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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Shirataki in Winter
Look at this 😳!
Thanks to the recent cold snap, Shirataki has been cloaked in snow and ice, creating a stunning sight ❄️✨
Pale blue-tinted pillars of snow and ice line up into a breathtaking scene 👏
If possible, we’d love for you to see it with your own eyes! …That said, the path to Shirataki is coated in snow and ice and is extremely dangerous ⚠️
This time, specially trained staff from the tourism association risked their lives to climb up, so please enjoy the photos instead… 🙏🙏🙏
The trail to Shirataki is already hazardous, so we ask for your understanding 😭
Still, nature’s artistry is truly beautiful…
I’d grown tired of all the snow, but it turns out it’s not all bad ✨
Let’s stay positive and enjoy ourselves 💪❤️🔥
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Gokase Specialty Center Snow Play
The special cold snap that began this Tuesday has left the Gokase Specialty Center covered in snow☃️
Is everyone safe and free from injury or accidents?💦
To lift the spirits of customers who braved these harsh roads to visit the shop, the staff at the Gokase Specialty Center made a Totoro snowman to bring a little brightness and warmth 🥰👏
It’s big and adorable😳✨
While it was being made, children who had come in for lunch kept asking, “Is Totoro finished yet!?” as they eagerly waited🤣💕
Please stop by and take a commemorative photo when you visit📸!
There are also impressive icicles hanging from the shop eaves😮💡They glittered beautifully as they caught the light✨
The tips are sharp, so be careful—they could be dangerous if they fall on your head⚠️
With persistent bad weather making movement difficult, it might be nice to take a moment to enjoy the snow like a child again🤭
Our association’s Instagram photo campaign “Winter in Gokase 2025” is still accepting entries📸✨
Please consider applying during this opportunity🤗
※See the pinned post on our Instagram profile page for details🙏
https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
Everyone, please stay safe and stay alert for the rest of the day🙇♀️
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【❄️ Winter Gokase 2025 Photo Submissions — Part 5 ❄️】
Today we continue to showcase photos submitted to the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram event “#Winter Gokase 2025” 🙌✨
@photo_ay_umi
Here is another photo taken at Gokase Highland Ski Resort ⛷️💫 The subject and photographer were perfectly in sync, producing images that look like scenes from a commercial—simply wonderful 🤗💕 Thank you for your submission 🙇♀️
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Gokase Town is covered in a snowy landscape this morning ☃️ The wind is howling and it’s really cold 😂 Road conditions are poor, so when you head out to shoot photos please use proper studless winter tires or chains and take care to stay safe and enjoy yourself without overdoing it 🙏
How to enter
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags “#Winter Gokase 2025” and “#location of the photo (e.g., #Unoko Waterfall)” 📸
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account→https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
※There is a risk from snow accumulation and icy roads. When taking photos, secure your safety and take care to avoid accidents ⚠️
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【❄️Introducing Photos Submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Part 4❄️】
Today we present photos submitted to the Winter Gokase 2025 contest, currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account 🫡🎉
@_aymiii_photo
@eco9syu_sekiryo
@photo_ay_umi
*Order is random*
From Gokase Highland Ski Resort we received delightful, humorous shots and beautiful images that convey the joy of snow 😆🎶 Thank you for your submissions 😌💕
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Gokase Town has seen a touch of snow again since yesterday ❄️ It’s cold and icy roads are worrying, so going out can be daunting, but we also welcome photos taken in your own yard — capture a lovely winter scene and feel free to submit it 🤗✨
<How to Enter>
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags “#Winter Gokase 2025” and “#Photo location (e.g., #Unoko Falls)” 📸
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account → https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
*There are risks such as heavy snow and icy roads. Please ensure safety and take care to avoid accidents while shooting⚠️
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【❄️Winter Gokase 2025 Photo Contest — Featured Entries Vol. 3❄️】
This is the third installment of our series showcasing entries posted to the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram for the “#Winter Gokase 2025” contest.💡 We’re excited to share more photos today!😆👏
@yamabico_san
@aiaiaiaiaiaiai77
@conne.hikariconect
@gokase_entertainment
※In no particular order
Many submissions captured the quiet atmosphere and beautiful snowy scenery.😌❄️ Thank you for your entries.👏
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We’re delighted to see the number of entries steadily growing.😊✨ Thank you all so much for your continued support.🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️ With about one month left until the entry deadline, please feel free to photograph any winter scenes you love and submit them.🤗💕
How to enter
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko) and post your photo with the hashtags “#Winter Gokase 2025” and “#photo location (for example: #Unoko Falls)”.📸
Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account → https://www.instagram.com/gokase_kanko/...
※There may be hazards such as deep snow or icy roads. Please ensure your safety and take care to avoid accidents when photographing.⚠️
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[❄️ Introducing Photos Submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Part 2 ❄️]
Today we continue showcasing photos submitted to the Winter Gokase 2025 campaign, currently hosted on the Gokase Tourism Association’s Instagram account 🤩🎉
@moko.m
This entry, like the others, captures everyday winter life in Gokase Town. Each warm photo seems to carry the cheerful voices of children, and viewing them brings joy 🥰✨ Thank you for your submission 👏
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We have more submissions to share, so we’ll introduce them little by little 🤗
When submitting, a few people posted using the kanji “五ヶ瀬” for the title “Winter Gokase 2025.” We wondered if those were intended as entries, but please be careful when submitting in the future ⚠️
Use the hiragana “ごかせ”! The correct title is “Winter Gokase 2025” written as 「冬のGokase 2025」!!
How to enter (Submission period — through February 28)
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association on Instagram (@gokase_kanko), and post with the hashtags “#冬のごかせ2025” and a tag for the photo location (for example: #Unoko Falls) along with your photo 📸
※Snow and icy roads can be hazardous. Ensure safety when shooting and take care to avoid accidents ⚠️
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❄️ Introducing Photos Submitted to Winter Gokase 2025 — Part 1 ❄️
We are showcasing photos submitted to the Winter Gokase 2025 contest, currently running on the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account 🤩🎉
@goto0619
@thusandleavis
*Order is not indicative of ranking*
These shots capture everyday moments in wintertime Gokase Town with a nostalgic feel 😌✨ Thank you for your submissions!!
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Over the past few days, daytime temperatures in Gokase Town have often felt mild ☀️ But it is still winter! In the mornings frost has turned gardens completely white. Here are places that froze over. You can even see animal tracks in the remaining snow! Please feel free to share any simple winter discoveries with us in the same easygoing spirit — we look forward to your entries!!!
How to Enter (Submission Period through February 28)
Follow the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram account (@gokase_kanko) and post with the hashtags "Winter Gokase 2025" and the name of the shooting location (for example: Uno no Ko Falls) along with your photo 📸
※Snow accumulation and icy roads can be dangerous. When taking photos, please ensure your safety and take care to avoid accidents ⚠️
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Welcome to Gokase Town in winter ✨
Answer our survey and get local specialties 💪
(Response deadline: Friday, February 28 ⚠️)
A notice from Gokase Entertainment Co., Ltd. 💡
Right now, visitors to Gokase Town who complete a short survey will be entered into a drawing. Fifteen winners will receive local specialties from Gokase Town 🤩✨
This survey aims to make Gokase Town an even more attractive tourist destination, so we would greatly appreciate your cooperation 🤗
Here’s your chance to win a set of wine and kama-iri tea (pan-roasted tea) 💪❤️🔥
The response deadline is Friday, February 28 ⚠️
When you stop by Gokase Town, we look forward to your visit 🥺🙏
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【Ski Resort Photos】
Today in Gokase the sky is overcast☁️ and it’s been raining and snowing since morning, so it’s still cold🥶
By the way, Gokase Highland Ski Resort finally opened the Paradise Course for a 1,000 m run the other day⛷️✨
Unfortunately, only a 500 m run is available right now due to a lift malfunction, but repair work is underway, so please wait for its reopening 🥹🙏
I took some photos at the ski resort the other day, so I’ll share them here📸💫
The blue sky and pure white rime are incredibly beautiful😳
This season the ski resort’s conditions are excellent compared with usual years, so please come and visit Gokase Highland Ski Resort 🤗
Also, the Gokase Tourism Association is collecting winter photos of Gokase as “Winter in Gokase 2025” on its Instagram account❄️
Photos of the ski resort are welcome, and any snapshots of winter scenes are fine📸
For details, please see the pinned post on our profile🙏 We look forward to many submissions ✨
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Gokase Highland Ski Resort
I climbed up to Gokase Highland Ski Resort today to shoot some material📸❄️
At 7:00 this morning the temperature was a whopping -14°C🤣 It was such an odd kind of cold that it made me laugh🤷♀️ lol
That said, the slopes were in perfect condition ⛷️✨ The wind was light and the snow was powdery and dry 🤩
Local junior high students were here today as part of their school activities, and they were happily enjoying skiing and snowboarding 🥰
The view of the ski area under the blue sky is truly beautiful 🥹✨ It feels like another world, and staring at it makes you feel drawn in…😳
You can see the distant mountains stretching far away, and the view from Gokase Highland Ski Resort is exceptional 👏❗
Tomorrow, Saturday, January 11th, at 10:00 the long-awaited Paradise Course 1,000 m run finally opens 🤩 Can’t wait 💪
The Gokase Tourism Association is currently running the "Winter Gokase 2025" campaign on their Instagram account and collecting winter photos from the area 🤗
There are prizes, so when you visit the ski resort or travel there, please take lots of winter photos within safe limits and enter the contest 🙏✨
For details, see the post pinned to the Gokase Tourism Association Instagram profile page 💡
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