Tourist Spot Introduction ❚ Bungo-Ono City Museum Geopark Museum Located in Mie Town, Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture, the "Bungo-Ono City Museum Geopark Museum" was renovated in July 2021. This facility serves as the base for the "Oita Bungo-Ono Geopark," showcasing the landscape of Bungo-Ono, shaped by the massive eruption of Mt. Aso approximately 90,000 years ago, along with the nature, lifestyle, and culture that have developed on it, presented gently through the museum's exhibits. The displays, including drone footage and three-dimensional terrain models, are designed to be enjoyable to watch, making it a perfect place to stop by for a break along your sightseeing route. Both adults and children can discover the charm of Bungo-Ono at their own pace. It is the first spot you want to visit when you feel like learning a little more about the town. ■■Bungo-Ono City Museum Geopark Museum 【Location】881 Uchida, Mie Town, Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture About a 40-minute drive from Oita Mera IC 【Opening Hours】9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM) 【Closed】Mondays, national holidays, and during the New Year holidays (December 29 - January 4) 【Admission Fee】Free 【Parking】Available ■■Access from Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture to the center of Bungo-Ono City■■■ About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from JR Beppu Station in Oita Prefecture About a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from JR Yufuin Station in Oita Prefecture ■■■■■■■■■■■■ Tourism in Kyushu, Bungo-Ono City, Oita Prefecture Recommended spots introduction ■■■■■■■■■■■■

Kagura Hall Performances from August to November In Kiyokawamachi, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture, there is a facility called Kagura Hall. Regular public performances of Kagura are held here. We would like to inform you of the schedule for public performances from August to November. 【Location】Kagura Hall (810 Sunada, Kiyokawamachi, Bungoono City) 【Admission Fee】General: 1,200 yen / Middle school students and under: 500 yen (An additional 500 yen on the day) *Tickets are available for advance reservation or on-the-day sales. 【Contact】Kagura Hall TEL: 0974-35-2372 ❚ August Public Performance 【Date and Time】Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 12:30 to 15:30 【Performing Groups】Asakusa-ryu Matsuo Kagura, Okakura Kagura Society 【Reservation Start Date】From June 16, 2026 ❚ August Independent Performance 【Date and Time】Sunday, August 22, 2026, from 12:30 to 15:30 【Performing Groups】Oita Prefectural Taketa High School Gashu Kagura Aikōkai, Yufu High School Local Performing Arts Club 【Reservation Start Date】From June 22, 2026 【Admission Fee】General: 800 yen, Middle school students and under: 500 yen (same price for advance and on-the-day) ❚ September Public Performance 【Date and Time】Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12:30 to 15:30 【Performing Groups】Asakusa Inuyama Kagurasha, Shonai Baru Kagura Preservation Society 【Reservation Start Date】From July 20, 2026 ❚ October Public Performance 【Date and Time】Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 12:30 to 15:30 【Performing Groups】Shibayama Hachimansha Fuzoku Shibayama Riraku, Takenaka Kagura Preservation Society 【Reservation Start Date】From August 18, 2026 ❚ November Public Performance 【Date and Time】Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 12:30 to 15:30 【Performing Groups】Ontake Kagura 【Reservation Start Date】From September 15, 2026 For more details, please check the "Kagura Hall" website.

The Yamaguchi Tanabata Chochin Festival has been held for about 600 years. Tens of thousands of red lanterns attached to bamboo sway gently, enveloping the streets in a fantastical light. What’s surprising is that all these countless lanterns are lit by real candle flames! Unlike electric lights, they flicker softly, gently illuminating the town. Please come to Yamaguchi! Location: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Taken on August 6, 26. These are the Tanabata decorations at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It's a Tanabata festival celebrated one month late. 🎋

It seems that the Tanabata Festival will be held at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine tonight at 7 PM. 🎋

The Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival has been held for about 600 years. Tens of thousands of red lanterns attached to bamboo sway gently, enveloping the streets in a magical light. What’s surprising is that all these countless lanterns are lit by real candle flames! Unlike electric lights, they flicker softly, illuminating the town gently. We warmly invite you to visit Yamaguchi! Location: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Taken on August 5, 26. I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It was a month-late summer purification ceremony.

Photographed on July 26, 26. It is the second day of the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri. This is the procession of the daimyo from the Kawagoe Domain. It seems that the students from Kawagoe High School are participating this year.

祇園祭2026年 京都の夏といえば祇園祭が真っ先に浮かびますね・・・ 祇園祭は、京都の八坂神社の祭礼で、疫病退散を祈る行事として平安時代に始まったと伝えられています。 現在は日本三大祭の一つとして知られ、豪華な山鉾や神輿、さまざまな神事が1か月にわたって行われます。 7月1日ごろ 吉符入など 祭の始まりを告げる神事 7月10日 神輿洗・お迎え提灯 鴨川で神輿を清める神事 7月14日〜16日 前祭・宵山 山鉾が建ち並び、夜の賑わいが最高潮 7月17日 前祭・山鉾巡行と神幸祭神輿渡御 7月21日〜23日 後祭・宵山 落ち着いた雰囲気で山鉾を見学 7月24日 後祭・山鉾巡行と花傘巡行 山鉾が再び都大路を進む日 7月31日 疫神社夏越祭 祭の締めくくりの神事 熱中症対策がとても大事な場面です。 通気性のよい薄手の服、帽子、(日傘巡行時はNG) 首元を冷やせるタオルや保冷剤 こまめに飲める水やお茶、スポーツドリンク 塩分タブレットなどナトリウム補給ができるもの 体調が悪い・・・人混みや長時間の観覧を無理しない トイレはコンビニなど使用できません・・・ トイレマップアプリで・・・

In Memuro Town, at Memuro Shrine, during the summer, it is beautifully decorated with flower water offerings, wind chimes, and pinwheels. Recently, there was a fireworks festival, and it was said to be illuminated as well.

Taken on July 1, 2026. This is the chawa (ring of reeds) at Kawagoe Kumano Shrine.

[Traditional Event] Satokagura at Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine in Kanbayashi Every July, the Satokagura is offered to pray for the peace of the Kanbayashi District. It has also been designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of the city. The Satokagura is said to have been continued since the Kamakura period, but it was interrupted once after World War II. In the 1950s, local people revived this important ritual, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Kagura Preservation Society. The Satokagura at Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine will be offered tomorrow. Offering Date and Time: July 12, 2023 (Sunday) From 1:00 PM, the ritual Around 1:30 PM, the Kagura offering After that, there will be a children's sumo tournament and mochi throwing. *There is no parking available at the shrine. #Toon City #Kanbayashi District #Satokagura #Shiroyama Tenmangū Shrine #Intangible Folk Cultural Property #Traditional Event #Kamibayashi Kagura Preservation Society #Kagura Offering

Summer in Kyoto Can Be Intense – Take a Break and Enjoy Traditional Japanese Play at AriHana Kyoto Kyoto’s rainy season has already ended, and the city is now experiencing very hot summer days. July is also the season of the famous Gion Festival, one of Kyoto’s most iconic summer events. As the festival begins and the Yoiyama evenings start from July 14, the city becomes even more lively and crowded with visitors. When families visit Kyoto in summer, we often hear comments like, “It’s much hotter than we expected,” or “Everywhere is crowded. Is there a quieter place where we can relax with children?” We truly understand how challenging summer sightseeing in Kyoto can be, especially for families traveling with young children. That is one of the reasons we opened AriHana Kyoto. AriHana Kyoto is an indoor family-friendly space where children and parents can relax and enjoy traditional Japanese play together. Families from many different countries have visited us and spent time playing freely, discovering Japanese culture through simple, nostalgic games. Here, you can enjoy traditional Japanese activities such as kendama, daruma otoshi, karuta, and more in a calm and comfortable tatami room. Children can play, parents can sit back and relax, and families can spend unhurried time together away from the summer heat and crowds. If you are looking for a quiet indoor place to rest and create special family memories during your Kyoto trip, we would be delighted to welcome you to AriHana Kyoto. Why not add a different kind of Kyoto memory to your journey this summer?

The August issue of the magazine "Discover Japan" (Discover Japan Co., Ltd.) features our town's "Uchida Sarayama Ware" and "Tomioka Castle - Reihoku Town History Museum." It includes information about the kilns that have been passed down in this region for generations, as well as guides that convey the history of Reihokumachi. The content is filled with the rich history and warmth of craftsmanship from Reihokumachi. We hope you will take a look at it in bookstores or online stores and use it as a reference for your next visit to Reihokumachi. Featured Content Special Theme: To the Sea and Mountains Featured Facilities Uchida Sarayama Ware Tomioka Castle Reihoku Town History Museum About "Discover Japan" For more details, please visit the official website of "Discover Japan." We look forward to welcoming you along with the nature and culture of Reihokumachi. Amakusa Reihoku Tourist Association

Photographed on July 2, 26. This is the Tanabata Festival at Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.🎋

Taken on July 2, 26. I visited Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. The Tanabata decorations were splendid.🎋

Taken on July 7, 2014. I visited Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. The grounds were beautifully decorated with Tanabata ornaments. 🎋

Today is the Summer Purification Ceremony. We cleanse ourselves of sins and impurities from the past six months and pray for good health and safety for the remaining half of the year.

Taken on June 20, 2026. I visited Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine. A wicker ring was set up.

A tea ceremony experience at a Japanese language school. I was fascinated by the tea utensils.

It’s also nice after the rain.

Taken on May 18, 2014. When I visited Kawagoe Hachimangu Shrine, a wedding ceremony was just about to start. Encountering a wedding ceremony at a shrine is said to bring good fortune. May you all have wonderful things happen to you as well.

Taken on May 5, 26. This is a performance by the Aoi Bayashi group.

The weather was very pleasant. I visited Daitō Shrine in the Toyoshina District of Azumino City. The large stone lantern was impressive.😊

Photographed on May 4, 26. This is the Inariyama satokagura by the Umebachi Association. It is the dance of the bow pulling.

Taken on May 4, 26. This is the Satokagura performance 'Inariyama' by the Umebachikai. Tenko is dancing.

Photographed on May 4, 2026. This is the satokagura (a type of traditional Japanese folk performance) "Inariyama" by the Umebachi Association. The attendant is deep in thought.

Photographed on May 4, 26. This is "Inariyama" performed by the Umebachi Association's Satokagura. Inari Okami is dancing.

It is the season when fresh greenery is dazzling.

I walked along the abandoned railway track in Akashina District, Azumino City. The cloudy sky and fresh greenery create a nostalgic atmosphere.😊 At the nearby Ushio Shinmei Shrine, preparations for the "Shibafune" are underway. The grand festival will be held on May 4th and 5th.