2024 July Vol.2

1. Bask in Cosmopolitan Luxury at Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower, Opens July 17©️Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower

The new Candeo Hotels Osaka The Tower is set to open in central Osaka on July 17 with luxurious
features that are fabulous accents to any stay. The open-air bath located on the 31st floor of thebuilding boasts uninterrupted panoramic views of the glittering Osaka cityscape, and theelegantly modern rooms also ensure that you wake up and go to bed with prime views. The
hotel is only a 5-minute walk from Yodoyabashi Station or a 10-minute drive from Shin-Osaka
Station, allowing easy access throughout the city and acting as a convenient base for sightseeing.
The Candeo Hotels Osaka Hirakata location also opened in the city in June, offering anotherfabulous lodging option in Osaka.
CANDEO HOTELS OSAKA THE TOWERCANDEO HOTELS OSAKA HIRAKATA

2. YAWN YARD, a New Way to Enjoy the Idyllic Nature of Okinawa, Is Opening inSummer 2024

©️YAWN YARD

Okinawa's Yambaru region, located in the northern part of the prefecture, is home to verdantforests that have stood for millennia and is surrounded by crystal blue ocean. Traveling over twobridges will bring you to the tiny Kouri Island, which can be circled by car in about 15 minutes.

In summer 2024, the new accommodation facility YAWN YARD will open on the island, allowing
guests to completely immerse themselves in Okinawa's gorgeous nature and culture. Aiming to
be a “yard where people can stay,” the buildings are designed so visitors can feel the gentle
ocean breeze and hear the sound of the rolling waves, which can also be enjoyed while savoring
Okinawan cuisine. With the belief that all food acts as medicine and eating together is the best
medicine, eating the food that is made with locally sourced ingredients is a rejuvenatingexperience.
YAWN YARD

3. Dogo Onsen, Visited By Legendary Japanese Historical Figures, Fully Resumed
Operations on July 11, Ehime©️Matsuyamashi

Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture is considered to be one of the oldest and most famous hot
springs in Japan, with a history that is said to date back 3,000 years. It has become a revered
part of Japanese culture, being referenced in the 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji and also
believed to be one of the inspirations for the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's iconic film. It was thefirst bathhouse in Japan to be recognized as a National Important Cultural Property, and thesolemn structure boasts traditional Japanese architecture with striking details. Dogo Onsen's
Honkan building had been operating while undergoing conservation work since 2019, but fully
resumed operations from July 11 of this year. For a truly memorable experience, head to Dogo
Onsen, where taking a bath is like soaking in ancient Japanese history and culture.
Dogo Onsen

4. Find Thousands of Lanterns Creating a Scenery of Crimson Lights at the Yamaguchi
Tanabata Lantern Festival, August 6 – 7

The Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival creates a magical sight for two days in mid-summer,with tens of thousands of red lanterns setting Yamaguchi City aglow. Its origins can be traced
back over 500 years ago, when the feudal lord Ouchi Moriharu lit a bamboo lantern to pray forthe souls of his departed ancestors. It is now known for its fantastic spectacle of glowing redlanterns that decorate the city, arranged in such ways that they resemble tunnels and even agiant tree. Dance performances and food trucks add to the festival atmosphere, transforming
the city of Yamaguchi (which was featured on the New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in2024) and creating memorable summertime moments among the soft glimmer of the lanterns.
Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival

5. The Iconic Awa Odori Dance Brings Bursts of Vibrancy to the Streets of Tokushima,
August 11 - 15

©️Tokushima city

Awa Odori is a folk dance from Tokushima Prefecture that is over 400 years old, and now has
become so well-known that the normally quiet Tokushima City is overcome with an energetic
atmosphere as over a million spectators flock to witness the exuberant, vibrant dancing during
the iconic Awa Odori Festival. The costumes of the dancers dye the streets in vivid colors, theirsynchronized movements and chants alongside the sounds of traditional instrumentscompletely captivating one's attention. One of the nation's most famous folk dances,
experienced groups from all over the country gather for the event, but there are also “Niwakaren” groups that teach beginners the steps day-of. There is nothing like seeing it in all its glory
at the iconic annual Awa Odori Festival.
Tokushima City Official (Awa Odori Dance)6. Browse a Massive Selection of Doujinshi at Comic Market 104, August 11 - 12, Tokyo©️COMICMARKET

Comic Market (also known as Comiket or Comike), is a large-scale convention focused around"Doujinshi," which are independently published books and comics that can either be based on
existing works (especially manga, anime, and video games) or completely original material.
Doujinshi is a way for creators to show off their artistic abilities, storytelling, and often love fortheir favorite characters and series. At Comiket, held in Tokyo Big Sight, you can find tens of
thousands of participants, including creators distributing their own works, fans eager to buy
doujinshi to add to their collections, and even cosplayers portraying their favorite characters.
Advance ticket information can be found on Facebook and X.
Comic Market 104 (C104)

7. Jump Into the Colorful World of Murakami Takashi in Kyoto - Until September 1

Takashi Murakami,
Summer Flower Field under the Golden SkyⒸ2023-2024 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Takashi Murakami,
Dragon in Clouds - Red Mutation:
The version I painted myself in annoyance after Professor
Nobuo Tsuji told me,"Why don’t you paint something yourself for once?"Ⓒ2010 Takashi Murakami/Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. All RightsReserved.

Murakami Takashi is a world-renowned contemporary artist who is especially known for hissmiling flowers with colorful petals. He blends traditional Japanese art with pop culture such as
anime and manga to create eye-catching pieces that also act as commentaries on modernsociety. As the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art celebrates its 90th anniversary, it is holding
the Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto solo exhibition that features a range of his works. Theexhibition is made up of around 170 pieces, including ones that portray both classic and modern
interpretations of “Mononoke” spirits from Japanese folklore, beckoning you into the new worldof Murakami Takashi.
Kyoto City Museum of Art 90th Anniversary Exhibition Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto

8. The Dramatic Tradition of Cormorant Fishing with Over 1000 Years of History, Until
October 15, Gifu

©️Seki CityCormorant fishing, or "Ukai" in Japanese, is an ancient fishing technique that has been practiced
for over 1,000 years in the Oze area in Seki City. Fishermen called "Usho" partner with theircormorant companions to catch fish aided by the light of a torch against the darkness of night.
The birds dive into the water and resurface to deliver fish to their masters. This theatrical
tradition has been enjoyed by spectators for hundreds of years. Cormorants are a protected
species and are therefore carefully tended to by their masters, building strong bonds of trust
between them. Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River in Seki City, known as the City of Sword,
has remained faithful to its long-standing roots, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese sceneryand culture. Visitors can even ride sightseeing boats that get close to the Usho and cormorants
at work and witness their expertise first-hand.
Oze cormorant fishing

9. Reflect on the Meaning of “Peace” By Interacting with the Locals and Nature ofHiroshima©️Hiroshima Adventure Travel

After suffering from the devastating effects of World War II, Hiroshima has become one of theworld’s largest advocates for peace. Standing among the beautiful landscape of the Setouchi
region, which includes everything from the ocean to mountains, are solemn reminders of thehorrors of war and calls to remember the importance of peace. There is a 5-day-long tour thattakes you through a wide variety of scenery, helping visitors become in touch with oneself andthe moment and showcasing the wonders of a world at peace and in harmony. The war
memorials and monuments in Hiroshima City vividly illustrate the atrocities of war and the realeffects they have, while the calm surrounding natural environment creates a perfect example ofthe beauty of the world we have been gifted. Interacting with the local people and culture
creates unforgettable bonds to the area, cementing the importance of connections andunderstanding.
HIROSHIMA Adventure Travel

10. Cycle Through a Charming Orchard and Marvel at the Bounteous Harvest of Fruit,Nagano©️Minami Shinshu Matsukawa Tourism Center

Matsukawa is a village in Nagano Prefecture that is known for providing high yields of delicious
fruits for over 100 years. Many flock to Matsukawa to revel in its orchards and their bounties,
which can now be explored during a relaxing bike tour that runs through a belt of fruit orchardsthat is located along the foot of the idyllic Japanese Alps mountain range. Participants are
sandwiched by fruit trees on all sides, with the mountains towering in the background. Several
stops are made during the tour, allowing for samplings of local fruit-related products,
interactions with the locals, and even fruit-picking experiences during select seasons such asapples and pears from August to September. The tour finishes off with a scrumptious picnic,
which is enjoyed under the soothing canopy of rustling fruit trees. For those who would like tospend more time relishing the natural wonders of Matsukawa, there is also an overnight
gastronomic tour available that visits several local breweries and includes an outdoor dinnerserved among the fruit trees of an orchard.
Orchard Cycling TourDo You Know the Signature Project?

ⒸsteAm Inc. & Tetsuo Kobori Architects
All Rights Reserved©️EARTH MART / EXPO2025

The project will be held from pavilions located in the center of the Expo venue that are led by
the eight producers. These pavilions are called Signature Pavilions. The Signature Pavilions andSignature Events will offer a variety of experiences combining the real and virtual worlds,
encouraging all visitors to explore life and update their idea of life.
Through the project, all visitors can reflect on and update their concept of “all things” througha variety of experiences that are both real and virtual. The eight producers will work on eightthemes, which include “Resonance of Lives,” “Amplification of Lives,” “Invigorating Lives,”“Forgiving Lives,” “Quest of Life,” “Totality of Life,” “Cycle of Lives,” and “Embracing Lives”.
These kinds of unique exhibitions are only available at the EXPO2025! Make plans to go to theExpo now! The super early bird ticket is now on sale - the price is 6,000 yen, which is not only
cheaper than the regular price of 7,500 yen, but also offers three chances to win the lottery foradmission to the popular pavilion, which is one more chance than other tickets.
EXPO 2025
Notes:
・ The above details are correct as of the time of publication, and are subject to change.
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