Ogata Sanja Kawagoe Shimatsuri was held On December 6, 2025, the Ogata Sanja Kawagoe Shimatsuri took place around Harajiri Falls in Ogata Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture. The Kawagoe Shimatsuri is an annual festival when the deities of the three Ogata shrines (Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, and Sannomiya) come together. The portable shrine from Ichinomiya Shrine and the portable shrine from Sannomiya Shrine gather at Ninomiya Shrine. The event was shortened from two days to one this year. Despite challenges such as a shortage of people to carry the mikoshi, the organizers’ determination to keep the festival alive has preserved the tradition. At night, young men wearing traditional loincloths carry the Sannomiya mikoshi through the cold river, guided by torchlight. Their calls of “Essa hoisa” echo as they pass through the torii above the falls and wade across the river, creating a breathtaking spectacle. ■■■ Access from Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture and other areas to central Bungoono City ■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Kyushu, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots ■■■■■■■■■■■■

2026 Ice and Snow Lantern Festival This enchanting event fills winter nights along Kiso Road with the warm glow of ice candles and bamboo lanterns handcrafted by local residents. Held at post towns and other venues across the Kiso area, it usually runs from late January through mid-February each year. A photo contest will also be held. We look forward to many entries! For details, please see the Kiso Tourism Federation website.

December 4th It snowed in Azumino as well A landscape dressed in snow At Hotaka Shrine, the “Azumino Shintake Lanterns” begins tomorrow at 4:00 PM About 10,000 bamboo lanterns in the shrine grounds will cast a gentle glow There will be a time and space that soothes the heart A night market called “Yomichi” runs at the same time, with food trucks and craft stalls Please come and visit♪

Tomoya Kaneko Solo Live in Nishiokoppe Born in Shimokawacho, Tomoya Kaneko is active not only as a singer-songwriter but also as a radio host and variety show personality. In Nishiokoppe Village, there was someone who attended the same high school and belonged to the same soft tennis club as Kaneko. That person invited Kaneko and organized the live event. As part of Nishiokoppe Village’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the concert used village subsidies and received support from the organizing committee members as well as many villagers and people from outside the village. At the entrance and in front of the hall at Hotel Rimu, the live venue, life-size (slightly smaller) panels of Kaneko and a welcome board greeted guests. Inside the venue, Tomoya Kaneko fans’ uchiwa fans were placed on each table, and the stage featured illuminated letters reading KANEKO TOMOYA. Kaneko’s humor-filled talk and passionate singing electrified the audience. During the show, as people approached to take photos, a sweaty Kaneko was nearby. Standing alone on stage in front of 110 guests, he shone as he entertained the crowd. He joyfully responded to segments that brought children onstage, and the excited children, even when they weren’t onstage, stood toward the back of the hall and swayed happily. Thank you to everyone who helped with video production and the raffle, and to all who came to the venue. Tomoya Kaneko, thank you for coming!! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Tomoya Kaneko #Live #Setoushi-kun #100th Anniversary of Village Founding #Music #Live

Photographed on October 19, 2013. The portable shrine figure from the float is displayed. This is the float of Wakitamachi dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, Year 25. When the lead rigger strikes the clapper, the float begins to move. This is the float of Wakitamachi, Ieyasu.

Photographed on October 19, 2025. This is Ieyasu’s float passing under the pedestrian overpass in front of Atre Kawagoe.

[ISEHARA Bread Festival Wheat Fest Announcement] The popular annual event returns this year. Delicious bakeries, confectioneries, and food trucks will be on site! Come with your family and friends. Date and time: Sunday, November 30th, 2025, 10:00–15:00 Venue: Isehara City General Sports Park Admission: Free Please note that parking will be very crowded on the day. When coming, please use public transportation.

This is the Hiwatari Festival at Naritasan Kawagoe Betsuin.

Komu Christmas Party! Saturday, December 6 Christmas Festival at Komu – Forest Art Museum🎄 ☆ Performance by the Nishiokoppe Junior High School Brass Band🎶 11:30–12:00 @ Mokumu Island The band’s annual performance returns! ☆ Riku Nakanishi Christmas Live 13:00–13:40 @ Santa World🧑‍🎄 Riku will come to Komu with just his guitar♪ ☆ Sumikko Sumi-chan Storytime📖 First session 11:00 Second session 14:00 @ Building Block Room She will read Christmas picture books. Gather wherever you can hear Sumi-chan’s voice! Events will take place throughout the museum. You’re sure to soak up the Christmas spirit! We look forward to your visit🙌🎄 Komu – Forest Art Museum Winter hours: 10:00–16:30 Last admission accepted until 16:10 Admission fees: Adults and high school students 500 yen 4th grade to junior high school students 300 yen Ages 3 to 3rd grade elementary 100 yen Under 3 years old free Inquiries: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu – Forest Art Museum #Christmas #December 6 #Nishiokoppe Junior High School Brass Band #Riku Nakanishi #Sumikko Sumi-chan #Board of Education

Photographed on October 18, Heisei 25 (2013). This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Sanno float passing each other during the hikkwase (float encounter).

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This shows the Kagami-shishi float and the Ōta Dōkan float passing each other.

Photographed on October 18, 25. The parade features the float of Prince of Lanling and the float of Kagami Shishi (Mirror Lion Dance) pulling past each other.

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the pulling-together of Nakamachi’s float “Prince of Lanling” and Wakitamachi’s float “Ieyasu Tokugawa.”

Photographed on October 18, 2013. From the left: Wakitamachi’s float of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Shintomichō 1 Chome’s float of Tokugawa Iemitsu, and Shintomi-cho 2-chome’s float of the Mirror Lion in a hikikae (float exchange).

Photographed on October 18, Year 25. This is the hikikae (float handover) between the Nakaharacho float of Kawagoe Taro Shigetada and the Shintomichō 2-chōme float, Mirror Lion.

Photographed on October 18, 2013. This is the Seibu Hon-Kawagoe PePe and the Kagami-shishi float.

Yuzu Picking Volunteers Wanted! We are recruiting yuzu picking volunteers in Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, one of the leading yuzu-producing areas in the Kanto region. Come and try it for yourself!

Photographed on October 18, 2013. After the evening festival ends, the floats are being prepared to start moving. There are many photos from the Kawagoe Festival….

Photo taken on November 3, 2013. Yabusame (horseback archery) ceremony at Izumo Iwahi Shrine (出雲伊波比神社).

Photographed on November 3, 2013. This is the yabusame (mounted archery) festival at Izumo Iwai Shrine.

Photographed on November 3, 2025. This is the yabusame (mounted archery) festival at Izumo Iwai Shrine.

Photographed 11/3/25. It is the Yabusame Festival of Izumo Ihabi Shrine. It's morning.

Photographed 11/3/25. Prayer at Izumo Ihabi Shrine. It is the Yabusame Festival.

I Outbound to the Yabusame Festival of Izumo Ihahi Shrine. It is a morning event. I was even there for the ceremony, but I couldn't see the ceremony because of work.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. From the lion's head, a little bit appeared.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. The lion's head is dancing.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is the Kawagoe Festival, Yoiyama. The lanterns on the festival float are lit and the song is performed.

Photographed 10/18/25. This is Yoiyama of the Kawagoe Festival. A raccoon was giving sweets to a child.