Seikatsu Guide, and online website that helps support and promote local regions around Japan, has announced its Top 10 selection for “Places I Most Want To Go And See (Western Japan)” as voted for by people.
Right now, most of us are under lockdown and are prohibited from making trips deemed unnecessary. So why not make a list of places you want to visit for when we can next travel? One of those places should be the Five Bridges of Amakusa in Kumamoto Prefecture.
“Yowamushi Pedal” Anime | Five Bridges of Amakusa in Kumamoto
Taking the number one spot on the list is Five Bridges of Amakusa which is located in Kamiamakusa, Kumamoto. As the name suggests, five bridges make up the landmark, all of which stretch from Misumimachi and connect to Oyano Island, Nagaura Island, Oike Island, and Maejima Island. The bridges are a famous sightseeing spot and have been chosen as one of Japan’s “100 Best Evening Spots” and “100 Best Roads.”
One woman in her 30’s said, “I’ve been there on numerous occasions. It’s a really beautiful place.” A man in his 30’s also commented, “I love the [Yowamushi Pedal] manga. If you’re going as a fan, that scene is really exciting, so I went there on my bike.”
Comment from the person in charge of the Kamiamakusa Planning Committee
“Thank you for honouring us with 1st place in this […] ranking. Five Bridges of Amakusa features as the location for the race in the Yowamushi Pedal movie. It gets its name from its five bridges which connect the islands along National Route 266. The area is also nicknamed ‘Amakusa Pearl Line’ for the abundance of pearls that can be found here. It was also selected as one of Japan’s 100 Roads. It’s a truly beautiful bridge which is also an example of Japan’s fine bridge building craftsmanship.”
They continue: “Amakusa is surrounded by the beautiful ocean and spectacular mountains. Most of the city is located in Unzen-Amakusa National Park. There are islands that sit atop the glistening sea, and there’s the Amakusa Alps which offer a spectacular view. It hails as one of Japan’s best places for nature! There are many fun outdoor activities to experience, like dolphin watching, kayaking, cycling, and more. We have incredible food like kuruma prawns, which are a speciality food here, as well as free range local chickens. You can relax your mind and body with a dip in the hot springs while gazing at the ocean. Please be sure to drop by Kamiamakusa to enjoy everything it has to offer.”
Other places that ranked on the list include the following.
2nd Place – “Manpuku” TV Drama | Porto Europe, Wakayama
3rd Place – STU48 Promotional Video | Chichibugahama Beach, Kagawa
4th Place – “Yatsuhakamura” Movie | Makido Cave, Okayama
5th Place – “Segodon” TV Drama | Tatsumonjizaka Trail (Ryumonjizaka), Kagoshima
As part of the ongoing Channel47 project, which uses the power of local resources and entertainment to share Japan and its local culture with the world, a new travel experience titled ‘DEEP EXPERIENCE THE INAKA -TENRYUKYO・IIDA CITY-’ is now on sale, taking visitors to Iida, Nagano Prefecture.
Iida City in Nagano Prefecture will be the location for the tour, with the city selected by the Japan Tourism Agency in 2024 for its ‘Project to Promote Expansion and Quality of Inbound Tourism by Providing Special Experiences for Visitors.’ The Minami Shinshu Tourism Bureau helped to create the tour for inbound travelers to experience the “real” Japanese countryside found in the Tenryu Gorge area of Iida City by funding farmhouse homestays in the area.
By creating a travel experience that takes advantage of the local resources of Tenryu Gorge in Iida City, we aim to promote sustainable tourism activities by communicating the charm of the region to people in both Japan and abroad, revitalizing local production, passing on traditional culture, and strengthening cooperation between local communities.
Information
■Tour Name DEEP EXPERIENCE THE INAKA -TENRYUKYO・IIDA CITY-
■Tour Summary
This is a special tour that allows inbound visitors to experience the traditional culture and beautiful landscapes of Minami-Shinshu. By participating, guests can leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind, appreciating the true essence of Japan by spending time in the quiet region of Tenryukyo, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture.
◼︎Main Points
・A Three-day, two-night all-inclusive tour departing from JR Toyohashi Station with time spent in the Tenryukyo area in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture
・An exclusive train car on the JR Iida Line
・Special snacks and drinks supervised by Yukimoto, a famous restaurant in Iida that was awarded Gold on Tabelog.
・Various experiences in nature in each of the four seasons (such as rafting on the Tenryu River, scenic sky walk, agriculture and livestock farming experiences, etc.)
・Experience traditional Japanese culture (mochi pounding, Fire Festival, Wayuraku, Ningyo Joururi, etc.)
・Stay in a farmhouse homestay to experience real life in the Japanese countryside
◼︎Dates
① January 10-12, 2025
② January 12-14, 2025
③ January 17-19, 2025
④ January 19-21, 2025
⑤ January 24-26, 2025
◼︎Optional Menu
Dinner at ‘Yukimoto’
*Courses and drinks are not included in the tour price.
On March 8, 2023, voice actor and singer Daiki Yamashita will release his first album, from here. Ahead of this exciting date, the songAction is now available on streaming services! The track was chosen as the second ending theme for the anime series Yowamushi Pedal LIMIT BREAK.
Action is a duet with fellow musician and personal friend Saeki YouthK. The song pairs both voices expertly, and it’s clear to listeners that these two performers are incredibly close. Focusing on those with belief and those who are believed in, the horn arrangement was provided by Saeki YouthK and is a unique element of the song. The recently released jacket cover illustration was created by the up-and-coming artist Aruta and depicts one character looking forward as another looks back. More information on the upcoming streaming release campaign for Action has also been announced, with a Twitter sharing campaign having already begun. See the official website for more details.
The Limited First Edition release of from here will include a set of three clear cards, and images of these cards have been released! A release event and online autograph event will also be held in Tokyo in March.
Daiki Yamashita – from here (1st Album) Music Video Viewing and Release Party at Gamers Venue: Akihabara Gamers Main Store
Event Date:March 11, 2023 [Doors Open] 12:30 / [Show Starts] 13:00
Event Details / How to Apply: https://www.gamers.co.jp/contents/event_fair/detail.php?id=3336
MeeUP: Daiki Yamashita 1st Album from here Online Autograph Even Target Locations: MeeUP
Date: March 4, 2023 / 14:00
Sales Period: January 27, 18:00 – February 10, 23:59
Sales Method: Lottery
Product: from here – Daiki Yamashita (1st Album)
Limited First Edition: ¥5,500 (including tax) / Standard Edition: ¥3,300 (including tax)
Event Details / How to Apply: https://meeup.tokyo/products/yamashitadaiki_20230304
Limited Stand: Daiki Yamashita 1st Album from here Online Autograph Event
Target Locations: Limited Stand (Limista)
Date: March 4, 2023 / 18:00
Contents: Online Autograph Event
Sales Period: January 27, 18:00 – February 10, 23:59
Sales Method: Lottery
Product: from here – Daiki Yamashita (1st Album)
Limited First Edition: ¥5,500 (including tax) / Standard Edition: ¥3,300 (including tax)
Details / How to Apply: https://limista.jp/projects/3692
Home Cooking Themed Yowamushi Pedal LIMIT BREAK Collaboration Cafe to Open in Shibuya
Fans of Yowamushi Pedal won’t want to miss this special collaboration! Chugai Grace Cafe, located on the seventh floor of Shibuya MODI, will be running the Yowamushi Pedal LIMIT BREAK cafe from September 22 until October 17, 2022.
Collaboration Menu
Sakamichi Onoda and Sangaku Manami's Udon & Onigiri Plate
Yasutomo Arikita and Kuroda Yukinari's Hamburger & Salad Plate
Hayato Shinkai's Chocolate & Banana Mini Parfait
Sohoku High School Mango Whipped Cream & Calpis Drink
Hakone Academy Mint Whipped Cream & Calpis Drink
Goods
Pin (Random Holographic included, 9 varieties)
Acrylic Figure Stand (9 varieties)
Pin, Mini Character Ver. (Random Holographic included, 16 varieties)
Acrylic Stand (16 varieties)
Table Plate (9 varieties)
Shoulder Bag
Menu Order Bonus / Online Preorder Bonus
Coaster (1st Half): September 22 - October 4, 2022
Running: March 26 – March 27, 2022 Location: Tokyo Big Sight East Exhibition Hall 1-8 (3-10-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo) Booth: Chugai Mining Booth (A-13) Details: https://www.chugai-contents.jp/blog/event/aj2022/
The pandemic has changed our lives forever. People have spent the last two years missing travel as they spend more and more time at home, and while many are ready to travel again, it can be difficult to know if it's the right time to return to normalcy. To make the situation a little easier, many local tourism associations in Japan are posting images on Instagram to inspire people to give traveling another try. These three Instagram accounts are our personal favorites, and once Japan opens to tourists again, you won’t want to miss visiting these areas![Official Kumamoto Tourism Association] Motto, motto, Kumamoto!
Discover the charms of Kumamoto on this local Instagram account featuring photos from four unique local photographers. Many will know the area as the home of the character Kumamon. The images capture the daily lives of Kumamoto residents and include local food and gorgeous scenery. The postings also include the location of the photo and comments from the photographers, making things feel more personal. [Official Hokkaido Tourism Association] GoodDay Hokkaido
Hokkaido is an area rich in gourmet seafood and dairy, but its spectacular landscapes are reason enough to visit. GoodDay Hokkaido shows off both the common and uncommon elements of Hokkaido life, often introducing little-known areas. Each photo is vividly colored, and followers can see different seasons at every time of day as they scroll through the feed. See the best images from Japan’s northernmost island each and every day on your smartphone![Ome / Okutama] Umetama
Umetama is an account that introduces places of interest in Ome and Okutama, two of Tokyo’s most scenic towns. Each can be reached in about an hour by train from Shinjuku Station. Visitors can enjoy a gorgeous day trip from the Tokyo center, with the area featuring plenty of campsites and hiking trails. There are tons of stargazing spots, and visitors are often surprised that such incredible nature is so close to Japan’s hectic capital. Those with kids will find plenty to do here, so start taking notes while you scroll through the Umetama page!More and more young people are finding the appeal of Ome and Okutama, and the area has become the perfect relaxation spot for those seeking refuge from their busy lives. In addition, the craft beer bar Ome Beer, located near Ome Station, sells local alcohol, including Okutama’s popular craft beer ‘Vertere.’ See the lesser-known side of Tokyo on this picturesque account.
Remember how wonderful it is to travel? Hopefully, Japan opens for tourism again soon, and you can visit all of these gorgeous locales.
Anime-Inspired Cooking Project AniCook to Open Yowamushi Pedal Collaboration in Tokyo and Osaka
AniCook, a project using anime and manga to make cooking more fun, will hold a new collaboration with Yowamushi Pedal! The ‘cookpad Sohoku Festival’ will be held in Tokyo and Osaka from February 18 to March 13, 2022, and popular characters will greet guests with a White Day theme.Menu
Onoda's High Cadence Climbing Hashed Meat with Rice / Imaizumi's Shift Change Riding Bolognese