Delicious and fun! Sneaking into the Shobara Fan Festa! Fans from Shobara City in the nature-rich Hiroshima Prefecture gathered at Hirogin Holdings, Inc. "Tomorrow Square" in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City! We report on tastings of Hiba Beef and Yukiko (cheese), plus local sake sampling ✨ Read the article here🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5555...

Let’s head to Okhotsk this spring! We present the Spring Flower Tour Campaign at Frespo Suzuran Plaza (Flower Tour Festival). Held at Frespo Suzuran Plaza, which opened in July 2005 in Obihiro City (Inadacho Minami 8-sen Nishi 10-1), Hokkaido, this event brings you the charms of Okhotsk centered on spring flower viewing. The event features plenty to enjoy, including pre-trip information for Okhotsk tourism, the ever-popular mascot gathering, a drift ice exhibit, a prize questionnaire, sales of local specialties, hands-on experience booths, and a coloring corner. Discover the attractions of Okhotsk over these two days. Please come and join us!!

Kumamoto Prefecture ranks third in Japan for strawberry production. Original varieties such as yuubeni and hinoshizuku are well known. A strawberry experience event using strawberries will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Using sweet, juicy freshly picked strawberries, you can create a one-of-a-kind original strawberry parfait. This experience offers a special time beyond just strawberry picking. ■ Strawberry picking (all-you-can-eat) First, enjoy all-you-can-eat strawberries at Shichiraku no Sato in Kikuchi City. There are about 11 varieties, including yuubeni, Koiminori, hinoshizuku, Benihoppe, and the white strawberry Angel Night. You can savor their sweetness, gentle tartness, and rich aroma. ■ Strawberry parfait making experience You will make a strawberry parfait using the strawberries you picked. Toride Farm, a popular shop that turns local Kikuchi-grown melons and strawberries into ice cream and soft serve, also offers a unique rice-based ice cream that is delicious and popular. The soft serve made with Kumamoto milk is prepared on the spot by adding ice cream and finishing each one by hand. The highlight of the strawberry parfait is that you can use the fresh strawberries you picked yourself. You can go into the shop kitchen to swirl the soft serve or scoop ice cream yourself with a disher. The combination of strawberries and ice cream is astonishingly delicious. Why not create your own one-of-a-kind original parfait? Date and time: Sunday, March 8, 2026, 10:00–12:30 Location: Shichiraku no Sato (305 Okada, Shichijo-machi, Kikuchi-shi, Kumamoto-ken) Toride Farm For reservations and details, please check here. https://kikuchikanko.ne.jp/archives/featured/strawberry_parfait...

Saturday, January 31: "Ehime Love Food Market" — Vendor Notice for Okaido Shopping Street We plan to exhibit as follows. We will promote and sell Saijo City's famous sweets, processed foods, produce, and sake. If you are nearby, please stop by. "Ehime Love Food Market" — Saijo City Booth Day Saturday, January 31, 2025 Location: Okaido Shopping Street (Saijo City booth in front of the blood donation center) Time: 11:00–16:00

“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)

👹✨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...

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!!

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 🐟

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...

[Roadside Stations and Shopping in Shobara, Hiroshima Prefecture — Your Go-To Spots!] Take a spontaneous drive! 🚗 Enjoy local food and shopping at roadside stations Roadside stations brim with local specialties. They gather regional produce and processed goods, and when you spot one during a drive or trip, it’s the kind of welcoming stop you’ll want to pop into—a pleasant place for everyone to relax. Come by and savor Shobara’s food and shopping offerings. Not only roadside stations but also direct-sale markets and product halls Why not drop by for some shopping on your drive ✨ For details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navi website 🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4015...

Hiroshima Prefecture Shobara City's top spots for food and shopping! Blessed with vast land, Shobara offers farm-to-table gourmet delights. Surrounded by rich nature and marked by big temperature swings, Shobara is a treasure trove of delicious ingredients. As one of the prefecture's largest agricultural towns, it is home to the nationally acclaimed wagyu brand Hiba Beef 🥩, a specialty unique to Shobara. From these local ingredients come indulgent and exceptionally tasty treats. Be sure to try the exclusive specialties you can only taste in Shobara. For more details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navigation website 🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4014...

Today, December 8, is "Rice Day" 🍚✨ Satoyama no Yume, a branded rice from Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, won first place in the "Osaka Residents’ Most Delicious Rice Contest" and is a carefully selected rice with a taste score of 80 or higher. By creating a branded rice, Satoyama no Yume aims to build an environment where young people can take up farming with hope, contribute to agriculture and regional development, and bring dreams and aspirations to the community. This rice packs the dreams of satoyama farmers. To promote circular agriculture by reusing bamboo that damages farmland, farmers spent years experimenting to achieve this proud flavor. They cut bamboo into powder, ferment it for use as fertilizer, and use oyster shells—Hiroshima Prefecture’s specialty—to replenish soil minerals. These practices contribute not only to great taste but also to building a sustainable society that cares for the environment. (Rice Day falls on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of every month.) 1) [Shobara Satoyama no Yume Farm] New crop: Shobara branded rice Satoyama no Yume Set of 3 × 1 kg 6,800 yen (shipping and tax included) Product here 🔽 https://ec.satoyamaselect.jp/view/item/000000000034?category_page_id=ct45... 2) [Shobara Satoyama no Yume Farm] New crop: Shobara branded rice Satoyama no Yume Premium Set of 3 × 1 kg 7,500 yen (shipping and tax included) Product here 🔽 https://ec.satoyamaselect.jp/view/item/000000000005?category_page_id=ct45...

The Ehime Prefectural Office in Osaka will host the "Ehime Saijo Fair" for three days, from Wednesday, December 3 through Friday, December 5, 2025. We will offer seasonal local fruits and vegetables; anpo persimmons, a specialty of Shuso (semi-dried persimmons); rich carrot juice made from Saijo-grown carrots; Ishizuchi kurocha (Ishizuchi black tea); jams; local sake; nori seaweed; and other products from Saijo. Also making their debut are fragrant aonori financiers (financiers made with aonori, a type of green laver). We will also promote Saijo City's attractions and provide tourist information. If you live in or near the Kansai region, please stop by! [Ehime Saijo Fair] ・Event Period Dates: Wednesday, December 3 – Friday, December 5, 2025 Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closes at 5:00 PM on the final day, Friday, December 5) ・Location Ehime Prefectural Office in Osaka 1st Floor, Higobashi Center Building 1-9-1 Edobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka 550-0002, Japan ・Details Sale of Saijo City specialty products and tourism promotion

🍅✨[New Release!]✨🍅 Announcing the launch of "Kimobetsu Tomato Liqueur"! This liqueur uses fresh tomatoes carefully grown by Takaha Farm in town. It contains a generous 50% tomato juice, creating a fruity liqueur. Made possible with the cooperation of Hori Store, Yoichi Liqueur Factory, JA Shinotaru, and Kimobetsu Tourism Association, this is the taste of Kimobetsu! Serve chilled and enjoy neat. Please try it once 😊 Available at Seven-Eleven Kimobetsu Town Store and Kimobetsu Tourism Association

Autumn appetites🍎✨ Have you heard of the local specialty “Takano apples” from Takano, Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture?✨ The cool climate and large temperature swings in Takano, Shobara City seem ideal for growing delicious apples! “Takano apples” are a little-known but proud specialty of Hiroshima Prefecture✨ If you drive along Takano’s “Apple Road,” where many orchards stand side by side, you can see Takano apples hanging on the trees in abundance😋💞 Why not stop by on a drive? Many orchards open from mid-September! Opening times vary by farm, and some farm shops close when they sell out, so it’s more reliable to call the orchard you plan to visit in advance✨ Please come and visit Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture! 🔽Orchards in Takano, Shobara City where you can pick apples🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/4812... 🔽Orchards in Tojo, Shobara City where you can pick apples🔽 https://www.shobara-info.com/report/4813... For more information about orchards, please see the Shobara Tourist Navi website! https://www.shobara-info.com//

Pigeon Home Products, a maker and seller of skincare items, teamed up with Atami City to develop a hand cream blended with Atami hot spring water called YUKUMI. This new souvenir uses Atami’s hot springs and adds a fresh option to local gift choices. The product name comes from “yukumi dochu,” the historic practice in which the Tokugawa family had hot spring water transported from Atami to Edo Castle. Local designers contributed to a package inspired by retro bathhouse tiles. The cream keeps fingertips moist and silky. It features a plum scent inspired by Atami Plum Garden, offering a subtly sweet, refreshing aroma that helps create a relaxing effect. The product was developed to soothe both hands and the spirit. When you visit Atami, please consider buying one for yourself or as a gift for someone special! Atami Hot Spring Water Hand Cream “YUKUMI” On sale from: October 1, 2025 Price: 1,000 yen for a 50 g tube (tax included) Manufacturer and distributor: Pigeon Home Products Co., Ltd. ● Retailers as of October 1: ・Marutaka Specialty Shop (Heiwa-dori Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Sugiyama Specialty Shop (Heiwa-dori Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Marufuku Specialty Shop (Heiwa-dori Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Marufuku Takahashi Specialty Shop (Nakamise Shopping Street, in front of atami station) ・Atami City Tourism Association (Shinsui Park, Nagisa-cho, Atami)

Moncher × Gokase Grapes 🍇 I visited the Gokase grape collaboration now on sale at Moncher Seasons in Hakata Hankyu.✨ The cakes displayed in the showcase looked as delicious as they sounded… 🍰 A kind staff member showed me the cakes made with Gokase grapes. 👀 They said the collaboration has been widely promoted, and some customers come specifically for the cakes featuring Gokase grapes. 😆 I tried the soft-serve made with Campbell Early grapes. 🍦 The soft-serve wasn’t overly sweet, and the aroma of Campbell Early gently spread through it, making it perfect for this still-warm season. 😍 The cakes using Gokase grapes are scheduled to be sold through the end of September. 💡 Be sure to visit Moncher Seasons on the B1 level of Hakata Hankyu. 😊

Nukazuke Workshop🥕 A "Nukazuke Workshop" was held to showcase local ingredients and inspire new ideas for processing them.💡 Under the guidance of Rieko Teramoto, who is from Gokase, participants first tasted the nukazuke prepared yesterday.🥢 There were 18 varieties in total!! Familiar vegetables like cucumber, carrot, and daikon sat alongside new flavor discoveries such as dried shiitake, konnyaku, and myoga.👀✨ Next, Teramoto demonstrated how to prepare the nuka bed in front of everyone, teaching about moisture levels and other details.📝 She then shared ready-to-use nuka beds for participants to take home, and everyone immediately began pickling the vegetables they had brought.😊 They said the pickles should be ready in about 12 hours, and everyone left excited to eat their creations, carefully taking their own nuka beds home.🥰 I can’t wait to try the nukazuke made by the participants next time.😍

Gokase Winery's First Pressing of 2025!🍇 A new wine born from the blessings of Gokase is on the way🍷 This year too, winemaking has begun using grapes nurtured by Gokase’s fertile land💡 Every bottle from Gokase Winery uses only grapes carefully grown in Gokasecho😁 These grapes, which endured Gokase’s harsh winters and ripened under the summer sun, each offer a uniquely delicious flavor. This unwavering commitment to 100% locally grown grapes underpins the quality of Gokase Winery’s wines✨ The first-pressed Campbell Early this season features a fruity aroma and refreshing acidity🍇 A sweet, rich scent filled the winery, raising excitement for the new wine🎵 This year’s vintage is another wonderful result, filled with the producers’ love😆 New Niagara and Campbell Early wines are scheduled for sale on Saturday, October 18th🍷

The 3rd National Mountain Stream Fishing Tournament 🎣 Today (August 23rd) the 3rd National Mountain Stream Fishing Tournament took place 🐟 Despite worries about the weather due to typhoons, the day turned out fine and more than 170 people attended the venue 😊 The event that drew the loudest cheers from many children was the fish-catching game limited to elementary school age and younger Some large cherry trout and eels were included, and while the children were completely absorbed, the surrounding parents were excited too 🔥 In the fishing competition, the person who caught a total of more than 8 kg won the large haul prize and took first place 🏆 The biggest fish measured 28 cm 💡 Thank you to everyone who took part in the fishing tournament 🎣 We hope to care for the river environment so this tournament can continue for many years 🥰

NICE TO MEET EVERYONE WHO WATCHES COOL JAPAN VIDEOS! About 60 minutes by Train from Tokyo Central Tokyo Nature, "Akiruno City, Tokyo (Akirunoshi)" is a Healing Sightseeing spot that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city. With its pure Valleys, seasonal flowers, historic shrines and traditional crafts, Akiruno City offers visitors a full taste of the charm of "Tokyo that is not like Tokyo". We will Broadcasting Information full of charm of "Akiruno City", which can be easily visited from the Central Tokyo, on COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, so please look forward to it! ◆ Access to Akiruno City, Tokyo 【Access by train】 Transfer to the Ome Line or Itsukaichi Line at Tachikawa Station on the JR Chuo Line and Get off at the last stop, Musashi-Itsukaichi Station. From the station, there are local buses to Akigawa Valley and Seotonoyu. 【Access by car】 About 20-30 minutes from the Chuo Expressway "Hachioji IC" or the Ken-O Expressway "Akiruno IC". It is also a perfect distance for a day trip. ◆Living with Nature in Akiruno City, Tokyo, Akiruno City Akiruno City, Tokyo is located within about 40 to 50 km of Tokyo Central Tokyo and has a population of about 78,000 (as of April 2025). The mountains of the Kanto Mountain Range rise in the west, and the Itsukaichi Basin spreads out in the center. In 1995, Akigawa City and Itsukaichi Town merged to form the current Akiruno City. Surrounded by lush green mountains and rivers, agriculture and local industries are thriving. You can enjoy the Four Seasons of Norabou-na in Spring, River Activities in Summer, Autumn Leaves in Autumn, and Hot Spring in Winter. Urban functions and Nature coexist in a well-balanced manner, and it is attracting attention from people who want to move to Japan as a "Just the right amount of countryside". ◆ Popularity Sightseeing spot of Akiruno City, Tokyo ・Akigawa Valley It is a Valleys that can be said to be a symbol of Akiruno City. Akigawa Valley is a scenic spot where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Seasonal Nature, surrounded by clear streams and greenery, where you can enjoy River Activities, Barbecue, Autumn Leaves Picking, Hot Spring, etc. It is easy to visit even on a day trip and is ideal for climbing and camping. 【Access】About 10 minutes by bus + 5 minutes on foot from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station (around Ishifunebashi) 【Best time to visit】Autumn leaves (November), Fresh greenery (June) ・Tokyo Summerland It is one of the largest leisure facilities in Tokyo. The indoor heated water pool "Adventure Dome" and the outdoor "Adventure Lagoon" with a streaming pool and thrilling slides are Popular with children and adults alike, and are Spots where you can play all day long. 【Open season】March to November (Closed in winter) 【Access】About 5 minutes by Car from Akiruno IC / There is a direct bus from Akigawa station and Hachioji stations ・Minamisawa Hydrangea Mountain It is a spectacular scenery with about 10,000 hydrangeas blooming all over the slope. Famous landmarks cultivated by local farmers over 40 years, and many photographers Visit during the rainy season. Early in the morning or after After the rain is especially recommended. 【Best time to visit】Mid-June to early July 【Entrance fee】Adult 600 yen / Child 400 yen ・Akikawa Farmers Center Direct sales with Fresh Local vegetables, fruits, and Local processed products. Norabou-na and Local Rice are especially popular and sometimes sell out immediately. Freshly baked handmade bread and local side dishes are also on sale, so you can easily enjoy the Local flavors. ◆Traditional crafts and experiences in Akiruno City, Tokyo, Akiruno City ・Gundo paper It is a high quality Washi paper inherited from the Edo period, and was used for lanterns, calligraphy, and shoji paper. It has been designated as an intangible cultural property of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and is still inherited by the Preservation Society. There are also Held in Workshop where you can experience papermaking. ◆ Akiruno City, Tokyo Specialty and Local cuisine ・Norabou-na It is a native vegetable of the cruciferous family. It has no peculiarities, is soft and easy to cook, making it an ideal ingredient for Ohitashi, stir-fry, tempura, etc. The season is around March to April, and Local people are also popular for "Norabou-na rice" and "Norabou-na egg-toji". ・Akikawa corn The Itsukaichi Highway, which runs through Akiruno City, was so popular for corn sales that it was called the "Corn Highway". Akikawa corn has a strong sweet taste and is characterized by the large size of each grain. ◆ Akiruno City, Tokyo Festival and Events ・Ninomiya Shrine Autumn Annual Grand Festival (Ginger Festival) At the Festival Rituals held on September 8 and 9 every year, it is said that if you eat ginger sold at the stalls lining the approach to the temple, you will not catch a cold, and you will be disease-free for one year. Mikoshi, Drums, Kagura, etc. are performed, and the whole town is dyed in the colors of the Festival. It is said that in the past, it was a Shinto ritual to pray for a disease-free life by dedication of ginger. ・ Shoichi Iwadashi Shrine Annual Grand Festival (Ina's festival) It is a festival rituals held every year on the Saturday and Sunday of the day before Respect for the Aged Day in September, and on the day of the festivals, 13 mikoshi and 6 festival floats parade along the Itsukaichi Highway, and the dashing shouts of men and women of all ages dressed in festival robes echo, and the highways are lined with lanterns and crowded with many people ・Akiru Shrine Annual Grand Festival (Itsukaichi Festival) Held in annually on September 29 and 30. The sight of the hexagonal Mikoshi, which is rare in Japan and exceeds 100 kan (about 375 km), parades through the town of Itsukaichi is a masterpiece. Lion dances and kagura are also performed, and you can feel the air and lively atmosphere of the History Shrine. ◆Tourist Information of Akiruno City, Tokyo, Akiruno City Akiruno City, Tokyo is a healing sightseeing spot filled with rich Nature, history, culture, and food that you can't think of as Tokyo. Fun can be enjoyed on a day trip, but it is also exceptional to spend a quiet night looking at the starry sky that cannot be experienced in the city. The Access from the Central Tokyo is good, and it is a city where you can spend your "own Quiet time". We will Broadcasting a recommendations in Akiruno City so that you can fully enjoy its charm, so please follow us!

On June 15, 2025, the Community Exchange Center “Tokutoku” opened in front of JR Shintoku Station 😊 On the second floor, the railway heritage exhibition room “Poppo” displays dioramas and the history of railways. When you view the dioramas, try crouching so your eye level matches the models—you’ll see them in a different way 🚂 On the first floor, the cafe and shop Kotoise offers railway-themed goods, cow-pattern cups and ornaments made from Shintoku-yaki pottery, handmade items by local artists, and specialty products from Shintoku Town. On the second floor, the information center (Shintoku Town Tourism Association) also rents bicycles, so you can explore the town by bike and enjoy the scenery and local food. Please consider visiting the Community Exchange Center “Tokutoku” sometime 🤗 https://shintoku-town.net//

〈Teshika’s First Vintage Wine “Teshika Rosé” Released〉 Teshika Rosé, the first wine brewed at the Kussharo Caldera Winery, goes on sale at nine shops in town from July 12. Supplies are limited, so anyone interested should check it out soon!!

Today (July 10) I covered a hop harvest 😆 It was my first time seeing this year’s hop field... and it was spectacular✨✨ Straight-reaching vines, healthy dark green leaves, and clusters of hops hanging like little bells…!! “It’s a shame this view will be gone after today!” I said as I gazed with the grower 👀 With preparations complete, it was time to harvest 💪 There were so many cones that even removing the supporting wires was a struggle 💦 We filled bags with the harvested hops, and I worried they might not all fit on the truck we were loading back with today 😂 These hops will be processed into beer with a fresh, lively aroma 🍺 I tasted last year’s brew too — it had a refreshing scent and went down easy 😆👍 I can’t wait to try this year’s beer 😍

Kotobuki-dou Confectionery On this day, foodie Kasai followed the usual sweet aroma and dropped into Kotobuki-dou! My host that day was Mr. Takemura. The shop has been in business for about 64 years. Kotobuki-dou is locally famous for ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka. This ankoro mochi often appears at funerals around the Suwa area. Although I was born and raised in Suwa, I’ve rarely heard of an Otsukimi (moon-viewing) tradition here. I have heard of ohagi and botamochi, though. Foodie Kasai bought a roll cake, daifuku, and dango. The sliced roll had a gentle, high-quality fresh cream and that day it included chestnut, which made it irresistibly delicious. The daifuku had mildly sweet anko and soft mochi; each piece was bite-sized, so it’s recommended for women as well. The dango’s mitarashi glaze was perfect, coating each dumpling nicely; they’re bite-sized and easy to grab. The foodie was also tempted by the apple cake in the showcase. It wasn’t in the showcase that day, but my gourmet mentor “Satchan” at the station information desk highly recommends the cream puffs as exceptional, so everyone should try them if they get the chance! Mr. Takemura’s top picks were ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka. ◎ Kotobuki-dou Confectionery 📍 2-1-17 Suwa, Suwa City ☎ 0266-52-2555 ◎ Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:30 ◎ Regular holidays: January 1st; irregular holidays (closed once a month) ◎ Parking: 2 spaces (one in front of the house next to the shop and the other at the very front on the right side of the parking area across the street from the shop entrance.) Today, Gluttony Kasai went to Kotobuki-dou. Mr. Takemura introduced me to Kotobuki-dou. Kotobuki-dou is famous for ankoro mochi, dango, and salted monaka. I saw ankoro mochi at a funeral. This regional custom persists around the Suwa area. Also, in this area I don’t hear much about Otsukimi (moon viewing). That day I bought daifuku, a roll cake, and dango. The roll cake wasn’t too sweet; the cream was smooth and soft. The daifuku wasn’t too sweet either and came in bite-sized portions, so it’s easy for children and women to eat. The dango were also bite-sized; the mitarashi sauce matched them perfectly. Hmmm… so good! I was curious about the apple cake too. My gourmet mentor “Satchan” recommended the cream puffs, but they weren’t available that day. I’ll try them another day! Mr. Takemura’s recommendations are daifuku, dango, and salted monaka. ◎ Sweets place Kotobuki-dou ◎ 2-1-17 Suwa, Suwa City ☎ 0266-52-2555 ◎ Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:30 ◎ Regular holiday: January 1st; irregular holiday (closed once a month) ◎ Parking: 2 cars (please see pictures 10 and 11)

🍄 July 7 is "Dried Shiitake Day" 🍄 To celebrate, we will hold the "Dried Shiitake Fair" on Saturday, July 5! 📍Venue: Morokko House parking lot 🕘Time: 9:00–16:00 ✨Event highlights✨ - Freshly grilled! Complimentary dried shiitake - All-you-can-stuff dried shiitake and wood ear mushrooms! - Tasting of Morotsuka Village oolong tea "Seikomasucha" 🍵 - Local specialties and summer vegetables will also be on sale 🍅🥬 This is an event everyone from children to adults can enjoy! Come with your family and friends and join us 😊

In my previous post, I told you that Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture has many historical sites and traditions related to the "Minamoto Hei Battle". This time, I would like to introduce the second installment, "The Legend of the Five-Colored Princess". A 15-minute walk from JR Iyo Station towards the sea, there is Thereare "Goshikihime Seaside Park" with a tropical mood lined with palm trees. In the summer, the beach is crowded with Beachgoers, and a national beach volleyball high school girls' tournament is held every year. Also, in autumn, you can enjoy "Kangetsu Imotaki" in the park. The area around such a seaside park has been called "Goshikihama" for a long time. A sad legend has been preserved on this name. Five princesses of the Heike family who were defeated in the Battle of Minamoto and lived in hiding on the beach of Iyo City. One day, Sister Princess sees Aka Squid Ni and remembers the red flag color of the Heike family, which causes her to hold a grudge against Minamoto. Sister Princess orders her sisters to look for the white Squid Squid, the color of Minamoto's flag, as if it were an enemy of the inn and killed the enemy, but no matter how many days they searched, they could not find the white Squid Ni. The exhausted sisters smear the crab with white powder and give it to the sister princess, but it is soon found out that it is a lie, and the youngest sister is cut by the enraged sister princess. The grieving sisters throw themselves into the sea, and the remaining sister and princess soon throw herself into the sea with the death of her youngest sister in her arms. The five princesses who died in this way turned into stones of five colors, red, white, green, yellow, and black, and washed up on the beach, so this beach came to be called "Goshikihama". When it was Maintenance in 1996 (Heisei 8) as "Goshikihime Seaside Park", a "crab square" with five colored stones installed after the legend was established. In addition, the women's festival "Goshikihime Easter" is Held in every year on the fourth Sunday of March, in reference to the story that when the tears of the people of the land who pity the princesses and wish to come back to life fall on the five-colored stones, the princesses were resurrected from beyond the sea. There is also a famous confectionery called "Five-Colored Negai Stone" that has been certified as a "more and more Iyoshi brand". The legendary five-colored stone is represented by red beans, green peas, white green beans, sweet corn, and chestnuts. They are wrapped in domestic red beans that have been slowly simmered and soaked in honey. Squid for Souvenirs. Last June 29th was the opening of the sea, Goshikihime Seaside Park. Summer has finally arrived. Let's enjoy Bathing in the sea to the fullest on the beach with beautiful white sand and gentle waves! *Goshikihime Seaside Park* Address: Ozaki, Iyo City Contact: Iyo City Hall 089-982-1111 (Representative)

〈Enjoying Teshikaga〉Local Specialties Edition Teshikaga offers many fine and delicious local specialties. When you travel to Teshikaga, be sure to check them out. This time, we introduce spots where you can pick up those specialties. https://masyuko.or.jp/enjoy/?cats=651%2C662...

Relax at Kurunconne 😌🌿 Today I stopped by Kurunconne 🤗✨ (Yes, I was working properly!) For the meeting I ordered a craft cola and a Mix Berry smoothie 😚🍹 Both are a treat to look at 😆 The craft cola is different from regular cola — it gives you that “I’m drinking something good for my body!” feeling, with no guilt. It has a nice spice kick and is perfect for the season when you want something refreshing ✨ The Mix Berry smoothie offers natural sweetness from the ingredients alone… it satisfied both my thirst and a little hunger — a blissful drink 🤤 There are many varieties, so it’s fun to try different ones 💫 They also offer light meals and desserts, and takeout is available 🥪✨ The shop has lots of manga and hosts many healing events every day ✨ I tried a tarot-like reading where you pick one card from 100 based on the theme “for this version of myself…,” and the message I received was very uplifting and gave me energy 💪❤️‍🔥 They sell fun goods and body-friendly foods, so there are endless ways to enjoy the place 🤗🎶 Be sure to check out Kurunconne’s account too 🙌 kurun→https://www.instagram.com/kurun2424/... conne→https://www.instagram.com/conne.jp/...

On this day, foodie Kasai followed the usual sweet scent and dropped by @suwa_clover. The person who spoke with us that day was the owner, Komatsu. It seems clover has been here for about ten years. At first, his mother worked the register while Komatsu focused on baking. Now, he appears to handle everything on his own. The first and most striking thing when I entered was the huge variety of cookies!!! There are so many kinds of cookies. For a cookie lover like Kasai, it was pure bliss🍪🎶 When I asked why, the answer surprised me: “The reason is I love cookies!!!” Those words were so wonderful I felt time stop🤣 You can tell without being told that cookies made by a cookie‑loving owner are special🍪 Tarts are a must-try, but the cookies are top recommendations too!!! They also make message cookies, which are popular for people who find it hard to express feelings directly or as substitutes for retirement cards—many people place large reservation orders. And above all, the original cakes! If you look at clover’s website, you’ll see how beautiful the original cakes are!!! They’re almost too pretty to eat!!! They require a reservation, but if you provide a portrait or photo, they can make a custom order. How about a one‑and‑only original cake just for you!? One last insider note: the drip coffee is a completely original coffee chosen and prepared by a friend of owner Komatsu to pair with clover’s cakes. It’s a coffee they don’t serve anywhere else, so it’s a must for anyone who wants it☕!!! ◎ clover 📍 Suwa City, Kogandori 4-10-21 ☎ 0266-57-0374 ◎ Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:30–18:00 ◎ Closed: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday ◎ Parking: About four spaces in front of the shop ◎ Website: https://suwa-clover.com//