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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Josenji Temple with Azaleas in Bloom
In spring, Josenji Temple bustled with many cherry-blossom viewers.🌸
Now the petals have fallen, and the weeping cherry trees with fresh green leaves are beautiful.✨
Azaleas bloom across the temple grounds, and the contrast between the new greenery and the vermilion flowers is delightful.😆
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Koinobori Sports Day 🎏 & Azalea Festival 🌸
On May 5th, the event was held in District 8: Koinobori Sports Day and the Azalea Festival.
Under a clear sky where koinobori raised by local volunteers drifted gracefully, the sports day took place in the morning.👟
The program offered activities that people of all ages could enjoy, and both adults and children competed with smiles.😆✨
In the afternoon, the venue moved to the gymnasium for a quiz contest and karaoke competition.🎤
The day ended with a much-anticipated raffle, and the whole event was lively from start to finish.😍
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[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💕
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【🌸 Gokase Hanami 2025 — Featured Photo Submissions Part 11 🌸】
It’s been a while, but we’re resuming introductions of the works submitted to “#Gokase Hanami 2025,” currently hosted on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account 🤩💫
@sayasyoto
They submitted many photos of the rhododendrons at Mikasho Shrine and a rare bamboo called kikkouchiku.✨ They also showcased the beauty of the leaves remaining on the cherry trees after blooming.🌸🌿 Since we can, please enjoy comparing these with the cherry blossom photos we introduced earlier.☺️💕
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Now then, the long-running “#Gokase Hanami 2025” is finally in its final stretch.💪💡 The event runs through Sunday, May 11, so if you took flower photos in Gokase during Golden Week, please do submit them.🤗✨
≪#How to Enter Gokase Hanami 2025 ≫
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post flower photos taken within Gokasecho to Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #date of photography (example: #March 20).🤳❤️🔥
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
Period: From Thursday, March 20, 2025, through Sunday, May 11, 2025
⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying.
https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html...
⚠️ Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.
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[🌸Gokase Hanami 2025 Submitted Photos — Part 10🌸]
The entries submitted to the “#Gokase Hanami 2025” held on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account have reached a pause for now as of today💪🌸 The photo contest is still open, so please do submit your entries🤗✨
@_yuta610
@fowafuwarin5
@meiko_ryu
@tokotan2._.2
(in no particular order)
This time we received many night cherry blossom photos👏 Even with a step ladder or whatever I try, I can’t take good night photos at all — how do people manage to capture such beautiful night shots like these?🤔 They’re truly wonderful!!!
We’ll post again when more featured works have been collected🤗💡
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≪#Gokase Hanami 2025 — How to Enter≫
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #date of shooting (example: #March 20)🤳❤️🔥
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
[Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025
⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying.
https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html...
⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents when photographing.
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🌸 Gokase Hanami 2025 — Featured Photos, No. 9 🌸
We’re wrapping up the introductions to the entries submitted to “#Gokase Hanami 2025” on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account, with just one more installment to go 🥹 Thank you for so many wonderful submissions 👏✨
@8215dr72
@920cherry71
@omilove.1203
(in no particular order)
We received breathtakingly beautiful photos that make you sigh 🥺💕 Many photos feature Josenji, but we also loved fresh perspectives such as shots of the cherry-tree-lined road taken from afar and weeping cherry trees reflected in car windows — truly lovely 😳💫
Yesterday we announced that Akebono azaleas and rhododendrons are at their best 💡 With the weather not looking great today or tomorrow, we worry they may not last, so if you can, please take photos and submit them to “#Gokase Hanami 2025” 🤗✨
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How to Enter “#Gokase Hanami 2025”
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with two hashtags: #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #Date of shooting (for example: #March 20) 🤳❤️🔥
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
Period: Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025
⚠️ Additional rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please read them carefully before entering.
https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html...
⚠️ Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.
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[🌸 Gokase Hanami 2025 Photo Submissions — No. 8 — 🌸]
Lately, the Gokase Tourism Association has been featuring entries to the “#Gokase Hanami 2025” on its Instagram account, and only a few submissions remain to be showcased at this stage 😳
@taniyan1119
@tm21mt
@tourism09wine
@yaaaaaa.85
@naoki_photo.graphy
@naomin168
@kurota_kurohei
(In no particular order)
Mixed in with Josenji Temple and the Harada family’s site, we received many heartwarming shots of local weeping cherry trees, adorable pet dogs, and bright red boke (flowering quince) berries ☺️💕
Thank you all so much for the many submissions ✨ We’re still accepting entries, so feel free to post your photos anytime 🤗
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≪#How to Enter #Gokase Hanami 2025≫
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account and post a photo of flowers taken within Gokasecho. Add the two hashtags #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #the shooting date (for example: #March 20) to your Instagram post 🤳❤️🔥
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
Period: From Thursday, March 20, 2025 until Sunday, May 11, 2025
⚠️ Other rules are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please read them before submitting.
https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html...
⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.
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[🌸Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 Entry Photo Showcase – Part 7–🌸]
We continue to share entries submitted to the "#Gokase Flower Viewing 2025" held on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account🤗🌟
@sokoatari.urouro
This collection captures many expressions of the weeping cherry tree at Josenji Temple😳✨Daytime, nighttime, from far, from near, from below… each perspective brings a totally different feel, and it’s fascinating👏!
We won’t post tomorrow, but we still have many entries to show, so please stay tuned a little longer☺️🙏
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≪#How to Enter #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025≫
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 and #date of shooting (example: #March 20)🤳❤️🔥
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
[Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025
⚠️Other terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before entering.
https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html...
⚠️Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.
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[🌸 Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 — Featured Entries, No. 6 🌸]
It’s finally starting to get truly warm here. ☀️
Today we continue showcasing works entered in the “#Gokase Flower Viewing 2025” contest on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account. 💪💡
@smail_barm
@taka_gr86rz
@takataka0129
@thusandleavis
(in no particular order)
We received submissions of weeping cherry blossoms from Josenji, the Harada family, and Kijiya. 🌸✨
There’s also a photo of the cherry tree at Koshouji at the foot of Gokase Winery — it’s huge! 😳
What kind of entries will appear tomorrow? 🤗 Stay tuned!!
The photo contest is still open for submissions. 🌟 Spring in Gokase isn’t just about cherry blossoms — please photograph various flowers and enter! 🥳
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[How to Enter the #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025]
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with the two hashtags #Gokase Flower Viewing 2025 and #date of shooting (for example: #March 20). 🤳❤️🔥
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
[Period] From Thursday, March 20, 2025 through Sunday, May 11, 2025
⚠️ Other terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Please be sure to read them before entering.
https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html...
⚠️ Please take great care to avoid accidents while photographing.
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【🌸Gokase Hanami 2025 — Featured Photos, No.5🌸】
We continue to steadily showcase works submitted to the Gokase Hanami 2025 contest currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account 🥳
@reoron001219
@sakai_0808
@sayasyoto
(in no particular order)
We received many photos of weeping cherry trees set against clear blue skies 🌸✨ Everyone’s framing is truly brilliant… we’re always amazed, wondering how they captured such scenes from any angle 😳👏
Although akebono azaleas and rhododendrons aren’t fully in bloom yet, they’re starting to open little by little 🤗 The photo contest runs until Sunday, May 11, so please keep those entries coming 🎶
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≪How to Enter Gokase Hanami 2025≫
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account, then post photos of flowers taken within Gokasecho on Instagram with two hashtags: #Gokase Hanami 2025 and #shooting date (example: #March 20) 🤳❤️🔥
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
Period: Thursday, March 20, 2025 to Sunday, May 11, 2025
⚠️Other terms are posted on the Gokase Tourism Association website. Be sure to read them before applying.
https://www.town.gokase.miyazaki.jp/kanko/ivent/1962.html...
⚠️Please take care to avoid accidents while shooting photos.
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