在日本，菊花象徵著秋天的到來。賞菊文化起源於平安時代宮廷的「重陽菊宴」，人們藉由菊花酒祈求長壽；到了江戶時代，賞菊走入尋常百姓家，也發展出豐富的栽培技法與菊展文化。 這趟香川秋之旅，走進丸龜城時正好趕上了菊花展。其中最令我駐足的，是日本經典的園藝技法「三本仕立て」。這是一株菊開三朵花的極致展現——三根主要花莖呈「前二後一」的三角陣型，每根花莖僅綻放一朵姿態完美的大花。 近距離欣賞，不難發現不論是花朵的高低分明、葉片的伸展角度，還是整體空間的平衡感，都經過精心的微調與呵護。看似俐落簡約，背後全是栽培者傾注的心血與精湛手藝。 以雄偉古樸的丸龜城為背景，漫步在盛開的菊花陣中，秋風拂過，不僅帶來屬於這個季節的雅緻，更讓人深刻體會到日本深厚且優雅的傳統園藝魅力。

Today, I visited a vineyard on the mountain to experience grape picking. This time, I picked "Kagawa University R-1," a grape developed by Kagawa University specifically for winemaking and processing. It is bred from the wild grape "Ryukyu Ganev" found in Okinawa and Amami, combined with the high-quality greenhouse grape "Muscat of Alexandria." Although the grape berries weigh only about 1 gram, their skins are rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins. I have previously picked grapes at tourist orchards, but this experience was completely different. In tourist orchards, the grapes hang in clusters on the trellises, making them easy to pick, but the grapes for winemaking grow freely on the trellises, with branches and leaves intertwined, requiring some effort to find the clusters. The entire vineyard is set on a slope, with drainage ditches below, so one must be careful with their steps while picking, as it is not the easy fruit-picking experience one might imagine. After washing the picked grapes, they are sent to the factory to be juiced, beginning the journey of winemaking. The wine made from R-1 grapes is named "Sauvageonne Savoureuse," featuring a rich color and less astringency, and is sold in the prefecture under the Kagawa University brand of wine. Walking into the vineyard, I realized that behind a bottle of wine, there is not only the mountain scenery but also the culmination of varietal development and the hard work of farmers.

Located in Sanuki City, Kagawa Prefecture, the "Sanuki Winery" is set in the Oogushi Nature Park area on a hillside, offering views of the Seto Inland Sea and its islands. This place not only produces wine but also serves as a tourist spot to learn about the local grape industry and wine culture of Sanuki. The winery uses grapes and fruits grown in Kagawa Prefecture to make its wines, including the wine grape "Koda Noh R-1" developed by Kagawa University’s Faculty of Agriculture, showcasing a close relationship with local agriculture. In recent years, they have also introduced wines such as "Sanuki Red, Sanuki White, and Sanuki Rose," offering a range from red and white wines to rosé. In addition to wine, grape juice is also a highly recommended product. For those who do not drink alcohol, tasting the sweet flavor of the grapes themselves is a great option to bring home as a souvenir. At the Sanuki Winery, visitors can tour the actual wine production facility. From grape processing and fermentation to bottling, one can gain a close-up understanding of the wine-making process. After the tour, visitors can explore the Bussan Center, where they can purchase wine and grape juice, as well as various local Sanuki products. Current information indicates that the winery's visiting hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Tuesdays (open on national holidays). Additionally, the winery offers a "wine soft serve ice cream" that is perfect for hot seasons. The ice cream is made with grape juice as a base and includes a small amount of Sanuki wine, with an alcohol content of less than 0.01%, allowing even non-drinkers to enjoy a grape-flavored dessert with a hint of wine. The rich grape aroma combined with the cool, smooth texture makes it a delightful snack after visiting the winery. There is also an interesting story connecting Sanuki wine with local industry. In the past, a very niche product called "Sanuki Wine Beef" was introduced, where the grape pomace generated during the wine-making process was mixed into the feed for crossbred cattle. This type of beef is characterized by a higher ratio of red meat, lower fat, and tender texture, and was promoted as a specialty product of Sanuki City. In other words, the leftover grape pomace from wine production was not wasted but returned to the local industry in another form. From wine and grape juice to grape soft serve ice cream, and even the once-offered Sanuki Wine Beef, one can see how a local winery connects with agriculture, livestock, and tourism. Visiting here is not just about buying a bottle of wine, but also about experiencing the local flavor of Sanuki through factory tours, tasting grape products, and enjoying the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.

Matsuo Taisha 3 Arashiyama Miyamachi, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture There is a parking space for visitors at Matsuo Taisha. The gate, worship hall, and main shrine are lined up. It is known as the god of sake, and there is a spring called Kame no I. The treasure hall houses three important cultural properties, statues of male and female deities. At Matsuo Taisha, the Chawa-kuguri (passing through the ring of sedge) is performed along with the June Great Purification, known as Natsu-goshi no Harae. Every year on June 30th, the "Oharai-shiki" ceremony takes place, where it is customary to pass through the ring of sedge on the shrine grounds to pray for good health and safety for the household.  Meaning of Chawa-kuguri By passing through the large ring made of kaya (sedge), this ritual purifies the sins and impurities accumulated unknowingly over the past six months, praying for a healthy remaining half of the year. It is also often introduced as a representative scene of the Natsu-goshi no Harae in Kyoto.

The five-day, four-night trip to Tokyo has come to an end. This time, I will share my travel tips for Tokyo【Personal Sharing】 Day 1 | Arrival in Tokyo and Asakusa Exploration Time Itinerary Morning Arrival in Tokyo → Check into the hotel Afternoon Senso-ji → Kaminari Mon → Nakamise Shopping Street Evening Tokyo Skytree → Skytree Night View → Izakaya 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Shinjuku / Ikebukuro / Ueno Day 2 | Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya Time Itinerary Morning Meiji Shrine → Yoyogi Park Afternoon Harajuku Takeshita Street → Omotesando → Cat Street Evening Shibuya Scramble Crossing → SHIBUYA SKY 🍜 Recommended Cuisine Yakiniku, Sushi, Izakaya 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Shinjuku / Shibuya Day 3 | Akihabara, Ginza, and Fuyadani Experience Time Itinerary Morning Akihabara Electric Town → Animate Afternoon Ginza Chuo-dori → Department Store Shopping Evening Fuyadani Club Experience 1 🌸 Fuyadani Club Experience 1 🌸 20:00 - 23:00 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Ginza / Shinbashi / Ikebukuro Day 4 | Day Trip to Hakone Onsen Time Itinerary Morning Hakone-Yumoto → Mountain Railway Afternoon Ōwakudani → Lake Ashi Boat Ride → Hakone Shrine Evening Return to Tokyo → Fuyadani Club Experience 2 🌸 Fuyadani Club Experience 2 🌸 21:00 - 00:00 🏨 Accommodation Suggestions Shinjuku / Ikebukuro Day 5 | Shopping in Shinjuku and Return Time Itinerary Morning Shinjuku Gyoen Afternoon Don Quixote → Bic Camera → Drugstore Evening Fuyadani Club Experience 3 → Return to the hotel to pack 🌸 Fuyadani Club Experience 3 🌸 19:30 - 23:30 As the last night itinerary in Tokyo Must-try Foods in Tokyo 🍣 Sushi 🍜 Ramen 🥩 Wagyu Yakiniku 🍢 Izakaya Skewers 🍰 Japanese Sweets 🐟 Seafood Rice Bowl Transportation Recommendations in Tokyo 🚇 Suica / PASMO 🚄 JR Yamanote Line 🚇 Tokyo Metro ✈️ Narita Skyliner ✈️ Haneda Keikyu Line

The local sake 'Daisekkei' is beloved in Azumino. This regional sake features a rich flavor and crisp dryness, using meltwater from the Northern Alps as its brewing water. From everyday favorites enjoyed during casual evening drinks to high-class varieties highly rated at tasting competitions, there is a wide selection available. At the directly managed store 'Hanamon Daisekkei,' which has been renovated from an old traditional house from the late Edo period, you can enjoy tastings and shopping in a calm atmosphere.

The Junmai Kan Sake Enjoyment Event in Kawayu Onsen is confirmed! The Junmai Kan Sake Enjoyment Event in Kawayu Onsen will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Kawayu Kanko Hotel Convention Hall Laputa. Many famous breweries will gather for this event to enjoy junmai kan sake. The fee is 7,500 yen per person, and ticket sales will end on June 13. Please note that sales will close when the capacity is reached, even before the deadline, so act quickly. Hot springs, warm sake, and delicious food. That's why Kawayu is irresistible. 【Junmai Kan Sake Enjoyment Event in Kawayu Onsen】 Date and Time Sunday, June 21, 2026 17:20 - Reception / 17:45 - Doors Open / 18:00 - Start / 20:00 - Expected End Venue Kawayu Kanko Hotel Convention Hall Laputa 1-2-30 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun Tickets 1 ticket per person ¥7,500 (tax included) All seating / Half buffet style *Advance tickets only *Due to preparations, there will be no tickets available on the day of the event. Participating Breweries ⚫︎Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery (Kamikawa-cho) 《Kamikawa・Tokachi》 ⚫︎Fukutsukasa Sake Brewery (Kushiro City) 《Fukutsukasa・Goshikisai Cloud》 ⚫︎Sakai Shuzo (Yamaguchi Prefecture) 《Gohashi・NOTEN》 ⚫︎Hatake Sake Brewery (Shiga Prefecture) 《Daijiro》 ⚫︎Henmi Shuzo (Niigata Prefecture) 《Maaya・Shichi》 ⚫︎Moriki Sake Brewery (Mie Prefecture) 《Rumiko no Sake》 *Please note that participating breweries and representatives may change. Ticket Purchase & Inquiries Kawayu Sake Association (Nishizawa Shoten Co., Ltd.) Contact: Kaneko Phone Number: 015-483-2347 Email Address: kin311@aurora.ocn.ne.jp Check the temporary information and details from the QR code on the flyer! https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/sakesaketanoshimu/...

【New Product Announcement】 A new cider has been released from "Blank Hard Cider Works," which produces cider (apple alcoholic beverage) in Ashorocho. Product Name: Blank Hard Cider 00 Nectar Price: ¥1,100 (tax included) Features: Made with "Fuji" apples from Nagano Prefecture and wine yeast. This cider is characterized by its rich sweetness reminiscent of thick apple nectar, achieved by adding apple juice during fermentation. With a lower alcohol content (5%) than other flavored ciders, it is recommended for those who have never tried cider before. Available at the Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall 21 shop, so be sure to check it out when you stop by!

Event Announcement 📣 Tokachi Craft Makers Night will take place on Thursday, March 19. 😊 This one-night event brings together three makers who craft beverages in Tokachi with their own philosophies and participants to discuss the future of Tokachi’s drinking culture. 🎵 Part One is a panel discussion (about 45 minutes) with the three makers leading “new beverage making in Tokachi”: beer, cider, and gin. Part Two is a social gathering (about 60 minutes) where you can enjoy drinks paired with food and freely chat with the three makers. 📍 Date and time: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 18:00–19:45 (reception starts at 17:30) 📍 Venue: LAND, 1st Floor, Tenkodo Building, 12-1, West 2 South 11, Obihiro 📍 Capacity: 40 people (reservation required, first-come, first-served) 📍 Eligibility: Ages 20 and over (alcohol will be served) 📍 Fee: 3,000 yen (drinks from three companies plus pairing dishes from Kobito no Daidokoro in Ashorocho) *Payment in cash on the day* 📍 Registration deadline: Saturday, March 14, 2026 — registration closes once capacity is reached. *Please apply via the QR code on the attached flyer.* 📞 Inquiries: Tokachi Plain Distillery TEL: 0155-65-0479 (We may not be able to answer depending on business conditions. Thank you for your understanding.) https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/...

Junzo Pre-Event "PRE Junzo" ❚ Held on February 14, 2026 "PRE Junzo" will take place in front of JR Oita Station in Oita City, Oita Prefecture. This special event offers a chance to sample the renowned sake from Bungoono City’s breweries all at once in front of JR Oita Station, ahead of the main event, the 15th Bungo-Ono Junzo, held in Bungoono City. It’s a perfect opportunity to casually compare local sake you rarely encounter. It’s ideal for those who have never tried Bungoono’s sake or want to learn more. In addition to enjoying Bungoono’s sake and shochu, vendors will offer delicious snacks that pair well with the drinks. PRE Junzo lets you taste Bungoono’s delicious offerings a little earlier. We sincerely look forward to your attendance. Date and Time: Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM *Registration is open until 5:30 PM Location: JR Oita Station Plaza https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20260116event-bungoono/...

Introducing the fourth in our Sake Tourism series 😊 On Saturday, January 24, 2026, we will host “A Farm Lunch Tour to Savor Tokachi’s Wines × Sake × Local Vegetables,” celebrating the agricultural heartland of Tokachi 😊 At Memuro Winery, four farmers each make wine from their own vineyards. You will learn directly from the winemakers about the characteristics of the wines each farmer produces and the barrel-aging process, and experience the depth of wine shaped by Tokachi’s terroir 🍷 At Kono Farm in Memuro Town, Chef Sugimoto will showcase his skills as you enjoy a farm lunch 😍 Taste a special menu featuring local vegetables paired with wines from Memuro Winery 🎵 The tour finale takes place at Hekiungura with a brewery tour and a sake tasting experience comparing three types of sake 🍶 This luxurious tour lets you enjoy Tokachi’s wines and sake all at once 🤗 https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/news/taxi-tour02-04/...

The cider “00 L#2 (Ale)” from BLANK HARD CIDER WORKS, operated by Ashoro Hidamari Farm, won the Grand Prize in the taste judging at the Japan Cider Awards 2025. Brewed using ALE yeast commonly used in beer production, its top-fermenting character keeps contact between the liquid surface and air to a minimum, producing a fruity, richly aromatic, and deep flavor. In-bottle secondary fermentation allows the lees’ main component, yeast, to self-breakdown into amino acids and peptides, adding depth and broader taste to the cider. Quoted from the official online store. Our Roadside Station also sells several ciders including the award-winning “00 L#2 (Ale)”, so please pick one up when you stop by. 1 bottle ¥1,100 (tax included) Cider is an alcoholic beverage made from apples. We do not sell to anyone under 20 years old. BLANK HARD CIDER WORKS official website https://blank-hardcider.com// BLANK HARD CIDER WORKS official online store https://blank-hardcider13.stores.jp//

Grab a Tokachi Sake Travel Book and tour Tokachi’s wineries and breweries to collect original labels!! What is the Tokachi Sake Travel Book? It’s a keepsake booklet you use while touring Tokachi to collect and enjoy each winery’s and brewery’s original labels. There are four ways to enjoy the Sake Travel Book😍 1️⃣ Tour and enjoy The booklet introduces Tokachi’s wineries and breweries, places to drink, shops to buy from, and accommodations where you can drink and stay. Savor the drinks as you make this your Tokachi tour book. 2️⃣ Collect and enjoy When you purchase one or more bottles (any brand) at participating wineries or breweries, present the Sake Travel Book at the register to receive that winery’s or brewery’s original label as a gift🎁🎁 There are six designs inspired by each winery’s or brewery’s features😊 The booklet includes pages where you can stick each label✨ Make it your label-collecting book. 📌Participating wineries and breweries 📍Tokachi Wine (Ikeda Wine Castle) 📍Tokachi Makiba no Ie Winery 📍Tokachigaoka Winery 📍Memuro Winery 📍Aizawa Winery 📍Hekiun Kura 3️⃣ Record and enjoy Write down your trip notes, the drinks you tried, and the snacks or dishes you paired them with to create your own memory book. 4️⃣ Read and enjoy Read the tourism information about Tokachi’s drinks to learn more about the region. The Tokachi Sake Travel Book is distributed free of charge, so please pick one up and take a look🤗 The booklet and label distribution run from November 1 to February 20. https://tokachibare.jp/sake-museum/news/saketabi-techo/...

Aircraft used: PENTAX K-70 It is Meiji Jingu Shrine in the morning. Since it was my first time in Tokyo, I was surprised to learn that such Nature is spreading. Equipment: PENTAX K-70 It is Meiji Jingu Shrine in the morning. Since it was my first time in Tokyo, I was surprised to learn that such Nature is spreading. The contrast between the rows of sake barrels and the chic umbrellas is beautiful.

Event Announcement📣 The annual beer garden “Tarunama Beer Aya” returns to Honbetsu on Saturday, July 26th 🍺 Along with beer, a wide selection of alcoholic drinks such as chu-hai and sake will be available 😊 Local foods will be lined up so you can enjoy gourmet bites with your drinks 🎵 The program is packed with attractions, including a performance by the Yoshitsune Taiko drummers and a HIPHOP dance show by local children!! A raffle may award luxurious prizes like travel vouchers and hot-spring hotel stays 🎁🎁 Grab a beer and beat the summer heat with us～🎵🎵🤗 Date and Time: Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 15:00 Venue: Parking lot in front of Honbetsu Town Hall Contact: Honbetsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry TEL: 0156-22-2529 https://www.town.honbetsu.hokkaido.jp/sightseeing/fes/details/beerfes.html...

Tokachigawa Onsen district has welcomed its fifth winery in the area, Tokachigaoka Winery, which opened on April 18th. Each grape cluster is tended carefully over time, grown organically while daily efforts keep pests under control. Basked in sunlight, the grapes develop high sugar levels and a perfect balance of acidity. Inside the shop, paid tastings of Otopuke Roman are available (with cheese snacks), so be sure to give them a try.😊 We also sell cheeses that pair well with wine, Aizawa Winery’s Sacherella and Ryunosuke, Memuro Winery’s Yorokobu, Tokachi Wine’s Jewel of Tokachi, and Tokachi Makiba no Ie Winery’s Yusui. Please stop by when you visit Tokachigawa Onsen.🤗 ● Access: about 20 minutes by car from Obihiro Station About 30 minutes by bus from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal (get off at Michi-no-Eki Garden Spa and walk about 5 minutes) ● Inquiries: Tokachigaoka Winery TEL: 0155-67-1981

kurakurakura Festival 2025 The kurakurakura Festival returns this year. The Taketa–Bungo Ono area, fed by abundant mountain waters, hosts a wide variety of breweries and distilleries producing sake, shochu, wine and craft beer. Special limited-time experience programs will be held at those breweries. ❚ What is the kurakurakura Festival The Taketa–Bungo Ono area features a diverse range of producers, from sake and shochu to wine, craft beer and whisky. Alongside enjoying great drinks, visitors can take part in many exclusive, limited-time brewery experiences. Learn about the breweries and you’ll love the drinks even more. Whether you’re a fan of alcohol or not, discover new ways to enjoy these beverages. [Event Period] Sunday, June 1, 2025 – Sunday, August 31, 2025 [Venues] Eight breweries across the Taketa–Bungo Ono area For details, please check the link below. ■■■Access 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, Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture Introducing sightseeing and recommended spots in Bungo-Ono City ■■■■■■■■■■■■ https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250526event-bungoono/...

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

[May 3] Kurara Festival 2025 A Golden Week fast start💪💨 On May 3, Constitution Memorial Day, Kurakura Kurara in the former Kuraoka Junior High School hosted the Kurara Festival 2025🥳 The weather could not have been better that day☀️✨ The venue bustled with many food and drink stalls, fortune-telling, relaxation services, crafts, and a flea market. About 300 visitors came, making it a very lively day🤗🌟 Because it was quite warm, shaved ice was hugely popular🍧💕 (Adults seemed to prefer alcohol🍺?) In the courtyard, Nani.loa HULA studio performed hula dances🌺 A special guest performance featured the vice principal of Kuraoka Elementary School singing passionately, which electrified the crowd😆🔥 The raffle offered many luxurious prizes, and smiles were everywhere☺️✨ Although a new festival that started last year, Kurara Festival has already become a beloved event both inside and outside the local community👏💡 Everyone is already looking forward to next year💕

Introducing a One-Day Experience Tour 😄 — Where Local Sake Is Made — A one-day tour from Obihiro to Urahoro to enjoy fine drinks and delicious food In Tokachi, a region rich in nature and known for its strong agriculture, producers use the bounty of the land to craft a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. This program takes you to the production sites of wine, sake, and craft beer to uncover the secrets behind their great flavors. The more you hear from passionate makers, the more their products taste remarkable. For dinner, we prepare special dishes paired with each drink! Savor them together with Tokachi’s local ingredients. Tour Schedule 9:00 Pickup from JR Obihiro Station, Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, or city hotels 10:00 Aizawa Farm Vineyard tour and wine tasting Visit Aizawa Farm, where grapes are grown naturally without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. 11:30 Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Heiun-gura Brewery tour and sake tasting Using the moderately hard spring water from the Satsunai River system, which originates in the Hidaka Mountains and is celebrated as one of Japan’s purest streams, this brewery makes sake that pairs well with Tokachi’s cuisine. 12:30 Rancho El Paso Lunch featuring pasture-raised “dorobuta” pork and local craft beer “Obihiro Beer” 14:45 RIKKA Barley field visit At RIKKA, a brewery established in 2025, join field work in a barley crop. 16:45 RIKKA Brewery tour and beer tasting Take time to taste beers nurtured by Tokachi’s fertile land. 18:00 Torino-me Shop Special dinner by culinary researcher Kanako Sasaki, paired with drinks Enjoy a special dinner designed to complement Tokachi’s wines, sake, and beers. 21:00 Drop-off at JR Obihiro Station, Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, or city hotels — Tour ends Operating period: Year-round Time: 9:00–21:00 (approx. 12 hours) Group size: 3–8 people Price: Per person: JPY 132,000 ※With English interpretation the price is as follows: Per person: JPY 154,000 ■Please make a reservation at least seven days before your desired date. ■Please note that we may not be able to accommodate your preferred date due to guide availability or other circumstances. Would you like to peek behind the scenes of beverage production, agriculture, and food while meeting the producers? We hope that through this one-day experience you will discover new insights and values that enrich your lifestyle. We would be delighted if this Tokachi experience becomes one memorable page in your travel story 😄 If you are interested, please visit the federation’s official website page “BEHIND THE GOOD TASTE — Journeys Connecting to Tokachi, the Source of Food” on our official site (access the federation’s official site from the profile link tree). Contact Knaue Publishing Co., Ltd. Slow Travel HOKKAIDO Email: slh@slow-life-hokkaido.com https://tokachibare.jp/behindthegoodtaste/...

Kyushu, Oita Prefecture, Bungoono City event "PRE Junzo" held at Oita Station Plaza Ahead of Junzo, "PRE Junzo" will once again take place this year at Oita Station Plaza. This is a pre-event where you can sample Bungoono’s sake before the main Junzo event. Vendors will offer Bungoono sake and snacks that pair perfectly with it. This year’s program also features stage performances. Why not come to Oita Station Plaza and get a taste of Junzo? Date and Time Saturday, March 1, 2025, 3:00 PM–7:00 PM (last admission 6:30 PM) Location JR Oita Station Plaza Tasting of each brewery’s signature sake We will sell tasting tickets for 2,000 yen on site for up to 500 people. (One cup from each brewery, four cups total) Additional tasting tickets will be available for 500 yen per cup (available only to ticket holders). Stage Performances Taiko drumming, kagura and other performances from Bungoono City are scheduled to appear. Junzo Tickets for Sale We will sell tickets for the main Junzo event at the PRE Junzo venue. Ticket prices ■ Advance sale price: 2,000 yen (tax included) ■ Same-day price: 2,500 yen (tax included) A special zodiac-themed guinomi (sake cup) is also on sale ■ Single price: 880 yen (tax included) (Available for 500 yen to ticket holders) Buying the guinomi together with a Junzo ticket offers better value. Junzo Bus Tour Reservations Open If you prefer a relaxed route, consider the Oita departure and return bus tour. Event Inquiries Commerce and Tourism Division Tel: 0974-22-1117 Access 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 ---------- On Instagram we share recommended sightseeing spots, food and accommodations in Bungoono City⬇✨ Bungo Ono City Tourism Association @satonotabiii We would be happy if you follow us 😊 You can find the Bungo Ono City Tourism Association website link in our profile. ---------- For details about the main Junzo event, please check the link. https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20241225megurukura/...

This Friday! Ina Town Kitchen Car Bar 2025 — inaBar A “bar” is a local gathering place where you can enjoy light meals, drinks, and alcohol. Our association will be waiting with proud rose drinks and alcoholic beverages! How about hot wine🍷 or warm sake🍶?😆 Don’t miss our special campaigns and offers🔎 (For details, please see the Ina Town website) https://www.town.saitama-ina.lg.jp/0000008580.html... ●Place: Open space under Ina-Chuo Station viaduct ●Date & Time: Friday, January 17, 2025, 17:00–20:00 There is an eat-in area, so you can enjoy your purchase right away☺️ Please come and join us!

Today is Christmas Eve 🎄 and it's also the release day of the unpasteurized sake "Ina Bizen-no-kami Tadayoshi"! For sake lovers 🎁 For year-end greetings 🎁 With the cooperation of Shinkame Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Hasuda City), another batch of unpasteurized sake has been completed this year. This sake honors the achievements of Ina Bizen-no-kami Tadayoshi, the figure who gave the town its name, and features a refreshing, clean taste. Please enjoy it.

Once again this year, thanks to a collaboration with Ina Winery in Ina City, Nagano Prefecture—linked by the shared name “Ina”—we have produced delicious wines.👏 [Saino-mi (Kyoho Grape Wine)] Made with 100% Kyoho grapes from Ina Town.🍇 Fermented whole with the skins, using the same method as red wine, this process draws out the color and flavor compounds from the skins, resulting in a wine with rich aroma and a clean, refreshing taste. It’s also delightful served warm at this time of year.🍷✨ [Otome no Kaori (Pear Wine)] Made with 100% Hosui pears from Ina Town.🍐 By fermenting only the pear juice, this wine captures a pear-like flavor with a well-balanced gentle acidity and sweetness. We recommend serving this one chilled.🥂✨ 〈Retail Locations〉 • Yamazaki Shop Uchida-ya • Seven-Eleven Ina Oohari Store • Seven-Eleven Ina Hanu-eki-mae Store • Seven-Eleven Ina Sakae Store • Seven-Eleven Ina Sakae 6-chome Store • Ina Town Tourism Association (general incorporated association) You can also purchase them on Yahoo! Shopping and Furusato Choice. For details, please see the Tourism Association website.🔎 These wines, luxuriously made with Ina Town’s specialty products, make a great choice for Christmas or the New Year holidays. Please enjoy them!😊

[HOTEL NUPKA] At HOTEL NUPKA in Obihiro City, the CAFE & BAR serves Tokachi drinks, starting with the “Journey-Beginning Beer” crafted for visiting guests. Here are some Tokachi drinks you can enjoy at the CAFE & BAR. ● Hard cider made from apples grown in Ashoro Served by the bottle!! ↓ ● Aizawa Winery’s “Ryunosuke” (rosé) and “Sachirera” (red) ● Tokachi Regalo’s “Sanenkoro” (red and rosé sparkling) You’ll also find various Tokachi snacks—edamame, peanuts, cheese, sausages, popcorn—so please enjoy them with your drinks. NUPKA’s special “NUPKA Gyoza” comes in two types: pork gyoza made with Tokachi pork and vegetables, and chicken gyoza made with Tokachi mushrooms and cheese. Be sure to try both and compare!!

Held in ♨️ a special experience Events presented by the proprietress of Awara Hot Spring, who is qualified as a sake tasting master You can 🍶✨ experience pairing the Sake "proprietress" that can only be tasted at Fukui's Local Sake and Awara Hot Spring and Snacks such as Fukui's Local cuisine "Heshiko" * Local sake from 4 breweries in Fukui Prefecture * Sake mini-course by the proprietress of the sake master * Snacks are Fukui's Local cuisine * Sake vessels are traditional crafts of Fukui Held in days: January 11 (Sat) 14:00~15:00 ✻ January 12 (Sun), 25 (Sat), 26 (Sun) 4 times in total Implementation Place: Local Sake Brewery Kondo Fukui Prefecture Awara City Hot Spring 1-chome 501 Number of applicants: 12 each time Participation fee: 6,000 yen (tax included) How to apply: At Jalan NET

At Ashoro’s cider brewery, Brunk Hard Cider Works, the production of next year’s hard cider has begun! The apples picked at Hidamari Farm have already been processed, and today we are pressing apples from Kitami. Sounds exciting. Brunk Hard Cider※ is available at the Roadside Station Ashoro Ginga Hall 21 shop, the official online store, and other outlets. Be sure to give it a try! ※A sparkling alcoholic drink made from apples.

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video—nice to meet you! This is Ina Town Tourism Association. Ina Town, Kitaadachi District, Saitama Prefecture, sits in the central-eastern part of Saitama Prefecture and boasts a beautiful natural environment. Known as the Rose Town, it attracts many visitors to the prefecture’s largest rose garden. Leave the city’s noise behind and enjoy a leisurely pace—Cool Japan Video brings you recommended sightseeing information for Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture. Thank you for watching! [Access from Tokyo to Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ By car From central Tokyo, you can reach Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture in about one hour via the Shuto Expressway or the Tohoku Expressway. ▼ By train Train access is also convenient. From Tokyo Station, take the Ueno-Tokyo Line and transfer at Oomiya Station to the NewShuttle. The NewShuttle runs directly to Uchijuku Station, and the trip takes about one hour. Buses also run from ageo station and lotus field station, providing access into Ina Town. [Rose Town, Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture is widely known as the Rose Town. The town’s Town Establishment Memorial Park, opened in 1972, contains the largest rose garden in Saitama Prefecture. Some 400 varieties and 5,000 rose bushes bloom in a riot of color, delighting visitors. You can see Ina Town’s original varieties, including Ina Hime, a charming pink climbing rose that continues blooming into autumn; Ina Rose, a deep crimson large-flowered rose whose shape becomes antique-like as it opens; and Ina no Tsuki, a pale yellow medium-flowered rose created to commemorate the town’s 50th anniversary. The best viewing seasons are early May to early June and late October to mid-November. Rose-themed events and festivals are also held, letting you fully enjoy the charm of roses. Ina Town is a member of the Rose City Conference, which includes 29 municipalities nationwide (as of May 2024). In 2024, the 33rd Rose City Conference in Ina was held on a grand scale, welcoming municipal leaders from across Japan. [Popular sightseeing spots in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Around the Ina Clan Residence Site The Ina Clan Residence Site is the former estate of Ina Bizen-no-kami Tadayoshi, a retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was active from the Sengoku Period into the early Edo Period. Tadayoshi earned Ieyasu’s deep trust and contributed to flood control, civil engineering, and new paddy development, using Ina as a base to help lay the foundations of the Edo Shogunate. Earthen ramparts, moats, and roads from that time still remain, and the residence is designated as a prefectural commemorative monument (historic site). ▼ Green Trust Conservation Area No. 13 “Musenyama – KDDI Forest” Musenyama – KDDI Forest is a conservation area with rich nature, featuring a native deciduous broad-leaved woodland centered on konara oak. It hosts the cherry festival, and many hanami visitors come during peak season. ▼ Cultural properties of Ina Town Ina Town is home to many cultural properties. Representative examples include nationally registered tangible cultural properties (buildings) such as Oshima Family Residence Main Building and Saito Family Residence Main Building; Saiko-ji Temple’s wooden seated Amida Nyorai statue, designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property (sculpture); and the Shiku no Mikoshi, a town-designated tangible folk cultural property. Thanks to local efforts, these items remain today and hold high historical value. They are scattered throughout the town, so visitors can enjoy historical exploration and cultural property tours. [Local specialties of Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Wine A recommended souvenir from Ina Town is wine made from 100% locally grown Kyoho grapes or pears. These wines feature rich flavor and aroma and pair well with meals. ▼ Sake Another specialty is sake. This sake uses 100% Saitama-brand rice from Ina Town called Sainokagayaki as the polishing rice, producing a concentrated, rich rice flavor. It is brewed at Shinkame Shuzo in Hasuda City, a brewer famous nationwide for producing only junmai sake. [Events and festivals in Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] ▼ Cherry Festival A lesser-known but beloved cherry spot, the cherry avenue in Green Trust Conservation Area No. 13 hosts an annual festival. On festival weekends, farm produce direct sales and various events take place. This area is called Musenyama because it once stood where the antenna array of Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd., the predecessor of KDDI, soared. Although there are relatively few cherry trees, about 200 meters of tunnel is formed by ancient cherry trees over 80 years old, creating a breathtaking sight for visitors. ▼ Rose Festival The Rose Festival, held in May during the peak rose season at Town Establishment Memorial Park, is one of Ina Town’s signature events. Tree roses, climbing roses, old roses, and English roses bloom in a rainbow of colors, filling the park with a sweet fragrance that delights visitors. On weekends, programs such as rose weddings and mini concerts add variety to the festival. ▼ Ina Festival Ina Festival, held every August at the Town Establishment Memorial Park, is a major summer event enjoyed by families and tourists. Traditional taiko drumming, bon odori dancing, food stalls showcasing local specialties, and stage events provide plenty of entertainment. The festival concludes with a vivid fireworks display. ▼ Autumn Rose Festival – Rose Festa – The Autumn Rose Festival – Rose Festa –, held in late October, lets visitors savor the beauty and scent of autumn roses. Though autumn roses tend to be smaller, their fragrance is said to be stronger. Like the spring Rose Festival, it features various rose-related events, local vegetable sales, food stalls and kitchen cars, and stage performances. [Tourist information for Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture] Ina Town in Saitama Prefecture is an attractive town with beautiful nature and a rich history. With good access from central Tokyo and a reputation as the Rose Town, we bring you plenty of recommended information about Ina Town’s history, nature, and more. We hope you enjoy it!

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Accommodation: Guesthouse & Bar EL CAMPO EL CAMPO offers four cottages reserved for one group per day: Cottage Brown (for 1–4 guests), Cottage Blue (for 1–8 guests), Cottage Red (for 1–2 guests), and Cottage Peach (for 1–2 guests). Each is a log house that radiates the warmth of wood, providing a relaxed stay. In summer, guests can pick blueberries beside the guesthouse, enjoy barbecues under a star-filled sky, and play with handheld fireworks. In winter, we light a Chilean wood-burning stove before check-in to welcome you, so you can enjoy a comfortable stay even in the bitter cold of Gokasecho. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ● Cottage Brown … From ¥4,500 per person per night (capacity 4) This two-story cottage lets you relax like you would in a holiday home. The first floor is a living room with a small kitchen. A unit bathroom combines a toilet and bathtub. The second floor serves as the bedroom. *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥5,000* *Pets are not allowed* ● Cottage Blue … From ¥25,000 per night for the two rooms (capacity 8) A central kitchen and living area separates rooms on the left and right. Each room has two bunk beds, accommodating four guests per room. Each room also has a toilet, shower room, and a separate wash basin. This layout is ideal for large groups or two families traveling together (up to 8 guests). *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥30,000* *Pets are not allowed* ● Cottage Red … From ¥6,500 per person per night (capacity 2) All facilities are on the first floor: kitchen, dining area, toilet, wash basin, shower room, and bedroom. The bedroom has two Simmons single beds. The loft offers books and a comfortable chair to relax in. *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥7,000 per person per night* *Pets are not allowed* ● Cottage Peach … From ¥7,500 per person per night (capacity 2) This cottage features a spacious dining area and a full bathroom where you can stretch out and soak. The bedroom is in the loft and includes one Emma Sleep queen-size bed. Please note that the loft requires climbing a steep ladder; guests with small children, elderly guests, or those with a fear of heights should take care. *Winter (November–April) heating fee: +¥1,000 per group* *New Year holidays, Golden Week, and Obon: from ¥8,000 per person per night* *Pets are not allowed* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check-in: 15:00–20:00 Check-out: by 10:00 Contact 872-1 Kuraoka, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1201 Phone: 080-9799-0094 (Phone hours 9:00–21:00)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Local Product & Souvenir: Ginger Syrup This organic ginger syrup uses plenty of fresh ginger and features the spice’s natural fresh aroma and sharp taste. Diluted with soda it becomes ginger ale, and adding vodka turns it into a Moscow Mule. It pairs well with shochu, red wine, beer, milk, tea, and many other drinks, so the possibilities for mixing are endless. You can buy it at Bar ELCAMPO and the Gokase Specialty Center.