From ancient days Gero Hot Springs were familiar to people for its bountifulness. One day the springs had been stopped because of a big earthquake. People were so sad. One day one egret swooped down on the Masuda River and stood for awhile. And the very next day he came the same place and stood there. Day after day he did the same thing! They wondered why, but look! There is a spring! They were so glad. The egret left the place and never came back again. They noticed that there was a statue of Yakushi-Nyorai. So they appreciate that the egret was the embodiment of Yakushi-Nyorai, who was pity for them and tell them the source of the Hot Springs.

Gero Hot Springs are absolutely natural hot springs that flow out at high temperature. Its quality is referred to as alkaline simple thermals, which is cleared and mild water. By soaking in this delicately scented water you will have a smooth beautiful skin. The effects are highly valued so rehabilitation clinics and medical research institute have been established these days.

The Hida region, in the northern part of the prefecture, is dotted with mountains whose peaks jut above 3,000 meters, including Mt. Mitake , Mt. Norikura and Mt. Okuhodaka. In contrast, the Mino region in the south is covered by the Nobi Plain, with three well-known rivers?the Kiso, the Ibi and the Nagara?flowing across it. The middle reach of the Nagara River is particularly pure and clear, and is listed as one of one of the “Best 100 Water Sources in Japan.” Truly blessed with diverse natural beauty, Gifu Prefecture has long been known by the name “Hizan Nosui,” meaning the spectacular northern Hida mountains and the pure streams of southern Mino.

Because of its geography, the altitude in the prefecture varies greatly, from the plains virtually at sea level to mountain ranges more than 3,000 meters high, and that accounts for its great variations in climate. The average temperature in the city of Gifu is 16.2?, while that of Takayama, in northern Gifu, is 11.4?, for example. Thanks to these variations of geography and climate, Gifu offers habitats for a great variety of plant and animal species.

Mount Koya (Koyasan) is the center of Shingon Buddhism, a Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai), one of the most significant personalities in Japan's religious history. Over one hundred temples stand in the small town on top of the wooded mountain. Koyasan is one of the best places to experience a night at a temple. About fifty temples in the area function as shukubo, where tourists are welcome to overnight, try shojin ryori, the vegetarian cuisine of monks and participate in the morning prayers.

Made in 1908, this pipe organ was originally installed in a hall in Yorkshire, England and was subsequently placed in the Cornwall Museum of Mechanical Music before finding a home in Otaru. Built with 690 pipes, this impressive instrument can be played manually or set to play automatically. The music rolls that are used for automatic play support a repertoire of one hundred pieces. Known as the first automatic playing pipe organ introduced to Japan, this fine specimen can be found in the Antique Museum of Otaru Music Box Museum’s Number 2 Hall emitting wonderful notes evocative of a bygone era.

Earth Celebration (EC) is an international arts festival that seeks an alternative global culture through musical and cultural collaborations with artists from around the world. Hosts of the event Kodo invite musicians and performers they have met on their travels to come back to the rich natural paradise that is their home of Sado Island. The festival began in 1988 with the theme "Tataku" - to beat a rhythm, perhaps the most fundamental human act.

(From Tokyo) It takes about 2 hours by Joetsu Shinkansen (Bullet train) or about 4 hours by car via the Kanetsu Expressway to Niigata. Ryotsu city on Sado is connected with Niigata by regular ferryboat lines(2hours and 2Ominutes cruise )or by jet foil (1 hour cruise). There is also a 2O minutes flight available from Niigata.

Since its gold financially supported the Tokugawa, Sado was under the direct control of the government, and many people regarded as homeless were caught and brought to work in the mine. Their tragic stories also had a Strong Cultural influence on the island. Varieties of relics, folk arts, customs and legends brought by the people and passed on from generation after generation, attract many visitors to the island. "Sado Okesa", a traditional folk song, is well known to the world and Noh plays Bunya Puppet Shows, for instance, are seen at many villages through out the island.

(From Osaka) It is 1OO minutes to Niigata by plane and about 4 and a half hours by super express train on JR's Hokuriku Line to Naoetsu, where ferryboats sail to Ogi, Sado in 2 hours and 3O minutes or by jetfoil (1 hour).

Sado Island lies in the Japan Sea isolated from the mainland by the 35 kilometer Sado Strait. Sado is 263 kilometers in perimeter and 854.6 square kilometers in area. It is one of the largest islands in Japan. Many tourists come from all over the country every year, to visit Sado an island rich in nature beauty and historic monuments. In the ancient and middle ages, Sado was the island of exile. Not a few noble or holy people?the ex-Emperor "Juntoku? (1197-1242) ,a Buddhist priest "Nichiren Shonin" (1222-1282)and a Noh player "Zeami" (1363 -1443) ,for example, were banished there. They left a lot of historic relics as well as a Strong influence on the culture of Sado. During the Edo (Tokugawa Shogun's) Era (16O3-1868) ,Sado prospered because of the gold mine found near Aikawa.

Tottori Prefecture is located on the western part of Honshu (the main island of the Japanese archipelago), in the north-eastern part of the Chugoku district. It lies within latitudes 35'3-35'36 north and longitudes 133'8-134'31 east. To the north of the Prefecture lies the Japan Sea, to the east lies Hyogo Prefecture, to the west lies Shimane Prefecture and to the south lies Okayama and Hiroshima Prefecture. Tottori is a long and narrow prefecture, stretching about 120km from east to west and about 60km from north to south.

The Origin of the name "Tottori" During the Nara Era (8th century), there were many lakes and marshes in the area near what is today Tottori City. Many water birds lived here, and there were many "tottoribe"(people who catch birds(tori) for work). Hence, the name Tottori came to be used to describe this area.

Wakayama Prefecture faces the Pacific ocean, and is located in the southwestern part of the Kii peninsula which is the biggest peninsula in Japan. It has beautiful nature and historical treasures. With beautiful green mountains and a wonderful coast line whose length is 600km. There is a beautiful river between the mountains and the sea. The gorgeous scenery in Wakayama attracts visitors year-round. Kumano sanzan and Koyasan have awed people for ages and were granted World Heritage status. The mild climate and richness of nature provides gifts from the mountains, river and sea. Wakayama is rich in tourism resources and products.