are planned, including sales of local specialty products and wind band performances by junior and senior high school students. Please come and enjoy Shimanto River sightseeing when the rapeseed flowers are in bloom.

Photographed on January 20th: Atami cherry blossoms are in full bloom at several spots 🌸 (Kamanariya Heishichi Statue · Itokawa Promenade · Shinshui Park Third Section · Sanremo Park · Kaihin Park · Nagisa Koen Park) Itogawa Cherry Blossom Festival runs until February 8th https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/59...

This is a photo of the Atami Cherry Blossoms along Itokawa Promenade illuminated on January 17th 🌸 https://www.ataminews.gr.jp/features/59...

On Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 15, 2026, we will hold an Iwanai Onsen PR event on the second floor Center Plaza of New Chitose Airport. Hot spring hand baths experience ♨ Tastings of craft beer from Iwanai-cho 🍺 Information about the hot spring and town tour “DISCOVER IWANAI,” and a small gift for those who complete our survey♪ Although Iwanai Onsen sits right next to the Niseko area, it is a quiet port town hot-spring destination surrounded by sea and mountains ♨ It has earned nationwide recognition as a beautifying hot spring. Rather than a bustling tourist spot, this is a place we want people to discover who seek quiet, unhurried time with the hot springs. Meet us at the airport, and next time meet us on site. Whether you live nearby or are passing through on a transfer, please feel free to stop by!!! Local specialties will also be on sale at the event booth. Take this chance to get to know Iwanai-cho!!

Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture — Little Kyoto of Tosa What is the Little Kyoto of Tosa? About 550 years ago, amid the Onin War, Lord Norifusa Ichijo, the former kampaku, relocated to Nakamura (now Shimanto City) and established his residence there. In homage to Kyoto, he laid the foundations for shrine and temple construction and the development of the town. ※kampaku: the highest court noble post assisting the emperor Lord Ichijo’s move brought many Kyoto cultural elements to the area and fostered local pride. Even today, place names and shrines recalling Kyoto—such as Gion, Kyomachi, Kamogawa, and Higashiyama—remain. Because the community has long preserved ties with Kyoto, the Nakamura district of Shimanto City is known as the Little Kyoto of Tosa. The town, however, sits in a region prone to natural disasters. Flooding of the Shimanto River, fires, and earthquakes have erased most old buildings, yet the grid-like street pattern formed from the medieval to early modern periods still survives. History of the Tosa Ichijo Family The Tosa Ichijo family began when Lord Norifusa Ichijo moved in 1468 (Onin 2) to Hata no shō in western Kochi Prefecture (present-day Shimanto City), his hereditary estate. The lord directly managed the manor, controlled logistics along the Shimanto River basin, and laid the groundwork for the town to prosper as a trading hub linking Kyushu and Kansai. Norifusa’s son Fusaie remained as a local lord instead of returning to Kyoto, expanding Hata no shō and bringing the Tosa Ichijo clan to its peak. The Tosa Ichijo governed this land as court nobles-turned-daimyo for 106 years—through Fusafuyu, Fusaki, and Kanesada—until they were driven into Bungo by Motochika Chōsokabe in 1574 (Tensho 2). Historic sites that evoke the Ichijo family Tama-hime’s grave Tamahime, a daughter of Prince Fushimi-no-miya Kunitaka and the wife of Ichijo Fusafuyu, came to Nakamura in 1521 (Dai-ei 1) when she married. Because she arrived on June 22 and died on August 22, the 22nd of every month is still affectionately observed by locals as Tamahime Day. Fuwa Hachimangu Shrine During the Bunmei era (1469–1487), the Ichijo family invited the kami from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto to serve as the protective shrine for Hata. The honden preserves Muromachi-period architectural style and is the oldest shrine building in Kochi Prefecture, designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Ichijo Shrine Established in 1862 (Bunkyū 2) on a plot of the former Nakamura Gosho Site by local volunteers honoring the Tosa Ichijo legacy, the shrine precinct contains Ichijo-related historic features such as the makeup well and the “never-blooming” wisteria. Shimanto City Museum "Shirotto" This castle-shaped museum stands within the Nakamura Castle Ruins. From its keep-like building you can look out over the Shimanto River and Higashiyama and enjoy sweeping views of the town. The museum exhibits valuable materials on Shimanto’s nature and culture, as well as the history of the Tosa Ichijo, the Nakamura Yamauchi family, late-Edo period patriots, and Shimanto-born socialist Kotoku Shusui. Festivals and events that evoke Little Kyoto Seasonal events that recall Kyoto culture are held here, including the Tosa Ichijo Kuge Gyoretsu Fuji Matsuri (May), the Daimonji Okuribi bonfire (lunar calendar July 16), the Fuwa Hachimangu Grand Festival (September), and the Ichijo Grand Festival with the Sacred Fire Procession (November). Shimanto City carries a deep historical bond with Kyoto and a living tradition of inherited culture and performing arts. It is for these reasons, and its historical name Nakamura, that the area came to be called Little Kyoto of Tosa—Nakamura. A history linked to Kyoto, a culture passed down through generations. Come and feel the charm that makes Shimanto City known as the Little Kyoto of Tosa.

Roadside Station Iwanai Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2026 🐴 We look forward to your continued support this year 🎍 Roadside Station Iwanai is open today, Sunday, January 4th! We look forward to welcoming you 😆 Please note that we will be closed on Monday, January 5th. This year, we let the trendy AI create images for us 🐟

Happy New Year! This year I again photographed the first sunrise from the waterfront park. There was no wind and it was not as cold as in past years, but a warm layer of clouds on the horizon kept the sky dull and dim even after the scheduled sunrise time of 6:51. Around 7:05 the edges of the clouds began to glow, and just after 7:20 the sun finally appeared! As every year, many residents and tourists gathered early at the waterfront park to watch the first sunrise of Reiwa 8. May Reiwa 8 bring you a year full of happiness. We appreciate your continued support of Atami Onsen this year as well.

A shot at Misen Main Hall on the summit of MtMisen in Hiroshima Prefecture. I planned to walk to the top, but I ended up taking the ropeway. Even so, I’m smiling. Next time I’ll come by proper hike. This jizo statue is called "Gomen-ne Jizo" or "Negai Jizo." It’s a presence that accepts people’s regrets and wishes.

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Must-try local ingredients in Shimanto City! [Part 2] Shimanto City offers so many recommended ingredients that it’s impossible to pick just one. Everything harvested from its rich natural environment is exquisite. You can enjoy the blessings of the Shimanto River, the bounty of the sea, and the fruits of the mountains and countryside—discovering Shimanto’s food culture and local cuisine. 〇 Shimanto’s seafood: Nakamura’s traditional flavor, Nakamura-style salt-seared bonito Bonito tataki is famous across Japan. While salt tataki often means simply sprinkling salt, Nakamura-style salt tataki from the Nakamura region of Shimanto City uses a salt sauce brightened with the juice of vinegar citrus to season the fish. Each restaurant has its own seasoning, creating a traditional flavor you can only taste here. Not only bonito but also fresh fish such as suma (suma-gatsuo) and hagatsuo are used depending on the catch. From March to May you can enjoy the light, refreshing first bonito and migrating bonito, while from September to November the fatty returning bonito and descending bonito are at their best. Salt-seared tataki made from seasonal fish is also available at other times of year. ・Seasonal sashimi Located at the heart of western Kochi Prefecture with abundant fishing grounds, Shimanto City offers fresh fish such as isegi, gure, and kourou at local shops, and bonito is served not only as tataki but also as sashimi. The thick, satisfying cuts of sashimi are a local specialty. 〇 A fish you can’t eat unless you visit Shimanto?! “Biri” bonito Bonito caught in the evening and served to customers about three hours after landing—before rigor mortis sets in—is called biri. It features a strikingly soft yet springy, chewy texture. This extreme freshness creates an addictive bonito that pairs perfectly with sake. (The Hata region dialect word “biri” means “the freshest of the fresh.”) 〇 Shimanto’s beef is delicious too! The legendary female-only “Shimanto Beef” Shimanto Beef is a rare product made exclusively from female kuroge wagyu (black-haired Japanese cattle), with only about 100 heads shipped each year. Its hallmark is sweet, light fat with a low melting point, characteristic of female cattle. Raised with great care at company-run farms, these cattle drink pure mountain water that feeds into the Shimanto River and are fed a special homemade feed blend, hay, and local rice straw. Raised stress-free in quiet mountain valleys with little traffic or people, Shimanto cattle develop intensely sweet, melt-in-your-mouth meat. The quality of the fat produces the sweet flavor and the melting texture in the mouth. The result is an exceptional taste—superb in umami, sweetness, and aroma.

[Kochi Prefecture Shimanto City] Must-try ingredients in Shimanto City! [Part 1] Shimanto City offers so many recommended ingredients that it’s impossible to pick just one. Everything harvested from its rich nature is delicious. You can enjoy the river’s bounty, the sea’s offerings, and the mountains’ and countryside’s produce—experiencing Shimanto’s food culture and local cuisine. ○ River bounty from the Shimanto River: “Wild Eel” ・How to tell wild eel apart One way to distinguish wild eel from farmed eel is by the color of the belly. Wild eels spend long lives living on riverbeds and in holes in natural environments. When they feed or escape predators, they often rub their bellies against the river bottom, which can make the belly appear yellow. Because they get plenty of exercise, wild eels are muscular and have a firm texture with a clean, light fat and a concentrated eel flavor. Their girth is often larger than that of farmed eel. ・Delicious ways to enjoy wild eel Thick wild eel grilled over charcoal develops a fragrant, crisp skin and a springy, meaty texture. Popular preparations include kabayaki with sauce and shiroyaki seasoned simply with salt. The liver is used in clear soups, and the bones can be deep-fried. ・Eel fishing Shimanto River’s wild eel are caught by traditional methods such as ishiguro fishing and korobashi fishing, making them a valued local brand ingredient. Wild eel have become scarce in recent years, making them precious. The wild eel season runs from April to September. ・Glass-eel fishing Glass eels, the juvenile eels caught near the Shimanto River, are used for aquaculture. Nighttime glass-eel fishing in winter, lit by attracting lights, creates a magical scene. ○ Farmed eel with a near-wild taste ・How to tell farmed eel apart Farmed eel grow in environments without predators and eat steadily, so their bellies are white and their flesh is tender. They rarely move vigorously or rub against the riverbed, so they grow cleanly. With less exercise than wild eel, farmed eel often carry richer fat. ・Farming Eel farmed in Shimanto approaches the qualities of wild eel, offering resilient skin and firm, meaty thick flesh with a satisfying chew. The fat provides a light, savory richness. ○ A gift from the Shimanto River: “Wild Sweetfish (Ayu)” ・Two names for ayu Ayu often die after about one year and are called “year fish.” Because they feed mainly on riverbed algae, they have a pleasant aroma and are also known as “fragrant fish.” The taste of ayu varies with the river they grow up in. Wild ayu raised in clear rivers and fed high-quality algae are said to have a scent reminiscent of watermelon or cucumber; the wild ayu of the Shimanto River have a rich river fragrance worthy of the name “fragrant fish.” ・Wild ayu Because they scrape algae off stones with their teeth, ayu have developed front teeth and a pointed mouth. They take on a yellowish hue, a moist texture, and a firm belly. ・Delicious ways to enjoy ayu Salt-grilled ayu, which highlights the ingredient, is a classic preparation. Removing the tail, holding the head, and pulling out the bones makes it easy to eat neatly. The post-spawning “ochi-ayu” in December–January, when fat has dropped, is locally enjoyed as a light salt simmer. Other preparations include kanroni (sweet-simmered whole fish) that soften head and bones, and uruka, a salted-fermented ayu innards condiment—among many local ways to eat ayu. ・Ayu fishing Shimanto River still preserves traditional fishing methods such as tomogake (friend-hook) fishing, net fishing, and hiburi (torch) fishing. The wild ayu seasons are June to October 15 and December to January. ○ Springy texture: Shimanto River shrimp Three species of river shrimp inhabit the Shimanto River: tenaga shrimp, hirate (Yamato) tenaga shrimp, and southern tenaga shrimp. Males are notable for claws that can exceed their body length. ・Delicious ways to enjoy river shrimp River shrimp around 3–10 cm long are delicious deep-fried or salt-grilled and eaten whole with the shell for a toasty flavor. Locally, shrimp dashi is used to cook with cucumber or added to somen noodles. ・River shrimp fishing Shimanto River shrimp are caught using traditional methods like korobashi fishing and shibazuke fishing. With prior reservation, visitors can try easy shrimp-fishing experiences. The natural river shrimp season is May to August. ○ Shimanto River crab: Tsugani (Mokuzugani) Tsugani (also called mokuzugani) move downstream in late summer to early autumn to spawn. Although their edible meat is limited, their rich miso (crab paste) is exquisite. ・Delicious ways to enjoy tsugani Tsugani are enjoyed in dishes like tsugani soup, salted boiling, tsugani rice, and local specialties such as gane miso, celebrated as an autumn delicacy. ・Tsugani fishing Fishing methods include crab-basket fishing, where baited baskets are submerged and lifted the next morning, and flow-trap fishing that sets baskets along tsugani migration routes. The natural tsugani season runs from August to October. ○ Local snack: Shimanto gori Gori is a general name for freshwater gobies; in Shimanto City it mainly refers to juvenile gobies such as numachichibu. ・Delicious ways to enjoy gori Gori are deep-fried, simmered in sweet soy-based tsukudani, or locally cooked with finely chopped dried daikon wrapped in egg and served over rice as gori don. ・Gori fishing Fishing begins in March as the river warms and spring approaches. The main method uses the gobies’ habit of moving along the riverbed—nobori-otoshi ue fishing. Another local technique, gara-hiki fishing, has pairs pull a rope with shells attached from upstream to downstream; the clattering shells scare the gobies into traps. The natural gori season is March to May. ○ Fragrant green seaweed: aonori (sujiaonori) ・Delicious ways to enjoy aonori Aonori is dried into powder for use in many dishes and is also used in confections to take advantage of its aroma. ・Harvesting aonori The Shimanto River is one of the country’s leading producers of natural sujiaonori. In winter, you can see people scrape the seaweed that grows on estuarine stones with comb-like tools and sun-dry it. Aonori’s prime season is December to May. ・Delicious ways to enjoy aosa nori Aosa nori grown in the Shimanto River is highly fragrant and very tender. It serves as a base for nori tsukudani, is used for tempura, and is added to soups. ・Harvesting aosa nori From winter through spring, aosa nori cultivated on hibinetsu nets in the estuarine area near the Shimanto River mouth is harvested. The prime season for aosa nori is February to May.