On December 6th the Yamabushi (ascetic monks) in their traditional clothing pray for peace and tranquility across the country. They carry out Yamabushi-Mondou, a Buddhist ceremony in which questions in relation to Buddhism are both asked and answered.After this, they participate in the Hiwatari (fire-crossing) Ceremony, which involves the monks walking over glowing embers and praying for sound health. Firefighters, workers of the thermal power generation industry, and people of other fire-related professions come to this shrine both to worship and buy ofuda (amulets).

A ship that connects Eshima Ohashi Bridge and Chigogafuchi Abyss, turning a usually 40 minute walk into a 10 minute journey. The cliffs of Enoshima and the dark green landscape of the trees are charming, and in good weather, you can see Mount Fuji.

The ascent to the summit of Gyojadake is a series of small ascents and descents. The summit of Mt. Gyoja is narrow and not suitable for groups resting. A stone statue of En no Gyoja (En no Gyoja) used to be placed on the summit, but it has been damaged by the wind and rain. There are several places where you have to climb up from Gyoja-dake to Shindaihi, so please be careful.Please use the "Tanzawa Omote Ridge Traverse Course" as a reference and plan your hike accordingly.Early morning trekking allows you to enjoy a special experience with fewer people and clear air.

Kumano Shrine enshrines a god of hot water, and hot water runs down the purification trough. There are 'Yukake-matsuri' on the fourth Saturday of May, and regularly held festival takes place at the same weekends. At the Manyo Park located at the center of spa town, there are so many Manyo plants (plants cited in the Manyoshu). There are also Manyo-tei modelled after ancient architecture of Manyo era, a monument engraved with a waka which is the only waka about hot water, and a monument of Doppo Kunikida, whose novels are focused on Yugawara.

It has been chosen "Conservation areas of green in Kawasaki. It is located on the top of Joukei temple.

Along the Hayakawa River, there are about 450 meters of Yoshino cherry trees. During the sakura festival held at the beginning of April, the trees are lit up and you can enjoy the beautiful night view of sakuras. Photos Provided by photolibrary

Park where flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year. With a theme of "Creating a Lifestyle Culture of Flowers and Greenery" we opened in 1995 (Heisei 7) with the aim to create a fun flower garden. Many visitors come to the park for a stroll, and the "Dancing Fountain," open only in the summer, is a popular spot for children.

Take a leisurely stroll through the thickets of 130 species of wildflowers and grasses, such as the calanthe discolor, the golden-rayed lily and the mountain hydrangea (or 'tea of heaven'). 

Hiratsuka city is known for its specialty craft, "Soshu Daruma". Arai Daruma Store has continued to handcraft these daruma one by one, preserving traditional techniques of production. You can also experience Daruma painting and coloring here.

This is one of the few "Kids only circuits" in Japan. It is mainly targeted towards children of 5 to 10 years, but they are used by people of a wide range of ages, even adults. Everyone receives proper explanations of the rules before going on the ride, so even if it is their first time, it is safe for children.

Sue-no-Sato is a workshop that produces the dishes, pavement, and lights for the Japanese cuisine restaurant Kokonotsuido. You can try your hand at handmade ceramics in their classroom surrounded by the beauty of nature. These lessons are available for groups of four. There is also a gallery where you can buy their works.

From early June to early July, you can witness natural Luciola cruciata and Luciola lateralis fireflies. Travel through the grove of cedar trees to reach the iris garden, which resembles a scene from paradise at night when the fireflies dance through the skies above it.

Hakone, an area shaped by volcanic activity, is dotted with captivating natural attractions: craters spewing smoke, a majestic caldera lake, and historic ruins surrounded by forests. Volunteers guide visitors around Hakone's main sights, and a dedicated guide will accompany your group of family and friends. Locations, itinerary details, and tour duration can be adjusted to your preferences through advance consultation.The standard tour includes visits to the following locations: ・Ride the Hakone Tozan Cable Car ・View the crater and Mount Fuji at Owakudani ・Ride the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (a pirate ship on Lake Ashi) ・Visit historical monuments such as Hakone Shrine, Hakone Checkpoint, and the Old Tokaido Road

Soar over Sagami Bay and admire the seaside city of Hiratsuka with a thrilling paragliding experience hosted by Blue Air Park! This paragliding school uses motorized paragliders and pairs visitors with an experienced instructor for safe and visually mesmerizing adventures. The school offers 10- and 20-minute sessions that are suitable for people of all ages.During the experience, you will reach heights of 100 to 200 meters! The crisp winds, coupled with the expansive panoramas of the sea, the beach, and Hiratsuka’s cityscape, create an unforgettable experience. Your instructor will even snap a photo of you to immortalize the heart-pounding, yet peaceful journey.For those who desire to take to the skies, Blue Air Park in Hiratsuka is an excellent way to satisfy your inner adventurer.

Climbing Mt. Nantai, a Sacred Site in Nikko The Tohai Kosha Taisai is the largest festival of Futarasan Jinja Shrine Chugushi, and has been held continuously for over 1,200 years since the late Nara period. Deeply rooted in the worship of Mt. Nantai, the festival takes place annually from July 31 to August 7. During this period, many visitors climb Mt. Nantai to pay their respects. In addition, pilgrims can climb Mt. Nantai at night during the festival. This allows climbers to reach the summit and witness the sunrise. At the shrine office, participants can receive items such as amulets, climbing certificates, sacred water, and coffee. Every year, around 2,000 climbers gather at night for this event. Before dawn, they set out, reaching the summit at around 4:40 a.m. to witness the rising sun. The sight of the glowing sun emerging from behind the sea of clouds is a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. The festival continues with rituals and ceremonies at the mountaintop.

Hand-ground stone-milled soba noodles – savor the history and flavors of Manganji Temple Izuru Soba originates from Tochigi City’s historic “Izuru Manganji Temple.” In the past, soba was made by temple parishioners and locals as an offering, and it gradually became a well-known local delicacy. Along the Izuru Kaido Road, many soba shops and guesthouses line the route, allowing visitors to enjoy natural scenery while savoring freshly ground stone-milled soba noodles. The Izuru area also promotes “Tochigi Edo Cuisine,” offering not only traditional zaru soba but also unique creations such as white soba, soba flour sweets, and the specialty “Koedo Soba Kaiseki.” This is not only a culinary experience but also a cultural journey that blends history, faith, and gastronomy.

Shirasagi-Tei is a restaurant operated by Cheese Garden, a Western confectionery brand that sells products using cheese. In the open and spacious glass-walled restaurant, you can feel the nature of Nasu as you look through the windows at the garden featuring local flowers and seasonal plants. There, you can also enjoy the changing of the season. Shirasagi-Tei’s recommended dish is Light and Crispy Loin Cutlet. With domestically produced pork, the dish is high in volume but light. Our signature Shirasagi-Tei Special Black Curry over Rice is also a wonderful dish prepared with a lot of time and effort. You will taste the flavor of beef, simmered and soft, concentrated in the curry roux with a hint of spiciness. Next to the restaurant is the main shop of Cheese Garden where you can purchase specialty confectionery.

It is said that Suga Shrine was built by a legendary samurai Fujiwara no Hidesato in A.D. 940, and moved to its present location during 1159~1160. The whole shrine is filled with a solemn and serene atmosphere.   In A.D. 1600, before the Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa Ieyasu held the famous “Oyama Council” at Suga Shrine and prayed for the victory of the battle. After his victory and the establishment of the Edo Shogunate, Suga Shrine was greatly honored by the Shogunate. In 1658, staff members who had participated in the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, created a miniature version of the Akamikoshi in Toshogu Shrine, which became the pressure of Suga Shrine.   The most important festival of Suga Shrine is "Oyama Gion Festival", on July 14 to 21 every year, 25 mikoshi including one massive one that weighs in at 2 tons are carried through the city.   According to “Shimotsuke Province Choreography（下野国誌）” written in Edo period, Suga Shrine’s “Gion Festival” is the “best Gion Festival in Shimotsuke Province.”   "