The beautiful Nature landscape of the Aso Mountains Unfolds, and it is a mountain towns with a population of about 3,000 people (as of June 2024) with a high elevation overall.
Traditional agriculture is thriving, and in addition to delicious Rice and vegetables, "Gokase Wine" made from 100% Gokase grapes is also popular.
In winter Japan the southernmost natural snow ski resort offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Aso Mountains seen from and Slope.
We look forward to seeing you in Gokase Towns!
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Gokase Town Fukushi Festival
This year’s Fukushi Festival was once again wrapped in warm energy! 🙌
The theme this year was “Spreading the Circle of Welfare to Tomorrow.”
True to its name, the welfare center venue was full of smiles and kindness pointing toward Gokase Town’s future 😊
The bazaar, which began at 10:00, was a huge hit 🔥
Many people gathered hunting for bargains, and lively circles of socializing spread throughout the venue 👚
We even saw lots of children carrying stuffed animals bigger than themselves 👀
A variety of stage performances were fantastic, offering entertainment for all ages and bringing the whole venue together in excitement 🔥
Through displays of welfare activities and the bazaar, this Fukushi Festival naturally fostered a spirit of mutual support 🥰
From the staff who helped run the event to local residents and student volunteers, people of all ages—from children to seniors—had a chance to shine 👏
The Fukushi Festival is a truly lovely event where you can feel Gokase’s circle of kindness spreading into tomorrow and beyond.
I already want to join this warm circle again next year ✨
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【✨Gokase Autumn Leaves 2025 Campaign✨】
A little over a week has passed since we announced the winners of Summer Gokase 2025…
#Gokase Autumn Leaves 2025 Campaign is now open 😆
Mornings and evenings have turned noticeably colder, and the autumn leaves are beginning to color 🍁
Please post photos of autumn scenery and fall foliage taken in Gokase Town
#Include the shooting date (for example: #November 1) and #GokaseAutumnLeaves2025
on Instagram!
Each day during the campaign one person will win a specialty product from Gokase Town!
Outstanding entries will receive a Gokase Town specialty gift set!!
Submitted photos may be featured on the Gokase Tourism Association’s social media and other channels.
[Period] From Friday, October 24, 2025 to Tuesday, November 25, 2025
*The period may change depending on circumstances.*
[Eligibility] Those who agree to the terms of use
*The terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website.*
1. Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko)
2. Post autumn photos taken in Gokase Town on Instagram with the hashtags "#shooting date (for example: #November 1)" and "#GokaseAutumnLeaves2025"
Autumn foliage updates are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website as they become available 💡
Please come and enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves of Gokase Town 🥰
⚠ Caution ⚠
Some locations may be difficult to access by car. If you are not confident driving, do not push yourself. Exercise care and prioritize safety when traveling.
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Sunset Village Festa 2025 in Gokase
On Sunday, October 12, the 27th Sunset Village Festa 2025 in Gokase took place under clear skies at Gokase Winery Event Square. 🌞
An opening drum performance instantly raised the festival mood, and the Dange-nana Dance by Kamikumi Elementary School and the Dan-shichi Odori Preservation Group united the crowd. ✨
Dance and hula routines had many people spontaneously joining in. ✨
Kainina’s song choices hit the perfect notes, and they got so into the music they paid little attention to the cameras. 🎶
At the Aju Girls’ stage, fans crowded the front to take photos. 📷
Momashi Five brought their signature presence, involving the whole audience and putting smiles on everyone’s faces. 😆
In the on-site fields visitors enjoyed a sweet potato digging experience; many left with sacks full of piping-hot sweet potatoes. 🍠
The main guests, the Toshiki Abe Life Memory Project, played melodies that perfectly matched the venue’s evening atmosphere as dusk approached. 😍
The finale featured kagura ritual music from Kotono Shrine. 👹
A roaming lion dance through the venue drew screams and laughter from different corners. 😅
Many people also joined the final mochi-throwing. 😊
We were treated to the beautiful sunset that inspired the name Sunset Village, making it another delightful day this year. ✨
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Gion Shrine Autumn Festival "Okunchi Festival"
On October 9th, the Gion Shrine autumn festival "Okunchi Festival" took place in Kuraoka ⛩
It was held under a clear, slightly warm sky 🌞
Traditional performing arts were presented, including a kagura dedication, the Usu-daiko drum dance, and yamabushi dialogue rituals ✨
The Usu-daiko drum dance welcomed walk-in participants, and many people joined in 😊
Watching participants from inside and outside the prefecture join local residents to form a circle and perform the same dance is moving every time I experience it 😭
And this year saw the revival of the "Negai-kake Kagura" (wish-offering kagura) 👹
The powerful yet solemn dance, carrying on the original custom called the "Festival of Wish Fulfillment," stirred my heart 💖
Having kagura performed to make a wish is such a wonderful tradition ✨
Everyone, please come to Gokase’s autumn festival next year! Walk-in participation is very welcome 🙌
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Izayoi 🌕
October 6 was the harvest moon, and October 7 was izayoi (the sixteenth night) 🌕
I just learned that “十六夜” can be read as “izayoi” 😲
It’s my first time knowing that 😅
On both nights the bright moon lit up the sky😍
These photos were taken on the night of the 7th 📷
You can see my trials to capture the moon’s surface in shots four and five 😅
I stitched together moments between clouds and kept adjusting the camera, and somehow managed to take a beautiful shot 😆
Can you see the rabbit? 🐇
Maybe my camera skills have improved just a little bit 😂
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Early autumn in Gokase 🌾
Mornings and evenings have turned quite cool — actually almost cold at times 😂
The rice fields are golden and harvest has begun; you can see rice hung out to dry in places 😊
Spider lilies seem past their peak, but cosmos flowers were blooming everywhere 🌸
When I visited the cotton fields in Kuraoka, the fluffy cotton bolls had burst open 😍
I enjoyed the pleasant autumn breeze and felt the season of harvest 😆
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UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage “Ara Odori”
Ara Odori was offered on September 28th 🐵
Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this Ara Odori captivates viewers with vivid costumes and powerful dance 👀✨
This year the event took place indoors because of rain, which concentrated the excitement! 🔥
The audience was closer to the performance, creating an even more immersive experience 👍
Supporting this tradition is the future of the community ✨
Alongside local adults, children from Sakamoto Elementary performed with serious expressions as they carry the dance forward, earning big applause 👏
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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. 😊
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[👒 Summer Gokase 2025 Entry Photo Showcase ④ 👒]
Thank you for entering the “Summer Gokase 2025” campaign 😆
Thanks to you, we received many submissions ✨
Here are some of the photos submitted to “#Summer Gokase 2025”!
@kakigoori2020
@gokase_pan
@chika_narita
@niidome2110
@tae_gerbera35
@narunaru918
@kokoyukeip
There were many other wonderful entries besides the ones shown 😆
We will now begin judging!
Please wait a little while for the announcement of the results 😁
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[👒 Summer Gokase 2025 Photo Entries Spotlight ③ 👒]
Thank you for entering the "Summer Gokase 2025" campaign 😆
Thanks to you, we received many submissions ✨
Here are some of the photos posted to "Summer Gokase 2025"!
@kakigoori2020
@machieri9.3
@fouzan_839
@totalrelaxation_salon_spring
@gokase_pan
We will now begin the selection process!
Please wait for the results to be announced 😁
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